Durock Blue Lotus vs. Aflion Carrot
An in-depth look at the Durock Blue Lotus and the Aflion Carrot switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Durock Blue Lotus and Aflion Carrot are both tactile mechanical keyboard switches, providing a satisfying tactile experience while typing. The Blue Lotus is renowned for its exceptional blend of tactile intensity and quick responsiveness. With a slightly reduced travel distance of 3.7mm, compared to the standard 4mm, these switches offer a marked tactile feel, perfect for those who appreciate an engaging typing experience. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switches feature a detachable light column that illuminates with vibrant RGB colors, adding a visually captivating element to your keyboard setup. On the other hand, the Carrot switch from Aflion boasts a unique and enjoyable tactile experience with its long, two-stage spring. This innovative design provides a bouncy feel while typing, creating a distinctive typing sensation that many users find enjoyable. Furthermore, the Carrot switch produces a mid-pitched and firm sound profile, adding an auditory dimension to your typing experience. These switches are categorized as clacky, marbly, high-pitched, bouncy, snappy, stepped, feathery, and subtle. However, let's dive deeper beyond these generalities to help you determine the best switch for your specific needs and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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
20mm two-stage spring
Housing materials
The Durock Blue Lotus and Aflion Carrot differ in their housing materials, resulting in distinct sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Blue Lotus features a modified PC and UPE Blend top housing, whereas the Carrot utilizes a polycarbonate top housing. The modified PC and UPE Blend of the Blue Lotus provides a unique and premium feel, while the polycarbonate of the Carrot creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for RGB lighting. Despite these differences, both top housings contribute to the overall sound when releasing a key.
In terms of bottom housing, the Blue Lotus employs a nylon material, known for its ability to elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softness of nylon absorbs more sound, culminating in a duller and rounder sound. Similarly, the Carrot utilizes a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a similar deep and full sound profile. Both switches benefit from the acoustic properties of nylon, which enhance the overall typing experience.
When evaluating the impact of top and bottom housings on the switch, the characteristics of each housing material are divided accordingly. Pressing down on a Blue Lotus switch would lead to the influence of the nylon bottom housing, impacting the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing would play a more significant role in the sound produced when releasing a key. This division can be observed similarly in the Carrot, with nylon affecting the bottom-out experience and the polycarbonate top housing influencing the release sound.
In summary, while the Durock Blue Lotus and Aflion Carrot differ in their specific housing materials, they share certain qualities and experiences. Both switches offer a unique and premium feel, with the top housings contributing to the sound when releasing a key. Additionally, the nylon bottom housings in both switches provide a deeper and fuller sound profile. Understanding the distinctions and similarities in housing materials can help enthusiasts make informed decisions based on their preferences for sound and tactile feedback.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Aflion Carrot tactile switch, it is clear that they offer different experiences based on their respective forces. The Blue Lotus has a slightly heavier actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it a medium-heavy option. On the other hand, the Carrot offers a lighter typing experience with an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. This makes the Carrot switch a more lightweight alternative.
For those who prefer a lighter switch, the Carrot is an ideal choice. It allows for easier keystrokes, which can be advantageous for longer typing sessions or extended gaming sessions. The reduced actuation and bottom out forces prevent unnecessary strain or fatigue on the fingers, enabling longer and more comfortable typing or gaming experiences.
In contrast, the Blue Lotus provides a more substantial typing experience for those who desire a stronger push feel. The heavier actuation and bottom out forces offer a satisfying and tactile feedback, giving users a more pronounced sensation with each keystroke. This can be particularly beneficial for users who enjoy the feeling of pressing down on the keys and prefer a more pronounced tactile response.
While the forces of the Blue Lotus and Carrot switches differ, it is important to note that both options provide a range of choices to cater to individual preferences. Whether one prefers a lighter or heavier typing experience, there are switches available to meet those needs. Ultimately, the decision between the two hinges on personal preferences and the desired tactile feedback.
Travel distance
When it comes to travel distance, the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch offers a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Aflion Carrot tactile switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. The Blue Lotus falls on the shorter end of the spectrum, making it a popular choice among gamers who prioritize faster response times. With its shorter travel distance, it provides a more responsive feel when pressing down on a key. On the other hand, the Carrot switch offers a slightly longer travel distance, giving it a more substantial and deeper feel. This can be preferred by those who enjoy a more hearty and satisfying keystroke. Overall, both switches provide different tactile experiences due to their contrasting travel distances. However, if you are looking for similar results, you can expect a relatively similar feel between the two switches.
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 Aflion Carrot has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Carrot for $3.57.
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 Durock Blue Lotus and Aflion Carrot tactile switches offer different profiles. The Blue Lotus switches possess a bassy sound, characterized by a deeper and richer tone during key presses. On the other hand, the Carrot switches are described as clacky, producing a sharp and snappy sound. Additionally, the Carrot switches have a marbly sound, which is resonant and high-pitched, resembling the sound of tapping on a rock-solid piece of marble or billiard balls colliding. The Blue Lotus switches provide a deeper sound, while the Carrot switches offer a crisper and brighter sound. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
In terms of feel, both switches exhibit similar characteristics. The Blue Lotus switches are described as accented, which means they offer a medium level of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. They are also snappy, providing a super responsive typing experience thanks to their longer or dual-staged springs. Similarly, the Carrot switches are snappy as well, delivering a lively and responsive feel. Both switches also fall into the category of stepped switches, which means they have a two-stage feel, with noticeable pre-travel and/or post-travel. These characteristics make both switches suitable for those who appreciate a tactile typing experience with a moderate level of feedback.
In conclusion, the Durock Blue Lotus and Aflion Carrot tactile switches have distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Blue Lotus switches offer a bassy sound and an accented, snappy feel, while the Carrot switches provide a clacky sound and a bouncy, stepped feel. Both switches boast their own unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. However, if you prefer a similar snappy and stepped typing experience, either switch can deliver comparable results. Ultimately, the choice between the Blue Lotus and Carrot switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a tactile switch with a marked tactile feel and vibrant RGB illumination, the Durock Blue Lotus switch is a great choice. With a bottom out force of 65 grams, it offers a medium-heavy feel that is accented, snappy, and slightly reduced in travel distance. Additionally, its sound profile is described as bassy, providing a deeper and richer sound experience during key presses. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter and bouncier tactile experience, the Aflion Carrot switch with a bottom out force of 45 grams is ideal. It has a long, two-stage spring that offers a uniquely bouncy feel and a mid-pitched, firm sound profile. The Carrot switch also includes descriptors like snappy and stepped, giving it a responsive and mild tactile sensation. Moreover, it has a feathery and subtle feel, which reduces finger fatigue and makes it comfortable for extended typing sessions. Overall, the choice between the Blue Lotus and Carrot switches depends on your preference for tactile intensity, sound profile, and typing experience.
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