Durock Blue Lotus vs. Gateron Luciola
An in-depth look at the Durock Blue Lotus and the Gateron Luciola switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options that are worth considering are the Durock Blue Lotus and the Gateron Luciola. The Blue Lotus switches from Durock offer a unique blend of tactile intensity and swift responsiveness. Their slightly reduced travel distance of 3.7mm, compared to the standard 4mm, provides a snappy feel that is irresistible to those who crave a pronounced tactile response. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switches come with a detachable light column, allowing for vibrant and eye-catching RGB illumination. On the other hand, the Gateron Luciola switches are known for their ability to glow in the dark, making them a visually striking choice. With a medium heft, these switches offer a smooth and bouncy typing experience and create a distinct hollow sound profile reminiscent of a shaken can of spray paint. They are also categorized as being snappy, clacky, chirpy, marbly, buttery, high-pitched, and polished. Both switches have their own unique qualities and advantages, however, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities so that you can make an informed decision and choose the switch that best suits your needs and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
60g
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
POM
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Spring
22mm double-staged long spring; black-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Blue Lotus and the Gateron Luciola have their similarities and differences. Starting with the top housing, the Blue Lotus features a modified PC and UPE blend material, while the Luciola uses Gateron's proprietary INK blend. Both materials offer a unique and premium feel, although the Blue Lotus may provide a slightly softer touch compared to the Luciola's more pointed and high-pitched sensation. In terms of sound, the Luciola's INK blend is described as clacky, while the Blue Lotus offers a thinner and higher-pitched sound.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Blue Lotus utilizes a nylon material known for its classic switch housing properties. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housings typically elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to nylon's softer nature, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound overall. Conversely, the Luciola's INK blend bottom housing shares similar characteristics to its top housing, providing a pointed and high-pitched sound. While both bottom housings contribute to the overall sound profile of the switch, the Blue Lotus's nylon material may create a more pronounced depth in the typing experience.
In summary, the Durock Blue Lotus and Gateron Luciola differ in their choice of housing materials but offer similar premium and unique feels. The Blue Lotus incorporates a modified PC and UPE blend for the top housing, resulting in a softer touch and thinner sound. Its nylon bottom housing enhances the typing experience by providing a deeper and fuller sound profile. In contrast, the Luciola's top and bottom housings consist of Gateron's proprietary INK blend, characterized by a more pointed and high-pitched sound in both aspects. Overall, these switches offer different tactile and auditory sensations, allowing users to choose based on their preferred typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch, we can observe some similarities and differences. The actuation force of both switches is 55 grams, indicating that they require the same amount of force to trigger a keystroke. This means that users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of sensitivity and responsiveness. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, there is a distinction between the two switches. The Durock Blue Lotus has a bottom out force of 65 grams, which is slightly heavier than the Luciola's 60 grams. This means that users who prefer a more substantial typing experience and enjoy a stronger push feel might lean towards the Blue Lotus switch. On the other hand, those who like a lighter switch for extended typing periods or prolonged gaming sessions may find the Luciola switch more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences regarding weight and typing experience.
Travel distance
The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch have slightly different travel distances. The Blue Lotus has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Luciola has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Although the difference is minimal, it is worth noting for those who have preferences when it comes to the travel distance. In terms of comparison, both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which have gained popularity recently, especially among gamers seeking faster response times. Choosing the shorter travel distance of the Luciola switch may provide a more responsive feel. On the other hand, for individuals who prefer a more substantial key press sensation, the Blue Lotus, with its slightly longer travel distance, might be the better option. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences and desired 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 Gateron Luciola has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Luciola for $6.50.
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 offer a bassy sound profile. These switches produce a deeper and richer sound, reminiscent of bass tones. On the other hand, the Gateron Luciola switches have multiple sound profiles. They can be described as clacky, chirpy, marbly, or high-pitched. This means that the Luciola switches offer a range of sound options depending on the specific characteristics you prefer. Keep in mind, though, that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Blue Lotus switches are commonly described as accented, snappy, and stepped switches. Accented switches provide a medium level of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. Snappy switches are known for their super responsiveness, making the typing experience feel lively. The stepped feature adds a mild tactile sensation with noticeable pre-travel and/or post-travel. In comparison, the Gateron Luciola switches are characterized as snappy, buttery, and polished. Like the Blue Lotus switches, the Luciola switches offer a snappy typing experience, ensuring quick and responsive keystrokes. The buttery descriptor implies a smooth and fluid keystroke, while the polished attribute indicates a refined finish that results in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Overall, both the Durock Blue Lotus and Gateron Luciola switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Blue Lotus switches provide a bassy sound profile and an accented, snappy, and stepped feel. On the other hand, the Luciola switches offer a variety of sound options including clacky, chirpy, marbly, and high-pitched, along with a snappy, buttery, and polished feel. Depending on personal preferences, either switch can provide a satisfying typing experience. For those seeking similar results, opting for Luciola switches with a clacky or high-pitched sound profile and a snappy or polished feel may provide a comparable experience to the Blue Lotus switches.
Conclusion
To wrap up, if you prioritize a pronounced tactile feel and captivating visual appeal, you would want to choose the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch. With its medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams and slightly reduced travel distance, these switches deliver a snappy and intense typing experience. Additionally, the detachable light column provides vibrant RGB illumination, adding to the visual appeal of your keyboard. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and bouncy typing feel, along with switches that glow in the dark, the Gateron Luciola linear switch would be the ideal choice. With a medium bottom out force of 60 grams, these switches offer a satisfying typing experience and a unique "can of spray paint being shaken" sound profile. Overall, your decision should be based on whether you value tactile intensity and visual appeal or a smooth and bouncy typing experience.
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