Durock Black Lotus vs. Gateron Quinn
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the Gateron Quinn switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Durock Black Lotus and the Gateron Quinn, two mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinct experiences for keyboard enthusiasts. The Black Lotus, a linear switch, is best known for its silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision, reducing housing and stem wobble for maximum typing pleasure. With its 55g actuation weight, the Black Lotus provides a substantial typing experience without feeling too hefty. Additionally, its unique removable light column provides customizable in-switch lighting. On the other hand, the Quinn, a tactile switch, stands out with its crisp, light switch-like tactility and deep, resonant sound profile. The specially designed nylon housings contribute to the Quinn's immersive typing experience, offering a touch of character with each keystroke. With a precise and clean tactile bump, the Quinn delivers a satisfying typing sensation. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make the best decision and choose the switch that perfectly suits your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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 gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Black Lotus and the Gateron Quinn switches differ in terms of the materials used. The Black Lotus features a modified PC & UPE Blend top housing, which gives it a unique and premium feel. On the other hand, the Quinn uses a nylon top housing, which is considered a classic switch housing material. The nylon housing of the Quinn absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. In terms of touch, the Black Lotus may provide a more distinctive and luxurious feel due to its modified PC and UPE blend, while the Quinn's nylon top housing may offer a softer and more comfortable typing experience.
When it comes to the bottom housing, both the Black Lotus and the Quinn utilize nylon as the material of choice. As mentioned earlier, nylon is known for its ability to absorb sound, creating a duller and rounder sound profile. Thus, both switches are likely to offer a deeper and fuller sound when typing. The impact of the bottom housing is primarily felt during the bottom-out sound and feel of a key press, contributing to the overall typing experience.
It is important to note that the qualities brought by each housing material are divided between the top and bottom of the switch. The top housing influences the sound when releasing a key, while the bottom housing affects the bottom-out sound and feel. Therefore, while the Black Lotus and the Quinn may have different materials for their top and bottom housing, the overall typing experience may share similarities in terms of the deeper and fuller sound profile elicited by both switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Gateron Quinn tactile switch, one can observe some similarities along with subtle differences. Both switches fall under the medium-heavy category, providing a satisfying typing experience with a substantial feel. The actuation force of the Black Lotus is slightly lighter at 55 grams, while the Quinn requires 59 grams to trigger a keystroke. Likewise, the bottom out force of the Black Lotus is 63.5 grams, whereas the Quinn requires a slightly higher force of 67 grams for full depression. Despite these variances, both switches offer comparable results, ensuring users attain the desired feel for their typing preferences. Those who prioritize a lighter touch may opt for the Black Lotus, making it ideal for extended periods of typing or lengthy gaming sessions. However, individuals seeking a stronger push feel may gravitate towards the Quinn, creating a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to individual preferences and specific use cases.
Travel distance
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Quinn tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Black Lotus has a longer distance compared to the Quinn. The Black Lotus follows the more traditional travel distance of 4 mm, while the Quinn has a slightly shallower travel distance at 3.4 mm. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Quinn, as it allows for quicker keystrokes. On the other hand, those who prefer a deeper and more substantial feel when typing may opt for the Black Lotus with its longer travel distance. Both options offer different experiences based on personal preferences, but if you're looking for similar results in terms of travel distance, the Gateron Quinn offers a slightly shorter alternative to the traditional 4 mm travel distance of the Black Lotus.
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 Quinn has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Quinn for $5.50.
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 its unique light column that provides in-switch lighting and is fully removable. Based on the available information, the specific sound characteristics of the Black Lotus switch are not described. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard casing and keycaps used.
On the other hand, the Gateron Quinn switch is described as having a deep, resonant sound profile thanks to its specially designed nylon housings. It is characterized as having a bassy, clacky, low-pitched, and resonant sound. This means that the Quinn switch produces a rich and immersive sound with each keystroke, adding a touch of character to the typing experience.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Durock Black Lotus switch is described as having a silky, buttery, mild, and polished feel. This means that the Black Lotus switch offers an exceptionally smooth and fluid typing experience, enhancing the overall smoothness and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. It also provides a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation.
The Gateron Quinn switch, on the other hand, is described as being snappy, polished, bouncy, accented, buttery, and creamy. This indicates that the Quinn switch is super responsive and provides a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. It also offers a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation and a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. Additionally, the creamy feel suggests a smooth and buttery typing experience.
In conclusion, both switches have their own unique qualities. The Durock Black Lotus switch offers a silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision, with an emphasis on smoothness and uniformity. Although the specific sound characteristics are not mentioned, the removable light column provides customization options for in-switch lighting. On the other hand, the Gateron Quinn switch offers a deep, resonant sound profile and a combination of snappy, polished, bouncy, accented, buttery, and creamy tactile feel. It provides a rich and immersive typing experience with a touch of character. Depending on individual preferences, either switch can deliver a satisfying typing experience, although the specific sound characteristics of the Black Lotus switch are unknown.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a smooth and polished typing experience with minimal resistance, the Durock Black Lotus linear switch is the better choice for you. These switches are known for their silky feel and unparalleled precision, reducing housing and stem wobble for maximum typing pleasure. With their 55g actuation weight and unique light column for in-switch lighting, they offer a substantial yet not too hefty typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a deep and resonant sound profile, the Gateron Quinn tactile switch would be more suitable for you. These switches provide a unique combination of crisp, light switch-like tactility and a rich and immersive sound. With each keystroke, you can expect a precise, clean, and crisp tactile bump, adding a touch of character to your typing experience.
In terms of sound, the Black Lotus delivers a sound profile that is not explicitly described, while the Quinn offers a deep, resonant, and potentially clacky sound. If you enjoy a bass-heavy and mellow tone with a clean and sharp sound profile, the Quinn is the way to go.
In terms of feel, the Black Lotus is described as silky, buttery, mild, and polished - offering an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Quinn is described as snappy, polished, bouncy, accented, buttery, and creamy - providing a super responsive and lively typing sensation with a smooth and buttery feel.
Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Black Lotus and Gateron Quinn comes down to your specific preferences. If you value a smooth linear switch with a focus on precision, go for the Black Lotus. If you prefer a tactile switch with a rich sound profile and a satisfying tactile bump, the Quinn is the better option for you. Consider the sound and feel characteristics as well as the bottom out force when making your decision. Overall, both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience. In the end, it's all about finding the switch that suits your personal preferences and typing style.
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