Durock Black Lotus vs. HMX EVA
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the HMX EVA switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Black Lotus and the HMX EVA stand out as prominent options for enthusiasts seeking a smooth typing experience. The Black Lotus is renowned for its silky smooth feel and remarkable precision, designed to minimize housing and stem wobble, which translates to an unparalleled typing pleasure. With a 55g actuation weight, it strikes the perfect balance between responsiveness and effort, making it an excellent choice for both gaming and typing. Conversely, the HMX EVA draws inspiration from the iconic colors of the Evangelion franchise, offering a unique aesthetic alongside a resonant sound signature that enhances its tactile feedback. While both switches are linear and prioritize smoothness, the Black Lotus caters to those who prioritize stability and precision, whereas the EVA appeals to users who appreciate a distinct auditory experience along with its visual flair. 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
42g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
T2
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Durock Black Lotus and the HMX EVA, the most notable difference lies in the top housing composition. The Durock Black Lotus features a modified PC (Polycarbonate) and UPE (Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene) blend, which offers a unique and premium feel while contributing to the overall typing experience. This blend is designed to provide a balance of rigidity and responsiveness, enhancing the tactile experience of each keystroke. In contrast, the HMX EVA utilizes a classic nylon top housing. Although nylon is softer and provides good sound dampening, it lacks the advanced properties of the PC and UPE blend, potentially resulting in a different tactile feedback and sound profile during typing.
Both the Durock Black Lotus and HMX EVA utilize nylon for their bottom housings, which provides several parallels in the typing experience. Nylon's softer composition in the bottom housing absorbs sound and reduces vibrations, leading to a deeper and fuller sound profile during key presses for both switches. This similarity ensures that regardless of the top housing material, users will experience a rounded and subdued sound when bottoming out. Thus, while the top housings present different characteristics, the shared nylon bottom means both switches will provide a comparable auditory experience when pressed fully down.
In terms of the overall impact of the materials, the distinct materials of the Black Lotus and EVA in their top housings will dictate their unique sound signatures and tactile responses. The Black Lotus's modified PC and UPE blend likely results in a crisper and potentially more resonant sound upon release, amplifying the snappy feel of the switch's action. In contrast, the nylon top housing of the EVA may yield a softer release sound and a more muted experience. However, because both switches share the nylon bottom, their key bottoming out response remains similar, ensuring a level of consistency in the user experience despite the differences in top housing materials. This interplay between the varying top housings and uniform bottom materials creates a rich tapestry of sensations for typists and gamers alike.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the HMX EVA linear switch, significant differences emerge in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Black Lotus requires a medium-heavy actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it ideal for users who prefer a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the HMX EVA boasts a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, catering to those who appreciate a gentler touch, especially during extended typing or gaming sessions. As a result, the Black Lotus is the heavier switch, providing a firmer feel that some users may find satisfying, while the EVA is the lighter option, facilitating quicker keystrokes and reducing fatigue over time. Therefore, users seeking a more robust typing experience should consider the Black Lotus, while those favoring ease and comfort may opt for the EVA.
Travel distance
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the HMX EVA linear switch differ in their travel distances, with the Black Lotus measuring 4 mm and the EVA at 3.6 mm. This means that the Black Lotus provides a deeper keypress, which may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial feedback while typing. In contrast, the EVA's shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm aligns more with the preferences of gamers who often seek rapid response times in their keystrokes. While both switches cater to different user preferences—depth versus responsiveness—the EVA offers a quicker actuation, making it ideal for those who prioritize speed. Overall, if you're looking for a more pronounced typing experience, the Durock Black Lotus may be the better choice, while the HMX EVA is suited for users seeking efficiency and swift actions with a lighter touch.
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 HMX EVA has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the EVA for $2.99.
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 comparing the sound profiles of the Durock Black Lotus and the HMX EVA linear switches, the Black Lotus does not have a specified sound quality in the provided information. The EVA, however, boasts a resonant sound signature, contributing a unique auditory experience influenced by its design inspiration from Evangelion Unit-01. It’s important to note that the sound perceived from any switch can be further affected by the choice of keyboard case, mounting style, and keycap material, which means you might achieve different results depending on your overall setup.
In terms of feel, the Durock Black Lotus is celebrated for its silky smoothness and buttery action, which combines to provide a seamless typing experience. Its design minimizes stem and housing wobble, leading to a polished sensation with mild resistance that's approachable for most typists. The smoothness extends to a refined finish, reducing friction and resulting in an overall comfortable typing journey. The EVA, on the other hand, is similarly described with a silky smooth type feel; however, additional details regarding its tactile characteristics are not provided. It suggests that both switches prioritize a smooth typing experience, but the EVA emphasizes its resonant auditory quality in addition to its feel.
In conclusion, both the Durock Black Lotus and HMX EVA switches emphasize smoothness and precision in their design, catering to typists who value a refined and pleasurable experience. While the sound profile of the Black Lotus remains unspecified, the EVA offers a distinctive resonant quality that might appeal to users seeking a unique auditory element. Overall, if you're looking for a switch that delivers a silky and polished feel, both options promise satisfaction, though your choice might ultimately hinge on whether you prefer a dynamic sound signature or a more muted auditory experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Durock Black Lotus and the HMX EVA linear switches ultimately hinges on your preferences for weight, sound, and overall typing experience. If you appreciate a more substantial typing feel and prioritize precision, the Black Lotus, with its 63.5-gram bottom-out force and silky smooth operation, would be your ideal choice. Its polished and buttery characteristics ensure a refined experience while minimizing wobble, making it perfect for both typing and gaming when responsiveness is key. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch, the EVA switch, weighing in at just 48 grams, offers a delightful, smooth type feel with a resonant sound signature that can enhance your overall enjoyment, especially if you're drawn to its unique design inspired by Evangelion. The EVA might be the better choice if you favor a lighter typing experience that allows for quicker keystrokes without compromising comfort. In the end, consider what kind of feedback and weight best suits your typing style, as each switch offers its own unique benefits to enhance your mechanical keyboard experience.
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