Durock Blue Lotus vs. HMX Cloud - 50g
An in-depth look at the Durock Blue Lotus and the HMX Cloud - 50g switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between tactile and linear responses can significantly impact your typing experience. The Durock Blue Lotus, known for its tactile intensity and snappy responsiveness, offers a delightful blend of feedback and speed thanks to its reduced travel distance of 3.7mm. This switch not only provides a pronounced tactile bump for a more engaging typing experience, but it also features a detachable light column, allowing for vibrant RGB illumination that adds a captivating visual element. On the other hand, the HMX Cloud - 50g presents a different appeal with its linear design, characterized by a clacky sound profile that delivers a bright and engaging typing experience. With its smoother feel, this switch is perfect for those who prefer a quieter, uninterrupted keystroke while still enjoying the feedback of a responsive switch. Both options have unique advantages: the Blue Lotus offers a more pronounced tactile experience ideal for typists who thrive on feedback, while the Cloud - 50g caters to enthusiasts seeking a silky smooth keypress. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.90 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Durock Blue Lotus and the HMX Cloud - 50g, distinct characteristics are apparent in their top housings. The Blue Lotus features a modified polycarbonate (PC) and UPE blend for its top housing, which gives it a unique, premium feel while also enhancing the tactile experience during typing. This blend is designed to provide a clearer sound profile and a more responsive feel, allowing for a differentiated performance when typing or gaming. In contrast, the Cloud - 50g opts for a classic nylon top housing, which is known for its softer characteristics that tend to absorb sound. This results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a more muted auditory experience while typing. Together, these differences suggest that while the Blue Lotus offers a snappier feel and a brighter sound, the HMX Cloud - 50g delivers a more subdued auditory signature through its nylon material.
Both switches share similarities in their bottom housing, as both the Blue Lotus and the HMX Cloud - 50g utilize nylon. This shared material ensures that the bottom-out sound and the feel during key presses will possess comparable sound characteristics. The nylon's softness in both switches means that users can expect a more damping effect upon bottoming out, resulting in a less harsh sound. This design choice reflects a deliberate effort to cater to typists who prefer a more cushioned typing experience and a warmer sound profile. Even though their top housings differ, the fact that both switches employ nylon on the bottom allows for a cohesive auditory experience where users might find similar satisfaction in both key presses.
Ultimately, the varying materials, particularly in the top housings, create distinct profiles for the Durock Blue Lotus and the HMX Cloud - 50g. While the Blue Lotus aims for a premium, responsive feel with a brighter sound due to its modified PC & UPE blend, the HMX Cloud - 50g leans towards a traditional, fuller sound experience attributed to its classic nylon top housing. However, the shared nylon bottom housing ensures that both switches maintain a quality sound absorption and softer impact that typists might appreciate, allowing users to enjoy a similar emotional connection to their typing experience across both models despite the differences in top housing design. Thus, regardless of their material distinctions, those seeking a rich auditory feedback can find common ground in the performance of these two switches.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Blue Lotus features an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. In contrast, the HMX Cloud - 50g has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This means that the Cloud switch is more suitable for users who prefer a lighter touch, making it easier to type for extended periods or during long gaming sessions. Conversely, the Blue Lotus offers a more substantial typing experience with its heavier force, appealing to those who enjoy a firmer feedback when keystrokes are triggered. Overall, the Durock Blue Lotus is the heavier option while the HMX Cloud - 50g is lighter, presenting distinct tactile experiences for different user preferences.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch, the Blue Lotus has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Cloud - 50g measures slightly longer at 3.9 mm. This means that the Durock Blue Lotus is the shorter option, making it potentially more appealing for gamers who favor quicker response times. On the other hand, the HMX Cloud - 50g, with its longer travel distance, may provide a more substantial feel for those who prefer a deeper keystroke experience. Ultimately, your choice between these switches will depend on your own preference for responsiveness versus depth in key travel.
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 HMX Cloud - 50g has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cloud - 50g for $2.99.
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 switches present a deep and resonant audio profile, described as bassy. This rich sound quality enhances the experience of typing, creating a satisfying auditory feedback that can contribute to a more immersive typing session. The distinctiveness of the Blue Lotus's sound may be attributed to its construction and materials, resulting in deeper frequencies during key presses. In contrast, the sound profile of the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch is less clearly defined, providing a lighter and potentially brighter typing experience, but lacks the specific descriptors that characterize its auditory feedback. As with any switch, the overall sound can vary significantly based on the choice of keyboard, plate materials, and keycap designs used, making it essential to consider the entire build for the ultimate auditory experience.
In terms of feel, the Blue Lotus switches excel with their combination of accents, snappiness, and a stepped tactile response. These features create a medium tactile experience that is noticeable without being overwhelming, ensuring that typists can enjoy responsive key presses that feel alive with each stroke. The added snappiness comes from the switch's design, which incorporates slightly shorter travel, making every input feel quick and crisp. Conversely, while the feel of the Cloud - 50g is not elaborated upon as thoroughly, it is designed with a silky smooth characteristic, likely catering to typists who appreciate a linear experience devoid of the tactile bump. For those who prefer the tactile feedback, the Blue Lotus will stand out as the more engaging option.
In summary, choosing between the Durock Blue Lotus and the HMX Cloud - 50g switches largely depends on one’s preference for sound and tactile feedback. The Blue Lotus offers an enriching auditory experience accompanied by a pronounced tactile feel, perfect for those who enjoy deeper key sounds and a responsive typing action. The Cloud - 50g, on the other hand, might appeal to enthusiasts seeking a smoother, linear experience with a brighter sound signature, though specifics about its feel remain vague. Ultimately, the selection of a keyboard switch hinges on the balance between sound and tactile satisfaction, and both switches will deliver unique experiences that cater to different typing styles.
Conclusion
To sum up, the choice between the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the HMX Cloud - 50g linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing habits. If you appreciate a tactile experience with more pronounced feedback, the Blue Lotus is an excellent choice. Its medium-heavy actuation force and distinct tactile bump can enhance your typing precision, making it ideal for both typing and gaming sessions when you want a more interactive feel. The deeper, bassy sound profile adds to the overall experience, providing an immersive auditory environment that many typists find satisfying. Conversely, if you prefer a lighter, smoother keypress that allows for rapid typing without as much resistance, the Cloud - 50g is the way to go. Its clacky sound profile and silky feel make it particularly appealing for those who type quickly and enjoy a brighter, more airy typing experience. In essence, if you value tactile feedback and auditory richness, the Durock Blue Lotus is your best option, while the HMX Cloud - 50g will suit you better if you favor a lightweight, smooth operation for fast-paced workflows.
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