Durock Blue Lotus vs. HMX Jammy
An in-depth look at the Durock Blue Lotus and the HMX Jammy switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Blue Lotus and HMX Jammy stand out with their unique characteristics. The Blue Lotus is a tactile switch that offers a blend of tactile intensity and swift responsiveness, making it perfect for those who crave a tactile feel in their typing experience. On the other hand, the Jammy is a linear switch known for its softer nylon housings and medium weight, providing a typing experience that is both muted and deeply satisfying. While the Blue Lotus excels in tactile feedback and snappiness with its reduced travel distance and vibrant RGB illumination, the Jammy offers a more subtle and smooth typing 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
57g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
63g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
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
The Durock Blue Lotus and HMX Jammy both feature nylon top housings, which means that typing on both switches will elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to switches with harder plastic housings. The nylon material in both switches absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing. This similarity in material choice means that users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel when using either switch.
However, where the switches differ is in their bottom housings. The Blue Lotus features a modified PC and UPE blend bottom housing, while the Jammy also utilizes a nylon bottom housing. The Blue Lotus's bottom housing material may provide a unique and premium feel compared to the classic nylon material of the Jammy. This difference in bottom housing material could impact the overall typing experience, particularly in terms of the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the keys.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in the Durock Blue Lotus and HMX Jammy switches offers users different options in terms of typing sound and feel. While both switches feature nylon top housings for a fuller sound profile, the Blue Lotus's modified PC and UPE blend bottom housing may provide a more premium typing experience. Ultimately, users may prefer one switch over the other based on their individual preferences for typing sound and feel.
Weight
In comparing the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the HMX Jammy linear switch, the actuation force of the Blue Lotus is slightly lighter at 55 grams compared to the Jammy's 57 grams. Both switches have a bottom out force that is quite similar, with the Blue Lotus at 65 grams and the Jammy at 63 grams. The Blue Lotus provides a slightly lighter typing experience due to its lower actuation force, while the Jammy offers a bit more resistance for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Both switches fall into the medium-heavy category, making them suitable for users who enjoy a bit of feedback in their typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on whether one prefers a lighter actuation force or a heavier bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the HMX Jammy linear switch both have a travel distance of 3.7 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, users will experience a similar amount of travel distance from the top to the bottom. Both switches offer a comfortable amount of travel for typing or gaming purposes. This similarity in travel distance between the Blue Lotus and the Jammy allows for consistent feedback and typing experience regardless of which switch is chosen. Both switches provide a satisfying keypress with their respective travel distances, making them popular choices among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
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 Jammy has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Jammy 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
In terms of sound, the Durock Blue Lotus switches are known for their bassy sound profile, offering a deep and rich tone during key presses. On the other hand, the sound characteristics of the HMX Jammy linear switches are unspecified. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by external factors such as the keyboard housing and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Blue Lotus switches are described as accented, snappy, and stepped. They provide a medium level of tactility that is not overwhelming, but still noticeable, making typing on them feel responsive and lively. In comparison, the tactile experience of the HMX Jammy linear switches is not specified. It is worth considering personal preference for tactile feedback when choosing between the two switches.
Taking all available information into consideration, it is clear that the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switches offer a unique blend of tactile intensity, responsiveness, and visual appeal with their detachable light column. The HMX Jammy linear switches, on the other hand, are praised for their muted and satisfying typing experience with glittery nylon housings. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to individual preferences in terms of sound, feel, and aesthetics. However, if one is looking for a similar tactile and snappy typing experience, the Blue Lotus switches may provide a comparable result.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the HMX Jammy linear switch, consider your preferences for typing experience and sound profile. If you prefer a tactile switch with a marked tactile feel and snappy responsiveness, along with vibrant RGB illumination, the Blue Lotus may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a softer typing experience that is both muted and deeply satisfying, the Jammy switch could be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what type of typing experience you enjoy most, whether it be a more tactile and visually appealing option like the Blue Lotus or a softer and glittery linear switch like the Jammy.