Durock Black Lotus vs. Gateron Melodic
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the Gateron Melodic switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Durock Black Lotus, a linear switch, is renowned for its silky smooth feel and precision, making it a favorite among typists looking for reduced housing and stem wobble. With a 55g actuation weight that's substantial yet comfortable, the Black Lotus is a great choice for those who value typing pleasure. On the other hand, the Gateron Melodic, a clicky switch, brings new life to the clicky switch category with its smooth factory lubing and dual-railed stems. This switch offers the classic clicky sound and tactile feedback while maintaining a smooth typing experience. The Black Lotus is best described as 'Silky', 'Buttery', 'Mild', and 'Polished', while the Melodic is categorized as 'Buttery', 'Resonant', 'Invigorating', and 'Crunchy'. When considering which switch to choose, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style; 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
60g
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
Standard
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Durock Black Lotus and the Gateron Melodic both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their overall sound profiles. The Black Lotus utilizes a modified PC and UPE blend for its top housing, creating a premium and unique feel. In comparison, the Melodic uses polycarbonate for its top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. Both switches offer a distinct sound experience due to their top housing material, with the Black Lotus leaning towards a premium feel and the Melodic towards a sharper sound.
When it comes to the bottom housing, both the Black Lotus and the Melodic feature nylon material. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housings elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softness and sound-absorbing properties. This results in a duller and rounder sound compared to switches with harder plastic bottom housings. Despite using the same bottom housing material, the Black Lotus and the Melodic may still offer slightly different typing experiences based on their unique design and construction.
In conclusion, the Durock Black Lotus and the Gateron Melodic switches showcase the impact of housing materials on sound profiles. While they both use nylon for the bottom housing, the Black Lotus stands out with its modified PC and UPE blend top housing, offering a premium feel. On the other hand, the Melodic utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, resulting in a sharper and crisper sound profile. Both switches provide a unique typing experience based on their housing materials, showing how the choice of materials can significantly impact overall performance and user experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Gateron Melodic clicky switch, it is evident that the Black Lotus is the heavier of the two. The Black Lotus has an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, providing a medium-heavy typing experience. On the other hand, the Melodic has an unknown actuation force but a bottom out force of 60 grams, which falls into the medium category. While the Melodic may be slightly lighter in terms of bottom out force, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience for users. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Melodic, while those who enjoy a bit more resistance may opt for the Black Lotus. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Gateron Melodic clicky switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key using either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel from the top to the bottom. This results in a consistent typing experience for users of both switches. The similarity in travel distance between the two switches makes them ideal choices for individuals who prefer a specific travel distance when typing. Overall, both the Black Lotus and the Melodic offer a comfortable and familiar typing experience due to their equivalent travel distances.
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 Melodic has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Melodic for $6.00.
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 it comes to sound, the Durock Black Lotus switch does not have a specific descriptor provided, but likely offers a more subtle and smooth typing experience without the added noise of clicky switches. On the other hand, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch is described as resonant and crunchy, providing a higher-pitched sound profile with a clean and sharp tone, reminiscent of stepping on crisp autumn leaves. This indicates that the Melodic switch will offer a more audible and satisfying typing experience for those who enjoy the classic clicky sound.
In terms of feel, the Black Lotus switch is known for its silky and buttery characteristics, offering an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing sensation with minimal resistance. It also falls into the category of mild and polished switches, providing a safe and comfortable typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Melodic switch is also described as buttery, but with an added invigorating quality that offers pronounced feedback and a snappy, reactive feel. This suggests that the Melodic switch will provide a more tactile typing experience with a satisfying feedback that some users may prefer over the smoother feel of the Black Lotus switch.
Taking into account all the available information, the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Gateron Melodic clicky switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Black Lotus provides a smoother and more subtle typing experience, while the Melodic clicky switch delivers a more audible and tactile feedback. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and sound profile. However, both switches are designed to enhance the overall typing experience by providing unique qualities that cater to different user preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Gateron Melodic clicky switch, consider the factors of bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a smooth typing experience with minimal wobble, the Black Lotus may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a medium bottom out force and want a clicky switch that offers a clean and sharp sound profile with a tactile feedback, the Melodic switch could be a better fit. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the overall typing experience you are seeking.
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