Durock Blue Lotus vs. Durock Dolphin
An in-depth look at the Durock Blue Lotus and the Durock Dolphin switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Blue Lotus and Durock Dolphin mechanical keyboard switches, it's evident that they each offer unique features catering to different preferences. The Blue Lotus is celebrated for its tactile intensity and swift responsiveness, providing a marked tactile feel with its reduced travel distance of 3.7mm. On the other hand, the Dolphin stands out for its silent operation, making it a perfect choice for quiet environments with its medium-heavy actuation force of 62g. The Blue Lotus excels in performance and visual appeal with its detachable light column for RGB illumination, while the Dolphin offers a satisfying press with a bit more resistance. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Blue Lotus and Durock Dolphin, it is clear that both switches feature unique combinations that contribute to the overall sound profile and feel. The Blue Lotus combines a Modified PC & UPE Blend top housing with a nylon bottom housing, while the Dolphin utilizes a polycarbonate top housing paired with a nylon bottom housing. While the Blue Lotus boasts a premium feel with its modified blend top housing, the Dolphin offers a sharper and crisper sound profile with its polycarbonate top housing. Both switches benefit from the nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer properties.
Despite the differences in top housing materials, both the Blue Lotus and Dolphin switches share the characteristic of utilizing a nylon bottom housing. This commonality results in a similar sound profile for both switches, with a deeper and fuller sound that is attributed to the absorbent nature of nylon compared to harder plastics. However, where the Blue Lotus shines in premium feel with its Modified PC & UPE Blend top housing, the Dolphin excels in creating a sharp and higher-pitched sound profile with its polycarbonate top housing. The different combinations of housing materials in each switch offer unique typing experiences, where the qualities of each material are split between the top and bottom housing to impact both the bottom-out sound and the sound when releasing a key.
In conclusion, the Durock Blue Lotus and Durock Dolphin switches showcase the importance of housing materials in creating a distinctive typing experience. While both switches benefit from the use of a nylon bottom housing for a deeper sound profile, the top housing materials set them apart in terms of feel and sound characteristics. The Blue Lotus's premium feel from the Modified PC & UPE Blend top housing contrasts with the Dolphin's sharp and clear sound profile from the polycarbonate top housing. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preference in terms of feel and sound aesthetics.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Durock Dolphin linear switch, we find that the Blue Lotus has a slightly lighter actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Dolphin, which has an unknown actuation force. However, the bottom out force of the Dolphin is slightly heavier at 62 grams, while the Blue Lotus has a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it the heavier of the two. Both switches provide a medium actuation force, but the Dolphin offers a slightly lighter bottom out force. This means that users who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Dolphin, while those who prefer a more substantial typing feel may prefer the Blue Lotus. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to individual preference for key feel and typing experience.
Travel distance
The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Durock Dolphin linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches have relatively short travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0 mm. Gamers may prefer the Blue Lotus for its slightly shorter travel distance, which can result in faster response times. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing may lean towards the Dolphin with its slightly longer travel distance. Overall, the difference between the two switches is minimal, and either one would provide a satisfying typing experience depending on personal preference.
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 Durock Dolphin has an MSRP of $6.87 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dolphin for $5.41.
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
The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch is known for its accented, snappy, and stepped feel, providing a medium level of tactility that is noticeable but not overwhelming. In contrast, the Durock Dolphin linear switch is described as polished, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction. When it comes to sound, the Blue Lotus is characterized as bassy, giving off a deeper and richer sound profile, while the Dolphin is muted and low-pitched, producing a softer and quieter typing experience.
Overall, the Blue Lotus switch is ideal for those seeking a tactile switch with a snappy response and a more pronounced tactile feel, perfect for those who enjoy a switch with a distinctive keypress feedback. On the other hand, the Dolphin switch is a great option for users in quieter environments or those who prefer a smoother typing experience without the audible click. Both switches offer their own unique qualities, so choosing between them depends on personal preference in terms of sound, feel, and typing experience. Ultimately, whether you opt for the Blue Lotus or the Dolphin, you can expect high-quality performance from Durock switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Durock Dolphin linear switch, consider your preferences and needs. If you value a tactile typing experience with a medium-heavy actuation force and snappy responsiveness, the Blue Lotus may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you require a quieter typing experience for an office setting or prefer a smoother key travel with a medium actuation force, the Dolphin linear switch could be the better option. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to your personal typing style, environment, and preferences.
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