Aflion Panda vs. Durock Black Lotus
An in-depth look at the Aflion Panda and the Durock Black Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Aflion Panda and the Durock Black Lotus are two distinct mechanical keyboard switches with their own unique features and qualities. The Panda, well-known for Aflion's take on the Holy Pandas, offers an unparalleled hyper-tactile sensation and a profoundly "thocky" sound profile. If you value hypertactility and a full-bodied, sonorous audio feedback, the Panda is an excellent choice. On the other hand, the Black Lotus provides a silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision, reducing housing and stem wobble for maximum typing pleasure. With a 55g actuation weight that strikes a balance between substantial and comfortable, the Black Lotus offers a great typing experience. Additionally, its unique removable light column provides in-switch lighting. 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
50g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
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
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Single-stage 15mm long spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Aflion Panda and the Durock Black Lotus utilize different housing materials, leading to distinguishable characteristics in sound and feel. The Panda features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, allowing for a clear and resonant sound. On the other hand, the Black Lotus incorporates a modified PC and UPE Blend top housing, which offers a unique and premium feel. While both materials contribute to a quality sound, the Panda's polycarbonate is better suited for RGB lighting due to its translucency, offering an aesthetically pleasing experience.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Panda and the Black Lotus rely on a nylon material. Typing on switches with nylon housing provides a deeper and fuller sound. This can be attributed to nylon's softness, which allows it to absorb more sound compared to harder plastics. As a result, the sound produced is duller and rounder. With both keyboards utilizing nylon for their bottom housing, users can expect a similar sound and feel when typing on these switches.
When comparing the impact of the different housings on sound and feel, it is important to note that the qualities of each housing material are distributed between the top and bottom of the switch. Pressing down on the switch will primarily showcase the characteristics of the bottom housing, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing will have a more pronounced effect on the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, the choice between the Aflion Panda and the Durock Black Lotus will depend on personal preferences in terms of sound profile, aesthetics, and typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Durock Black Lotus linear switch, there are some distinct differences. The Aflion Panda has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams, while the Durock Black Lotus requires a slightly heavier 55 grams to trigger keystrokes. This means that the Aflion Panda will feel slightly more sensitive and require less force to register keystrokes. In terms of bottom out force, the Aflion Panda requires 60 grams, while the Durock Black Lotus needs 63.5 grams, making the latter slightly heavier. It is worth noting that both switches fall within the medium range for bottom out force, providing a satisfactory typing experience for those who prefer a more substantial push feel. Overall, those looking for a lighter switch with a quicker actuation force may lean towards the Aflion Panda, while those who prefer a slightly heavier switch may prefer the Durock Black Lotus.
Travel distance
The Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Durock Black Lotus linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the same distance of travel. Both switches provide a satisfying level of feedback and responsiveness due to their consistent travel distance. Whether you choose the Aflion Panda or the Durock Black Lotus, you can expect similar results in terms of how the switch physically feels when typing or gaming.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Panda has an MSRP of $5.20 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Panda for $3.56.
The Durock Black Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Black Lotus for $4.57.
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
The Aflion Panda tactile switch is known for its unparalleled, hyper-tactile sensation and a profoundly "thocky" sound profile. When typing on this switch, users can expect a resonant sound with a higher-pitched and immersive auditory experience. The sound profile is clean and sharp, creating a sonorous audio feedback. In terms of feel, the Panda switch offers an invigorating and accented tactile experience. It provides pronounced feedback, a moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive feel, resulting in an immersive typing sensation. Overall, the Panda switch is perfect for those who value hypertactility and a full-bodied audio feedback.
On the other hand, the Durock Black Lotus linear switch is renowned for its silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision. These switches reduce housing and stem wobble, enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing experience and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The Black Lotus switch has a 55g actuation weight, which provides substantial tactile feedback without being too hefty. Additionally, these switches feature a unique light column for in-switch lighting that is fully removable. Unfortunately, information regarding the sound profile of the Black Lotus switch is unknown, as it is dependent on other factors such as the choice of board and keycaps.
In conclusion, the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Durock Black Lotus linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities. The Panda switch excels in providing a hyper-tactile sensation with a resonant and thocky sound profile. It offers an invigorating and accented tactile feel for an immersive typing experience. On the other hand, the Black Lotus switch emphasizes silky smoothness, unparalleled precision, and reduced wobble. The feel of the Black Lotus is described as silky, buttery, mild, and polished, offering a smooth and refined typing experience. While the sound profile of the Black Lotus switch is unknown, both switches offer unique features that cater to different preferences. Whether you prioritize hypertactility and sonorous audio feedback or smoothness and precise keystrokes, you can expect similar high-quality results from these switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Durock Black Lotus linear switch, consider your preferences for bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a medium bottom out force, the Panda with 60 grams is a great option, while the Black Lotus with its slightly heavier 63.5 grams may be more suitable for those who prefer a medium-heavy feel.
If you value a hyper-tactile sensation and a deep "thocky" sound, the Panda is the way to go. It provides a super responsive tactile force and a full-bodied, sonorous audio feedback that sets a new standard for those who appreciate hypertactility. On the other hand, if you prioritize a silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision, the Black Lotus is the ideal choice. It reduces housing and stem wobble, enhancing typing pleasure, and its unique light column adds in-switch lighting that can be fully removed.
In terms of sound, the Panda offers a resonant experience, characterized by a higher-pitched sound profile and an immersive auditory experience. The Black Lotus, on the other hand, does not have a specific sound description provided.
When it comes to feel, the Panda is described as offering an accented and invigorating typing sensation. It provides a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming, along with pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive feel. Conversely, the Black Lotus is described as silky, buttery, mild, and polished. It offers an exceptionally smooth typing experience, with reduced resistance when pressing and releasing keys, a seamless and effortless keystroke experience, a gentle typing feel that is approachable to most, and a sleek typing experience due to reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Ultimately, the choice between the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Durock Black Lotus linear switch will depend on your personal preference for bottom out force, sound, and feel. Consider the unique features and qualities of each switch and choose the one that aligns with your typing style and preferences.
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