Durock Medium Tactile vs. Jerrzi Salt Ice
An in-depth look at the Durock Medium Tactile and the Jerrzi Salt Ice switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options are the Durock Medium Tactile and the Jerrzi Salt Ice. The Durock Medium Tactile is praised for its balanced tactility and jelly-like sound signature, making it a great choice for those looking for a tactile typing experience. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Salt Ice is known for its bright and clacky characteristics, along with a light touch that offers a responsive typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Durock Medium Tactile and the Jerrzi Salt Ice both feature polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. This makes them a great choice for those looking for a more clear and resonant sound when typing. In terms of aesthetics, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting to shine through, adding a visually appealing element to the switches. However, the Medium Tactile's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound with its softer plastic composition. This split between the top and bottom housings gives each switch a unique combination of sound qualities.
While both switches have polycarbonate top housings, the Durock Medium Tactile stands out with its nylon bottom housing, which offers a different typing experience compared to the Jerrzi Salt Ice's polycarbonate bottom housing. The Durock Medium Tactile's use of nylon creates a duller and rounder sound, adding a different dimension to the overall typing experience. In contrast, the Jerrzi Salt Ice maintains a consistent sharp and crisp sound profile throughout, thanks to its polycarbonate construction in both the top and bottom housings. This distinction in bottom housing material showcases how different housing materials can significantly impact the sound and feel of a switch.
Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Medium Tactile and the Jerrzi Salt Ice will depend on personal preferences for sound and feel while typing. The Durock Medium Tactile offers a unique combination of a sharper top housing and a deeper bottom housing, providing a diverse typing experience. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Salt Ice maintains a consistent sharp and crisp sound profile with its polycarbonate construction in both housings. Both switches have their strengths and appeal to different preferences, showcasing how housing materials play a crucial role in the overall typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch and the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch, it is evident that the actuation force and bottom out force vary between the two. The Durock Medium Tactile has a bottom out force of 65 grams, which is considered medium-heavy, while the actuation force is not specified. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Salt Ice has an actuation force of 45 grams, making it lighter than the Durock switch, but the bottom out force is unknown. Weight is an essential factor to consider when choosing a switch, as some users prefer lighter switches for extended typing or gaming sessions, while others prefer heavier switches for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch and the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch, we can see that the Durock Medium Tactile has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Jerrzi Salt Ice has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. This makes the Jerrzi Salt Ice the shorter option of the two. The Medium Tactile falls into the more traditional range of travel distances, offering a slightly longer keypress feel compared to the Salt Ice. For those who prefer a faster response time and shorter travel distance, the Jerrzi Salt Ice would be the ideal choice. However, if a user prefers a deeper keypress feel with more travel, the Durock Medium Tactile would be the better option. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the specific needs of the user.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Medium Tactile has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Medium Tactile for $4.25.
The Jerrzi Salt Ice has an MSRP of $2.79 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Salt Ice for $2.30.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
In terms of sound, the Medium Tactile switch is known for its jelly-like sound signature, providing a unique auditory experience. On the other hand, the Salt Ice switch is recognized for its bright and clacky characteristics, adding a lively touch to keystrokes. The sound produced by each switch will be influenced by various factors such as the keyboard's construction and the keycaps used.
When it comes to the feel of the Medium Tactile switch, users can expect an accented tactility that strikes a balance between pronounced feedback and smoothness, creating a satisfying typing sensation. Additionally, the switch offers a stepped feel, providing a sense of two-stage actuation that enhances the overall typing experience. The Salt Ice switch, with its light touch and vibrant feedback, delivers a quick and responsive feel, making it an attractive option for users seeking an energetic typing sensation.
Overall, the Durock Medium Tactile and Jerrzi Salt Ice switches offer distinct qualities in terms of both sound and feel. While the Medium Tactile switch provides a balanced tactile experience with a jelly-like sound signature, the Salt Ice switch stands out for its bright and clacky characteristics combined with a light touch. Depending on the user's preferences for sound and feel, both switches offer unique benefits that can enhance the typing experience. Ultimately, users can expect satisfying results from either switch option based on their individual preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are in search of a tactile switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a balanced tactility, the Durock Medium Tactile would be an excellent choice for you. It offers a jelly-like sound signature and a pronounced yet not overwhelming tactility. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with an unknown bottom out force but are looking for a bright and clacky typing experience with vibrant feedback, the Jerrzi Salt Ice would be the perfect fit for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preference for tactility, sound, and typing experience. Consider what qualities are most important to you in a switch and choose accordingly.
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