Durock Blue Lotus vs. Gateron Quinn
An in-depth look at the Durock Blue Lotus and the Gateron Quinn switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular choices that provide excellent tactile feedback are the Durock Blue Lotus and the Gateron Quinn switches. The Blue Lotus switches from Durock are renowned for their combination of tactile intensity and swift responsiveness. With a slightly reduced travel distance of 3.7mm, compared to the standard 4mm, these switches deliver a marked tactile feel that is perfect for those who prefer a snappy typing experience. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switches feature a detachable light column for vibrant and captivating RGB illumination, adding a visually appealing element to their performance. On the other hand, the Gateron Quinn switches offer a unique blend of crisp, light switch-like tactility and a deep, resonant sound profile. Thanks to their specially designed nylon housings, each keypress on the Quinn switches produces a rich and immersive sound, enhancing the overall typing experience with a touch of character.
Both switches have their own distinct qualities that make them appealing choices for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Blue Lotus switches excel in providing an intense tactile feedback and swift responsiveness, amplified by their reduced travel distance and visually appealing RGB illumination. On the other hand, the Quinn switches stand out with their crisp tactile bump and resonant sound, which adds an extra level of satisfaction to each keystroke. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your personal preferences and typing style.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
59g
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
3.40 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Spring
22mm double-stage gold-plated
Housing materials
The Durock Blue Lotus and the Gateron Quinn differ in their housing materials, with the Blue Lotus featuring a modified PC and UPE Blend top housing, while the Quinn utilizes a nylon top housing. Despite this difference, both switches aim to provide a unique and premium feel to users. The modified PC and UPE Blend housing of the Blue Lotus offers a distinct tactile experience, which is characterized by its durability and rigidity. In contrast, the nylon top housing of the Quinn aims to enhance the typing experience by eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon. Therefore, while the materials differ, users can expect a similar result in terms of the premium feel and enhanced sound offered by these switches.
Moving on to the bottom housings, both the Blue Lotus and the Quinn utilize nylon as their housing material. Nylon is known for its ability to absorb sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. The relatively softer nature of nylon compared to harder plastics also contributes to a duller and rounder sound. Consequently, both switches aim to provide a more satisfying auditory experience for users. While the bottom housing primarily influences the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch, the top housing will have more impact on the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, users can expect a similar sound profile when using either the Blue Lotus or the Quinn due to the shared nylon material used in their bottom housings.
In conclusion, the Durock Blue Lotus and the Gateron Quinn differ in the choice of housing materials for their top and bottom housings. The Blue Lotus features a modified PC and UPE Blend top housing, providing a unique and premium feel to users, while the Quinn opts for a nylon top housing, emphasizing a deeper and fuller sound profile. However, both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housings, resulting in a similar outcome of enhanced sound and a more satisfying typing experience. Despite these variations, both switches aim to deliver quality performance and a tactile feel that users can enjoy.
Weight
The Durock Blue Lotus and Gateron Quinn tactile switches have similar actuation and bottom out forces, making them suitable for individuals who prefer a medium-heavy typing experience. The Blue Lotus has an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, while the Quinn has an actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams. Both switches provide a satisfying push feel, allowing for a substantial typing experience. However, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may opt for the Blue Lotus, as it has a slightly lower actuation and bottom out force. Conversely, individuals who prefer a stronger push feel may gravitate towards the Quinn, as it has slightly higher forces. Overall, both switches offer comparable results and are suitable for extended typing sessions or intense gaming sessions.
Travel distance
The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Gateron Quinn tactile switch have different travel distances. The Blue Lotus has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Quinn has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both of these switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming more popular in the gaming community due to their faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive feel while typing or gaming, the Gateron Quinn with its shorter travel distance may be a better choice for you. However, some individuals find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt or lacking in depth. If you prefer a switch with a bit more heft and depth to the key press, the Durock Blue Lotus with its slightly longer travel distance might be a better fit for your preferences.
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 Gateron Quinn has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Quinn for $5.50.
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 switches are best known for their striking blend of tactile intensity and swift responsiveness. These switches offer a marked tactile feel, making them perfect for users who enjoy a pronounced tactile feedback. They have a slightly reduced travel at 3.7mm, which adds to their snappiness. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switches feature a detachable light column that allows for vibrant and glowy RGB illumination, adding captivating visual appeal to the typing experience. In terms of sound, the Blue Lotus switches are described as bassy, offering a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses.
On the other hand, the Gateron Quinn switches provide a unique combination of crisp, light switch-like tactility and a deep, resonant sound profile. The specially designed nylon housings of the Quinn switches contribute to their resonant sound, which adds character and depth to the typing experience. Users can expect a precise, clean, and crisp tactile bump with each keystroke. Similar to the Blue Lotus switches, the Quinn switches are also described as bassy, offering a lower frequency range that resembles the depth and richness associated with bass tones. Additionally, the Quinn switches are also clacky and low-pitched, providing a sharp, snappy sound and a more mellow tone respectively.
Overall, both the Durock Blue Lotus and Gateron Quinn switches offer distinctive qualities that make them stand out. The Blue Lotus switches excel in providing a marked tactile feel and snappy responsiveness, while also offering vibrant RGB illumination. On the other hand, the Quinn switches offer a crisp, light switch-like tactility and a deep, resonant sound profile. Both switches are described as bassy, providing a rich and immersive sound experience. Whether you prefer the swift and visually appealing Blue Lotus or the distinctive sound profile of the Quinn, both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience.
Conclusion
In summary, if you are someone who values a marked tactile feel and vibrant RGB illumination, the Durock Blue Lotus switches would be a great choice for you. With a slightly reduced travel distance and a bottom out force of 65 grams, these switches deliver a snappy and responsive typing experience. Furthermore, the Blue Lotus switches are known for their bassy sound profile, which adds depth and richness to each keystroke.
On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a combination of light switch-like tactility and a deep, resonant sound profile, the Gateron Quinn switches are a suitable option. These switches have a bottom out force of 67 grams and are designed with nylon housings, which contribute to their crisp and clean tactile bump. The Quinn switches not only provide an immersive sound experience with a touch of character but also offer a variety of descriptors such as bassy, clacky, low-pitched, and resonant.
Ultimately, the decision between the Durock Blue Lotus and the Gateron Quinn switches relies on your personal preferences. If a marked tactile feel and captivating RGB illumination are significant factors for you, the Blue Lotus switches would be an ideal choice. However, if you prioritize a light switch-like tactility and a deep, resonant sound profile, the Quinn switches would be more suitable. Consider both the sound and feel descriptors to determine which switch aligns more with your preferences.
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