Durock Blue Lotus vs. Outemu Silent Yellow
An in-depth look at the Durock Blue Lotus and the Outemu Silent Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the feel and responsiveness of the switches play a crucial role in the overall typing experience, making the choice between the Durock Blue Lotus and the Outemu Silent Yellow an intriguing one. The Durock Blue Lotus, categorized as an accented and snappy tactile switch, delivers a pronounced tactile sensation accompanied by a quick response time, thanks in part to its shorter travel distance of 3.7mm. This makes it an excellent choice for users who appreciate the gentle feedback of a tactile bump while typing or gaming. Additionally, its detachable light column enhances the visual experience with vibrant RGB illumination, adding an aesthetic flair to your setup. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Yellow is a linear switch, providing a smooth and quiet keypress, ideal for those seeking a distraction-free environment or working in shared spaces. While it lacks the tactile feedback of the Blue Lotus, its seamless travel can lead to faster typing speeds, catering to users who prefer a more fluid keystroke. Both options offer unique benefits depending on your preferences, but 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
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Durock Blue Lotus and the Outemu Silent Yellow switches each utilize specific materials that significantly influence their overall acoustic and tactile profiles. The Blue Lotus features a modified blend of polycarbonate (PC) and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UPE) in its top housing. This blend is crafted for a unique feel, contributing to a more premium tactile experience. In contrast, the Silent Yellow utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for its sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to the rigidity of the material. While both switches employ polycarbonate in their top housings, the addition of UPE in the Blue Lotus introduces a distinct characteristic, resulting in a softer, yet still premium sound when bottoming out.
Examining the bottom housings, both switches employ nylon, a classic material known for its ability to absorb sound. This sameness creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, which is particularly beneficial when typing. Since nylon is softer than other plastics, it serves to dull the impact noise typically generated during keystrokes. Consequently, regardless of the top housing differences, both the Blue Lotus and the Silent Yellow will exhibit a rich, resonant sound when pressed, due to the similarities in their bottom housings.
Ultimately, the combination of materials in both switch designs leads to a balanced auditory experience that can be favored by different users. The nuanced interaction between the UPE and PC blend in the Blue Lotus's top housing versus the standard polycarbonate of the Silent Yellow results in a distinctly different sound on key release. However, since both switches share nylon in their bottom housing, the foundational acoustic profile remains aligned, ensuring that users can expect a satisfying and rich sound, regardless of their housing preferences. Thus, while there are notable contrasts in the specifics of the top housing, the underlying similarities in the bottom housing create a cohesive typing experience across both models.
Weight
The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch differ notably in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Blue Lotus features a higher actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. In contrast, the Silent Yellow has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a slightly lower bottom out force of 60 grams, placing it in the medium range. This means that the Silent Yellow is more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch, making it ideal for extended typing or gaming sessions without fatigue. Conversely, the Blue Lotus offers a stronger push, appealing to users who favor a more substantial typing experience. Overall, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference for weight and feel, as the Blue Lotus provides a heavier force while the Silent Yellow allows for a lighter and more effortless typing action.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, there is a clear distinction. The Blue Lotus has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Silent Yellow measures slightly longer at 4.0 mm. This means that the Blue Lotus provides a shorter travel experience, making it potentially more responsive for users who favor quick actuation, such as gamers. In contrast, the Silent Yellow's 4.0 mm travel distance may appeal to those who appreciate a deeper key press and a more pronounced tactile engagement. Therefore, if you value a quicker response time, the Blue Lotus would be the better choice, while the Silent Yellow would suit those who prefer a fuller depth in their keystrokes.
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 Outemu Silent Yellow comes in at $3.10 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
When it comes to sound, the Durock Blue Lotus switch offers a rich, bassy tone that resonates with a deeper frequency during key presses, enhancing the overall auditory experience of typing. This lower frequency sound profile provides a satisfying acoustics layer, making each keystroke feel enjoyable and immersive. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow switch does not have a defined sound profile, which suggests it could be quieter, possibly designed for environments where noise reduction is important. However, the final sound of any switch is also influenced by factors like the keyboard build and keycap choice, so one might find that the Outemu Silent Yellow has its own sound characteristics in practice.
In terms of feel, the Blue Lotus is celebrated for its tactile design, offering a combination of accented, snappy, and stepped feedback. Its medium tactile response provides a significant yet not overwhelming tactile bump, making it ideal for users who appreciate noticeable feedback without the harshness often associated with more aggressive switches. The snappiness of the switch, aided by its slightly reduced travel distance, contributes to a highly responsive typing experience. In contrast, the feel of the Outemu Silent Yellow remains unspecified, leaving its tactile characteristics open to speculation, which may not provide the same level of engagement during typing.
In conclusion, if you prefer auditory depth and engaging tactile feedback, the Durock Blue Lotus switch stands out as an excellent choice with its bassy sound and responsive tactile features. Conversely, if you value a quieter typing experience without exact details on feel, the Outemu Silent Yellow might cater to your needs, though it lacks specific feedback characteristics. Ultimately, your experience with either switch will vary based on factors like your keyboard setup and what tactile experience you're looking for, but the Blue Lotus definitely shines in terms of sensory engagement through sound and feel.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch largely depends on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you enjoy a pronounced tactile feel and appreciate a snappy, responsive typing experience, the Blue Lotus is an excellent choice. Its medium-heavy actuation force and slightly shorter travel distance can enhance your typing efficiency, making it suitable for both typing and gaming where feedback is essential. Additionally, if you enjoy visually appealing keyboards, the Blue Lotus’ detachable light column allows for vibrant RGB illumination, adding an extra flair to your setup. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quieter typing experience and prefer smoother key presses without any sound distraction, the Silent Yellow linear switch would be more appropriate for you. With a medium actuation force and a focus on a seamless keystroke, these switches are ideal for late-night typing sessions or shared workspaces where noise reduction is key. Ultimately, whether you lean towards tactile feedback and a rich sound profile or find yourself gravitating toward a smooth, silent experience will guide your decision in selecting the switch that best complements your typing style.
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