Durock Black Lotus vs. Bsun Pine
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the Bsun Pine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Black Lotus and the Bsun Pine offer distinct advantages depending on your typing preferences. The Black Lotus is a linear switch, known for its silky smooth feel and precision. With a 55g actuation weight and reduced wobble, it provides a polished typing experience. On the other hand, the Bsun Pine is a tactile switch, featuring a sharp tactile bump and fast action for a direct and invigorating typing experience. While the Black Lotus is categorized as 'Silky', 'Buttery', 'Mild', 'Polished', the Bsun Pine is categorized as 'Accented', 'Invigorating', 'Sharp', 'Snappy'. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on whether you prefer a smooth, linear feel or a sharp, tactile feedback. 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
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Durock Black Lotus and the Bsun Pine both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their overall sound profiles. While the Black Lotus utilizes a Modified PC & UPE Blend for the top housing, creating a premium feel with a unique sound profile, the Pine opts for a polycarbonate top housing that produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. Both materials offer distinct advantages, with the polycarbonate being stiffer and more resonant, while the Modified PC & UPE Blend provides a softer, fuller sound. Despite these differences, both switches offer a high-quality typing experience with their respective housing materials.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Black Lotus and the Pine utilize nylon to create a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is known for its ability to absorb sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. This similarity in bottom housing material ensures that both switches offer a satisfying typing experience with a focus on sound quality. The differences in the top and bottom housing materials provide a unique touch to each switch, allowing users to experience a variety of sound profiles depending on whether they are pressing down on a key or releasing it.
Overall, the housing materials used in the Durock Black Lotus and the Bsun Pine switches offer a well-rounded typing experience with distinct sound profiles. While the Black Lotus features a combination of Modified PC & UPE Blend and nylon for its top and bottom housing respectively, the Pine utilizes polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing. Both switches deliver premium quality with their housing materials, offering users a customizable typing experience with unique sound characteristics. Whether you prefer a softer, fuller sound with the Black Lotus or a sharper, crisper sound with the Pine, both switches guarantee a satisfying typing experience.
Weight
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch has an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. In comparison, the Bsun Pine tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams but a slightly heavier bottom out force of 65 grams, also falling into the medium-heavy category. The lighter actuation force of the Pine switch may make it more appealing to users who prefer a lighter feel for extended typing or gaming sessions, while the Black Lotus switch may be preferred by those who enjoy a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Bsun Pine tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. In this case, the Pine switch has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Black Lotus. The shorter travel distance of the Pine switch may make it more appealing to gamers looking for faster response times, while the Black Lotus switch with its longer travel distance may be preferred by those who enjoy a deeper key press feel. Both switches provide options for different preferences, with the Black Lotus offering a bit more depth and the Pine providing a slightly faster response. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for travel distance in a keyboard switch. Overall, both switches offer a satisfactory typing experience with their respective travel distances.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Bsun Pine has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Pine for $3.70.
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 Black Lotus linear switch is described as having a smooth and quiet operation, making it ideal for office environments or late-night typing sessions. On the other hand, the Bsun Pine tactile switch is known for its sharp and distinctive sound, providing auditory feedback with each keypress. Both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences, with the Black Lotus offering a more subtle sound and the Pine delivering a more pronounced auditory experience.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Black Lotus linear switch is described as silky and buttery, providing an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance. The switch's polished finish enhances key travel and reduces friction for a luxurious feel. On the other hand, the Bsun Pine tactile switch is characterized as accented and sharp, offering a prominent tactile bump that is felt distinctly with each keystroke. The switch's invigorating and snappy feel provides a reactive typing sensation that appeals to those who prefer a more tactile feedback.
Considering all the available information, the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Bsun Pine tactile switch offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences. The Black Lotus provides a smooth and quiet typing experience with its silky feel and polished finish, while the Pine offers a sharp tactile bump and invigorating feedback for a more pronounced typing sensation. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound, feel, and typing experience. However, both switches are known for their quality construction and unique characteristics that will enhance your overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Durock Black Lotus linear switch or the Bsun Pine tactile switch, you should take into account your preferences for typing experience. If you value a smooth and precise keystroke with minimal wobble, the Black Lotus with its 55g actuation weight and removable light column may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a sharp tactile bump and quick bottom-out, the Pine switches with their distinct feedback and fast action may better suit your typing style. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to your personal typing preferences and the kind of typing experience you are looking for.
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