Durock Koala vs. Durock Light Tactile
An in-depth look at the Durock Koala and the Durock Light Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Koala and Durock Light Tactile are two popular options worth exploring. The Durock Koala is known for its perfect middle ground, providing a pronounced bump without being too overwhelming, making it ideal for those who enjoy a satisfying keystroke without excessive noise. On the other hand, the Durock Light Tactile offers a gentler tactility, offering a smooth typing experience with a subtle sound profile. While the Koala is categorized as polished, low-pitched, accented, neutral, stepped, and stiff, the Light Tactile is described as neutral, mild, and polished. 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
52g
Bottom-out force
67g
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
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
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
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Durock Koala and the Durock Light Tactile both feature polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a stiffer plastic that leads to clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. In terms of materials, the top housing of both switches provides similar qualities in terms of sound and aesthetics.
However, the Durock Koala and the Durock Light Tactile differ in their bottom housing material. The Koala features a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Light Tactile also utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, providing similar qualities in terms of sound production.
Overall, the combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing in both the Durock Koala and the Durock Light Tactile offers a balanced sound experience. The bottom housing affects the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch, while the top housing impacts the sound when letting go of a key. These differences in housing materials contribute to the unique sound profiles of each switch, providing a variety of options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts to choose from based on their preferences.
Weight
The Durock Koala tactile switch and the Durock Light Tactile tactile switch both have a bottom out force of 67 grams, making them both medium-heavy switches in terms of the force needed to fully press the key. However, when it comes to actuation force, the Koala has an unspecified force while the Light Tactile has an actuation force of 52 grams. This means that the Light Tactile switch requires a lighter force to trigger a keystroke compared to the Koala. For those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions or gaming, the Light Tactile may be the preferred choice. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel may lean towards the Koala. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation force and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Durock Koala tactile switch and the Durock Light Tactile tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4mm. This means that both switches will provide a similar typing experience in terms of how far the switch travels from the top to the bottom when pressed down. As a result, you can expect to get comparable results in terms of feel and key travel distance with both switches. Whether you choose the Koala or the Light Tactile, you can rest assured that you will be getting a consistent typing experience with a 4mm travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Koala has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Koala for $4.21.
The Durock Light 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 Light Tactile for $4.25.
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 Durock Koala switch is known for its low-pitched and neutral sound profile, offering a bass-heavy and mellow tone suitable for various uses. On the other hand, the Durock Light Tactile switch also delivers a neutral sound profile, making it versatile for both beginners and advanced users. Depending on your choice of keyboard and keycaps, the sound of each switch may vary slightly, but both switches provide a pleasant typing experience without being too loud.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Koala switch is described as polished, accented, stepped, and stiff, providing a refined and smooth typing experience with a pronounced bump and requiring a higher actuation force. In contrast, the Durock Light Tactile switch offers a mild and polished feel, delivering a gentle typing experience with a more approachable sound and feel for most users. Both switches offer a comfortable typing experience, with the Koala providing a more tactile and sturdy feel compared to the lighter touch of the Light Tactile switch.
Overall, the Durock Koala and Light Tactile switches cater to different preferences in terms of sound and feel. The Koala offers a more pronounced bump and sturdier feel, making it ideal for users who prefer a tactile and robust typing experience. On the other hand, the Light Tactile switch provides a gentler tactility and a softer typing experience, appealing to those who prefer a lighter touch. Depending on your personal preferences and typing style, you can choose between the Koala for a more tactile feel or the Light Tactile for a smoother and milder typing experience. Both switches offer quality construction and a range of subjective qualities to enhance your typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you enjoy a switch with a more pronounced bump and a bit of resonance without being overly loud, the Durock Koala tactile switch would be the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a gentler tactile experience with a jelly-like sound signature, the Durock Light Tactile switch would be more suited to your preferences. Consider the actuation force, sound profile, and feel of each switch to determine which one aligns best with your typing style and preferences. Ultimately, the decision between the Koala and Light Tactile switches comes down to personal preference and what type of typing experience you are looking for in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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