Durock Black Lotus vs. Haimu Viola Tricolor

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options are the Durock Black Lotus and the Haimu Viola Tricolor. The Black Lotus is a linear switch known for its silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision. It boasts reduced housing and stem wobble, ensuring maximum typing pleasure. With a 55g actuation weight, it provides a substantial but not too hefty resistance. Additionally, the Black Lotus features a unique light column for in-switch lighting, which can also be fully removed. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor is a tactile switch that stands out with its thuddy and punchy sound profile. These switches offer pronounced tactility, providing satisfying feedback without being overly tactile. The Viola Tricolor strikes a perfect balance, offering a sharp sensation without overwhelming users. If you're looking for a switch that is silky, buttery, mild, and polished, the Black Lotus might be ideal for you. However, if you prefer a switch that is accented, bassy, invigorating, and low-pitched, the Viola Tricolor may be the better choice. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Durock Black Lotus Linear

Haimu Viola Tricolor Tactile

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

$6.60

$3.09 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials of the Durock Black Lotus and the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches differ in terms of their top housing materials. The Black Lotus features a modified PC and UPE Blend top housing, which gives it a unique and premium feel. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor utilizes a polycarbonate top housing. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. Additionally, the Viola Tricolor's polycarbonate top housing is especially useful if you plan to use RGB lighting due to its translucency. In terms of aesthetics and sound, both switches have distinct characteristics with their top housing materials.

In terms of their bottom housing materials, both the Black Lotus and the Viola Tricolor switches utilize nylon. Nylon is considered a classic switch housing material and elicits a deeper and fuller sound when typing. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. Therefore, both switches provide a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel due to their shared use of nylon as the bottom housing material.

It is important to note that the qualities each housing material brings to the switch are split between the top and bottom housings. When pressing down on either switch, you will feel the impact and characteristics of the bottom housing, which has more influence on the bottom-out sound and overall feel. Conversely, the top housing material has a greater impact on the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, while the Black Lotus and the Viola Tricolor differ in terms of their top housing materials, they still provide similar results when it comes to the overall typing experience.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, some similarities and differences emerge. The actuation force of the Black Lotus is 55 grams, while the Viola Tricolor's actuation force is unspecified. Both switches have a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which falls under the medium-heavy category.

Considering weight, some individuals prefer lighter switches as they allow for longer typing periods, making them ideal for work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, some users enjoy a more substantial typing experience and prefer switches with a heavier actuation force, providing a stronger push feel.

While the actuation force of the Viola Tricolor switch is unknown, it is likely that it falls within a similar range to the Black Lotus since both have the same bottom out force. This means that users can expect similar results in terms of typing experience when using either switch. However, it is worth noting that the Black Lotus switch is explicitly stated as having a 55-gram actuation force, indicating it may be slightly lighter than the Viola Tricolor if it exceeds this value. Overall, both switches offer a medium-heavy typing experience, catering to users who enjoy a bit of resistance when typing.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, we can see that the Black Lotus has a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Viola Tricolor has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. In terms of traditional travel distances, the Black Lotus falls on the higher end, while the Viola Tricolor is slightly shallower. This can be important depending on personal preference and specific use cases. Gamers, for example, often prefer shorter travel distances for faster response times, making the Viola Tricolor a potentially better option for them. On the other hand, those who prefer a deeper and more satisfying key press might find the longer travel distance of the Black Lotus more to their liking. It is important to consider your individual preferences when selecting a switch, as the travel distance can greatly impact the tactile experience of typing or gaming. However, it's worth mentioning that both options provide a reasonably similar travel distance, ensuring that you'll achieve similar results with either switch.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Black Lotus is known for a lack of specific descriptors, which indicates that its sound profile is not explicitly highlighted or emphasized. This suggests that the Black Lotus likely produces a neutral or generic sound during key presses. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor is described as having a thuddy and punchy sound profile. This implies that the Viola Tricolor switches offer a deeper and richer sound experience with a lower frequency range, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. The Viola Tricolor switches also have a low-pitched sound, which further adds to the bass-heavy and mellow tone. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps being used, which can further enhance or alter the sound produced. Therefore, with the Black Lotus, you can expect a neutral sound profile, while the Viola Tricolor offers a more pronounced and bass-rich sound experience.

In terms of feel, the Black Lotus is described as offering a silky and buttery typing experience. This indicates that the Black Lotus switches provide an exceptionally smooth and fluid keystroke feel, resulting in a seamless and effortless typing sensation. The switches are designed to minimize resistance when pressing and releasing keys, ensuring a smooth and uniform typing experience. Additionally, the Black Lotus switches are also described as mild, meaning they offer a gentle typing experience that falls within a safe and middle-ground zone. The switches provide a refined finish, reducing friction and offering smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor switches are described as accented, which suggests that they provide a medium level of tactility without being overly tactile or scratchy. This means that the Viola Tricolor switches offer a prominent amount of feedback without overwhelming the user. They create an invigorating typing sensation with moderate to firm actuation force and a snappy and reactive feel. Overall, the Black Lotus switches prioritize a silky and polished feel, while the Viola Tricolor switches strike a balance between tactility and smoothness, creating a satisfying and immersive typing experience.

Considering the available information, the Durock Black Lotus linear switches and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Black Lotus switches are known for their silky and buttery feel, providing an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience. They have a mild and polished nature that enhances overall typing pleasure. While the sound profile of the Black Lotus switches is not explicitly described, it can be inferred that they offer a neutral or generic sound. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor switches prioritize an invigorating and accented feel. They strike a balance between tactility and smoothness, offering a pronounced feedback without overwhelming the user. The Viola Tricolor switches produce a thuddy and punchy sound profile with a bass-heavy and low-pitched quality. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on personal preferences regarding typing feel, sound, and the desired level of tactility.

Conclusion

To wrap up, when considering the Durock Black Lotus linear switch, you can expect a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams. These switches are best known for their silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision, with reduced wobble for maximum typing pleasure. The 55g actuation weight provides substantial feedback without being too heavy, and the unique removable light column adds a visually appealing feature. In terms of sound, the Black Lotus offers a description that is not mentioned in the given information. As for feel, the Black Lotus offers a range of descriptors including silky, buttery, mild, and polished, ensuring a smooth and refined typing experience.

On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch also has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it a medium-heavy option. The Viola Tricolor switches are known for their thuddy and punchy sound profile, adding character to your typing experience. These switches offer a pronounced tactility without being overly tactile, striking a perfect balance of sharp sensation without overwhelming the user. In terms of sound, the Viola Tricolor switches are described as bassy and low-pitched, providing a deeper and richer sound profile. In terms of feel, the Viola Tricolor switches are described as accented and invigorating, offering a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming and providing a snappy and immersive typing sensation.

Ultimately, your choice between the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch will depend on your personal preferences. If you prioritize a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced wobble, the Black Lotus is an excellent choice. On the other hand, if you enjoy a tactile switch with a thuddy and punchy sound profile and pronounced tactility, the Viola Tricolor is a great option. Consider your desired sound and feel, and make your decision based on these factors. Whichever switch you choose, both the Durock Black Lotus and Haimu Viola Tricolor offer high-quality and satisfying typing experiences.

Mentioned in this article

Durock Black Lotus Linear

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

Learn more

Haimu Viola Tricolor Tactile

$6.60

$3.09 per 10

Learn more