Durock Blue Lotus vs. SP-Star Polaris Purple
An in-depth look at the Durock Blue Lotus and the SP-Star Polaris Purple switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Durock Blue Lotus and SP-Star Polaris Purple are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique tactile experiences. The Blue Lotus switches from Durock are renowned for their striking blend of tactile intensity and swift responsiveness. With a slightly reduced travel distance of 3.7mm, these switches provide a satisfyingly snappy feel, making them ideal for those who appreciate a pronounced tactile experience. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switches come with a detachable light column, allowing for vibrant and eye-catching RGB illumination, further enhancing their visual appeal. On the other hand, the Polaris Purple switches from SP-Star offer a different tactile sensation with a big tactile bump, delivering an exhilarating typing experience. While they share the trait of being snappy, the Polaris Purple switches have a smoother and more polished sound profile. Both switches have their unique features and characteristics, making them appealing choices for different preferences. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
67g
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
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
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 SP-Star Polaris Purple both offer unique housing materials that contribute to the overall typing experience.
Starting with the top housing, the Blue Lotus utilizes a modified PC & UPE Blend material, while the Polaris Purple features a polycarbonate top housing. The Blue Lotus's modified PC & UPE Blend housing provides a unique and premium feel, enhancing the overall typing experience. On the other hand, the Polaris Purple's polycarbonate top housing is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the polycarbonate material allows for RGB lighting to shine through, making it a great choice for those wanting to add a touch of customization to their keyboard.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Blue Lotus boasts a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is a classic switch housing material that elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Polaris Purple incorporates a polycarbonate bottom housing, similar to its top housing. This also contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile, consistent with the characteristics of polycarbonate.
While the top and bottom housings differ between the two switches, it is important to note that the qualities brought by each housing material will be split between the top and bottom of the switch. When pressing down on either switch, the qualities of the respective bottom housing will impact the bottom-out sound and feel. Meanwhile, the top housing will play a significant role in the sound when releasing a key. Ultimately, both the Blue Lotus and Polaris Purple offer unique sound profiles and typing experiences, each with its own distinct feel and characteristics.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch, there are both similarities and differences to consider. Starting with the actuation force, the Blue Lotus requires 55 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, while the exact actuation force for the Polaris Purple is unknown. However, both switches fall within the medium-heavy range. Moving on to the bottom out force, the Blue Lotus requires 65 grams of force to fully press down, whereas the Polaris Purple has a bottom out force of 67 grams. Both switches can be considered medium-heavy in terms of bottoming out. Therefore, if weight is a deciding factor, the Blue Lotus can be considered the lighter option compared to the Polaris Purple, although the difference is minimal. Ultimately, those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Polaris Purple, while those who value a lighter typing feel might opt for the Blue Lotus.
Travel distance
The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch have different travel distances. The Blue Lotus has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, which is shorter than the Polaris Purple's travel distance of 4 mm. The 3.7 mm distance falls on the shorter end of the spectrum, making it a preferred choice for gamers who prioritize faster response times. On the other hand, the 4 mm travel distance of the Polaris Purple provides a deeper and more pronounced keystroke, which some users may prefer for a more substantial feel. Both switches offer distinct experiences, catering to different preferences in terms of travel distance.
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 SP-Star Polaris Purple has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Polaris Purple for $5.00.
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 during key presses. This results in a deeper and richer sound, similar to the depth and richness associated with bass tones. On the other hand, the SP-Star Polaris Purple switches have a neutral sound profile. This means that the sound is moderate and suitable for most purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use them at home or work. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Overall, if you prefer a deeper and richer sound, the Blue Lotus switches would be a good choice, while if you prefer a more moderate sound, the Polaris Purple switches would be a good option.
In terms of feel, the Durock Blue Lotus switches are described as accented, snappy, and stepped. These switches provide a medium tactile feel that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. They have a prominent amount of tactility, making them enjoyable to type on. The snappy nature of these switches adds responsiveness to the typing experience, resulting in a lively feel. Additionally, the stepped design of these switches provides a mild pre-travel and/or post-travel, adding to the overall tactile experience. On the other hand, the SP-Star Polaris Purple switches are described as mild and polished. They offer a gentle typing experience with a safe middle-ground feel. The polished finish of these switches ensures a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. If you prefer a more pronounced and responsive tactile feel, the Blue Lotus switches would be a good choice. However, if you prefer a gentler and smoother typing experience, the Polaris Purple switches would be a suitable option.
Taking all the available information into consideration, the Durock Blue Lotus switches are known for their striking blend of tactile intensity and swift responsiveness. They provide a marked tactile feel, making them ideal for enthusiasts who enjoy a satisfying tactile experience. These switches also offer vibrant RGB illumination with their detachable light column, adding to their visual appeal. On the other hand, the SP-Star Polaris Purple switches are characterized by their exhilarating tactile typing experience, with a big tactile bump. They have a sound profile that is described as snappy, making them enjoyable to type on.
While the two switches have their own unique qualities, they both offer a satisfying tactile experience and enjoyable typing feel. The choice between the Blue Lotus and Polaris Purple switches ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you prefer a deeper and richer sound with a more pronounced and diverse tactile feel, the Blue Lotus switches would be a great choice. However, if you prefer a more moderate sound with a gentler and smoother typing experience, the Polaris Purple switches would be a suitable option. Regardless of your choice, both switches provide a satisfying typing experience catered to different preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are someone who values a prominent tactile feel and swift responsiveness, the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch would be a great choice for you. With a bottom out force of 65 grams, these switches provide a medium-heavy feel that is both satisfying and enjoyable to type on. The Blue Lotus switches also come with a detachable light column for vibrant RGB illumination, adding not only performance but also captivating visual appeal to your keyboard setup. On the other hand, if you prefer a moderate actuation force and a sound profile that suits most purposes, the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch would be the better option. With a bottom out force of 67 grams, these switches offer a exhilarating tactile typing experience with a snappy sound profile. Additionally, the Polaris Purple switches are described as having a mild and polished feel, providing a gentle and smooth typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the Blue Lotus and Polaris Purple switches will come down to your personal preference for tactile feel and sound profile.
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