Durock Blue Lotus vs. Outemu Crystal
An in-depth look at the Durock Blue Lotus and the Outemu Crystal switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Durock Blue Lotus and the Outemu Crystal are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinct typing experiences. The Blue Lotus excels in providing a satisfying tactile feel with its marked tactile intensity and swift responsiveness. With a slightly reduced travel of 3.7mm, these switches deliver a snappy typing experience, making them ideal for those who enjoy a heightened tactile sensation. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switches come with a detachable light column, adding vibrant RGB illumination for a visually captivating effect. On the other hand, the Outemu Crystal switches offer a unique linear typing experience with their elastic feel and medium-light weight. These switches provide a neutral sound profile, ensuring a polished and pleasant typing sound. However, let's explore these switches further to help you make an informed decision on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Durock Blue Lotus and the Outemu Crystal have different housing materials, which greatly impact the overall sound and feel of the switches. The Blue Lotus features a modified PC and UPE blend top housing, which creates a unique and premium feel. This blend of materials offers a softer typing experience and elicits a deeper, fuller sound profile. On the other hand, the Crystal utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The relatively stiffer polycarbonate plastic enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound. Aesthetically, the Blue Lotus's translucent blend adds a touch of sophistication, while the Crystal's clear polycarbonate allows for vibrant RGB lighting if desired.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Blue Lotus incorporates a nylon material, known for its classic switch housing composition. The nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a duller and rounder sound. This softer plastic absorbs more sound than harder plastics, enhancing the overall typing experience. On the other hand, the Crystal utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, similar to its top housing. This material choice brings forth a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile that complements the properties of the polycarbonate top housing. Additionally, the transparency of polycarbonate makes it an ideal choice for RGB lighting enthusiasts.
When comparing the two switches, it is evident that the Blue Lotus and the Crystal showcase contrasting housing materials. The Blue Lotus offers a softer and fuller typing experience, thanks to its modified PC and UPE blend top housing, and a deeper sound profile with its nylon bottom housing. On the other hand, the Crystal's polycarbonate top and bottom housings provide a sharper and more resonant sound profile. However, both switches share the benefit of utilizing polycarbonate in their top housing, as it allows for the use of RGB lighting due to its translucency. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on the user's preference for typing feel and desired sound profile.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Outemu Crystal linear switch, one noticeable difference lies in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Blue Lotus requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 55 grams, while the Crystal only needs 45 grams for actuation. This means that the Crystal switch offers a lighter touch when triggering keystrokes. However, when it comes to bottoming out, both switches have a similar pattern. The Blue Lotus requires a bottom out force of 65 grams, which is slightly heavier compared to the Crystal's 55 grams.
Considering weight is an important factor for many keyboard users, as it can affect typing comfort and endurance. Those who prefer a lighter touch may find the Crystal switch more suitable, as it allows for longer periods of typing without fatigue. This makes it ideal for individuals who frequently use their keyboards at work or engage in extensive gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Blue Lotus switch provides a stronger push feel due to its higher actuation and bottom out forces. This results in a more substantial typing experience, appealing to users who prefer a heavier and more tactile response from their keyboards. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on an individual's personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Outemu Crystal linear switch, it is evident that the Crystal has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Blue Lotus has a shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. This makes the Crystal switch more aligned with the traditional travel distance of 4 mm, while the Blue Lotus falls in the range of shorter travel distances that have become popular lately. Gamers often opt for shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times, making the Blue Lotus a preferred option for them. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial and deeper key press may find the longer travel distance of the Crystal switch more satisfying. Overall, the choice between these switches ultimately comes down to personal preference and the desired level of responsiveness or depth while typing.
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 Outemu Crystal comes in at $3.40 per 10 switches.
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 switch offers a deeper and richer bassy sound profile during key presses. This creates a satisfying auditory experience for those who prefer a lower frequency range. On the other hand, the Outemu Crystal switch is known for its chirpy sound, which adds a unique acoustic signature to each key press. Additionally, the Crystal switch produces a high-pitched and crisp sound, providing a sharp auditory feedback for those who enjoy a more distinctive typing sound. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Durock Blue Lotus switch provides a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. This medium tactile switch, sometimes referred to as accented, offers a satisfying and responsive typing experience. The snappy nature of the Blue Lotus switch can be attributed to its longer or dual-staged springs, providing enhanced responsiveness and making the typing experience feel more alive. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switch has a stepped feel, which includes some pre-travel and/or post-travel, giving users a distinct sensation throughout the keystroke.
On the other hand, the Outemu Crystal switch offers a polished typing experience. With a smooth and refined finish, these switches minimize friction and provide a sleek feel during typing. The materials used in the Crystal switch and the possibility of factory lubing contribute to its polished sensation, ensuring smooth key travel and reduced resistance.
In conclusion, the Durock Blue Lotus switch offers a tactile typing experience with a deeper and richer bassy sound profile. It has a snappy and stepped feel, providing a responsive keystroke with noticeable tactility. On the other hand, the Outemu Crystal switch offers a linear typing experience with a chirpy and high-pitched sound profile. It provides a polished feel with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Ultimately, both switches have their unique qualities and can be suited to different preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are someone who enjoys a marked tactile feel and swift responsiveness, the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switches would be a great choice for you. With a bottom out force of 65 grams, these medium-heavy switches offer a satisfying typing experience. The Blue Lotus switches also come with a detachable light column for vibrant RGB illumination, adding a visually appealing element to your mechanical keyboard setup. On the other hand, if you prefer a unique linear typing experience with a medium-light weight, the Outemu Crystal linear switches would be a suitable option. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, these switches provide a fairly elastic type feel. Additionally, the Crystal switches have a neutral sound profile when typing, offering a pleasant auditory experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Blue Lotus and Crystal switches depends on your personal preferences for tactility, responsiveness, visual appeal, and typing sound.
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