Durock Medium Tactile vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Durock Medium Tactile and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Durock Medium Tactile and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue. The Medium Tactile is renowned for its unique flavor of tactility, striking a balance between pronounced feedback and a satisfying typing experience. With its jelly-like sound signature and categories like 'Accented' and 'Stepped', this switch offers a distinctive experience for users. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue is known for its deep and thocky sound profile, immersing users in a truly satisfying typing experience. With a lengthened single-stage spring, it provides a bouncy feel with each keystroke. Categorized as 'Buttery' and 'Easy-to-press', the Tourmaline Blues offer a balance between accessibility and enjoyment. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
65g
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Durock Medium Tactile and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in similar qualities in terms of sound profile and aesthetics. The polycarbonate material creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound when typing, making it ideal for those who prefer a more distinct acoustic experience. Additionally, the translucency of the polycarbonate top housing allows for the use of RGB lighting, adding a visually appealing element to the switches. Therefore, users can expect comparable results in terms of sound and visual effects when using both switches.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Medium Tactile features a nylon material while the Tourmaline Blue sticks with polycarbonate. This difference in housing materials leads to variations in the sound profile produced by the switches. The nylon bottom housing of the Medium Tactile offers a deeper and fuller sound, as it is relatively softer and absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Tourmaline Blue contributes to a sharper and more resonant sound. This suggests that users may experience subtle differences in the sound produced when bottoming out the keys between the two switches.
In terms of overall typing experience, the impact of the housing materials is divided between the top and bottom of the switch. When pressing down on either the Medium Tactile or the Tourmaline Blue, the qualities of the bottom housing material will be felt, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing material will have more influence on the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, while the two switches share similarities in their polycarbonate top housing, the different bottom housing materials may result in slightly distinct typing experiences for users.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there are a few notable differences. The actuation force of the Medium Tactile is unavailable, while the Tourmaline Blue requires 59 grams of force to trigger a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the Medium Tactile has a weight of 65 grams, indicating a medium-heavy feel when fully pressed down. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 67 grams, also falling in the medium-heavy range. Despite the difference in actuation force, both switches provide a similar level of resistance when fully pressed down, offering a satisfying typing experience for those who prefer a more substantial feel. The weight of a switch is an important factor to consider, as it can influence typing comfort and endurance. Those seeking a lighter option may find the Tourmaline Blue more suitable for extended typing or gaming sessions, while individuals who appreciate a stronger push may opt for the Medium Tactile.
Travel distance
The Durock Medium Tactile and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will experience a consistent and equal distance traveled from the top to the bottom. Therefore, whether you choose the Durock Medium Tactile or the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, you can expect similar results in terms of the travel distance that you feel when using these switches.
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 Everglide Tourmaline Blue has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Tourmaline Blue for $3.89.
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
The Durock Medium Tactile switch is best known for its pronounced yet balanced tactility, offering a unique typing experience. It has a jelly-like sound signature, which adds an interesting touch to the overall sound profile. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch stands out for its deep and thocky sound profile, immersing the user in a satisfying typing experience. With a lengthened single-stage spring, it provides a bouncy feel with each keystroke. The Tourmaline Blues strike a balance with their standard spring weight, making them enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users.
When it comes to sound, the Medium Tactile switch's precise qualities are not explicitly mentioned in the provided information. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Similarly, the Tourmaline Blue switch is described as having a neutral sound profile, which means it has a moderate sound profile suitable for various purposes, be it for beginners or advanced users, and whether it's used at home or work.
In terms of feel, the Medium Tactile switch is described as having accented tactility, which implies a noticeable tactile feedback without being overwhelming or subtle. It is also described as a stepped switch, providing a mild tactile experience with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. The switch is considered mild in its characteristics, offering a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. Additionally, it is noted as being polished, indicating a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction.
The Tourmaline Blue switch is described as having a buttery feel, implying a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. It offers a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. It is also mentioned as being easy-to-press, which means it requires minimal force to activate the keys, making typing comfortable and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Like the Medium Tactile switch, it is categorized as a mild switch, offering a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users.
Overall, both switches have their unique features and qualities that contribute to a satisfying typing experience. However, without specific details on the precise sound and feel characteristics of the Medium Tactile switch, it is difficult to make a direct comparison. If you are looking for a tactile switch with noticeable tactility and a jelly-like sound signature, the Medium Tactile may be a good choice. If you prefer a linear switch with a deep and thocky sound profile and a buttery, easy-to-press feel, the Tourmaline Blue is an excellent option. Both switches offer qualities that will enhance the typing experience and cater to different preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a tactile switch with a pronounced yet balanced tactility and a jelly-like sound signature, the Durock Medium Tactile is an excellent choice. Its medium-heavy bottom out force combined with its accented, stepped, mild, and polished feel characteristics provide a typing experience that is prominent without being overwhelming. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a deep and thocky sound profile and a bouncy feel, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue is the way to go. Its medium-heavy bottom out force, combined with its neutral, buttery, easy-to-press, and mild feel characteristics, ensures a satisfying and low-impact typing experience suitable for both beginners and advanced users. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches comes down to your preferred typing experience, whether you lean towards a tactile or linear switch and which feel and sound characteristics resonate with you the most.
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