Durock Black Lotus vs. KTT Pine
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the KTT Pine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two options that stand out are the Durock Black Lotus and the KTT Pine. The Black Lotus is renowned for its silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision, ensuring minimal housing and stem wobble for maximum typing pleasure. With a 55g actuation weight, it strikes a perfect balance between substantial and manageable. Additionally, the unique light column provides in-switch lighting and is fully removable, allowing for customizable aesthetics. On the other hand, the KTT Pine Linear Switches captivate users with their translucent, forest green appearance. These medium-heavy switches offer a buttery smooth feel and are designed for an effortless typing experience. Thanks to a polished, factory-lubed finish, friction is minimized, resulting in smooth key travel. Categorized as 'Bassy', 'Buttery', 'Creamy', and 'Low-pitched', the KTT Pine delivers a distinct auditory experience. While these general pointers may help guide your decision, let's delve deeper into the specifics to determine which switch is the best fit for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
15.5mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Black Lotus and the KTT Pine switches differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Black Lotus features a modified PC and UPE blend top housing, which gives it a unique and premium feel. In contrast, the Pine switch utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. Both materials offer a translucent quality, making them suitable for RGB lighting. However, the Pine's polycarbonate top housing is specifically designed to enhance the clarity of the sound, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a more defined audio experience.
In terms of bottom housings, the Black Lotus uses a nylon material, while the Pine incorporates a polycarbonate bottom housing. Nylon is known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Pine produces a sharper and higher-pitched sound, delivering a clear and resonant typing experience. It's important to note that the bottom housing has a significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key.
Overall, the Durock Black Lotus and the KTT Pine switches offer distinct characteristics due to their housing materials. The Black Lotus's modified PC and UPE blend top housing provides a unique and premium feel, while the nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper sound profile. In comparison, the Pine switch stands out with its polycarbonate top and bottom housings, offering a sharper and crisper sound profile. Despite their differences, both switches share the advantage of translucency for RGB lighting purposes. Whether choosing the Black Lotus or the Pine, users can expect satisfying typing experiences tailored to their preferred sound profiles.
Weight
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the KTT Pine linear switch have distinct differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The actuation force of the Black Lotus is slightly heavier at 55 grams compared to the Pine's lighter 45 grams. This means that the Black Lotus requires more force to trigger a keystroke, making it suitable for users who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Pine provides a lighter actuation force, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue.
In terms of bottom out force, the Black Lotus has a higher force of 63.5 grams compared to the Pine's 58 grams. This indicates that the Black Lotus requires more force to fully press down the key, resulting in a more substantial typing experience. With a slightly lower bottom out force, the Pine offers a slightly softer bottoming out sensation.
Despite these differences, both switches fall within the medium range of actuation and bottom out forces, providing a balanced experience for users who desire a moderate typing feel. Therefore, if users are seeking similar results, they can expect comparable actuation and bottom out forces from both the Durock Black Lotus and the KTT Pine linear switches.
Travel distance
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the KTT Pine linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Both switches provide a consistent tactile feedback and a satisfying typing experience. Whether you choose the Durock Black Lotus or the KTT Pine, you can expect similar results in terms of the switch's travel distance.
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 KTT Pine has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Pine for $4.15.
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 provides a sound profile that has unknown specific details. On the other hand, the Pine switch emits a bassy and low-pitched sound during key presses. This means that the Pine switch produces a deeper and richer sound with lower frequencies, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. It also offers a more mellow and bass-heavy tone compared to higher-pitched switches. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch is influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Black Lotus switch is characterized by a silky, buttery, mild, and polished typing experience. These switches offer exceptional smoothness, minimal resistance, and a refined finish that result in a sleek and seamless typing sensation. The Pine switch, on the other hand, is described as buttery and creamy. It provides a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, as if gliding your fingers across the keys effortlessly. The Pine switch's buttery sensation is similar to that of the Black Lotus, offering a seamless and uniform typing feel.
Overall, both the Black Lotus and Pine switches are praised for their smoothness and effortless typing experience. They both offer a buttery sensation, making them suitable for those seeking a sleek and comfortable feel while typing. Although the specific sound profile of the Black Lotus is unknown, the Pine switch is known for its bassy and low-pitched sound during key presses. If you are looking for a switch that provides a silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision with reduced wobble, the Black Lotus is an excellent choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a translucent, forest green switch that offers medium-heavy smoothness and an effortless typing experience, the Pine switch is a great option. Ultimately, it is always recommended to try out different switches to find the one that matches your preferences, as individual preferences can vary.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Durock Black Lotus would be a great choice. Its 63.5 gram force provides a satisfying feedback without feeling too heavy. The Black Lotus is best known for its smooth feel and precise typing experience, thanks to its reduced wobble and light column for in-switch lighting. In terms of sound, the Black Lotus provides a sound profile that is not explicitly mentioned but can be presumed to be neutral or balanced. As for feel, the Black Lotus offers a silky and buttery typing experience, along with a polished finish that minimizes friction and ensures smooth key travel.
On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a slightly lighter bottom out force, the KTT Pine linear switch with its 58 gram force would be a better fit. The Pine switch is best known for its buttery smooth feel, resulting from its polished and factory-lubed finish that minimizes friction. It also offers a creamy typing experience, as if your fingers effortlessly glide across the keys with each keystroke. In terms of sound, the Pine switch produces a bassy and low-pitched sound profile, providing a deep and rich tone during key presses.
Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Black Lotus and the KTT Pine linear switch boils down to personal preference. If you prefer a slightly heavier switch with unparalleled precision, reduced wobble, and a polished finish, the Black Lotus would be the ideal option for you. On the other hand, if you lean towards a lighter switch with a buttery smooth feel, a creamy typing experience, and a deeper, bass-heavy sound profile, the Pine switch would be a great fit. Remember to consider your typing preferences and whether you prioritize smoothness, sound, or other factors when making your decision.
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