Durock Black Lotus vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options stand out: the Durock Black Lotus and the Gateron Silent Ink Black. The Black Lotus is a linear switch that is renowned for its silky smooth feel and unmatched precision. With reduced housing and stem wobble, typing on the Black Lotus provides maximum pleasure. Clocking in at a substantial 55g actuation weight, this switch offers a satisfying level of resistance without being too hefty. Additionally, the Black Lotus features a unique light column that provides in-switch lighting and is fully removable. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black, also a linear switch, caters to those who prefer a quieter typing experience. This silenced version of the Ink Black switch offers a cushion-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback, making it ideal for environments where silence is key. With its smooth, muted, and polished characteristics, the Silent Ink Black gives users a more subdued typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make the best switch choice for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The Durock Black Lotus and Gateron Silent Ink Black switches both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles and typing experiences. Starting with the top housing, the Black Lotus utilizes a modified PC and UPE Blend, which provides a premium feel. This blend offers a unique tactile experience, resulting in a satisfying, clacky sound when typing. Similarly, the Silent Ink Black switch employs Gateron's proprietary INK blend for its top housing. This blend also produces a clacky sound with a pointed and relatively high-pitched profile. As a result, both switches offer a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feedback.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Black Lotus incorporates a nylon material. Nylon is known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its relative softness and sound absorption properties. This creates a duller and rounder sound when bottoming out the key, enhancing the overall typing experience. Conversely, the Silent Ink Black switch features Gateron's proprietary INK blend for its bottom housing. This blend complements the top housing's sound profile by also providing a satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound. Therefore, while the specific materials may differ, both switches offer a comparable typing experience in terms of sound and feel during bottoming out.
Overall, both the Durock Black Lotus and Gateron Silent Ink Black switches offer unique and premium typing experiences. The Black Lotus's modified PC and UPE Blend top housing, along with its nylon bottom housing, provides a premium feel and a deeper, fuller sound profile when bottoming out the key. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black switch utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend for both the top and bottom housing, resulting in a clacky sound profile with a relatively high-pitched and satisfying thin sound. While the specific materials may differ, both switches deliver comparable results, ensuring an enjoyable typing experience for users.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, there are some notable similarities and differences. Starting with the actuation force, the Black Lotus requires 55 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, while the Silent Ink Black requires a slightly higher force of 60 grams. Both switches fall within the medium-heavy category, making them suitable for individuals who prefer a stronger push feel during typing. Moving on to the bottom out force, the Black Lotus has a force of 63.5 grams, whereas the Silent Ink Black has a slightly heavier force of 70 grams. Despite the slight differences, both switches offer a similar weight and provide a more substantial typing experience. Thus, for individuals who prioritize a lighter switch, the Black Lotus may be the preferred choice, while those seeking a heavier switch might lean towards the Silent Ink Black. Ultimately, the decision between the two will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Both switches provide a consistent and satisfying typing experience with their identical travel distances. So, whether you choose the Durock Black Lotus or the Gateron Silent Ink Black, you can expect similar results in terms of key 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 Gateron Silent Ink Black has an MSRP of $8.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Ink Black for $8.35.
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 not explicitly described. However, based on its reputation for a silky smooth feel and reduced housing and stem wobble, it is likely to produce a relatively quiet sound. The Silent Ink Black switch, on the other hand, is known for its muted sound. This means it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical keyboard switches. The Silent Ink Black switch is ideal for environments that require quieter typing. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
When it comes to feel, both the Black Lotus and Silent Ink Black switches share some similar descriptors. The Black Lotus switch is known for its silky, buttery, mild, and polished feel. This means it offers an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance, resulting in a seamless and effortless keystroke sensation. The Silent Ink Black switch is also described as silky and polished, indicating that it provides a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Based on these descriptions, it can be inferred that both switches offer a similar feel, ensuring a pleasant typing experience.
Taking all the available information into account, the Durock Black Lotus and Gateron Silent Ink Black switches have some subjective qualities in common. Both switches offer a smooth and refined typing experience, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. They are likely to produce relatively quiet sound, with the Silent Ink Black switch being specifically designed for quieter environments. While the specific sound of the Black Lotus switch is unknown, its reputation for a silky smooth feel suggests a relatively quiet typing experience. Overall, if you are looking for a linear switch that provides a smooth and quiet typing experience, either of these switches would be a suitable choice.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Black Lotus and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switches, consider your priorities in terms of bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a slightly lighter switch with a bottom out force of 63.5 grams and enjoy in-switch lighting, the Black Lotus may be the better choice for you. Its silky smooth feel, unparalleled precision, and reduced housing and stem wobble provide a satisfying and pleasant typing experience. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quieter typing environment and appreciate a cushioned bottom-out feel, the Silent Ink Black is a great option. With its bottom out force of 70 grams and muted sound, it offers a softer and more subdued typing experience. Both switches have a silky and polished feel, ensuring smooth key travel with minimal resistance. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences and requirements for your mechanical keyboard.
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