Durock Blue Lotus vs. Haimu Viola Tricolor
An in-depth look at the Durock Blue Lotus and the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Durock Blue Lotus and the Haimu Viola Tricolor. These switches may both fall under the tactile category, but they each bring unique characteristics to the table. The Blue Lotus switches from Durock are renowned for their combination of intense tactility and swift responsiveness. With a slightly reduced travel distance of 3.7mm, these switches offer a marked tactile feel that is perfect for those who enjoy a satisfying feedback. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switches come with a detachable light column for vibrant RGB illumination, adding a captivating visual appeal to your typing experience. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor switches from Haimu are designed to provide a thuddy and punchy sound profile, adding a touch of character to your typing. These switches strike a perfect balance, offering pronounced tactility without overwhelming the user. Their low-pitched and invigorating qualities contribute to a satisfying typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can decide which switch best suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Spring
Dual-staged gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Durock Blue Lotus and the Haimu Viola Tricolor have different housing materials that contribute to their unique characteristics. The Blue Lotus features a modified PC and UPE blend top housing, which provides a premium feel and results in a clear and resonant sound profile. In contrast, the Viola Tricolor utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Both switch models offer a translucent top housing option, perfect for showcasing RGB lighting. While the materials differ, they both ensure a high-quality and visually appealing switch experience.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Blue Lotus and the Viola Tricolor employ nylon, a classic switch housing material. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housings elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softness of the material, absorbing more sound than harder plastics. This creates a duller and rounder sound that is preferred by some users. Despite the similarity in material, the bottom housing of each switch will have a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, providing a tactile experience unique to each model.
In conclusion, the Durock Blue Lotus and the Haimu Viola Tricolor offer distinct housing materials that contribute to their overall performance and aesthetics. While the Blue Lotus utilizes a modified PC and UPE blend for its top housing, providing a unique and premium feel, the Viola Tricolor utilizes polycarbonate for a sharper and crisper sound profile. Both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound experience. Whether you prefer a more resonant or crisper sound, these switches provide a range of options to suit individual preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, there are some similarities and differences to note. The actuation force of the Blue Lotus is 55 grams, while the Viola Tricolor's actuation force is unavailable. Both switches have a bottom out force in the medium-heavy range, with the Blue Lotus at 65 grams and the Viola Tricolor slightly lower at 63.5 grams.
Weight is an important consideration for keyboard enthusiasts, as it can affect typing performance and comfort. For those who prefer a lighter touch, the Blue Lotus may be a more suitable option, as its actuation force is known to be 55 grams. This lighter actuation force allows for a smoother and potentially longer typing experience, making it ideal for work or extended gaming sessions.
On the other hand, individuals who value a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience may find the Viola Tricolor appealing. Although the specific actuation force for the Viola Tricolor is not available, its bottom out force of 63.5 grams suggests a similar level of heaviness to the Blue Lotus. Therefore, for those seeking a heavier keystroke, the Viola Tricolor may provide a comparable typing experience.
In summary, the Durock Blue Lotus has a known actuation force of 55 grams, making it lighter compared to the Viola Tricolor, whose actuation force is not specified. However, both switches have a similar medium-heavy bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on the individual's preference for a lighter or heavier keystroke.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch is 3.7 mm, while the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming increasingly popular, particularly among gamers who value faster response times. If you prioritize responsiveness, you may prefer the slightly shorter travel distance of the Blue Lotus. However, for those who prefer a deeper and more substantial keypress, the Viola Tricolor with its slightly longer travel distance may be the better choice. Overall, the difference in travel distance between the two switches is minimal, and you can expect similar results from both.
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 Haimu Viola Tricolor has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Viola Tricolor for $3.09.
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, both the Durock Blue Lotus and the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches offer a bassy sound profile. This means that they produce a deeper and richer sound during key presses, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. The Viola Tricolor switches also have a low-pitched sound, which adds a mellow and bass-heavy tone to the typing experience. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
When it comes to feel, both the Blue Lotus and the Viola Tricolor switches are described as accented switches. These switches provide a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. They offer a medium level of tactile feedback, which is satisfying without becoming too intense. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switches are known for being snappy and responsive, thanks to their slightly reduced travel distance. This gives a more lively typing experience. The Viola Tricolor switches are described as invigorating, offering pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive feel. This creates an immersive sensation while typing.
In conclusion, the Durock Blue Lotus and Haimu Viola Tricolor switches offer different subjective qualities while still maintaining a similar level of performance and tactile experience. Both switches provide a satisfying amount of tactility without being overwhelming, and both offer a bassy sound profile during key presses. The Blue Lotus switches are known for their snappiness and slightly reduced travel distance, while the Viola Tricolor switches are described as invigorating and providing a moderate to firm actuation force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a marked tactile feel and vibrant RGB illumination, the Durock Blue Lotus switches would be your best choice. These switches are known for their swift responsiveness and medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams. They provide a satisfying tactile feedback without being overwhelming, making them perfect for those who enjoy a pronounced tactile sensation. Additionally, the Blue Lotus switches offer a bassy sound profile during key presses.
On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a thuddy and punchy sound profile and a balance between tactility and user-friendliness, the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches would be a great option. These switches have a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams and offer a sharp sensation without overwhelming the user. They provide a moderate to firm actuation force and an invigorating typing experience. Moreover, the Viola Tricolor switches offer both bassy and low-pitched sound characteristics.
Overall, both switches have their own unique features and advantages. The Durock Blue Lotus switches excel in tactile intensity and visual appeal, while the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches focus on a balanced tactile experience and immersive typing sensation. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on your personal preference for tactile feel, sound profile, and aesthetics.
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