Durock Blue Lotus vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Durock Blue Lotus and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Durock Blue Lotus and Durock Sea Glass are two distinct mechanical keyboard switches that offer contrasting experiences for users. The Blue Lotus switch is widely recognized for its tactile intensity and swift responsiveness, providing a marked tactile feel that enthusiasts appreciate. With a slightly reduced travel distance of 3.7mm, these switches boast snappiness and are perfect for those seeking a tactile switch with a shorter actuation point. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switches feature a detachable light column, allowing for vibrant RGB illumination that adds a captivating visual appeal to any keyboard setup. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switches stand out with their captivating pastel colors and unique typing experience. Due to their proprietary material blend, these switches emanate a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness while maintaining uncompromised smoothness. Despite their 62g bottom-out force, the Sea Glass switches feel surprisingly weightless and offer a frictionless typing experience. Moreover, users will be intrigued by the uniquely hollow sound signature produced by these switches. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities, so you can make an informed decision and choose the switch that best suits your preferences and typing style.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
P3+
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE 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 Durock Sea Glass differ in their housing materials, affecting both the feel and sound of the switches. The Blue Lotus features a modified PC and UPE Blend top housing, while the Sea Glass offers a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing. Both materials provide a unique and premium feel, but the Sea Glass's blend leans towards a brighter sound profile.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Blue Lotus utilizes a classic nylon material, known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is softer and absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder tone. On the other hand, the Sea Glass incorporates a blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its bottom housing, which contributes to its pleasing and slightly brighter sound profile.
When it comes to comparing the overall impact of the top and bottom housings, the qualities of each material are divided between the two. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when the switch is pressed, while the top housing plays a significant role in the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, users can expect distinct experiences with either switch, with the Blue Lotus emphasizing a deeper sound during typing, and the Sea Glass offering a brighter and more pleasant sound profile.
In summary, the Durock Blue Lotus and Durock Sea Glass differ in their housing materials and the resulting sound profiles. While both switches provide a unique and premium feel, the Blue Lotus stands out with its modified PC and UPE Blend top housing, offering a deep and full sound due to its nylon bottom housing. On the other hand, the Sea Glass impresses with its Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing, yielding a pleasant and slightly brighter sound profile that is not particularly sharp. Overall, users can expect a differentiated typing experience with these two switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, there are some notable similarities and differences. In terms of actuation force, the Blue Lotus requires 55 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, while the Sea Glass requires a slightly lighter 45 grams. This means that the Sea Glass offers a lighter and more sensitive touch, making it suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Blue Lotus requires 65 grams of force, while the Sea Glass requires 62 grams. This means that both switches have a similar level of resistance when pressed all the way down, providing a more substantial typing experience. Overall, the Blue Lotus can be considered slightly heavier than the Sea Glass in terms of actuation force, but when it comes to bottoming out, they offer similar results. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preference, with the Blue Lotus offering a slightly heavier feel and the Sea Glass providing a lighter touch.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, it can be observed that the Blue Lotus has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Sea Glass has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. While both switches are relatively close in terms of travel distance, the Sea Glass linear switch does have a slightly longer travel distance. This means that when pressing down on a key equipped with the Sea Glass switch, one would feel a slighter greater distance compared to the Blue Lotus switch. It's important to note that a travel distance of 4.0mm is considered to be the most traditional, while 3.0mm is the most shallow. However, with the growing preference for faster response times, shorter travel distances have become more prevalent, particularly among gamers. Therefore, if responsiveness is a priority, opt for the switch with the shorter travel distance like the Blue Lotus. On the other hand, if you prefer a more substantial and deeper key press, the switch with the longer travel distance like the Sea Glass may be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired feel while using the keyboard.
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 Sea Glass has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Glass for $4.87.
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 Blue Lotus switch is known for its bassy profile, which provides a deeper and richer sound during key presses. The Sea Glass switch, on the other hand, does not have any specific sound description available. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Blue Lotus switch is described as accented, snappy, and stepped. It provides a medium level of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle, giving users a prominent amount of feedback. The snappiness of the switch adds to the overall responsiveness, making the typing experience feel more alive. Additionally, the stepped design offers a mild sensation with some pre-travel and/or post-travel.
In contrast, the Sea Glass switch is characterized by its frictionless and mild feel. The switch offers an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. It falls into the middle ground in terms of characteristics, providing a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. The feathery actuation and easy-to-press nature of the switch also contribute to reducing finger fatigue and making extended typing sessions comfortable.
In conclusion, the Durock Blue Lotus and Durock Sea Glass switches offer distinct subjective qualities. The Blue Lotus switch excels in tactile intensity, with its accented feel and snappy response. It also provides a deeper and richer sound profile. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch stands out with its frictionless and mild feel, along with a uniquely hollow sound signature. Both switches offer unique experiences, catering to different preferences. However, if you are seeking a similar typing experience between the two switches, you can expect a smooth and effortless feel, minimizing resistance and providing a comfortable typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are someone who enjoys a marked tactile feel and swift responsiveness, the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch would be a great choice for you. These switches have a bottom-out force of 65 grams, offering a medium-heavy feel. Their snappiness, accentuated by slightly reduced travel, provides a satisfying typing experience. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switches feature a detachable light column for vibrant RGB illumination, adding a captivating visual appeal to your keyboard.
On the other hand, if you prefer a more gentle and frictionless typing experience, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch would be the ideal option. With a bottom-out force of 62 grams, these switches offer a medium weight feel. The Sea Glass switches are known for their distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness, provided by their proprietary material blend. Despite their light actuation force, they possess a weightlessness that may defy expectations. Typing on the Sea Glass switches also reveals a uniquely hollow sound signature.
In closing, the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch is perfect for those who prioritize tactile intensity and swift responsiveness, as well as vibrant RGB illumination. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch caters to individuals who prefer a gentle and frictionless typing experience, accompanied by a distinct sound signature. Ultimately, your choice between the two will depend on your personal preferences and typing style.
Mentioned in this article
