Durock Blue Lotus vs. Cherry MX Orange

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between tactile and linear can significantly affect your typing and gaming experience. The Durock Blue Lotus switch is a tactile switch celebrated for its striking blend of tactile intensity and quick responsiveness, making it ideal for users who prefer a pronounced tactile feedback with each keystroke. With a slightly reduced travel distance of 3.7mm, the Blue Lotus provides a snappy feel that enhances typing efficiency and enjoyment. It also features a detachable light column for vibrant RGB illumination, adding a visually appealing touch to your setup. In contrast, the Cherry MX Orange switch, a linear option, brings a smooth keystroke experience devoid of tactile bumps, allowing for uninterrupted, fluid typing. Originally developed by Cherry’s Japanese partner, Hirose, and now reissued with enhancements, the MX Orange aims to meet the demands of enthusiasts seeking a linear switch that delivers consistency and ease of use. Both switches cater to different preferences: the Blue Lotus for those who thrive on tactile feedback and visual flair, while the MX Orange suits users who prioritize smoothness and straightforward operation. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on which switch is right for you.

By the numbers

Durock Blue Lotus Tactile

Cherry MX Orange Linear

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

$4.10

$3.89 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Durock Blue Lotus and the Cherry MX Orange switches, notable differences emerge, particularly in the composition of their top housings. The Durock Blue Lotus features a modified PC (polycarbonate) and UPE (ultra-high-performance elastomer) blend for its top housing, which is designed to deliver a unique and premium feel. This material may provide enhanced durability and stability, contributing to a different tactile experience than that offered by the MX Orange's nylon top housing. The nylon is a classic choice, known for its softer texture that absorbs sound, creating a deeper and fuller auditory profile. While both instruments aim to deliver satisfying sound and feel, the impact each material has on the user experience diverges due to their inherent properties.

On the contrary, both the Durock Blue Lotus and Cherry MX Orange share a similarity in their bottom housing composition, as both utilize nylon. This mutual material allows for a consistent sound profile in terms of acoustic performance. The softness of nylon in the bottom housing elicits a deeper, fuller sound while also dampening harsh noises, creating a more subdued and rounded auditory feedback upon bottoming out. As users actuate these switches, they'll likely appreciate a similar tactile experience and acoustic signature at the bottom of the stroke, regardless of the differences in the top housing materials.

Ultimately, while the Durock Blue Lotus and Cherry MX Orange switches differ in their top housing materials—with the Blue Lotus illustrating a more innovative blend versus the classic nylon in the MX Orange—the bottom housing remains consistent among the two. This similarity ensures that while the top housing may alter the initial perceptions during the key release, the experience during actuation will provide comparable sound and feel characteristics. Therefore, users can expect an enjoyable typing experience whether opting for the modern take of the Blue Lotus or the traditional essence of the MX Orange, particularly at the bottom where the nylon housing shines through.

Weight

The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Cherry MX Orange linear switch present an interesting comparison in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. Both switches share the same actuation force of 55 grams, which allows for a similar typing experience in terms of the initial pressure needed to trigger a keystroke. However, the key difference lies in their bottom out forces; the Blue Lotus has a bottom out force of 65 grams, while the MX Orange has an unknown bottom out force, making it difficult to compare fully in that regard. This difference indicates that the Blue Lotus may provide a more substantial feel when pressed all the way down, which may appeal to those who prefer a heavier typing experience. In contrast, the Cherry MX Orange, with its same actuation force but unknown bottom out force, could potentially feel lighter or softer on bottoming out, but without a defined force, it is hard to assess. For users seeking a keyboard that supports longer typing sessions, the lighter overall experience of the MX Orange may be preferable if it indeed has a lesser bottom out force. In summary, the Blue Lotus offers a heavier feedback with its bottom out characteristics, while the MX Orange may provide a more ambiguous yet possibly lighter overall experience.

Travel distance

The travel distance of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Cherry MX Orange linear switch highlights a distinct difference in their design. The Blue Lotus has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, making it the shorter option, while the MX Orange measures 4.0 mm, which is more traditional and thus offers a longer travel experience. This difference of 0.3 mm can influence how users perceive the feel of these switches; the Blue Lotus tends to provide a quicker response that may appeal to gamers who favor rapid key actuation, whereas the MX Orange is likely to cater to those who enjoy a deeper keystroke that feels more substantial. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for either responsiveness or depth in typing.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When comparing the sound profiles of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Cherry MX Orange linear switch, the Blue Lotus stands out with a unique, bassy sound that adds depth to the typing experience. The deeper resonance during key presses gives it a richer auditory presence, making each keystroke feel more significant. The audio characteristics of the MX Orange are less defined in the provided context, leaving its sound profile somewhat ambiguous. It’s important to note that the overall sound produced by any switch can also be influenced by the keyboard construction and keycap choices being used, which makes a complete understanding of the MX Orange's sound contingent on additional factors.

In terms of feel, the Durock Blue Lotus offers a well-balanced tactile experience. Described as accented, snappy, and stepped, these switches deliver a pleasant tactile bump that is neither overwhelming nor too subtle, providing just the right amount of discernible feedback to enhance typing accuracy without distraction. The snappy quality contributes to an invigorating experience, making each keystroke feel lively and responsive. The stepped characteristic provides a dual-stage feel that maintains an engaging typing rhythm. In contrast, the tactile sensations provided by the Cherry MX Orange switches are not detailed in the provided information, leaving a gap in comparing their tactile feedback directly.

In conclusion, the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch offers a distinct auditory experience with its bassy sound and a dynamic tactile feel characterized by a careful balance of response and feedback. While the Cherry MX Orange's sound and feel are less comprehensively captured, both switches cater to different preferences, with the Blue Lotus being more suited for those who appreciate tactile cues and auditory depth. If seeking similar outcomes in feel or sound, one would need to consider other factors, including the keyboard design and personal preferences, as these are critical in shaping the final typing experience.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Cherry MX Orange linear switch largely depends on your personal typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you enjoy a heightened tactile sensation with a medium-heavy bottom-out force and are captivated by a deeper sound profile, the Blue Lotus switch would be an excellent fit for you. Its snappy responsiveness and unique design, especially the slightly reduced travel distance, make it ideal for gaming or typing experiences that require acute feedback. Coupled with the aesthetic appeal of customizable RGB lighting, this switch can also enhance your overall setup's visual charm. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother and quieter typing experience without the tactile bump, the Cherry MX Orange switch would be better suited for your needs, especially if you appreciate a linear feel that allows for fast key presses without distractions. Each of these switches offers unique characteristics that cater to different styles; both can lead to an enjoyable typing experience based on what you prioritize in your keyboard.

Mentioned in this article

Durock Blue Lotus Tactile

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

Learn more

Cherry MX Orange Linear

$4.10

$3.89 per 10

Learn more