Durock Black Lotus vs. Bsun Jade Rosales
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the Bsun Jade Rosales switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switch can significantly influence your typing experience. The Durock Black Lotus and the Bsun Jade Rosales are two linear switches that cater to keyboard enthusiasts looking for smoothness and precision in their keystrokes. The Durock Black Lotus is celebrated for its silky smooth feel and minimal wobble, featuring a 55g actuation weight that strikes a balance between lightness and control, making it ideal for both gamers and typists seeking a refined experience. Its unique light column enhances aesthetics with in-switch lighting, adding a touch of personalization to your setup. On the other hand, the Bsun Jade Rosales, meticulously calibrated over a year, showcases custom housings and lubrication techniques that culminate in an exceptionally smooth typing experience, appealing to those who prioritize craftsmanship and performance. While both switches share the characteristic of being linear, they each offer distinct features that may cater to different user preferences, whether you value the Durock's innovative lighting or the Jade Rosales's artisanal refinement. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Y3X
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Custom Milky Material
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
20.5mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Durock Black Lotus and the Bsun Jade Rosales, notable distinctions arise in their top housings. The Durock Black Lotus utilizes a modified PC and UPE blend top housing, which combines the attributes of polycarbonate (PC) with that of an unspecified material in a modified UPE blend to create a unique and premium feel. This blend can potentially offer enhanced durability and tactile feedback. Conversely, the Bsun Jade Rosales features a polycarbonate top housing known for its stiffer composition, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. The translucency of polycarbonate also makes it favorable for RGB lighting applications, presenting a visually appealing component in builds with such features. Despite these differences, both materials aim to achieve a distinct auditory experience, with the Black Lotus offering a premium feel and the Jade Rosales presenting a crisper sound.
When examining the bottom housings, we find a contrasting approach that further shapes the switches' overall performance. The Durock Black Lotus employs a classic nylon bottom housing, known for its ability to absorb sound and create a deeper, fuller sound profile. Nylon, with its softer texture, dampens vibrations more effectively, resulting in a smoother typing experience. In contrast, the Bsun Jade Rosales incorporates a proprietary Custom Milky Material for its bottom housing, which, while not specifically detailed, suggests a unique blend designed to offer an optimal blend of sound and durability. This proprietary material likely contributes to both sound characteristics and the feel under the fingers, implying that each switch will deliver a distinctly different dynamic when activated.
Ultimately, the distinctions in the top and bottom housing materials significantly affect the overall sound and tactile experience of the switches. For the Durock Black Lotus, the combination of a modified PC and UPE blend top housing with a nylon bottom creates a unique balance between premium feel and auditory depth, offering a rich and rounded experience. In contrast, the Jade Rosales, with its polycarbonate top and proprietary bottom housing, leans towards a sharper sound profile that may appeal to those seeking clarity and a crisper typing experience. While both sets of materials promise high-quality results, the subtle nuances in composition mean that the final sound and feel will vary, reflecting the individual qualities that each housing material brings to the table.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Bsun Jade Rosales linear switch, notable differences in actuation and bottom out forces emerge, influencing user experience. The Black Lotus features a heavier actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. In contrast, the Jade Rosales offers a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, placing it in the medium-light category. This distinction implies that users who prefer a lighter keypress for extended typing or gaming sessions may gravitate towards the Jade Rosales, while those desiring a more substantial feel might opt for the Black Lotus. Thus, potential users must weigh these characteristics to choose the switch that aligns best with their typing preferences. Ultimately, the Black Lotus is the heavier option, whereas the Jade Rosales stands as the lighter choice.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Bsun Jade Rosales linear switch, it is clear that the Black Lotus offers a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Jade Rosales features a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This difference suggests that the Black Lotus may provide a more traditional typing experience, which some users might prefer for its depth and tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Jade Rosales, with its reduced travel distance, caters to gamers and those who prioritize responsiveness and quick key actuation. Thus, for individuals looking for a more substantial key press, the Black Lotus would be the better choice, whereas those seeking swiftness and efficiency might lean towards the Jade Rosales.
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 Jade Rosales has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Jade Rosales for $5.39.
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 is particularly noted for its smooth auditory profile, which contributes to a more enjoyable typing environment. While the specific sound characteristics are not detailed, it is generally accepted that linear switches such as the Black Lotus produce a quieter acoustic signature due to the absence of a tactile bump and click mechanism. The Bsun Jade Rosales, with its meticulously refined design over the course of a year, also offers an emphasis on a smooth and pleasant sound profile. However, the exact acoustic qualities of the Jade Rosales are not specified, leaving some ambiguity regarding how it might compare to the Black Lotus in terms of sound.
Regarding the feel, the Durock Black Lotus switch excels with several descriptors highlighting its exceptional typing experience. It offers a silky smooth action that minimizes resistance during key presses, allowing for a buttery sensation that enhances fluidity. The mild nature of the switch ensures that it caters to a wide range of users, providing a typing experience that is accessible without being overly pronounced. In contrast, while the Bsun Jade Rosales switch is also engineered for exceptional smoothness and has been refined through custom housings and lubrication methods, the specific characteristics of its feel, such as whether it matches or differs from the silky and polished nature of the Black Lotus, remain unspecified.
In conclusion, both the Durock Black Lotus and Bsun Jade Rosales linear switches are designed to offer exceptional smoothness and a pleasure-driven typing experience. While the sound profile of each is not distinctly defined, one can expect a quieter operation typical of linear switches from both brands. The Black Lotus stands out with clear descriptors ensuring a silky, buttery, and polished feel, fostering a typing experience that is gentle yet satisfying. The Jade Rosales, on the other hand, similarly aims to deliver an otherwise refined experience without explicit comparisons in tactile feedback. Ultimately, users seeking similar qualities in keystroke smoothness will likely find satisfaction in either switch.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Bsun Jade Rosales linear switch primarily hinges on your personal preferences regarding actuation force and overall typing experience. If you lean towards a medium-heavy switch with a bottom-out force of 63.5 grams, the Durock Black Lotus would be an excellent fit. Its silky and polished feel, coupled with minimal wobble, offers an unparalleled typing precision that many typists crave. The 55-gram actuation weight strikes a balance that ensures a satisfying keystroke without requiring excessive force, making it ideal for both gaming and typing. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter, more nimble experience, the Bsun Jade Rosales with its 53-gram bottom-out force will likely be more enjoyable for you. This switch excels in delivering a buttery and smooth typing feel, refined through meticulous design and lubrication techniques, making it highly suited for those who type frequently or engage in long gaming sessions. Ultimately, consider your personal typing style and preferences; opt for the Black Lotus for a robust, precise feel, or go with the Jade Rosales for a lighter, fluid experience.
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