Durock Blue Lotus vs. HMX EVA
An in-depth look at the Durock Blue Lotus and the HMX EVA switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches can significantly influence your typing experience, and that’s where the Durock Blue Lotus and HMX EVA stand out. The Durock Blue Lotus is a tactile switch known for its striking intensity and responsiveness, offering a marked tactile feedback that many typists and gamers cherish. With a slightly reduced travel distance of 3.7mm, this switch not only delivers a satisfying tactile sensation but also enhances speed, making it ideal for fast-paced typing and gaming. In contrast, the HMX EVA presents a silky smooth, linear switch experience, channeling its inspiration from the vibrant colors of Evangelion Unit-01. While the EVA switch provides a feather-light feel with a bouncy responsiveness that attracts those who prefer a quieter and uninterrupted keystroke, its resonant sound signature adds a layer of audio enjoyment. Both switches cater to distinct user preferences: the Blue Lotus for those who thrive on tactile feedback and visual appeal, and the EVA for users seeking smoothness and a more subdued auditory experience. 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
42g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
T2
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-stage spring
Housing materials
The Durock Blue Lotus and the HMX EVA exhibit contrasting materials in their top housings while sharing similarities in their bottom housings. The Blue Lotus is crafted with a modified PC and UPE blend for its top housing, which contributes to a distinct and premium feel. This blend is known for its sturdiness and tactile responsiveness, providing users with a more pronounced typing experience. In contrast, the EVA utilizes a traditional nylon top housing. The nylon, being a softer plastic, fosters a different sound profile that is deeper and rounder, resulting in a surface that absorbs sound more effectively. Therefore, while the bottom housings of both switches share the same nylon material, their top housings inherently influence the sound and feel of the switches differently due to their unique compositions.
Turning to the bottom housings, both the Durock Blue Lotus and HMX EVA utilize nylon, which helps to elicit a fuller sound profile when typing. This shared bottom housing material contributes significantly to the overall acoustic experience of the switches, ensuring a combination of depth and softness in the sound produced. Since nylon absorbs sound better than harder plastics, the bottom-out sound is dampened, minimizing any sharpness and making for a pleasant typing experience. As both switches feature a nylon bottom housing, users can expect a familiar auditory feel, which may lend itself to a consistent performance across both switch types despite the disparity in top housing materials.
In summary, the differences between the Durock Blue Lotus and HMX EVA become particularly evident when analyzing their top housings, which dictate the distinct tactile and auditory qualities during use. While the Blue Lotus's modified PC and UPE blend top offers a more premium touch, the EVA's nylon top excels in delivering a mellower sound profile. However, the consistent use of nylon for the bottom housing in both switches ensures a shared quality in sound absorption and overall deeper acoustic response, allowing users to achieve a comparative typing experience despite the variances in top materials. This blend of characteristics showcases how different combinations of housing materials can ultimately lead to a unique yet familiar typing sensation.
Weight
The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the HMX EVA linear switch present distinct characteristics in terms of 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 EVA switch offers a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. This difference means that the EVA switch is better suited for users seeking a more effortless typing experience, making it ideal for prolonged use in work or gaming environments. Conversely, the heftier forces of the Blue Lotus cater to those who prefer a more substantial and tactile feel during each keystroke. Overall, consumers should choose based on their preference for weight, with the Blue Lotus being the heavier option, while the EVA provides a lighter touch.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the HMX EVA linear switch, the Blue Lotus features a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the EVA offers a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This indicates that the Blue Lotus allows for a more substantial keypress, appealing to users who enjoy a deeper and more tactile experience when typing. Conversely, the HMX EVA, with its shorter travel distance, may be preferred by gamers or those seeking quicker response times, as it facilitates a more rapid actuation. Ultimately, if you desire a hearty depth in your keystrokes, the Durock Blue Lotus would be the ideal choice, whereas the HMX EVA caters to those who favor a snappier, more responsive feel. Thus, while the difference in travel distance is minimal, it still influences the overall typing experience.
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 EVA has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the EVA 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 switch delivers a distinctive bassy acoustic profile that provides a deeper, richer sound signature upon each key press. This lower frequency range can create a satisfying auditory experience, enhancing the tactile feedback that typists often seek. In contrast, the HMX EVA switch produces a more clacky sound, characterized by its sharp and snappy auditory feedback. The crisp, bright, and percussive nature of the EVA switches makes them engaging during typing or gaming sessions, offering a lively soundscape that contrasts sharply with the Blue Lotus’s deeper tones. However, it's important to note that the overall sound can be influenced by the keyboard's build and keycap materials, meaning both switches can achieve different acoustics depending on their surroundings.
In terms of feel, the Blue Lotus switch is designed to provide a medium tactile response, described as accented and stepped. This means users can enjoy a notable tactile bump that is prominent but not overpowering, making it suitable for both typing and gaming. The stepped nature gives a sensation of stages in the keystroke, allowing for clearer feedback without being too aggressive. On the other hand, the HMX EVA switch opts for a lighter, smoother experience with its feathery and silky characteristics. The minimal actuation force required to press the EVA switch significantly reduces finger fatigue, making it ideal for extended use, while the boisterous bouncy nature adds a lively responsiveness that can enhance the typing experience further.
In conclusion, while both the Durock Blue Lotus and HMX EVA switches cater to different preferences, they each bring unique qualities to the table. The Blue Lotus offers a bassy and tactile experience, especially beneficial for those who prefer a pronounced feedback while typing, whereas the EVA switch focuses on a smooth and light feel, lending itself well to extended usage. Ultimately, choosing between these two will depend on whether you prioritize sound depth and tactile feedback or prefer a lighter, more fluid typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, choosing between the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the HMX EVA linear switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and intended usage. If you value a more tactile experience with pronounced feedback, the Blue Lotus is an excellent choice due to its medium-heavy bottom-out force of 65 grams and its unique stepped feel, perfect for those who enjoy a clear response with each keystroke. Its bassy sound profile also adds a rich acoustic layer, enriching your typing experience. This switch shines for typing, gaming with precision, or where you thrive on tactile engagement. Conversely, if you prefer a lighter touch with minimal resistance, the HMX EVA switch will likely suit you better. Weighing in at only 48 grams, it offers a feathery feel that allows for quick, repetitive key presses with ease, making it a great option for prolonged typing sessions, gaming marathons, or casual use. Plus, its clacky sound profile may appeal to those who enjoy a crisp auditory feedback while typing. In essence, your choice should align with how much tactile feedback you desire and the typing experience you want to achieve; whether you lean towards the tactile engagement of the Blue Lotus or the smoothness and lightness of the HMX EVA, both switches offer unique advantages tailored to different styles.
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