Durock Black Lotus vs. Gateron CAP Anniversary
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the Gateron CAP Anniversary switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Black Lotus and the Gateron CAP Anniversary mechanical keyboard switches, both linear switches have their unique features that cater to different preferences. The Black Lotus is praised for its silky smooth feel and reduced wobble, providing a polished typing experience with its 55g actuation weight. On the other hand, the CAP Anniversary stands out with its novel CAP structure and aerodynamic stem design, resulting in exceptionally smooth and snappy keystrokes. While the Black Lotus offers a buttery and mild typing experience, the CAP Anniversary provides a creamy and polished feel. 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
50g
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
4.00 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
Gold-plated 20mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Black Lotus and the Gateron CAP Anniversary switches share some similarities and differences. Both switches have a top housing made of premium materials that contribute to a unique feel. The Black Lotus features a modified PC and UPE blend top housing, while the CAP Anniversary incorporates a polycarbonate top housing. The polycarbonate top housing of the CAP Anniversary produces a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile compared to the Black Lotus, which offers a more premium feel. However, both switches benefit from the top housing material's ability to allow RGB lighting to shine through due to their translucency.
In terms of the bottom housing material, both the Black Lotus and the CAP Anniversary switches utilize nylon. This classic switch housing material is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. The bottom housing of a switch has a significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed, making it important for overall typing experience. Despite having the same bottom housing material, each switch's unique design and construction may still result in slightly different typing experiences, despite the similarities in sound profile.
Overall, while both the Durock Black Lotus and the Gateron CAP Anniversary switches share similarities in their housing materials, such as the use of nylon for the bottom housing, they also feature distinct differences. The Black Lotus's modified PC and UPE blend top housing provide a premium feel, while the CAP Anniversary's polycarbonate top housing creates a crisper and higher-pitched sound profile. These differences in housing materials ultimately contribute to a unique typing experience for each switch, making them suitable for different preferences and uses. Despite these distinctions, users can expect a certain level of quality and responsiveness from both switches due to their carefully selected housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switch, it is evident that the Black Lotus is slightly heavier in both aspects. The Black Lotus has an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, whereas the CAP Anniversary has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams. Both switches fall into the medium-heavy category, providing a satisfying tactile feedback for users who prefer a bit of resistance in their typing experience. Choosing between the two would depend on personal preference for a lighter or heavier typing feel. The lighter actuation force of the CAP Anniversary may be preferred for longer typing sessions, while the heavier bottom out force of the Black Lotus could appeal to those seeking a more substantial keystroke experience. Ultimately, both switches offer a balanced combination of actuation and bottom out forces for a satisfying typing experience.
Travel distance
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key using either switch, you will experience a similar travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches offer a consistent key press experience in terms of travel distance, providing a satisfying typing feel for users. Since both switches have the same travel distance, users can expect similar results in terms of key press feel and responsiveness. Overall, both the Durock Black Lotus and the Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switches offer a smooth and consistent typing experience with their 4 mm travel distance.
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 Gateron CAP Anniversary has an MSRP of $4.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the CAP Anniversary for $4.10.
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 often praised for its smooth and quiet operation, providing a satisfying typing experience without being overly loud. On the other hand, the Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switch is known for its smooth keystrokes that result in a quieter typing sound compared to other switches. Both switches offer a subtle and pleasant auditory feedback, making them suitable for environments where noise levels need to be kept to a minimum.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Black Lotus linear switch is characterized by its silky and buttery keystrokes, offering a smooth and fluid typing experience with minimal resistance. The Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switch, on the other hand, is often described as snappy and creamy, providing a responsive and comfortable typing sensation with a subtle tactile feedback. Both switches prioritize smoothness and stability in their design, ensuring a consistent and satisfying typing feel for users.
Overall, the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switch both excel in providing a premium typing experience with their unique features and qualities. While the Black Lotus offers a silky smooth feel with reduced wobble and in-switch lighting, the CAP Anniversary impresses with its novel CAP structure and aerodynamic stem design for enhanced smoothness and stability. Whether you prefer the nuanced sound and feel of the Black Lotus or the responsive feedback of the CAP Anniversary, you can expect a high-quality typing experience with either switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference and what specific qualities you prioritize in a mechanical keyboard switch.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switch, consider the specific characteristics that match your typing preferences. If you prioritize a smoother typing experience with reduced wobble and in-switch lighting, the Black Lotus may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you value exceptionally smooth keystrokes with features like an aerodynamic stem design and reduced resistance, the CAP Anniversary switch could be the ideal option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your individual typing style and preferences to ensure maximum satisfaction with your mechanical keyboard switch selection.
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