Durock Black Lotus vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Black Lotus and Durock Sea Glass offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Black Lotus switch is praised for its silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision, making it a popular choice among typists who value reduced housing and stem wobble. With a 55g actuation weight, it strikes a balance between substantial and manageable. Additionally, the unique light column provides in-switch lighting and is fully removable, allowing for customization options. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch series stands out with its captivating pastel colors, making it a favorite among Durock enthusiasts. Its proprietary material blend creates a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness while maintaining a smooth typing experience. Despite having a 62g bottom-out force, these switches possess a surprising weightlessness, defying expectations. Moreover, they produce a uniquely hollow sound signature. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities to help you make the best decision on which switch suits your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
P3+
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Black Lotus and the Durock Sea Glass switches exhibit some similarities and differences. Both switches utilize a blend of materials for their top housing, with the Black Lotus featuring a modified PC and UPE blend, while the Sea Glass incorporates a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend. These blends offer unique qualities to each switch, with the Black Lotus providing a premium feel and the Sea Glass offering a pleasant, slightly brighter sound profile.
In terms of bottom housing, the Black Lotus utilizes nylon, a classic switch housing material. Typing on switches with a nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound due to the softer nature of the material, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Sea Glass employs a blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its bottom housing. This blend contributes to the switch's overall sound profile, providing a pleasant and slightly brighter tone.
When considering the impact of the housing materials on the switch's performance, it's important to note that the qualities of the bottom and top housings differ. The bottom housing plays a more significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when you press down on a key, while the top housing influences the sound when you release a key. Therefore, the choice of housing material for each component contributes to the overall typing experience and sound of the switches.
In summary, the Durock Black Lotus and Durock Sea Glass differ in their top housing materials, with the Sea Glass utilizing a polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend, while the Black Lotus features a modified PC and UPE blend. However, both switches share similarities in terms of their pleasant sound profiles. Additionally, while the bottom housing materials vary, with the Black Lotus using nylon and the Sea Glass incorporating a blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE, they both contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switches. Ultimately, the selection of housing materials in each switch plays a crucial role in delivering a unique typing experience to users.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, there are noticeable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The actuation force of the Black Lotus is 55 grams, while the Sea Glass has a slightly lighter actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the Sea Glass requires less force to trigger a keystroke compared to the Black Lotus. On the other hand, when it comes to bottoming out, the Black Lotus has a heavier force of 63.5 grams, whereas the Sea Glass has a slightly lighter bottom out force of 62 grams. Both switches fall within the medium range, but the Black Lotus tends to be on the medium-heavy side.
Considering the weight of the switches, some individuals may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Sea Glass as it allows them to type for longer periods without experiencing fatigue. This makes it ideal for individuals who use their keyboard for extended periods, such as during work or long gaming sessions. On the contrary, those who prefer a more substantial typing experience and a stronger push feel may opt for the Black Lotus due to its heavier actuation and bottom out forces.
It is worth noting that while the actuation and bottom out forces differ between the two switches, they both fall under the medium category. Therefore, individuals seeking similar results can expect comparable typing experiences with both the Black Lotus and the Sea Glass switches.
Travel distance
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Durock Sea Glass linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. The Black Lotus falls into the more traditional range with its 4 mm travel distance, while the Sea Glass offers a slightly shallower 3.8 mm distance. In recent times, shorter travel distances have become increasingly popular, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. Opting for a keyboard with a shorter travel distance can provide a more responsive typing experience. However, it is important to note that some individuals may find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt. For those who prefer a more substantial depth to their keystrokes, the Durock Black Lotus with its longer travel distance may be the preferred choice. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
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 Durock Sea Glass has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Glass for $4.87.
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 is known for its unique light column that provides an in-switch lighting and a fully removable feature. However, the specific sound qualities of the Black Lotus switch are unknown, as it is not mentioned in the provided information. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch is described as having a uniquely hollow sound signature. This indicates that when typing on the Sea Glass switches, users can expect a distinct sound that may resonate differently compared to other switches. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Black Lotus switch is described as offering a silky and buttery typing experience. This implies that the switch provides a smooth and fluid keystroke, with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The Black Lotus switch is also described as mild, indicating that it offers a gentle typing experience without any pronounced characteristics. The switch is further described as having a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch is described as being frictionless, providing an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. This suggests that the Sea Glass switch minimizes any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys, allowing for fluid travel. The Sea Glass switch is also described as mild, offering a safe and approachable typing experience without any extreme characteristics. Additionally, the Sea Glass switch is said to be feathery and easy-to-press, indicating that it has a light actuation force, reducing finger fatigue and making it comfortable for extended typing sessions.
In conclusion, both the Durock Black Lotus and Sea Glass switches offer their own unique subjective qualities. The Black Lotus switch provides a silky, buttery, and polished typing experience, while the Sea Glass switch offers a dry, wispiness, and airiness typing experience. Both switches have a mild typing feel that is approachable to most users. The specific sound qualities of the Black Lotus switch are unknown, but the Sea Glass switch produces a uniquely hollow sound signature. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on the individual's preference for specific typing feel and sound characteristics.
Conclusion
In closing, if you prefer a smooth and precise typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom-out force, the Durock Black Lotus linear switch would be an excellent choice for you. These switches are known for their silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision, which is further enhanced by the reduced housing and stem wobble. The 55g actuation weight provides a substantial feel without being too hefty, and the unique light column adds a stylish touch to your keyboard setup. Additionally, the Black Lotus has a sound signature that is yet to be described.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with a medium bottom-out force that offers a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness in terms of typing experience, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch would be a fantastic option for you. Despite its 62g bottom-out force, these switches possess a weightlessness that defies expectations, thanks to their frictionless nature. The Sea Glass switches also provide a uniquely hollow sound signature that adds an interesting auditory element to your typing.
Ultimately, your choice between the Durock Black Lotus and Durock Sea Glass linear switches will depend on your personal preferences. If you prioritize smoothness, precision, and a unique light column, the Black Lotus is an excellent fit. However, if you prefer a typing experience with a dry, wispy feel and a weightless sensation, the Sea Glass switches are the way to go. Both switches offer their own distinct qualities that can elevate your typing experience.
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