Durock Medium Tactile vs. Haimu Viola Tricolor
An in-depth look at the Durock Medium Tactile and the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, it's important to consider both the tactile experience and the sound profile. Two switches that excel in these areas are the Durock Medium Tactile and the Haimu Viola Tricolor. The Medium Tactile from Durock is highly regarded for its unique flavor of tactility, striking a perfect balance between pronounced feedback and a smooth feel. Additionally, it boasts a jelly-like sound signature that adds a touch of uniqueness to your typing experience. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor switches from Haimu are designed to deliver a thuddy and punchy sound profile, offering a character-filled typing experience. These switches provide a satisfying level of tactility without being overly tactile, finding the perfect equilibrium between feedback and user comfort. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Dual-staged gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Durock Medium Tactile and the Haimu Viola Tricolor both feature polycarbonate top housings, which contribute to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate in both switches creates a more clear and resonant sound due to its stiffness. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting. Therefore, if you are looking for a switch that produces a similar sound and offers the option of RGB lighting, both the Medium Tactile and the Viola Tricolor would provide similar results.
Where the Medium Tactile and the Viola Tricolor differ is in their bottom housings. The Medium Tactile utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor also features a nylon bottom housing, which provides the same deep and full sound profile. The use of nylon in both switches ensures that the bottom-out sound and feel are impacted by the qualities of the bottom housing.
In summary, both the Durock Medium Tactile and the Haimu Viola Tricolor offer similar sound profiles through their polycarbonate top housings, enhancing clarity and resonance. However, their nylon bottom housings differentiate their sound profiles, with the Medium Tactile producing a duller and rounder sound compared to the Viola Tricolor. Depending on your preference for sound, either switch could be a suitable option.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, we can see some similarities and differences. Unfortunately, the specific actuation force for both switches is unavailable, so we cannot directly compare them in this aspect. However, both switches have a similar bottom out force, with the Durock Medium Tactile having a bottom out force of 65 grams and the Viola Tricolor having a slightly lower bottom out force of 63.5 grams.
Considering the weight of the switches, some users may prefer a lighter option like the Viola Tricolor for longer typing sessions or extended gaming sessions where fatigue may become a factor. The lighter actuation force, if it happens to be lower than the Durock Medium Tactile, could potentially provide a more effortless typing experience. On the other hand, some users might prioritize a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience. For these individuals, the Durock Medium Tactile, with its potentially heavier actuation force, could be the preferred option.
In summary, while we lack specific data for the actuation force, comparing the bottom out forces of the Durock Medium Tactile and the Haimu Viola Tricolor suggests that they have similar tactile feedback. However, the Viola Tricolor is potentially lighter in terms of actuation force, making it suitable for extended typing or gaming sessions. Meanwhile, the Durock Medium Tactile may cater to those who prefer a heavier actuation force for a more pronounced typing experience.
Travel distance
The Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the traditional range of travel distances, with the Medium Tactile being slightly longer and the Viola Tricolor being slightly shorter. The choice between the two boils down to personal preference and specific use cases. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the Viola Tricolor with its shorter travel distance, as it allows for quicker presses. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial feel and deeper actuation may lean towards the Durock Medium Tactile with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches depends on the user's specific needs and preferences.
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 Haimu Viola Tricolor has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Viola Tricolor for $3.09.
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
When it comes to sound, the Durock Medium Tactile switch is known for its jelly-like sound signature. While the specific qualities of the Viola Tricolor switch sound are not mentioned, it is described as delivering a thuddy and punchy sound profile that adds character to the typing experience. Both switches offer unique sound profiles that can enhance the overall typing experience. Depending on other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used, users can expect to achieve similar results with both switches, but with slight variations in sound.
Moving on to feel, both the Durock Medium Tactile switch and the Viola Tricolor switch are described as accented switches, offering a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. Additionally, the Medium Tactile switch is described as stepped, meaning it feels like it has two stages with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. It is also described as mild, offering a gentle typing experience that falls in the middle-ground zone. The Viola Tricolor switch is described as invigorating, offering pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive feel. Both switches provide a satisfying and tactile typing experience, with the Viola Tricolor offering a sharper sensation without overwhelming the user.
In conclusion, the Medium Tactile switch from Durock and the Viola Tricolor switch from Haimu both offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Medium Tactile switch is known for its jelly-like sound signature and stepped feel, while the Viola Tricolor switch provides a thuddy and punchy sound profile with an invigorating feel. Both switches offer a pronounced tactility that is satisfying without being overwhelming. Depending on personal preference, users can choose between the smooth and refined finish of the Medium Tactile switch or the immersive typing sensation of the Viola Tricolor switch. Overall, users can expect a high-quality tactile typing experience from both switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, when it comes to choosing between the Durock Medium Tactile and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switches, it ultimately depends on your preferences and the typing experience you're looking for. The Durock Medium Tactile offers a pronounced yet balanced tactility, resulting in a satisfying feedback without being overly tactile. It has a jelly-like sound signature that adds character to your typing. On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches provide a thuddy and punchy sound profile, accompanied by a sharp sensation without overwhelming the user. These switches offer a pronounced tactility and create an immersive typing sensation.
In terms of sound, the Medium Tactile has a sound signature that is not explicitly described, while the Viola Tricolor offers a bassy and low-pitched tone, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones.
When it comes to feel, both switches are described as accented, providing a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. Additionally, the Medium Tactile is also described as stepped, mild, and polished, offering a more gentle typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor is described as invigorating, providing pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive feel.
Ultimately, if you prefer a balanced yet pronounced tactility with a jelly-like sound signature, the Durock Medium Tactile would be the suitable choice for you. However, if you prefer a thuddy and punchy sound profile with a sharp sensation and an immersive typing experience, the Haimu Viola Tricolor would be the better option. It is important to consider your sound and feel preferences to ensure the most satisfying typing experience.
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