Durock Ice King Tactile vs. Outemu Blue
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Outemu Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Outemu Blue offer distinct typing experiences. The Ice King Tactile is praised for its smoothness and pronounced tactile bump, providing a satisfying typing experience that merges the best qualities of tactile switches. On the other hand, the Outemu Blue is known for its clicky feedback, offering a satisfying sound with each key press. While the Ice King Tactile is described as 'Silky', 'Frictionless', 'Subdued', 'Stepped', and 'Polished', the Blue switch does not have specific descriptors. Depending on your preference for tactile feedback or audible clickiness, each switch provides unique advantages. 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
58g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
68g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Outemu Blue, it is evident that they both utilize nylon for their bottom housing. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition that absorbs more sound. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches that use nylon, regardless of whether it is the Ice King Tactile or the Outemu Blue. Therefore, in terms of the bottom housing material, users can expect similar results in terms of sound and feel.
On the other hand, when it comes to the top housing material, the Ice King Tactile features a nylon top housing while the Outemu Blue utilizes polycarbonate. The nylon top housing of the Ice King Tactile creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, similar to its bottom housing. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the Outemu Blue creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate results in a more clear and resonant sound when typing, especially when incorporating RGB lighting due to its translucency. This difference in top housing material between the two switches can significantly impact the overall sound and typing experience.
Overall, the choice of housing material for switches plays a crucial role in determining the sound profile and typing feel. While both the Ice King Tactile and the Outemu Blue benefit from the use of nylon for their bottom housing, they diverge in their top housing material with the former using nylon and the latter using polycarbonate. This contrast results in a different sound experience for users, with the Ice King Tactile offering a deeper and fuller sound profile, and the Outemu Blue providing a sharper and crisper sound profile. Ultimately, users can choose between the two switches based on their preference for sound profile and typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Ice King Tactile switch and the Outemu Blue clicky switch in terms of actuation force and bottom out force, the Ice King Tactile switch is heavier with an actuation force of 58 grams and a bottom out force of 68 grams, providing a medium-heavy typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Blue clicky switch has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams, but the bottom out force is unknown. The Ice King Tactile switch offers a more substantial typing experience due to its higher actuation and bottom out forces, making it ideal for those who prefer a stronger push feel. In contrast, the Outemu Blue switch's lighter actuation force might be more suitable for individuals looking for a lighter typing experience, perfect for longer typing or gaming sessions without causing fatigue. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, slightly shorter than the Outemu Blue clicky switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Outemu Blue switch has a longer travel distance compared to the Ice King Tactile switch. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Ice King Tactile switch, while those who enjoy a more substantial keypress may lean towards the Outemu Blue switch with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Ice King Tactile has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ice King Tactile for $4.20.
The Outemu Blue comes in at $3.10 per 10 switches.
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 Ice King Tactile switch offers a subdued and dampened sound when pressed, providing a more subtle sound signature compared to many other switches. On the other hand, the sound profile of the Outemu Blue clicky switch is not provided, so it is difficult to directly compare the two switches in this aspect. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
Moving on to the feel, the Ice King Tactile switch is described as silky, frictionless, stepped, and polished, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance. This tactile switch provides a unique combination of smoothness and tactility, enhancing the overall typing feel. Unfortunately, the description of the feel of the Outemu Blue clicky switch is not available, making it challenging to directly compare the tactile experience of the two switches.
Taking into consideration the available information, the Durock Ice King Tactile switch seems to excel in providing a smooth and satisfying tactile typing experience with subdued sound characteristics. While the specific qualities of the Outemu Blue clicky switch are unknown in this comparison, it is safe to say that if a user enjoys a tactile switch with a pronounced bump and smooth feel, opting for the Ice King Tactile may yield similar satisfying results. Ultimately, the best choice between the Durock Ice King Tactile and Outemu Blue clicky switches will depend on personal preference for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Outemu Blue clicky switch, you should consider your preference for typing experience. If you prioritize a smooth and satisfying tactile typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Ice King Tactile would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a clicky sound with an undefined bottom out force, the Blue switch might be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and how each switch aligns with your desired typing experience.
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