Durock Black Lotus vs. Outemu Crystal
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the Outemu Crystal switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Black Lotus and the Outemu Crystal both offer their own unique advantages. The Black Lotus is cherished for its silky smooth feel and unmatched precision, making it a joy to type on. With reduced housing and stem wobble, the Black Lotus maximizes typing pleasure. Additionally, its 55g actuation weight provides a substantial but not overly heavy typing experience. What sets the Black Lotus apart is its unique light column that offers in-switch lighting, which can also be fully removed. In contrast, the Crystal switches from Outemu provide a different typing experience. They offer a fairly elastic feel combined with a medium-light weight, resulting in a distinctive linear typing sensation. Not only that, but the Crystals boast a neutral sound profile when typing. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Durock Black Lotus and the Outemu Crystal switches have contrasting housing materials that contribute to their unique characteristics. The Black Lotus features a modified PC and UPE blend top housing, which gives it a unique and premium feel. The polycarbonate top housing of the Crystal, on the other hand, creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. While both switches offer a distinct experience, the Crystal's polycarbonate top housing is especially advantageous if you plan to use RGB lighting due to its translucency.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Black Lotus utilizes a nylon material, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Crystal's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to a sharper and more resonant sound profile. Furthermore, the clear housing of the Crystal indicates its use of polycarbonate, making it a visually appealing option.
With differing top and bottom housings, the qualities of each material are split between the two parts of the switch. When pressing down on the switch, the characteristics of the bottom housing are more prominent, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing has a stronger influence on the sound when a key is released. These distinctions highlight how the housing materials play a vital role in shaping the overall experience and sound of the switches.
In conclusion, the Durock Black Lotus and the Outemu Crystal switches have contrasting housing materials that offer distinct advantages. The modified PC and UPE blend top housing of the Black Lotus provides a unique and premium feel, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Crystal creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, especially when coupled with RGB lighting. The nylon bottom housing of the Black Lotus contributes to a deeper and fuller sound, while the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Crystal enhances the sharpness and resonance of the sound. The split between the housing materials affects the overall sound and feel when pressing down or releasing a key.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Outemu Crystal linear switch, there are notable differences to consider. The Durock Black Lotus has an actuation force of 55 grams, slightly heavier than the Crystal's 45 grams. This means that the Black Lotus requires a slightly stronger push to initiate a keystroke. Similarly, the Black Lotus also has a heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams, compared to the Crystal's 55 grams. Therefore, the Black Lotus provides a more substantial typing experience, perfect for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Crystal offers a lighter actuation and bottom out force, making it ideal for individuals who prefer a lighter weight switch for extended typing or gaming sessions. Despite their differences, both switches fall within the medium-weight range, ensuring that users can expect a level of consistency in their typing experience.
Travel distance
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Outemu Crystal linear switch have an equal travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either switch, you will feel the same distance being traveled from the top to the bottom. Both switches provide a consistent tactile experience in terms of travel distance, ensuring a satisfying keystroke. Whether you choose the Black Lotus or the Crystal, you can expect similar results when it comes to the travel distance of the switch.
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 Outemu Crystal comes in at $3.40 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
In terms of sound, the Durock Black Lotus switch does not have any specific descriptors mentioned, so it is unknown how it sounds. On the other hand, the Outemu Crystal switch is described as having a neutral sound profile. This means that it produces a sound that is neither too rich and bassy nor too sharp and crisp. If you prefer a more balanced and unobtrusive typing sound, the Crystal switch would be a suitable choice. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch is also affected by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Black Lotus switch is described as offering a silky smooth and buttery typing experience. These qualities indicate that the switch provides an exceptionally smooth and fluid keystroke, with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. This results in a seamless and effortless typing sensation. Additionally, the Black Lotus is also mentioned to have a polished finish, which further enhances the smoothness of the typing experience. On the other hand, the Crystal switch is also described as having a polished finish. This suggests that the Crystal switch also offers a sleek and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, based on the provided information, the Durock Black Lotus and Outemu Crystal switches have different subjective qualities. The Black Lotus switch is praised for its silky smooth feel and refined typing experience, while the Crystal switch offers a unique elastic feel and a neutral sound profile. Both switches have a polished finish, indicating smooth and refined key travel. It is important to consider personal preferences and requirements when choosing between these two switches. If you are looking for a switch with a smoother and more gentle typing experience, the Black Lotus might be more suitable. Alternatively, if you prefer a switch with a more unique typing feel and a balanced sound profile, the Crystal switch could be a good choice.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Durock Black Lotus and the Outemu Crystal linear switches, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences. If you prefer a switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams, along with a silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision, then the Black Lotus is the way to go. These switches are known for reducing housing and stem wobble, providing maximum typing pleasure. Additionally, the unique light column adds an extra touch with in-switch lighting that is fully removable.
On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams and a unique, linear typing experience, the Outemu Crystal switches would be more suitable for you. These switches offer a fairly elastic type feel, resulting in a smooth and enjoyable typing experience. They also have a neutral sound profile, which can be appealing for those who prefer a quieter typing experience.
In terms of sound, the Black Lotus has not been described in the given information, while the Crystal switches are known to have a chirpy and high-pitched sound. If you enjoy switches with a little squeak or a sharp and crisp sound, the Crystal switches may be more to your liking.
When it comes to feel, both switches are described as polished, which means they offer a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The Black Lotus switches are additionally described as silky, buttery, mild, and polished, enhancing the overall smoothness and effortless typing sensation. The Crystal switches are solely described as polished, indicating a sleek typing experience as well.
Overall, the Durock Black Lotus and the Outemu Crystal linear switches have their own unique characteristics and advantages. Consider your preferences for bottom out force, typing experience, sound profile, and overall feel when making your decision. With this information, you can choose the switch that best suits your typing style and enhances your overall mechanical keyboard experience.
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