Durock Blue Lotus vs. TTC Venus
An in-depth look at the Durock Blue Lotus and the TTC Venus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Blue Lotus and the TTC Venus offer distinct experiences for different preferences. The Blue Lotus is celebrated for its tactile intensity and swift responsiveness, with a slightly reduced travel distance that enhances its snappiness. On the other hand, the TTC Venus stands out for its unique internal configuration that provides a smooth and almost frictionless typing experience, coupled with a matte sensation and muted sound signature. While the Blue Lotus appeals to those who enjoy a marked tactile feel and vibrant RGB illumination, the Venus caters to individuals seeking a buttery and gummy typing experience with a low-pitched and subdued auditory feedback. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
52g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 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
POM
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Spring
Lengthened 20.5mm spring
Housing materials
The Durock Blue Lotus features a unique combination of a modified PC & UPE blend top housing and a nylon bottom housing. The top housing material provides a premium feel and creates a distinct sound profile, while the nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound. In contrast, the TTC Venus utilizes a POM top housing and a polycarbonate bottom housing. The POM top housing offers a pleasing and unique sound with deeper tones, while the polycarbonate bottom housing produces a sharper, crisper sound profile.
Despite their differences, both the Blue Lotus and the Venus switches offer high-quality housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The unique blend of modified PC & UPE in the Blue Lotus's top housing creates a premium feel, similar to the POM top housing of the Venus, which delivers a pleasing sound profile. However, the nylon bottom housing of the Blue Lotus provides a deeper and fuller sound compared to the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Venus, which produces a sharper and clearer sound.
In terms of impact on typing experience, the bottom housing material plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key. The Blue Lotus's nylon bottom housing creates a rounder and duller sound, while the Venus's polycarbonate bottom housing produces a more resonant and clear sound. On the other hand, the top housing material influences the sound when releasing a key, with the modified PC & UPE blend of the Blue Lotus offering a unique premium feel and the POM top housing of the Venus creating an incredibly pleasing sound profile. Overall, both switches offer a balance of different housing materials that contribute to their overall performance and typing experience.
Weight
The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch has a heavier actuation and bottom out force compared to the TTC Venus linear switch. The Blue Lotus requires 55 grams of force to actuate and 65 grams to bottom out, making it a medium-heavy option. On the other hand, the Venus only needs 45 grams to actuate and 52 grams to bottom out, demonstrating a medium-light feel. Those looking for a lighter typing experience may prefer the Venus switch, which allows for longer typing sessions without fatigue. In contrast, users who prefer a stronger push feel may opt for the Blue Lotus switch for a more substantial typing experience. Overall, the actuation and bottom out forces of these switches play a crucial role in determining the typing experience for users based on their preferences for weight and force.
Travel distance
The Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the TTC Venus linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the shorter end of the spectrum when it comes to travel distance, making them ideal for those looking for quicker response times. The slight difference of 0.1 mm between the two may not be noticeable to most users, but for those who are sensitive to such differences, the Venus linear switch would offer a slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on individual preferences for travel distance and how it affects the typing experience.
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 Venus has an MSRP of $7.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Venus for $5.09.
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 profile, giving a deep and rich tone during key presses. On the other hand, the TTC Venus switches provide a low-pitched sound with a muted and subdued quality, resulting in a quieter auditory experience. While the Blue Lotus switches lean towards a deeper bass tone, the Venus switches offer a more mellow and polished sound profile. Both switches provide unique sound characteristics that cater to different preferences, with the Blue Lotus being more resonant and the Venus being more subtle and refined.
When it comes to feel, the Blue Lotus switches are described as accented and snappy, offering a tactile experience that is prominent yet not overwhelming. The Venus switches, on the other hand, are known for their buttery and frictionless feel, providing a smooth and effortless typing sensation. While the Blue Lotus switches focus on responsiveness and tactility, the Venus switches prioritize a seamless and gummy typing experience. Both switches excel in delivering distinct tactile sensations, with the Blue Lotus emphasizing a snappy feedback and the Venus offering a buttery and polished keystroke feel.
In conclusion, the Durock Blue Lotus switches and TTC Venus switches each bring a unique set of qualities to the table. The Blue Lotus switches excel in providing a tactile and snappy typing experience with a bassy sound profile, while the Venus switches offer a smooth and buttery feel along with a low-pitched and subdued sound signature. Depending on your preference for a more pronounced tactile feedback or a smoother keystroke feel, both switches cater to different typing styles and preferences. Ultimately, choosing between the Blue Lotus and Venus switches will come down to personal preference and the desired typing experience, but rest assured that both switches will offer a high-quality and satisfying mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch or the TTC Venus linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preference in typing experience. If you prioritize a tactile and snappy feel with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Blue Lotus switches are the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and effortless typing sensation with a lighter bottom out force, the Venus switches may be more suitable for you. Additionally, if you enjoy a more bass-heavy and rich sound profile during key presses, the Blue Lotus switches deliver a "bassy" sound, whereas the Venus switches offer a more low-pitched, muted, and subdued sound experience. Ultimately, both switches have unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so choose the one that best aligns with your desired typing feel and sound profile.
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