Durock Black Lotus vs. Gazzew LT
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the Gazzew LT switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves faced with a multitude of options, each offering unique characteristics and qualities. Two switches that stand out amongst the crowd are the Durock Black Lotus and the Gazzew LT. The Black Lotus is renowned for its silky smooth feel and unmatched precision, minimizing housing and stem wobble for an exceptionally satisfying typing experience. With a moderate 55g actuation weight, it strikes a balance between responsiveness and ease of use. Moreover, the Black Lotus features a removable light column that adds in-switch lighting, further enhancing its appeal. On the other hand, the Gazzew LT switches captivate users with their enchanting lilac hue and deliver a symphony of deep, resonant thockiness with each keystroke. Known for their seamless glide, the LT switches offer a delightful tactile experience that truly stands out. Despite these general pointers, to make the best decision for your needs, it is essential to delve deeper into the specifics of each switch.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.20 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
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel Korean spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Black Lotus and the Gazzew LT switches offer unique characteristics that set them apart. The Black Lotus features a modified PC and UPE blend top housing, which gives it a distinctive and premium feel. In contrast, the LT utilizes a proprietary Gazzew blend top housing, often referred to as "boba plastic," delivering a rich and deep sound profile due to its softness. While both switches offer unique qualities, pressing down on the Black Lotus will emphasize the impact and bottom-out sound of its nylon bottom housing, while the LT's Gazzew blend bottom housing will contribute to its rich and deep sound profile.
Both the Black Lotus and the LT switches showcase the advantages of their respective housing materials. The Black Lotus's nylon bottom housing, a classic switch material, enhances the typing experience by providing a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is attributed to the softer nature of nylon, which absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Similarly, the LT's proprietary Gazzew blend bottom housing, also known as "boba plastic," contributes to its rich and deep sound profile due to its softness. These distinctive features ensure that both switches produce satisfying and immersive sound profiles.
While the top and bottom housings play a significant role in determining the characteristics of a switch, it is essential to note their individual impact on the typing experience. With the Black Lotus, the qualities of the bottom housing are more pronounced when pressing down on the switch, significantly influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the top housing of the Black Lotus has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key, adding to its unique auditory experience. Similarly, the LT's Gazzew blend top housing contributes significantly to its rich and deep sound profile when releasing a key. By understanding the distinct influences of the top and bottom housing materials, users can appreciate the nuanced differences each switch offers.
In conclusion, the Durock Black Lotus and the Gazzew LT switches showcase their housing materials' distinct characteristics to provide unique typing experiences. The Black Lotus's modified PC and UPE blend top housing and nylon bottom housing offer a premium feel and a deep sound profile, respectively. On the other hand, the LT's proprietary Gazzew blend top housing and bottom housing, often referred to as "boba plastic," contribute to a rich and deep sound profile. Understanding the specific impact of the top and bottom housing in these switches enables users to appreciate the individualized qualities they bring to their typing experiences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Gazzew LT linear switch, there are some similarities and differences to consider. The actuation force of the Black Lotus is 55 grams, while the LT's actuation force is unavailable. Both switches have a bottom out force of around 65 grams, making them both medium-heavy in terms of force required to fully press the keys.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Black Lotus might be the better choice as it has a slightly lower actuation force. This lighter actuation force allows for longer typing sessions without causing fatigue. However, if a stronger push feel is preferred for a more substantial typing experience, the LT's higher bottom out force of 65 grams could be more suitable.
Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on personal preference regarding the desired force required to trigger keystrokes and the desired weight of the typing experience. Both switches offer a medium-heavy typing feel, but the Black Lotus leans slightly towards the lighter side while the LT remains equal in terms of bottoming out force.
Travel distance
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is considered a more traditional travel distance. On the other hand, the Gazzew LT linear switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm. This makes the LT switch the shorter of the two options. The 4.0mm travel distance of the Black Lotus provides a deeper feel when pressing down on a key, while the 3.2mm travel distance of the LT switch offers a shallower and more responsive experience. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances for faster response times. However, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt, and may prefer the greater depth provided by the Black Lotus switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preferences for either responsiveness or a more substantial feel.
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 Gazzew LT comes in at $6.50 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 Black Lotus switch is known for offering a balanced and pleasant sound profile, although specific descriptors are not provided in the information given. On the other hand, the LT switch is described as "bassy," "thocky," and "low-pitched." This suggests that the LT switch produces a deep and rich sound with lower frequency tones, reminiscent of a "thud" or a soft "knock" when keys are pressed and released. It offers an auditory symphony of deep, resonant thockiness that can be quite satisfying to the user.
When it comes to feel, the Black Lotus switch is praised for its attributes of being silky, buttery, mild, and polished. As a silky switch, it offers an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Additionally, it provides a seamless and effortless keystroke sensation. The mild characteristic suggests that the typing experience is gentle and approachable, standing in a safe and middle-ground zone. Furthermore, the polished feature signifies a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience due to either high-quality materials or factory lubrication. These features combine to create an overall typing feel that is enhanced by smoothness, reduced friction, and a polished key travel.
Unfortunately, no specific information is provided regarding the feel of the LT switch. However, based on the information given about the Black Lotus switch, it is reasonable to assume that the LT switch might offer a similar smooth and polished typing experience, given the absence of contrasting information.
To summarize, the Black Lotus and LT switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound. The Black Lotus switch provides a balanced and pleasant sound profile, while the LT switch delivers a deep and resonant thockiness. When it comes to feel, the Black Lotus switch offers a silky, buttery, mild, and polished typing experience. Though information is lacking about the feel of the LT switch, it is possible that it may offer a comparable smoothness and a polished key travel. Overall, both switches provide unique characteristics that can enhance the typing experience in their own ways
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a medium-heavy switch with a silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision, the Durock Black Lotus linear switch would be an excellent choice. With its 55g actuation weight and reduced housing and stem wobble, typing on the Black Lotus switches will be a pleasure. Additionally, the unique light column feature adds a touch of customization to your keyboard setup. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch that offers an auditory symphony of deep, resonant thockiness and a seamless glide with every keystroke, the Gazzew LT linear switch is the way to go. The LT switches have an attractive lilac hue and provide a satisfying thock sound and smooth typing experience. Ultimately, both switches have their own unique qualities, so it will depend on your personal preferences when making a decision.
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