Durock Black Lotus vs. Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Durock Black Lotus and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver. These switches both fall into the linear switch category, offering a smooth keystroke experience. The Black Lotus is renowned for its silky smooth feel and unbeatable precision. It reduces housing and stem wobble, ensuring maximum typing pleasure. With a 55g actuation weight, it strikes a balance between substantiality and ease of use. Additionally, the Black Lotus boasts a unique feature - a fully removable light column that provides in-switch lighting. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 Silver from Gateron's budget-friendly G Pro lineup offers unmatched value for gamers. With a shorter travel distance of 3.4mm, compared to the standard 4mm, these switches offer lightning-fast responsiveness, giving gamers a competitive edge. Enhanced by a frosted light diffuser, the vibrant RGB lighting illuminates your gaming setup, while the medium-high pitch adds an exhilarating auditory element to your gaming sessions. Both switches have their merits, but as we delve deeper into their characteristics, you can make a more informed decision on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm lengthened stainless steel spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Black Lotus and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver switches offer distinct characteristics and contribute to different sound profiles. The Black Lotus features a modified PC and UPE Blend top housing, which provides a unique and premium feel. In contrast, the G Pro 3.0 Silver utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. While both top housings offer a premium feel, the Black Lotus may emphasize a smoother tactile experience, while the G Pro 3.0 Silver focuses on a brighter and more resonant sound.
Moving on to the bottom housings, both switches employ nylon material, known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, whether you choose the Black Lotus or the G Pro 3.0 Silver, you can expect a satisfying typing experience that elicits a deeper sound. However, the distinction lies in the split between the top and bottom housings. With the Black Lotus, the bottom housing dominates the bottom-out sound and feel, while the G Pro 3.0 Silver's top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key.
In summary, the Black Lotus and G Pro 3.0 Silver differ in their top housing materials, with the former utilizing a modified PC and UPE Blend and the latter incorporating polycarbonate. These variations lead to differences in how the switches sound and feel. However, they both feature nylon bottom housings, ensuring a deeper and fuller sound profile. Whether you prefer a switch with a unique and premium feel or one that emphasizes a sharper and crisper sound, both switches provide excellent options suitable for various preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The Black Lotus requires a higher actuation force of 55 grams, while the G Pro 3.0 Silver has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the G Pro 3.0 Silver can be triggered with a lighter touch, making it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience or for extended typing sessions without causing fatigue. On the other hand, the Black Lotus requires a slightly heavier actuation force, offering a more substantial and responsive typing feel.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Black Lotus has a higher bottom out force of 63.5 grams compared to the G Pro 3.0 Silver's 50 grams. This indicates that when fully pressed, the Black Lotus will give a more solid and firm typing experience as it requires more force to bottom out completely. In contrast, the G Pro 3.0 Silver offers a lighter bottom out force, which can be preferred by those who like a softer and smoother keystroke.
Considering the weight factor, some may prefer the Black Lotus as it provides a medium-heavy actuation and bottom out force, giving a satisfying and robust typing experience. However, for individuals who prefer a lighter touch and the ability to type for longer durations without strain, the G Pro 3.0 Silver's lighter actuation and bottom out forces make it a more suitable choice. In both cases, users will achieve their desired results as they have options that cater to their specific preferences.
Travel distance
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will feel a consistent distance of 4 mm from the top to the bottom of the switch. Therefore, both switches will provide similar results in terms of 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 G Pro 3.0 Silver has an MSRP of $3.40 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the G Pro 3.0 Silver for $3.27.
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
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch is best known for its silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision. This switch reduces housing and stem wobble for maximum typing pleasure and provides a satisfying typing experience. However, the specific sound characteristics of the Black Lotus switch are not provided in the information given.
On the other hand, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver linear switch from their budget-friendly G Pro lineup offers unmatched value and delivers an exceptional gaming experience. These switches have a shorter travel distance of 3.4mm, compared to the standard 4mm, providing lightning-fast responsiveness and giving gamers a competitive advantage. In terms of sound, the G Pro 3.0 Silver switch is described as bassy, low-pitched, and thocky, offering a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses. This adds an exhilarating auditory element to gaming sessions.
Both switches are described as buttery, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. This implies a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation for both switches. The Black Lotus switch is also described as silky, mild, and polished, further enhancing the overall smoothness and refinement of the typing experience. Similarly, the G Pro 3.0 Silver switch is described as creamy, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience, akin to gliding your fingers across the keys with ease.
To summarize, the Durock Black Lotus linear switch excels in its silky smooth feel and precise performance, while the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver linear switch stands out with its exceptional gaming capabilities and bassy sound profile. Both switches provide a buttery typing experience, allowing for effortless and uniform keystrokes. Depending on your priorities (typing or gaming), you can choose the switch that suits your needs. Additionally, it is important to note that the sound and feel of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. By considering these factors, you can expect similar results from both switches in terms of smoothness and refinement.
Conclusion
To wrap up, if you prioritize a medium-heavy bottom out force and a unique in-switch lighting feature, the Durock Black Lotus linear switch might be the right choice for you. With its silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision, these switches enhance the overall typing experience by minimizing housing and stem wobble. Additionally, the Black Lotus offers a substantial 55g actuation weight, providing a satisfying level of resistance. On the other hand, if you value a light bottom out force and lightning-fast responsiveness for gaming, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver linear switch could be the ideal option. These switches from the budget-friendly G Pro lineup deliver exceptional gaming performance with their shorter travel distance and offer vibrant RGB lighting with a frosted light diffuser. Ultimately, the decision between the Durock Black Lotus and Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver switches will depend on your specific preferences and priorities in terms of force, typing experience, and gaming performance.
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