Durock Blue Lotus vs. TTC Silent Bluish White (V2)
An in-depth look at the Durock Blue Lotus and the TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Durock Blue Lotus and TTC Silent Bluish White mechanical keyboard switches, two popular choices for tactile switch enthusiasts. The Blue Lotus switch, crafted by Durock, is renowned for its unique blend of tactile intensity and swift responsiveness. This switch offers a satisfyingly snappy typing experience, attributed to its slightly reduced travel distance of 3.7mm. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switch features a detachable light column, providing vibrant, glowy RGB illumination that seamlessly combines performance with captivating visual appeal. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White switch delivers a medium tactile feel, offering a comfortable and precise typing experience. These switches are designed to be as quiet as possible, making them ideal for office or shared living space use. With their subtle tactility and muted sound profile, the Silent Bluish Whites strike a perfect balance between responsiveness and noise reduction. However, let's now delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you determine the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.50 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 switch features a modified PC & UPE Blend top housing, while the TTC Silent Bluish White switch utilizes a polycarbonate top housing. Both materials offer unique characteristics and contribute to the switch's overall performance. The modified PC & UPE Blend of the Blue Lotus provides a premium feel, enhancing the typing experience. On the other hand, the polycarbonate material of the Silent Bluish White creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. If you are someone who enjoys a switch with a clear housing for RGB lighting effects, the polycarbonate top housing would be a great choice.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Blue Lotus and the Silent Bluish White switches incorporate nylon. Nylon is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer composition, which absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on these switches. Therefore, the bottom housings of both switches will provide a similar typing experience, offering a satisfying and immersive sound profile.
It is worth noting that the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key, while the bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. Therefore, if you prioritize the sound and feel when releasing a key, the material used in the top housing becomes particularly significant. The modified PC & UPE Blend of the Blue Lotus and the polycarbonate of the Silent Bluish White will deliver distinct sound profiles upon key release. However, if you focus on the bottom-out sound and feel, the nylon material used in both switches' bottom housings will provide a similar experience, resulting in a deep and full sound with every keystroke.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch, it becomes evident that they offer slightly different experiences. The Durock Blue Lotus has a slightly heavier actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, placing it in the medium-heavy range. In contrast, the TTC Silent Bluish White provides a lighter typing experience with an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This makes it a more suitable option for those seeking a lighter switch.
For individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience, the TTC Silent Bluish White would be an ideal choice. Its lower actuation and bottom out forces enable them to type for more extended periods without experiencing fatigue. This lighter force is beneficial for tasks such as typing at work or engaging in long gaming sessions. On the other hand, those seeking a more robust and substantial typing feel may find the Durock Blue Lotus more appealing. Its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out forces provide a satisfying tactile feedback, making each keystroke feel more pronounced.
However, if someone desires a similar typing experience to one of these switches, they can achieve comparable results by selecting a switch with similar actuation and bottom out forces. For example, if someone prefers the feel of the Durock Blue Lotus but desires a lighter force, they might opt for a different switch with an actuation force closer to 55 grams and a bottom out force closer to 65 grams. Similarly, if someone enjoys the lighter feel of the TTC Silent Bluish White but wants a slightly heavier force, they could explore switches with actuation and bottom out forces in the range of 42 grams and 50 grams, respectively. Considering weight is crucial as it directly impacts the typing experience and the user's preference for a lighter or heavier switch.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch, it is evident that the Blue Lotus has a slightly longer distance of 3.7 mm while the Silent Bluish White measures at 3.5 mm. Although both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, with 4.0 mm being the traditional distance, it is clear that the Blue Lotus offers a slightly deeper key press experience. However, it is important to note that the difference in travel distance is minimal and might not be noticeable to all users. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may lean towards the Silent Bluish White with its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial keystroke may opt for the Blue Lotus. Regardless of the choice, both switches offer a satisfying tactile response and yield similar results 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 TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Bluish White (V2) for $4.63.
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 switches offer a bassy profile during key presses. This means that they produce a deeper and richer sound, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White switches are described as muted. This means that they produce a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. The muted sound of the Silent Bluish White switches helps minimize the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, making them ideal for office or shared living space use. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Durock Blue Lotus switches are described as accented, snappy, and stepped. An accented switch provides a medium level of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. The snappiness of these switches is attributed to their super responsive nature, making the typing experience feel more alive. Additionally, the stepped feel of the Blue Lotus switches means that users can feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel, enhancing the overall tactile experience.
On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White switches offer a buttery, mild, stepped, subtle, and polished feel. The buttery sensation implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. With their mild characteristics, these switches offer a more gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. Similar to the Blue Lotus switches, the Silent Bluish White switches also feature a stepped feel. This means that users can feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel, further enhancing the tactile feedback. The subtle resistance of these switches, combined with their polished finish, ensures a light and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the Durock Blue Lotus and TTC Silent Bluish White switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Blue Lotus switches provide a bassy sound profile and offer an accented, snappy, and stepped feel. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White switches deliver a muted sound and offer a buttery, mild, stepped, subtle, and polished feel. While they provide different characteristics, both switches aim to provide a tactile typing experience with varying levels of tactility and sound. Depending on the user's preference for sound and feel, either switch can deliver a satisfying and comfortable typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prefer a medium-heavy typing experience with a marked tactile feel, the Durock Blue Lotus switches are an excellent choice. With their slightly reduced travel and 65-gram bottom out force, these switches offer snappiness and swift responsiveness. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switches feature a detachable light column for vibrant RGB illumination, combining performance with captivating visual appeal. On the other hand, if you value a lighter typing experience with a satisfying level of resistance, the TTC Silent Bluish White switches are ideal. With a bottom out force of 50 grams, these switches provide a precise and comfortable typing experience. Furthermore, the Silent Bluish Whites are designed to be as quiet as possible, making them suitable for office or shared living space use. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on your preference for tactile intensity, typing force, and sound level. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences. As a final point, whether you choose the Blue Lotus or the Silent Bluish White, you can expect a high-quality mechanical keyboard switch that enhances your typing experience.
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