Durock Black Lotus vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Black Lotus and Gateron Mountain Top both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Black Lotus is known for its silky smooth feel and precision, with reduced housing and stem wobble for maximum typing pleasure. With a 55g actuation weight and a unique light column for in-switch lighting, it is categorized as silky, buttery, mild, and polished. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top switches are designed for office environments, providing a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience that is perfect for professional settings. With a balanced sound signature and light actuation, it is categorized as bouncy, easy to press, mild, neutral, snappy, and subtle. Each switch has its own strengths and reasons for choosing it; 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
40g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Black Lotus and the Gateron Mountain Top switches both offer unique characteristics that contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switches. While the Black Lotus features a modified PC & UPE Blend top housing, which provides a premium and distinctive feel, the Mountain Top utilizes a classic nylon top housing that enhances the sound profile with a deeper and fuller tone. The Black Lotus's top housing material may offer a more unique and premium feel, while the nylon material of the Mountain Top provides a deeper and fuller sound profile.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Black Lotus and the Gateron Mountain Top switches utilize nylon material. This allows for a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. The qualities of the nylon bottom housing can have a significant impact on the sound and feel of the switch when it is pressed, contributing to a more satisfying typing experience for users of both switches. While the bottom housing material is the same for both switches, the top housing materials may offer slight differences in sound and feel.
Overall, the choice between the Durock Black Lotus and the Gateron Mountain Top switches may come down to personal preference in terms of the housing materials used. The Black Lotus's modified PC & UPE Blend top housing may provide a more unique and premium feel, while the nylon top housing of the Mountain Top offers a deeper and fuller sound profile. Both switches utilize nylon bottom housing, which absorbs sound and contributes to a rounder sound profile. Ultimately, users can expect high-quality performance from either switch, with slight variations in sound and feel attributed to the different housing materials used.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, it is evident that the Mountain Top is the lighter option with an actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Black Lotus is the heavier option with an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams. The lighter weight of the Mountain Top makes it ideal for those who prefer a smoother typing experience and can type for longer periods without fatigue. In contrast, the heavier weight of the Black Lotus provides a more substantial typing experience, ideal for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of typing experience and the desired level of actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. The Black Lotus has a slightly longer travel distance, making it more suitable for those who prefer a deeper key press. On the other hand, the Mountain Top offers a shorter travel distance, making it a preferred choice for gamers seeking faster response times. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Black Lotus being slightly longer. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences for key feel and response time.
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 Mountain Top comes in at $6.00 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 Durock Black Lotus switch is known for providing a neutral sound profile, suitable for various environments and preferences. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top switch also offers a neutral sound with a balanced actuation force, perfect for office settings where quietness is key. Both switches offer a versatile sound profile that can be further influenced by factors such as keycaps and keyboard construction.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Black Lotus switch is praised for its silky, buttery, mild, and polished typing experience, offering a smooth and refined feel with minimal resistance. In contrast, the Gateron Mountain Top switch provides a bouncy, easy-to-press, mild, snappy, and subtle typing sensation, emphasizing a responsive and light keypress experience suitable for prolonged typing sessions. Both switches offer a comfortable typing feel with their unique characteristics, catering to different preferences in terms of keypress feedback.
In conclusion, while the Durock Black Lotus and Gateron Mountain Top switches offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel, both switches aim to provide a pleasant typing experience tailored to different preferences and environments. Whether you prefer a smoother, more polished typing feel with the Black Lotus or a bouncier, easy-to-press sensation with the Mountain Top, both switches offer a high level of quality and performance that ensures a satisfying typing experience for users. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on personal preferences regarding sound, feel, and the specific typing environment in which they will be used.
Conclusion
In closing, when it comes to choosing between the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, consider your preference for typing force and sound. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a smoother typing experience with in-switch lighting, the Black Lotus may be the way to go. On the other hand, if you lean towards a lighter bottom out force and a more discreet typing experience suited for office environments, the Gateron Mountain Top could be the ideal choice for you. Ultimately, your decision should reflect your individual typing style and environment in which you will be using the keyboard. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so choose the one that aligns best with your needs.
Mentioned in this article
