Durock Blue Lotus vs. Bsun Chiikawa - 28g

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice often boils down to personal preference and typing style, as exemplified by the Durock Blue Lotus and the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g switches. The Blue Lotus offers a tactile experience that strikes a balance between a pronounced tactile bump and swift responsiveness, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate a more engaged typing feel. With a reduced travel distance of 3.7mm and a detachable light column for vibrant RGB illumination, this switch not only enhances performance but also adds a visual flair to your setup. On the other hand, the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g switch presents a contrasting approach with its very light actuation force and bright sound profile, appealing to users who prefer smooth, uninterrupted keystrokes combined with a crisp, high-pitched auditory feedback. Ultimately, each switch caters to different typing needs—be it the tactile satisfaction of the Blue Lotus or the lightweight fluidity of the Chiikawa. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the optimal switch for you.

By the numbers

Durock Blue Lotus Tactile

Bsun Chiikawa - 28g Linear

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the Durock Blue Lotus and the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g, both switches exhibit unique properties derived from their respective housing materials, which affect typing experience and sound profile. The Blue Lotus features a modified PC and UPE blend top housing, which promises a unique tactile feel and aesthetic appeal, creating a balance between clarity and resonance. Conversely, the Chiikawa - 28g employs a polycarbonate top housing that emphasizes crispness and brightness in sound due to the inherent rigidity of polycarbonate. Although both switches utilize advanced materials for their top housings, the Blue Lotus’s modified blend may impart a slightly different tactile quality compared to the sharper sound profile of the Chiikawa, which lends itself particularly well to setups incorporating RGB lighting due to its translucency.

Beneath the surface, both switches utilize nylon for the bottom housing, highlighting a shared characteristic that contributes to their acoustic properties. Nylon stands as a classic choice, offering a deeper and more resonant sound profile that is consistent across both models. When typing, the nylon bottom housing is responsible for absorbing sound, yielding a fuller, rounded auditory experience that is emphasized when keys bottom out. This commonality in bottom housing material indicates that users can expect a similarly rich auditory foundation when pressing down on either switch, despite differences in the top housing materials.

The interplay between the different housing materials illustrates how the overall performance of these switches is influenced by their construction. The Durock Blue Lotus combines its modified PC and UPE blend top with a nylon bottom, potentially creating a more unique tactile feedback experience alongside the deep sound profile. In contrast, the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g leverages the clarity of its polycarbonate top while also benefiting from the silky fullness provided by nylon below. As a result, even though these two switches showcase differing top housing materials, the nylon bottom housing ensures a similarly rich tactile and auditory experience, making each switch appealing in its own right while catering to diverse user preferences.

Weight

The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch offer distinct experiences when it comes to actuation and bottom out forces. The Blue Lotus features a heavier actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, which provides a more substantial typing experience that some users may prefer for its tactile feedback and resistance. In contrast, the Chiikawa switch is significantly lighter, with an actuation force of 28 grams and a bottom out force of 34 grams, making it ideal for prolonged typing sessions or extensive gaming without finger fatigue. Whereas the Blue Lotus is designed for those who enjoy a firmer keystroke, the Chiikawa caters to users looking for a lighter touch. Overall, if users seek a heavier switch for a more tactile experience, the Blue Lotus is the obvious choice, while the Chiikawa offers a softer option for comfort and ease.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch, the Blue Lotus measures 3.7 mm, while the Chiikawa - 28g has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that the Chiikawa switch offers a more responsive feel due to its shorter travel distance, making it potentially more appealing to gamers who prioritize quick key presses. On the other hand, the Blue Lotus provides a bit more depth, which might be preferred by users who enjoy a more substantial tactile feedback during their typing or gaming experience. Ultimately, both switches offer relatively short travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0 mm, catering to different user preferences for responsiveness versus depth.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Durock Blue Lotus switch provides a unique auditory experience characterized by a bassy profile. This deeper sound adds a richer tone to each key press, giving a sense of depth that can enhance the typing experience for users who appreciate a fuller auditory feedback. In contrast, the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch, while its sound profile is less descriptively defined, is noted for being bright and producing a crisp, high-pitched sound. This means that users can expect a more piercing auditory feedback from the Chiikawa switch, which contrasts with the low-frequency resonance of the Blue Lotus. However, keep in mind that sound perception can be heavily influenced by the keyboard's construction and the keycaps used, potentially making the actual experience somewhat variable.

In terms of feel, the Blue Lotus switch is mainly praised for its snappy and accented tactile feedback. The tactile bump is noticeable without being overwhelmingly strong, making it suitable for those who enjoy a tactile sensation that energizes their typing without the distraction of undue noise or resistance. Its stepped profile further enhances the typing experience by providing a pronounced differentiation between pre-travel and post-travel movements. Conversely, the Chiikawa - 28g switch does not have an established tactile feel described, but its attributes of light actuation force suggest that it offers an easy, smooth keystroke. This might appeal to users who prefer a more effortless typing experience, similar to that of traditional linear switches.

In conclusion, the Durock Blue Lotus and Bsun Chiikawa - 28g switches cater to different preferences in sound and feel. The Blue Lotus is ideal for those who enjoy a deeper, bassy sound coupled with a well-defined tactile feedback, while the Chiikawa provides a brighter auditory experience characterized by its light actuation. These differences suggest that users can expect distinct typing experiences from each, with the Blue Lotus promoting a focus on tactile feedback and auditory richness, while the Chiikawa provides an emphasis on smoothness and clarity in sound. Ultimately, the choice will depend on whether you prioritize tactile engagement or a lightweight, quick response when selecting your mechanical keyboard switch.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch ultimately hinges on your typing preferences and the kind of experience you're looking to achieve. If you appreciate a tactile response and enjoy the snappy feedback that these switches provide, particularly for typing or gaming, the Blue Lotus is likely the better option for you. Its 65-gram bottom-out force ensures that you will feel a satisfying tactile bump which can enhance your typing accuracy and offer a more engaging experience, especially for tasks that demand precision. On the other hand, if you're drawn to a lighter touch and prefer a smoother, more linear experience that allows for swift movements—ideal for fast-paced gaming—the Chiikawa - 28g will suit you best with its 34-gram actuation, making it incredibly responsive and enjoyable for extended typing sessions. The crisp sound profile of the Chiikawa will also appeal to those who appreciate auditory feedback without the heaviness of tactile switches. Overall, your decision should be guided by whether you value tactile feedback and depth of sound with the Blue Lotus or you prioritize lightweight responsiveness and a linear feel with the Chiikawa.

Mentioned in this article

Durock Blue Lotus Tactile

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

Learn more

Bsun Chiikawa - 28g Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more