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Durock Blue Lotus vs. Gateron Jupiter Brown

An in-depth look at the Durock Blue Lotus and the Gateron Jupiter Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Blue Lotus and the Gateron Jupiter Brown are two popular options in the tactile switch category. The Blue Lotus switches from Durock are known for their intense tactile feedback and swift responsiveness, making them perfect for those who enjoy a pronounced tactile feel while typing. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switches feature a slightly reduced travel distance and a detachable light column for vibrant RGB illumination, combining performance with visual appeal. On the other hand, the Gateron Jupiter Brown switches offer a more traditional tactile typing experience with a medium-heavy weight and a single-stage spring design. These switches also prioritize precision and soft backlight effects, providing a reliable performance with aesthetic appeal. Both switches have their own unique characteristics and benefits, making them suitable for different preferences and typing styles. 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

55g

Bottom-out force

65g

Bottom-out force

70g

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

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

Spring steel

Housing materials

The Durock Blue Lotus and the Gateron Jupiter Brown switches both have unique housing materials that contribute to their overall performance. The Blue Lotus features a modified PC & UPE Blend top housing, which gives it a premium feel. On the other hand, the Jupiter Brown uses a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. While the Blue Lotus's top housing provides a unique and premium feel, the Jupiter Brown's polycarbonate top housing offers a clearer and more resonant sound profile, especially when combined with RGB lighting.

In terms of the bottom housing material, both switches use nylon, which is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This material choice for the bottom housing of both the Blue Lotus and the Jupiter Brown switches allows for a more satisfying typing experience with a deeper sound profile. While the top housing may impact the sound when letting go of a key, the bottom housing greatly influences the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch.

Overall, the housing materials of the Durock Blue Lotus and the Gateron Jupiter Brown switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences in typing experience. The Blue Lotus's modified PC & UPE Blend top housing provides a premium feel, while the Jupiter Brown's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper sound profile. Both switches feature nylon bottom housing for a deeper and fuller sound, showcasing the importance of housing materials in creating the desired typing experience. Ultimately, whether you prefer a premium feel or a sharper sound profile, both switches deliver a high-quality typing experience due to their carefully chosen housing materials.

Weight

In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch, it is evident that both switches have the same actuation force of 55 grams. However, the Blue Lotus has a bottom out force of 65 grams, while the Jupiter Brown has a bottom out force of 70 grams. This means that the Jupiter Brown is slightly heavier in terms of bottom out force. When considering weight, some may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Blue Lotus for longer typing sessions, while others may opt for the heavier bottom out force of the Jupiter Brown for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.

Travel distance

The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Blue Lotus offers a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Jupiter Brown, making it a good choice for those looking for faster response times, such as gamers. On the other hand, the Jupiter Brown provides a bit more depth with its longer travel distance, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a more tactile typing experience. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Blue Lotus leaning towards the shorter side and the Jupiter Brown being slightly longer. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing feel.

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 Gateron Jupiter Brown comes in at $2.80 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

The Durock Blue Lotus switch is known for its bassy sound profile and its accented, snappy, and stepped tactile feel. The sound of these switches is characterized by a deep and rich tone during key presses, creating a satisfying auditory experience. The tactile feel is prominent, providing a balanced amount of tactility without being overwhelming. The switches are also extremely responsive, thanks to their snappy nature, making typing feel lively and engaging. With a stepped feel, users can experience a two-stage keystroke that offers a unique typing sensation. In comparison, the Gateron Jupiter Brown switch offers a mild typing experience with a polished finish, resulting in a smooth and refined key travel. The sound profile and feel of these switches are approachable to most users, falling into a safe middle-ground zone in terms of tactility and sound.

Overall, the Durock Blue Lotus and Gateron Jupiter Brown switches provide distinct experiences for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Blue Lotus excels in offering a tactile-intensive typing experience with a bassy sound profile, ideal for those who enjoy a more pronounced tactile feel and deep keypress sound. On the other hand, the Gateron Jupiter Brown switch offers a milder tactile experience with a polished finish, appealing to users who prefer a smoother and more refined typing sensation. Both switches feature high-precision molds and enhanced backlight effects, ensuring reliable performance and aesthetic appeal. Whether you prefer a snappy and accented tactile feel with a bassy sound or a mild and polished typing experience, both switches provide quality options for customizing your mechanical keyboard setup.

Conclusion

In closing, when considering whether to choose the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch or the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch, you should take into account your preference for tactile intensity and visual appeal versus a more classic keystroke feel with reliable performance and aesthetic appeal. The Blue Lotus is ideal for those who enjoy a marked tactile feel and snappier responsiveness, while the Jupiter Brown offers a more traditional keystroke feel at a slightly heavier weight. If you prefer a switch with a deeper and richer sound profile and a more accented, snappy feel, the Blue Lotus may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a more mild typing experience with a polished finish and a stepped feel, the Jupiter Brown may be the switch for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for tactile feedback, sound profile, and overall typing experience.

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