Durock Medium Tactile vs. Dareu Sky V4

Overview

When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Medium Tactile and Dareu Sky V4 offer unique experiences for typists looking for different qualities in their typing experience. The Durock Medium Tactile is praised for its pronounced yet balanced tactility, giving it a distinctive feel, along with a jelly-like sound signature. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky V4 stands out for its use of POK material in its top housing, resulting in a deeper sound signature that complements its smooth linear action. While the Medium Tactile falls under categories such as 'Accented', 'Stepped', 'Mild', and 'Polished', the Sky V4 is categorized as 'Thocky', 'Neutral', 'Low-pitched', and 'Bouncy'. Both switches have their own strengths and reasons why you might want to choose them, however, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Durock Medium Tactile Tactile

Dareu Sky V4 Linear

$5.50

$4.25 per 10

$7.78

$4.76 per 10

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Housing materials

In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Medium Tactile and the Dareu Sky V4, we can see that both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, crisper sound profile due to its stiffness, making it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Sky V4's POK top housing offers a smoother and clackier typing experience, with exceptional durability and shock resistance. While both materials provide different sound characteristics, they both offer unique benefits in terms of sound profile and durability.

Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Medium Tactile and Sky V4 use nylon for this component. Nylon is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound than harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound, creating a satisfying typing experience. With both switches utilizing nylon for the bottom housing, users can expect a similar sound profile characterized by its soft and absorbent qualities, enhancing the overall typing experience.

Overall, while the top housings of the Durock Medium Tactile and the Dareu Sky V4 offer distinct sound profiles and characteristics, their bottom housings share similarities in providing a deep and rich typing experience. Whether it be the sharper sound profile of polycarbonate in the Medium Tactile or the clackier feel of POK in the Sky V4, users can expect a unique typing experience with each switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference regarding sound profile, typing feel, and durability.

Weight

The Durock Medium Tactile and Dareu Sky V4 switches offer different experiences in terms of actuation force and bottom out force. The Durock Medium Tactile has a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch, while the actuation force is not specified. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky V4 has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it a medium-light switch. The Durock switch would provide a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier bottom out force, while the Dareu switch would offer a lighter typing feel. When comparing actuation force, the Sky V4 requires less force to trigger a keystroke compared to the Medium Tactile, which may result in a quicker typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the user's preference for a lighter or heavier typing feel.

Travel distance

The Durock Medium Tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. In this case, the Durock Medium Tactile switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Dareu Sky V4 switch. The difference may not be significant, but it could be a factor to consider depending on personal preferences. If you prefer a switch with a slightly longer travel distance for a more traditional feel, the Durock Medium Tactile switch may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly shorter travel distance for faster response times, the Dareu Sky V4 switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, it comes down to individual preference and what feels most comfortable for your typing or gaming experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Durock Medium Tactile switch provides a jelly-like sound signature, while the Dareu Sky V4 switch offers a deeper and richer thocky sound due to its innovative use of POK material in the top housing. The Medium Tactile switch might be more neutral or low-pitched, while the Sky V4 switch is known for its thocky sound that is satisfying and deep. The sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard's construction and the keycaps used.

Moving on to the feel, the Durock Medium Tactile switch is characterized by its accented tactility, offering a balance between pronounced tactility and smoothness. It is described as stepped, mild, and polished, providing a comfortable typing experience that is not too harsh. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky V4 switch is known for its bouncy feel, giving typists a spring-like sensation when typing. While the Medium Tactile switch aims for a subtle but noticeable tactile feedback, the Sky V4 switch offers a lively and rebounding experience when pressed.

Taking all the available information into consideration, the Durock Medium Tactile and Dareu Sky V4 switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Medium Tactile switch provides a balanced and jelly-like sound with accented and polished tactility, catering to those who prefer a more subtle tactile experience. In contrast, the Sky V4 switch offers a deep thocky sound with bouncy feedback, appealing to typists looking for a more pronounced and lively feel while typing. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and feel, with both switches offering unique and satisfying typing experiences.

Conclusion

In closing, when deciding between the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch and the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prefer a tactile switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force, pronounced yet balanced tactility, and a jelly-like sound signature, the Medium Tactile would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a medium-light bottom out force, a smooth linear action, and a deep sound signature with POK material in its top housing, the Sky V4 would be a suitable option. Additionally, if you appreciate a switch that provides a deep, rich, and satisfying "thocky" sound when pressed and released, go for the Sky V4. Ultimately, your choice should align with your personal preferences in terms of feel and sound to ensure a satisfying typing experience.

Mentioned in this article

Durock Medium Tactile Tactile

$5.50

$4.25 per 10

Learn more

Dareu Sky V4 Linear

$7.78

$4.76 per 10

Learn more