Durock Black Lotus vs. Haimu Orange Sea
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the Haimu Orange Sea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to the realm of mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Black Lotus and Haimu Orange Sea stand out as compelling options for enthusiasts seeking a premium typing experience. The Durock Black Lotus is renowned for its silky smooth feel, providing users with unparalleled precision thanks to its minimized housing and stem wobble. With a substantial 55g actuation weight, it strikes a delicate balance between responsiveness and control, making it ideal for those who appreciate a tactile typing experience. Additionally, the Black Lotus boasts a unique light column for in-switch lighting that is fully removable, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics. On the other hand, the Haimu Orange Sea switches offer an impeccably smooth typing feel paired with a neutral sound signature, appealing to users who prefer a quiet yet satisfying keystroke. While both switches cater to linear switch aficionados, their distinct characteristics can greatly influence your typing experience. 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
37g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 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 extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Durock Black Lotus and the Haimu Orange Sea switches vary significantly in their top housing materials, while sharing a commonality in the bottom housing. The Durock Black Lotus features a modified blend of polycarbonate (PC) and ultraviolet-protective elastomer (UPE), which offers a unique and premium tactile experience. This material combination emphasizes durability while allowing for a smooth keypress. In contrast, the Haimu Orange Sea incorporates a polycarbonate top housing that enhances sound characteristics, providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper auditory profile. Thus, while both switches employ high-quality materials, the Black Lotus's modified blend aims for a premium feel and resilience, while the Orange Sea's polycarbonate construction prioritizes sound clarity and compatibility with RGB lighting.
When examining the bottom housing of both switches, it becomes clear that the Durock Black Lotus and the Haimu Orange Sea share a materials choice—nylon. Nylon is recognized in the mechanical keyboard community for its ability to produce a rich and full sound, as it absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. Consequently, users can expect a deeper and rounder tonal quality upon pressing either switch. While the bottom housing serves as the foundation for this auditory experience, it also significantly influences the tactile feel as the key bottoms out—making this characteristic uniform across both models.
Ultimately, the differing top housing materials mean that the auditory and tactile experiences when pressing and releasing the switches will vary. The Durock Black Lotus provides a balanced combination of feel and sound, while the Haimu Orange Sea emphasizes auditory clarity. However, because both models utilize nylon for their bottom housings, the quality of the sound profile and feel during the bottom-out action will remain consistent, culminating in a cohesive experience that can appeal to enthusiasts regardless of their choice between the two.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch, notable differences emerge in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Black Lotus features an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. In contrast, the Orange Sea has a significantly lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. This distinction makes the Orange Sea the lighter option, ideal for users who prefer a more effortless typing experience, particularly beneficial for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons. Conversely, the Black Lotus, with its heavier forces, is suited for those who appreciate a more substantial push feel while typing, providing a tactile feedback that some users may find more satisfying. Thus, users should choose between these switches based on their preference for weight and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch differ in travel distance, with the Black Lotus measuring 4 mm and the Orange Sea at 3.6 mm. This indicates that the Black Lotus offers a longer travel distance, providing a deeper feel with each keystroke. In contrast, the Orange Sea's shorter travel distance may cater to gamers or individuals who desire quicker response times, allowing for faster actuation. While both switches serve different preferences—depth versus responsiveness—the Black Lotus might feel too pronounced for those who favor a more abrupt typing experience. Ultimately, your choice between the two will depend on whether you lean towards a more substantial travel for comfort or a shorter one for speed.
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 Haimu Orange Sea comes in at $2.79 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 linear switch is characterized by a quiet and discreet acoustic profile, contributing to a typing experience that won't be intrusive in shared environments. While specific sound qualities aren't detailed, it is engineered to minimize any audible feedback, making it a great option for those who prefer a muted typing experience. The Haimu Orange Sea, on the other hand, is noted for its neutral sound signature, implying that it similarly does not produce any sharp or distracting auditory feedback. As sound characteristics can also be influenced by the choice of keyboard and keycaps, users can expect both switches to deliver a low-profile acoustic experience given the right conditions.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Black Lotus switch excels with its silky, buttery, mild, and polished characteristics. This means it provides an exceptionally smooth typing sensation, with minimal resistance and friction, ensuring a delightful tactile experience as the keys are pressed and released. The polished nature of the switch enhances the overall smoothness, making each keystroke feel refined and effortless. In contrast, the Haimu Orange Sea offers an impeccably smooth typing experience as well, although specific descriptors for its feel are absent. It can be inferred that both switches aim to deliver a high-quality, luxurious typing experience, likely comparable in their smoothness, making them both suitable choices for those who prioritize feel.
In conclusion, both the Durock Black Lotus and Haimu Orange Sea linear switches cater to enthusiasts seeking a smooth and quiet typing experience. While the Black Lotus is well-defined with attributes of silkiness, butteriness, and polish, the Orange Sea holds its ground with a notably smooth feel and a neutral sound signature. Regardless of their differences, users can expect both switches to provide a satisfying and enjoyable tactile experience, making either a worthy choice for anyone venturing into the world of mechanical keyboards.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between Durock Black Lotus and Haimu Orange Sea linear switches ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing habits. If you prefer a switch that offers a more substantial, tactile experience with a bottom-out force of 63.5 grams, then the Durock Black Lotus might be the better option for you. Its silky, buttery feel combined with a polished finish makes it ideal for those who value precision and a smoother typing experience, especially during long typing sessions. The unique light column provides an added aesthetic appeal, allowing for in-switch lighting customization. On the other hand, if you find yourself leaning towards a more forgiving typing experience with lighter actuation and bottom-out forces, the Haimu Orange Sea, with its 45-gram force, would suit you well. Its impeccably smooth feel, along with a neutral sound signature, makes it a great choice for users who require quick response times and typists who prefer a more understated switch. In essence, your choice should reflect whether you favor a more robust switch that emphasizes precision or a lighter switch that prioritizes speed and comfort.
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