Durock Blue Lotus vs. Durock Piano
An in-depth look at the Durock Blue Lotus and the Durock Piano switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Durock Blue Lotus and Durock Piano are two mechanical keyboard switches with distinct characteristics. The Blue Lotus is a tactile switch, renowned for its striking blend of tactile intensity and swift responsiveness. With a slightly reduced travel distance of 3.7mm, compared to the standard 4mm, these switches provide a marked tactile feel that is perfect for those who prefer a noticeable feedback. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switches feature a detachable light column for vibrant, glowy RGB illumination, adding a captivating visual appeal to their performance. On the other hand, the Durock Piano is a linear switch that stands out for its pleasant typing experience. Thanks to their proprietary material blend, these switches offer a gliding push feel and produce a deep, creamy sound signature. Categorized as 'Bassy', 'Frictionless', and 'Silky', the Piano switches provide a smooth and enjoyable typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
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
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Mystery material
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Durock Blue Lotus and the Durock Piano differ in terms of their housing materials. The Blue Lotus features a modified PC and UPE Blend top housing, while the Piano utilizes a proprietary POM blend top housing. The Blue Lotus's modified PC and UPE Blend housing gives it a unique and premium feel, while the Piano's POM blend offers a satisfying and deep sound profile. Although the exact details of the blend used in the Piano's top housing are unknown, it is clear that it contributes to the switch's distinct sound characteristics.
In terms of the bottom housings, the Blue Lotus utilizes a nylon material, which is a classic choice for switch housings. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housings elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Piano features a proprietary POM blend bottom housing, but the exact details of this blend are also unknown. However, it is known that this POM blend contributes to the switch's uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile, like the top housing.
It is worth noting that if a switch has different top and bottom housings, the qualities of each housing material will be divided between the top and bottom of the switch. When a key is pressed down, the qualities of the bottom housing, such as its impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, will be more noticeable. Conversely, when a key is released, the top housing will have a greater impact on the sound produced. While the specific attributes of the Blue Lotus and Piano's top and bottom housings differ, they both contribute to the overall sound profile and feel of the switches, ensuring that users will achieve similar results in terms of their sound preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, there are some similarities and differences to consider. In terms of weight, the Blue Lotus is slightly lighter as it requires 55 grams of force for actuation and 65 grams for bottoming out. On the other hand, the Piano's actuation force is unknown, but it has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which is slightly lighter than the Blue Lotus.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Blue Lotus may be a better choice as it allows for longer periods of comfortable typing, making it suitable for work or extended gaming sessions. However, for users who enjoy a more substantial typing feel with a stronger push, the Piano may be the preferred option with its slightly heavier bottom out force.
It is worth noting that while the actuation force of the Piano is unknown, it is still possible to achieve similar results to the Blue Lotus by selecting a switch that has a similar actuation force. By considering switches with similar actuation force, users can ensure that their keystrokes are triggered with the desired level of force, providing a consistent typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual preferences and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Durock Piano linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches have a relatively short travel distance compared to the traditional 4.0 mm, making them suitable for those who prefer faster response times. Gamers in particular tend to prefer shorter travel distances for quicker reflexes. However, some individuals may find the shorter travel distance of the Blue Lotus to be too abrupt, while others may appreciate its responsiveness. On the other hand, the longer travel distance of the Piano switch may provide a more satisfying depth for those who prefer a more substantial feel when pressing down on a key. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preferences for travel distance and the desired typing or gaming 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 Durock Piano has an MSRP of $6.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Piano for $5.57.
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 tactile switch is well-known for its unique blend of tactile intensity and swift responsiveness. These switches offer a marked tactile feel, making them a great choice for those who enjoy a satisfying feedback while typing. The reduced travel distance of 3.7mm adds to the snappiness of these switches, enhancing the overall typing experience. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switches feature a detachable light column, allowing for vibrant and eye-catching RGB illumination. When it comes to sound, both the Blue Lotus and the Durock Piano switches are described as having a bassy sound profile, characterized by a deeper and richer tone during key presses. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
On the other hand, the Durock Piano linear switch is renowned for its pleasant typing experience. These switches offer a gliding push feel, allowing for smooth and effortless keystrokes. The proprietary material blend used in the Piano switches contributes to their frictionless nature, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. Additionally, users have reported a deep and creamy sound signature while typing on these switches. The combined smooth feel and pleasing sound make the Durock Piano linear switches highly desirable for those who prioritize a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience.
In conclusion, while both the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch have their own unique qualities, they share similarities in terms of sound and provide an overall satisfying typing experience. Both switches offer a bassy sound profile, resulting in a deeper and richer tone. Additionally, while the Blue Lotus switch provides a marked tactile feel with its accented, snappy, and stepped characteristics, the Piano switch ensures a smooth and frictionless typing experience with its gliding push feel and silky attributes. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on individual preferences, with the Blue Lotus offering a tactile and visually appealing option, while the Piano provides a smooth and pleasant linear experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a marked tactile feel and swift responsiveness, the Blue Lotus switches would be a great option for you. With their slightly reduced travel and detachable light column for vibrant RGB illumination, these switches offer both impressive performance and captivating visual appeal. On the other hand, if you prioritize a smooth and effortless typing experience with a deep, creamy sound signature, the Piano switches would be a better fit. Known for their proprietary material blend, these switches provide a gliding push feel and a pleasant sound profile. Both switches offer a bassy sound, but the Blue Lotus is described as accented, snappy, and stepped, while the Piano is characterized as frictionless and silky. Ultimately, consider your preference for tactile feedback and sound along with your typing style to determine which switch would best suit your needs.
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