Durock Black Lotus vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options worth exploring are the Durock Black Lotus and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream. The Black Lotus offers a silky smooth feel with unparalleled precision, reducing wobble for an enhanced typing experience, and boasting a 55g actuation weight that is substantial yet not overly heavy. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream stands out for its use of POK material in both the stem and bottom housing, providing typists with a smooth and creamy feel reminiscent of its namesake dessert. Additionally, these switches deliver a high-pitched and clacky sound signature that sets them apart from the competition. 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
43g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POK
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
The Durock Black Lotus and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream use different materials for their top housing, with the Black Lotus featuring a modified PC and UPE blend while the Vanilla Ice Cream uses a proprietary KTT blend. The Black Lotus's housing offers a unique and premium feel, while the Vanilla Ice Cream's housing provides a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. Despite the differences in material, both switches aim to provide a satisfying typing experience, albeit with distinct characteristics.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Black Lotus utilizes nylon, known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream incorporates POK material, which boasts exceptional durability, smoothness, and shock resistance. While the nylon bottom housing contributes to a duller and rounder sound, the POK material in the Vanilla Ice Cream switch enhances its clacky and durable characteristics, ultimately affecting the overall typing experience in a unique way.
When comparing the two switches based on their housing materials, it's evident that they bring different qualities to the table. The bottom housing plays a significant role in determining the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, while the top housing impacts the sound when releasing a key. While the Black Lotus and Vanilla Ice Cream offer distinct typing experiences due to their unique housing materials, both switches prioritize providing users with a satisfying and premium feel during use.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, it is clear that the Black Lotus is heavier while the Vanilla Ice Cream is lighter. The Black Lotus has an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it medium-heavy in comparison to the Vanilla Ice Cream, which has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it a lighter option. Those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may gravitate towards the Black Lotus with its heavier forces, while those looking for a lighter touch may find the Vanilla Ice Cream more suitable. Both switches offer different experiences in terms of typing feel, with the Black Lotus providing a more tactile typing experience due to its heavier forces, while the Vanilla Ice Cream offers a lighter touch for longer typing sessions or gaming. Overall, understanding the actuation and bottom out forces of switches is crucial for selecting the right one based on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Therefore, the Black Lotus has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Vanilla Ice Cream. The 4.0 mm travel distance of the Black Lotus falls into the more traditional range, offering a balance between responsiveness and depth. On the other hand, the 3.5 mm travel distance of the Vanilla Ice Cream is slightly shorter, making it ideal for those looking for faster response times, such as gamers. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance 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 KTT Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
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 provides a unique and subjective auditory experience. The sound profile of the Black Lotus switch is not explicitly described in the provided information, but with its light column and emphasis on reduced housing and stem wobble, it may offer a clean and smooth sound when typing. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch is characterized by a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. This distinctive sound sets it apart from other switches and adds a playful element to the typing experience. Depending on personal preferences, users may find the crisp sound of the Vanilla Ice Cream switch more satisfying or may prefer the potentially smoother sound of the Black Lotus switch.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Black Lotus switch is renowned for its silky smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. This suggests that the Black Lotus switch offers a refined and effortless keystroke sensation, making it suitable for those who prefer a more polished typing feel. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch is described as buttery and creamy, providing a smooth and uniform typing experience reminiscent of its namesake dessert. The use of POK material in the stem and bottom housing contributes to the creamy feel of the Vanilla Ice Cream switch, offering typists a tactile delight with each keystroke.
In conclusion, the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch each offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Black Lotus switch may appeal to individuals seeking a smoother and potentially quieter typing experience, while the Vanilla Ice Cream switch caters to those looking for a high-pitched and clacky sound paired with a buttery and creamy feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience. It is worth noting that both switches aim to provide an enjoyable and precise typing experience, so users can expect satisfactory results with either option.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, consider your preference for bottom out force and typing experience. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a silky smooth feel with unparalleled precision, the Black Lotus would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a remarkably smooth and creamy typing experience with a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch might be more appealing to you. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of bottom out force, sound, and feel.
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