Durock Blue Lotus vs. Dareu Master
An in-depth look at the Durock Blue Lotus and the Dareu Master switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch to the Dareu Master linear switch, some key differences become apparent. The Blue Lotus is praised for its tactile intensity and swift responsiveness, offering a unique typing experience with its reduced travel distance and vibrant RGB illumination. In contrast, the Dareu Master is known for its classic clacky sound signature and exceptional smoothness, providing a medium weight typing experience for users. While the Blue Lotus excels in tactile feedback and visual appeal, the Dareu Master focuses on providing a polished 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
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Blue Lotus and the Dareu Master differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Blue Lotus features a modified PC & UPE Blend top housing, which gives the switch a unique and premium feel, while the Master utilizes a POM top housing that creates a pleasing and deep sound. In terms of their bottom housings, the Blue Lotus uses a nylon material that elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Master utilizes POM for a similarly deep and muted sound.
Despite the differences in housing materials between the Blue Lotus and the Dareu Master, both switches offer a unique and premium typing experience. The modified PC & UPE Blend top housing of the Blue Lotus gives it a distinct feel, while the POM top housing of the Master creates a deeper and more muted sound profile. Additionally, the nylon bottom housing of the Blue Lotus and the POM bottom housing of the Master both contribute to a fuller sound when typing on the switches, albeit with slightly different characteristics.
Overall, the choice between the Durock Blue Lotus and the Dareu Master will come down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel. The Blue Lotus offers a unique blend of materials that result in a premium typing experience, while the Master provides a deep and pleasing sound profile. Both switches showcase the impact that different housing materials can have on sound and feel, highlighting the importance of considering these factors when choosing a switch for your keyboard.
Weight
The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch has a higher actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Dareu Master linear switch with 45 grams, making the Blue Lotus the heavier option. In terms of bottom out force, the Blue Lotus requires 65 grams while the Master's force is unknown. The Blue Lotus offers a medium-heavy typing experience with a slightly heavier actuation and bottom out force. The Master, on the other hand, provides a lighter typing experience with a lower actuation force. Both switches cater to different preferences, with the Blue Lotus offering a more substantial push feel and the Master being lighter for longer typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on whether one prefers a heavier or lighter typing experience.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Dareu Master linear switch, it is clear that the Blue Lotus has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm compared to the Master's 3.4 mm. While both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming increasingly popular, the Blue Lotus offers a slightly deeper press. Gamers who prioritize fast response times may lean towards the Master with its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may gravitate towards the Blue Lotus. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
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 Dareu Master has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Master for $4.76.
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 switch offers a bassy sound profile, providing a deep and rich tone during key presses. The Dareu Master linear switch, on the other hand, produces a clacky sound that is sharp, snappy, and percussive. While both switches offer distinct sound characteristics, the ultimate sound you experience will also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard itself and the keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Durock Blue Lotus switch is described as accented, snappy, and stepped, providing a tactile experience that is prominent yet not overwhelming. The Dareu Master linear switch, on the other hand, offers a mild and polished typing experience, characterized by gentle key presses and smooth key travel. Both switches offer unique tactile sensations that cater to different preferences, with the Blue Lotus focusing on tactile responsiveness and the Master promoting smoothness and refinement.
In conclusion, the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Dareu Master linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Blue Lotus excels in providing a snappy and tactile experience with a bassy sound profile, the Master offers a smooth and polished typing experience with a clacky sound signature. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for tactile feedback and sound characteristics, ensuring that users can find a switch that best suits their typing style and preferences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a marked tactile feel, the Durock Blue Lotus switch would be a great choice for you. The Blue Lotus offers a snappy and accented typing experience with vibrant RGB illumination. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a medium weight and a classic clacky sound signature, the Dareu Master switch may be more suitable for you. The Master switch provides a smooth and polished typing experience with a gentle sound profile. Consider your preferences for tactile feedback and sound when choosing between the Blue Lotus and Master switches to find the best match for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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