Durock Blue Lotus vs. Bsun Tomcat

Overview

When selecting a mechanical keyboard switch, personal preference plays a crucial role in the typing experience, and two widely discussed options are the Durock Blue Lotus and the Bsun Tomcat switches. The Blue Lotus, a tactile switch, is celebrated for its pronounced tactile feedback and snappy responsiveness, thanks to its slightly reduced travel distance of 3.7mm. This makes it an excellent choice for those who appreciate a distinct tactile sensation while typing or gaming. Additionally, its detachable light column enhances its visual appeal with vibrant RGB lighting, allowing for a customizable aesthetic. On the other hand, the Bsun Tomcat switch is a linear option that offers a super smooth typing experience, favored by users who prefer a more fluid keystroke without the tactile bumps. Its resonant sound profile adds character to each keystroke, appealing to those who appreciate auditory feedback. Depending on whether you lean towards a tactile experience or seamless key presses, both switches offer unique advantages. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Durock Blue Lotus Tactile

Bsun Tomcat Linear

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

$2.99 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials of the Durock Blue Lotus and the Bsun Tomcat present a compelling comparison, especially in the context of sound profile and overall typing experience. The Blue Lotus features a modified PC and UPE blend for its top housing, offering a unique and premium feel. This material is designed to enhance the overall sound profile, potentially creating a balance between standard polycarbonate's sharpness and something more refined. In contrast, the Tomcat utilizes a pure polycarbonate top housing, which emphasizes clarity and resonance. The rigidity of polycarbonate contributes to a higher-pitched and crisper sound profile, making the Tomcat particularly appealing for users who prioritize a clear auditory feedback while typing.

Both switches share the same nylon bottom housing, known for its classic function in mechanical keyboards. This commonality creates an interesting contrast with the top housing materials, as the nylon reveals its deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing sound more effectively than its stiffer counterparts. The result is a complementary relationship between the two types of housings; while the Blue Lotus benefits from a modified upper for a nuanced experience, the Tomcat relies on the clarity of its polycarbonate top to bring out the best in the nylon bottom. Together, the nylon bottom on both switches enhances the overall typing experience through its consistent performance, ensuring that regardless of the top housing material, the user can expect a rich auditory feedback.

The differences in top housing materials imply varied user experiences even while sharing the same nylon bottom. When pressing the keys, the soft nature of the nylon provides a satisfying bottom-out feel, contributing to the deeper sound profile in both switches. However, releasing the keys will evoke the distinctive character of each top housing material, with the Blue Lotus offering a more refined sound due to its modified composition, while the Tomcat produces a brighter, crisper sound. Thus, even though the bottom housing connects both switches in terms of sound absorption and typing feedback, the contrast in top haptics denotes that a user could achieve varied auditory experiences even when the bottom housing remains consistent. Whether one leans towards the premium feel of the Blue Lotus or the clarity of the Tomcat, both switches promise a rich typing experience rooted in their effective combination of materials.

Weight

When comparing the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Bsun Tomcat linear switch, we can observe distinct differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Blue Lotus features a higher actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. In contrast, the Tomcat has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 54 grams, categorizing it as a medium-light switch. As a result, typists who prefer a heavier action for a more substantial feel may lean towards the Blue Lotus, while those seeking a lighter touch for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons might favor the Tomcat. Ultimately, the differences in force will lead to varying typing experiences, with the Blue Lotus being the heavier option and the Tomcat offering a lighter experience.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Bsun Tomcat linear switch, we find that the Blue Lotus features a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Tomcat offers a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that the Blue Lotus provides a more pronounced tactile experience due to its greater depth, making it potentially more suited for users who appreciate a hearty feedback when pressing keys. In contrast, the Tomcat's shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers and users seeking faster response times, as shorter travel distances are often correlated with quicker actuation. Overall, if one prioritizes depth and tactile feedback, the Durock Blue Lotus is the preferable choice, while those who favor expedited responses might lean towards the Bsun Tomcat.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch offers a bassy profile that provides a deeper and richer acoustic experience during key presses. This characteristic results in a satisfying auditory feedback that many users find appealing, especially in a mechanical keyboard setting where sound can greatly enhance the typing experience. In contrast, the Bsun Tomcat linear switch does not have an explicitly defined sound profile mentioned, but it is known for its smoothness, which generally suggests a quieter actuation compared to tactile or clicky switches. However, the overall sound produced by any switch, including the Tomcat, can also be influenced by the keyboard's material and the choice of keycaps, making it difficult to draw direct comparisons solely based on their designs.

In terms of feel, the Durock Blue Lotus switches provide a multifaceted tactile experience described as accented, snappy, and stepped. The accented quality strikes a satisfying balance, offering a pronounced tactile feedback without being overwhelming, while the snappiness lends a responsive and lively sensation during typing, largely attributed to its slightly shorter travel distance. The stepped characteristic introduces a subtle two-stage feel, enhancing the typing experience by allowing users to detect both pre-travel and post-travel movements. On the other hand, the Bsun Tomcat switches are noteworthy for their smooth typing experience due to their Ly stems, which typically offer a fluid keystroke without any tactile bumps. This difference in feel will cater to different preferences: where the Blue Lotus offers an engaging tactile sensation, the Tomcat provides seamless motion ideal for users who prioritize smoothness.

In conclusion, both the Durock Blue Lotus and Bsun Tomcat switches offer distinct characteristics appealing to different types of users. The Blue Lotus excels in providing a tactile experience enriched by its bassy sound profile and responsive feel, while the Tomcat is designed for users who prefer a silky, smooth operation without tactile feedback and likely a quieter sound. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference regarding sound and tactile feedback, as both will deliver an effective typing experience aligned with their respective designs.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Durock Blue Lotus and the Bsun Tomcat switches ultimately hinges on your typing preferences and intended use. If you favor a more tactile feel with a noticeable bump that enhances your typing experience, the Blue Lotus is an excellent pick. Its snappy responsiveness, medium-heavy actuation force, and distinct sound profile will cater to your need for feedback while giving you an engaging typing experience, especially if you enjoy long typing sessions or gaming with strong tactile cues. Additionally, the vibrant RGB illumination adds a visual element that can enhance your setup. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother, linear experience with a lighter touch, the Bsun Tomcat is more suited to your needs. With its medium-light actuation force and a focus on smoothness, these switches are ideal for rapid typing, gaming, or general use where a quieter sound profile and fluid keystrokes are paramount. In summary, your optimal choice should mirror your typing style; embrace the Durock Blue Lotus for tactile engagement and aesthetic flair, or go for the Bsun Tomcat for smoothness and ease of use.

Mentioned in this article

Durock Blue Lotus Tactile

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

Learn more

Bsun Tomcat Linear

$2.99 per 10

Learn more