Durock Black Lotus vs. Gazzew Bobagum

Overview

When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two options that stand out are the Durock Black Lotus and the Gazzew Bobagum. Both switches offer a unique typing experience but cater to different preferences. The Black Lotus is known for its silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision, making it a popular choice for those seeking maximum typing pleasure. With a 55g actuation weight, it strikes a balance between being substantial without being too hefty. The unique light column provides in-switch lighting and is fully removable, adding to its versatility. On the other hand, the Bobagum switches redefine smoothness with an almost "matte" feel. They offer an unparalleled tactility that's truly one of a kind, neither resembling the polished glide of ice-skating nor the texture of unlubed switches. Additionally, the Bobagum switches provide a nearly silent sound profile, ideal for users who prefer a muted and subtle typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your specific needs and preferences.

By the numbers

Durock Black Lotus Linear

Gazzew Bobagum Linear

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

$6.50 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Durock Black Lotus and the Gazzew Bobagum switches have some similarities and differences. Both switches feature a unique blend of plastic in their top housings, which contributes to their premium feel and rich sound profiles. The Black Lotus utilizes a modified PC and UPE blend while the Bobagum uses its proprietary Gazzew blend, commonly known as "boba plastic." These top housings offer a similar level of softness, resulting in a smooth and comfortable typing experience with a deep sound profile.

However, the differences arise when we consider the bottom housings of these switches. The Black Lotus boasts a nylon bottom housing, which is known for enhancing the sound experience by producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer qualities of nylon absorb more sound, resulting in a rounder and duller sound. In contrast, the Bobagum employs its proprietary Gazzew blend for the bottom housing as well. This means that the rich and deep sound profile delivered by the Bobagum's softness extends to both pressing down on the switch and releasing a key.

In summary, while the top housing materials of the Durock Black Lotus and the Gazzew Bobagum switches share similarities in terms of their premium feel and rich sound profiles, the differences lie in their bottom housings. The nylon bottom housing of the Black Lotus focuses on creating a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Gazzew blend in the Bobagum extends its soft and rich sound experience to both pressing down and releasing keys. Despite these distinctions, both switches offer an exceptional typing experience, ensuring a satisfying performance for keyboard enthusiasts.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch, there are some noticeable differences. The Black Lotus has a slightly higher actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Bobagum's 46 grams. This means that a slightly stronger push is required to trigger a keystroke on the Black Lotus. However, both switches have relatively similar bottom out forces, with the Black Lotus measuring at 63.5 grams and the Bobagum at 62 grams. This indicates that the typing experience when fully pressing down on both switches will feel quite similar.

In terms of weight, the Bobagum is the lighter option with its lower actuation force, making it suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. This allows for longer periods of typing without fatigue, which is particularly beneficial for users who use their keyboards for work or engage in lengthy gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Black Lotus provides a slightly heavier actuation force, offering a more substantial feel to each keystroke. This can be preferred by users who enjoy a stronger and more satisfying push when typing.

Overall, while the actuation force and bottom out force of the Black Lotus and the Bobagum differ slightly, they still provide comparable results. The choice between the two switches ultimately comes down to personal preference, with the Black Lotus offering a slightly heavier and more substantial typing experience, while the Bobagum provides a lighter and potentially more comfortable option for extended periods of typing.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch, it is clear that the Black Lotus has a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Bobagum has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. The Black Lotus, with its 4 mm travel distance, falls in the more traditional range, offering a deeper key press experience. On the other hand, the Bobagum's 3.6 mm travel distance is slightly shallower, catering to those who prefer a more responsive and quicker typing experience. Gamers, in particular, tend to opt for shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. In conclusion, the choice between these two switches ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you seek a more depth and a more deliberate key press, the Black Lotus with its longer travel distance would suit you best. However, if you value a quicker and more responsive typing experience, the Bobagum with its slightly shorter travel distance would be the ideal choice.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Durock Black Lotus switch has not been described in the provided information, so it is difficult to directly compare it with the Gazzew Bobagum switch. However, the Bobagum switch is described as having a nearly silent sound profile, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches. It is a muted switch that minimizes the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.

In terms of feel, the Durock Black Lotus switch is described as offering a silky, buttery, and polished typing experience with a mild feel. These descriptors indicate that the Black Lotus switch provides an exceptionally smooth and fluid keystroke experience with reduced resistance and friction. It offers a sleek typing experience due to its smooth and refined finish. On the other hand, the Gazzew Bobagum switch is described as having a subtle resistance and a light typing feel. It offers a gentle typing experience without being feather-light and maintains a sound signature that is not resonant, making it suitable for shared spaces.

Considering the available information, the Durock Black Lotus and Gazzew Bobagum switches have different subjective qualities. The Black Lotus switch is known for its silky smooth feel, unparalleled precision, and light column for in-switch lighting. It is a switch with a 55g actuation weight, offering a substantial but not overly hefty typing experience. On the other hand, the Bobagum switch offers a unique smoothness with an almost matte feel and unparalleled tactility. It has a bubblegum color and provides a nearly silent sound profile. While the specific sound qualities of the Black Lotus switch are unknown, it can be assumed that it provides a smoother and polished typing experience, while the Bobagum switch offers a subtle resistance and a quiet sound profile.

Overall, the Durock Black Lotus and Gazzew Bobagum switches offer different experiences in terms of sound and feel. The Black Lotus switch focuses on providing a silky smooth feel and precise typing experience, while the Bobagum switch emphasizes a unique smoothness, unparalleled tactility, and nearly silent sound profile. Depending on one's preferences, both switches can deliver an enjoyable typing experience, but with distinct qualities.

Conclusion

To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch, consider your preferences for bottom out force, typing feel, sound profile, and switch appearance. If you prefer a slightly heavier switch, the Black Lotus with its bottom out force of 63.5 grams may be more suitable. It offers a silky smooth feel, unparalleled precision, and reduced wobble for a satisfying typing experience. Additionally, the unique light column provides customizable in-switch lighting. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter switch, the Bobagum with its 62 gram bottom out force is a great choice. It provides a smooth, almost matte-like feel and exceptional tactility. Its bubblegum color adds a touch of uniqueness. Moreover, the Bobagum offers a nearly silent sound profile, making it ideal for quiet environments. Ultimately, the Black Lotus is known for its smoothness and precision, while the Bobagum stands out for its smoothness and tactile feedback. Consider these factors to determine which switch best suits your typing preferences.

Mentioned in this article

Durock Black Lotus Linear

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

Learn more

Gazzew Bobagum Linear

$6.50 per 10

Learn more