Durock Blue Lotus vs. TTC Flame Red

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two stand out among the rest: the Durock Blue Lotus and the TTC Flame Red. While both switches offer exceptional typing experiences, they differ greatly in their characteristics. The Blue Lotus, a tactile switch, is renowned for its striking blend of tactile intensity and swift responsiveness. With a slightly reduced travel distance of 3.7mm, compared to the standard 4mm, these switches provide a marked tactile feel that enthusiasts greatly appreciate. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switches feature a detachable light column, which adds vibrant, glowy RGB illumination to any keyboard. On the other hand, the Flame Red, a linear switch, boasts an impressive visual feature: its dazzling light diffuser. These switches are perfect for those seeking a backlit, RGB keyboard with a weighty smoothness and a clacky sound profile when typing.

While these general pointers give a glimpse into the characteristics of each switch, it's essential to dive deeper to determine the best option for your specific preferences and needs. Choosing between the Durock Blue Lotus and the TTC Flame Red ultimately depends on whether you prioritize a marked tactile feel with stunning visual appeal or a weighty smoothness with a clacky typing experience. Explore the intricacies of each switch to make an informed decision that will optimize your typing satisfaction.

By the numbers

Durock Blue Lotus Tactile

TTC Flame Red Linear

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

$7.29

$4.38 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Durock Blue Lotus and the TTC Flame Red switches both feature different top and bottom housing materials, resulting in distinct characteristics. The Blue Lotus utilizes a modified PC and UPE blend for its top housing, providing a unique and premium feel. In contrast, the Flame Red implements a nylon top housing, known for its ability to generate a deeper and fuller sound profile. Although the materials differ, both switches bring a level of sophistication and auditory satisfaction to the typing experience.

Moving to the bottom housing, the Blue Lotus and the Flame Red switches once again showcase different materials. The Blue Lotus boasts a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to its deeper and fuller sound profile, due to nylon's ability to absorb more sound. Similarly, the Flame Red utilizes a nylon bottom housing, enhancing the switch's capability to generate a duller and rounder sound. Despite the differences, both switches offer an enhanced typing experience by providing an audible feedback that is rich and immersive.

When comparing the impact of the top and bottom housing materials, it becomes evident that they play a role in different aspects of the typing experience. The bottom housing is responsible for the bottom-out sound and feel, influencing the overall sensation when pressing down on the switch. Meanwhile, the top housing has a more prominent effect on the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, while the Blue Lotus and the Flame Red differ in their housing materials, they ultimately deliver similar results in terms of their ability to enhance the acoustic qualities of the typing experience.

In summary, the Durock Blue Lotus and TTC Flame Red switches vary in their housing materials, both in the top and bottom portions of the switch. The Blue Lotus features a modified PC and UPE blend top housing and a nylon bottom housing, while the Flame Red utilizes nylon for both the top and bottom housings. Despite these distinctions, both switches offer a premium feel and deliver a deep, immersive sound profile. Whether it's the bottom-out sensation or the key release sound, these switches provide a satisfying auditory experience that elevates the overall typing experience.

Weight

When comparing the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the TTC Flame Red linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Blue Lotus has an actuation force of 55 grams, while the Flame Red requires a lighter touch with an actuation force of 45 grams. Similarly, when it comes to bottoming out, the Blue Lotus has a higher force requirement of 65 grams compared to the Flame Red's 54 grams. This means that the Blue Lotus provides a slightly heavier typing experience overall, while the Flame Red offers a lighter touch. For those who prefer a lighter switch, the Flame Red would be a suitable choice, allowing for longer periods of typing or extended gaming sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, the Blue Lotus would be more suitable for users who enjoy a stronger push feel and desire a more substantial typing experience. In either case, both options are within the medium force range and offer satisfying actuation and bottom out forces.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the TTC Flame Red linear switch, it is clear that the Flame Red has a slightly longer travel distance at 4 mm, while the Blue Lotus has a slightly shorter travel distance at 3.7 mm. The Flame Red's travel distance falls within the more traditional range of 4.0 mm, while the Blue Lotus is on the shallower end at 3.7 mm. However, with the growing prevalence of shorter travel distances in recent times, gamers especially tend to prefer switches with shorter travel distances for faster response times. Therefore, if you prioritize responsiveness, the Blue Lotus with its shorter travel distance would be the ideal choice. On the other hand, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt, and for them, the Flame Red with its slightly longer travel distance may provide a sense of depth and satisfaction. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference regarding the desired travel distance and the specific needs of the user.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Durock Blue Lotus switch offers a bassy profile, providing a deeper and richer sound during key presses. This creates a lower frequency range, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. On the other hand, the TTC Flame Red switch has a neutral sound profile. It offers a moderate sound that is suitable for most intents and purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use the keyboard at home or work. However, it is important to note that the sound of these switches can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.

In terms of feel, the Durock Blue Lotus switch offers a combination of accented, snappy, and stepped characteristics. It provides a medium level of tactility, with a prominent amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. The switch is also snappy and super responsive, thanks to its longer or dual-staged springs, which enhances the typing experience and makes it feel more alive. Additionally, the Blue Lotus can be described as a stepped switch, meaning it has two stages of tactility with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. On the other hand, the TTC Flame Red switch offers a mild typing experience, providing a more gentle feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. It is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience. The Flame Red switch offers reduced friction and smooth key travel, either due to the materials used or factory lubing.

Taking all the available information into account, the Durock Blue Lotus switch stands out for its tactile intensity and swift responsiveness. It offers a marked tactile feel, making it ideal for those who enjoy a strong tactile experience. Additionally, the detachable light column adds visual appeal with vibrant, glowy RGB illumination. On the other hand, the TTC Flame Red switch excels in visual aesthetics with its dazzling light diffuser, making it a great choice for those looking for a backlit, RGB keyboard. While the two switches provide different sound and feel qualities, both deliver excellent performance in their respective areas. Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Blue Lotus and TTC Flame Red will depend on individual preferences regarding sound, feel, and visual aesthetics.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you prioritize a tactile feel and snappy responsiveness in a switch, the Durock Blue Lotus would be a great choice for you. With its medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams and slightly reduced travel, these switches offer a marked tactile intensity that many enthusiasts enjoy. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switches come with a detachable light column for vibrant, glowy RGB illumination, combining performance with captivating visual appeal. On the other hand, if you value visuals and prefer a smooth and weighty typing experience, the TTC Flame Red switches are ideal. With a medium-light bottom out force of 54 grams and a clacky sound profile, these switches are perfect for those who appreciate backlit, RGB keyboards. The Flame Reds also provide a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Ultimately, the choice between the Blue Lotus and Flame Red switches will depend on your personal preferences for tactile feel and visual aesthetics.

Mentioned in this article

Durock Blue Lotus Tactile

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

Learn more

TTC Flame Red Linear

$7.29

$4.38 per 10

Learn more