Gateron Baby Raccoon (V2) vs. Durock Blue Lotus
An in-depth look at the Gateron Baby Raccoon (V2) and the Durock Blue Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Gateron Baby Raccoon and the Durock Blue Lotus. The Baby Raccoon is a linear switch known for its bright sound signature and refreshingly crisp typing feel. With lengthened switch stems, these linear switches offer a marbley experience that is truly unique. On the other hand, the Blue Lotus switches from Durock deliver a striking blend of tactile intensity and swift responsiveness. With slightly reduced travel and a marked tactile feel, these switches are perfect for those who enjoy a satisfying typing experience. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switches feature a detachable light column for vibrant RGB illumination, adding an extra touch of visual appeal to your keyboard setup. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm long spring
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Baby Raccoon and the Durock Blue Lotus switches differ in their top housing materials. The Baby Raccoon features a polycarbonate top housing, while the Blue Lotus utilizes a modified PC and UPE blend. The polycarbonate top housing of the Baby Raccoon creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Its stiffer plastic composition leads to a more clear and resonant sound. This makes it particularly useful for switches that incorporate RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, the Blue Lotus's modified PC and UPE blend top housing offers a unique and premium feel. Although the sound profile is not explicitly stated, it can be inferred that this blend may produce a different sound compared to polycarbonate, potentially offering a distinct auditory experience.
Both the Baby Raccoon and the Blue Lotus switches share the same nylon bottom housing material. Both switches elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the relatively softer nylon plastic. Nylon has the ability to absorb more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This allows for a more satisfying typing experience, as the switch produces a more pronounced sound when bottoming out each keystroke. Therefore, despite their differences in top housing materials, the switches offer similar acoustic qualities in terms of their bottom housing.
When comparing the feeling and sound when interacting with the switches, it is important to note the impact of the different housing materials. While the bottom housing primarily affects the bottom-out sound and feel, the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, the combination of the materials used in both the top and bottom housing can greatly influence the overall typing experience. It would be interesting to explore how the polycarbonate top housing of the Baby Raccoon and the modified PC and UPE blend top housing of the Blue Lotus contribute to the release sound and feel of the switches, potentially yielding distinct tactile sensations.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Gateron Baby Raccoon linear switch and the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch, it is evident that they have similar actuation forces of 55 grams. This means that both switches require the same amount of force to trigger a keystroke. However, there is a slight difference in their bottom out forces. The Baby Raccoon has a bottom out force of 63 grams, making it a medium force switch, while the Blue Lotus has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 65 grams, classifying it as medium-heavy.
Considering weight is an important factor for switch selection, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may opt for the Gateron Baby Raccoon switch. Its lighter bottom out force allows for extended typing sessions without causing excessive fatigue. This makes it a suitable choice for individuals who use keyboards for long periods at work or during intense gaming sessions.
On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial typing experience and enjoy a stronger push feel may find the Durock Blue Lotus switch more suitable. With a slightly heavier bottom out force of 65 grams, this switch provides a bit more resistance, giving a satisfying tactile feedback during typing.
In summary, while both switches have the same actuation force of 55 grams, the Baby Raccoon offers a lighter bottom out force of 63 grams, while the Blue Lotus presents a heavier bottom out force of 65 grams. By considering these factors, individuals can decide which switch better suits their preferences for a comfortable and engaging typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Gateron Baby Raccoon linear switch is 3.6 mm, while the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. Both switches offer a shorter travel distance compared to the traditional 4.0 mm, which is favored for its more responsive typing experience. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances as they provide faster response times. If you prioritize responsiveness, the Gateron Baby Raccoon switch may be a suitable choice. However, some individuals find shorter travel distances to feel abrupt, and for those seeking a deeper typing experience, the Durock Blue Lotus switch with its slightly longer travel distance could be a better option. Overall, while there is a slight difference in travel distance between the two switches, both offer the benefits of shorter travel distances compared to the standard, ensuring similar results in terms of improved typing responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Blue 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 Blue Lotus for $4.57.
The Gateron Baby Raccoon (V2) comes in at $5.50 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
When it comes to sound, the Gateron Baby Raccoon linear switch is best described as resonant, marbly, and high-pitched. Typing on these switches will provide a higher-pitched sound profile and an immersive auditory experience. The sound is clean, sharp, and resembles the sound of tapping on a rock-solid piece of marble or two billiard balls colliding. On the other hand, the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch is characterized as bassy, offering a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses. This lower frequency range gives the sound a depth and richness associated with bass tones. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Baby Raccoon linear switch provides a creamy and bouncy typing experience. These switches offer a smooth and buttery sensation, similar to gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. Additionally, they provide a spring-like or elastic feedback, giving a lively and bouncy feel during keystrokes. The Baby Raccoon switch is also invigorating, offering pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive feel. Moreover, these switches have a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch is described as accented, snappy, and stepped. These switches provide a medium amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. They are super responsive, thanks to longer or dual-staged springs, which make the typing experience feel more alive. Additionally, Blue Lotus switches feel more mild compared to hypertactile switches, with some pre-travel and/or post-travel sensations.
Based on the available information, the Gateron Baby Raccoon linear switch and the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch offer distinct subjective qualities. The Baby Raccoon provides a bright sound signature and a refreshingly crisp type feel, with a resonant and marbly sound profile. Its creamy and bouncy feel, along with a polished finish, allows for a smooth and invigorating typing experience. On the other hand, the Blue Lotus offers a striking blend of tactile intensity and swift responsiveness, with a bassy sound profile. Its accented and stepped feel provides a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming, while the snappy response brings liveliness to typing. Both switches have their unique features, catering to different preferences, but they both deliver satisfying results in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a linear switch with a medium bottom out force that provides a bright and crisp typing experience, the Gateron Baby Raccoon is the perfect choice for you. With its lengthened switch stems, you can expect a marbley feel and a resonant, high-pitched sound profile that offers an immersive auditory experience. Additionally, the Baby Raccoon offers a creamy and polished feel, providing a smooth and refined typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a slightly higher bottom out force, the Durock Blue Lotus is the switch for you. Known for its striking blend of tactile intensity and swift responsiveness, the Blue Lotus delivers a marked tactile feel. With its slightly reduced travel and detachable light column for vibrant RGB illumination, this switch combines performance with captivating visual appeal. The Blue Lotus offers an accented and snappy feel, providing a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming.
Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal preferences. If you prioritize a linear switch with a bright and crisp typing experience, go for the Gateron Baby Raccoon. However, if you prefer a tactile switch with a marked tactile feel and swift responsiveness, the Durock Blue Lotus is the way to go. Consider the sound and feel descriptors provided for each switch to determine which switch aligns better with your typing preferences.
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