Cherry Nixie vs. Durock POM T1 (Sunflower)
An in-depth look at the Cherry Nixie and the Durock POM T1 (Sunflower) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Cherry Nixie and Durock POM T1 (Sunflower) stand out as popular choices for enthusiasts. The Cherry Nixie is a linear switch known for its substantial heft and textured typing experience, blending tradition with modern innovation thanks to Cherry's recent MX2A update. On the other hand, the Durock POM T1 (Sunflower) is a tactile switch prized for its maximum tactility, providing a sharp tactile feedback and a satisfying clean clack while typing. While the Nixie offers a 'Textured', 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched' typing experience, the POM T1 (Sunflower) is categorized as 'Resonant', 'Neutral', 'Sharp', 'Accented', 'Snappy', and 'Invigorating'. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style. 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
63.5g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
80g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Proprietary
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Cherry Nixie and the Durock POM T1 (Sunflower) switches both use different housing materials for their top and bottom components. The Nixie features a nylon top housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the POM T1 (Sunflower) utilizes a POM top housing that generates a more unique and pleasing sound, leaning towards the deeper and muted side. Despite these differences, both switches aim to provide a satisfying typing experience with their distinctive sound profiles.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Nixie and the POM T1 (Sunflower) share similarities in utilizing nylon for the Nixie and POM for the Sunflower variant. Nylon, being a softer plastic, is known for creating a duller and rounder sound profile due to its sound absorption properties. Similarly, POM housings are praised for their ability to produce a pleasing and unique sound with deeper tones and a more muted overall sound. These shared characteristics between the two switches' bottom housings suggest that users can expect comparable typing experiences in terms of sound and feel.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in switches such as the Cherry Nixie and the Durock POM T1 (Sunflower) play a crucial role in shaping the typist's experience. While the Nixie focuses on a deeper and fuller sound profile delivered by its nylon housing, the POM T1 (Sunflower) offers a more unique and pleasing sound with a deeper and relatively more muted tone through its POM housing. Both switches aim to provide an enjoyable typing experience through their distinct sound profiles, demonstrating that the choice of housing material can significantly impact the overall feel and sound of a mechanical keyboard switch.
Weight
The Cherry Nixie linear switch has a higher actuation force of 63.5 grams compared to the Durock POM T1 (Sunflower) tactile switch, which has an unknown actuation force. However, the bottom out force of the Nixie is heavier at 80 grams, while the Sunflower switch has a bottom out force of 67 grams. This means that the Nixie switch requires more force to trigger a keystroke and to bottom out completely, providing a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the POM T1 switch has a slightly lighter bottom out force, making it a more medium-heavy option. Depending on personal preference, some users may prefer the lighter actuation and bottom out force of the Sunflower switch for longer typing sessions or gaming, while others may lean towards the heavier force of the Nixie switch for a more tactile and substantial typing feel. Ultimately, the weight of the switch plays a significant role in determining the typing experience and comfort level for different users.
Travel distance
Both the Cherry Nixie linear switch and the Durock POM T1 (Sunflower) tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience a similar distance traveled from the top to the bottom. Despite the different switch types (linear versus tactile), the travel distance remains consistent between the two. This provides a consistent typing experience regardless of which switch is being used.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Cherry Nixie has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Nixie for $4.15.
The Durock POM T1 (Sunflower) has an MSRP of $7.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the POM T1 (Sunflower) for $5.57.
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 Cherry Nixie linear switch is known for its thocky and low-pitched characteristics, producing a deep and satisfying sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Durock POM T1 (Sunflower) tactile switch offers a resonant and neutral sound profile, with a higher-pitched, clean, and sharp sound. Both switches offer distinctive sound profiles that can enhance the overall typing experience, depending on your preference for deep thocky tones or sharp, resonant clicks.
Moving on to feel, the Cherry Nixie switch is praised for its textured typing experience, providing users with a noticeable friction when pressed. In contrast, the Durock POM T1 (Sunflower) tactile switch offers a sharp, accented, snappy, and invigorating tactile feedback with each keypress. The Durock switch delivers a strong and crisp tactile bump, creating a highly tactile typing sensation that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. Both switches offer unique tactile feels that can cater to different preferences, whether you prefer a textured typing experience or a sharp, invigorating tactile feedback.
Overall, when comparing the Cherry Nixie linear switch and the Durock POM T1 (Sunflower) tactile switch, it's clear that each switch has its own set of subjective qualities that can appeal to different users. While the Nixie offers a traditional linear feel with a thocky sound and textured typing experience, the POM T1 provides a punchy tactility with a resonant sound profile and a sharp, invigorating tactile feedback. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound, feel, and overall typing experience. If a specific quality is preferred, such as a deep thocky sound or sharp tactile feedback, choosing the appropriate switch will result in a similarly satisfying typing experience based on the desired qualities.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the Cherry Nixie linear switch or the Durock POM T1 (Sunflower) tactile switch, it all comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a heavy bottom out force and a textured typing experience with a thocky, low-pitched sound profile, then the Cherry Nixie may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you are seeking maximum tactility with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a sharp, resonant sound profile, along with sharp, accented, snappy, and invigorating tactile feedback, then the Durock POM T1 (Sunflower) could be more to your liking. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it is important to consider what feels most comfortable and enjoyable for your typing needs.
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