Durock Blue Lotus vs. Bsun Pine
An in-depth look at the Durock Blue Lotus and the Bsun Pine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Blue Lotus and the BSUN Pine mechanical keyboard switches, both offer a tactile typing experience with distinctive characteristics. The Blue Lotus switches are praised for their tactile intensity and swift responsiveness, thanks to a slightly reduced travel distance of 3.7mm, making them ideal for those who prefer a pronounced tactile feel. Additionally, the detachable light column provides vibrant RGB illumination, adding visual flair to the performance. On the other hand, the BSUN Pine switches stand out for their sharp tactile bump and quick bottom-out, offering clear feedback and fast action for a no-nonsense typing experience. While the Blue Lotus is categorized as accented, bassy, snappy, and stepped, and the Pine as accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy, both switches have their own unique strengths. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Blue Lotus and the Bsun Pine switches both feature unique and high-quality housing materials that contribute to their overall performance. The Blue Lotus utilizes a modified PC & UPE Blend for its top housing, providing a premium feel and sound profile. In contrast, the Pine switch incorporates a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. While both materials offer excellent sound characteristics, the polycarbonate top housing of the Pine may contribute to a more pronounced sound profile compared to the Blue Lotus.
In terms of the bottom housing, both switches opt for a nylon material, a classic choice known for producing a deep and full sound profile. Nylon is softer compared to other plastics, allowing it to absorb more sound and create a duller and rounder sound overall. With both the Blue Lotus and the Pine utilizing nylon for their bottom housing, users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of sound quality. However, the impact of the bottom housing on the overall typing feel and sound differs from the top housing's influence, providing a unique tactile experience for each switch.
While the Blue Lotus and Bsun Pine switches may differ in their top housing materials, their choice of nylon for the bottom housing results in a similar typing experience in terms of sound profile and feel. Both materials offer distinct sound characteristics, with polycarbonate lending a sharper sound to the Pine switch and the UPE Blend providing a premium feel to the Blue Lotus. Ultimately, the combination of different housing materials in each switch allows for a unique typing experience that caters to various preferences in sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Bsun Pine tactile switch, we see that the Blue Lotus has a slightly heavier actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Pine's 45 grams. However, both switches share the same bottom out force of 65 grams, making them equal in that aspect. The Blue Lotus can provide a more substantial typing experience with its heavier actuation force, while the Pine offers a lighter touch that may be preferred for longer typing sessions or gaming. Overall, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation force and typing feel, with the Blue Lotus being the heavier option in this comparison.
Travel distance
The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Bsun Pine tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. In this case, the Blue Lotus has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Pine. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming more popular for their quicker response times, especially among gamers. However, individuals who prefer a more substantial key press may find the longer travel distance of the Blue Lotus to be more satisfying. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and feel when typing or gaming.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Blue 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 Blue Lotus for $4.57.
The Bsun Pine has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Pine for $3.70.
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
When it comes to sound, the Blue Lotus switch is described as having a bassy profile, giving a deep and rich sound during key presses. On the other hand, the sound description for the Pine switch is unknown, leaving it up to personal testing to determine the sound characteristics of these switches in practice. Remember that the sound of a switch can vary based on the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, the Blue Lotus switch offers a combination of descriptors such as accented, snappy, and stepped. This means that users can expect a tactile switch that provides a noticeable level of tactility without being overwhelming, along with a responsive and lively typing experience. On the other hand, the Pine switch is also described as accented and snappy, with additional descriptors like invigorating and sharp. This suggests a switch that offers pronounced feedback, a crisp tactile bump, and an immersive typing sensation due to its reactive nature.
In conclusion, the Durock Blue Lotus and Bsun Pine switches each bring their own unique qualities to the table. While the Blue Lotus excels in providing a snappy and visually captivating tactile experience, the Pine switch stands out for its quick bottom-out and direct tactility. If you enjoy a more bassy sound profile and a medium-tactile switch with a stepped feel, the Blue Lotus might be the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a sharp and invigorating typing experience with strong tactile feedback, the Pine switch could be more suited to your preferences. Overall, both switches offer distinct tactile characteristics that are sure to enhance your typing experience, so you can expect similar high-quality results from either choice.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Bsun Pine tactile switch, consider the specific typing experience you are looking for. If you prefer a switch with a marked tactile feel and snappiness, the Blue Lotus may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you appreciate a distinct and quick bottom-out, along with sharp tactile feedback, the Pine switch might be more suitable. Both switches offer their own unique qualities, so it ultimately comes down to your personal preference in terms of typing feel and sound. Be sure to test out both switches if possible to determine which one aligns best with your typing style and preferences.
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