Durock Ice King Tactile vs. HMX Lotus
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the HMX Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Ice King Tactile and the HMX Lotus mechanical keyboard switches, a prominent difference is their typing experience. The Ice King Tactile is acclaimed for its smoothness and pronounced tactile bump, offering a satisfying blend of smoothness and tactility. On the other hand, the Lotus switches from HMX deliver a bouncy feeling with a bright, resonant sound, making each keystroke a delight. While the Ice King Tactile is categorized as 'Silky', 'Frictionless', 'Subdued', 'Stepped', and 'Polished', the Lotus is known for its medium weight of 50g bottom out. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on personal preferences and typing habits. 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
58g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
68g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Ice King Tactile and the HMX Lotus are both made of nylon, a classic switch housing material known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic properties that absorb more sound than harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches made with nylon housings. Both switches share these qualities in their top and bottom housing materials, providing a consistent sound experience for users.
However, despite sharing the same nylon housing material, the Ice King Tactile and the HMX Lotus may still differ in their overall sound profile due to variations in design and construction. The impact of the bottom housing can play a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of a switch, while the top housing may affect the sound when releasing a key. These subtle differences in housing design could potentially lead to variations in typing experience between the two switches, even though they both utilize nylon as their housing material.
In conclusion, while the housing materials of the Durock Ice King Tactile and the HMX Lotus are the same, the design and construction of the switches may result in subtle differences in sound and typing experience. Both switches offer a deep and full sound profile characteristic of nylon housing, but the distribution of qualities between the top and bottom housing could create distinctions in how each switch feels and sounds to the user. Ultimately, despite the shared housing material, individual preferences and typing styles may determine which switch is better suited for a particular user.
Weight
The Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch has a higher actuation force of 58 grams compared to the HMX Lotus linear switch, which has an actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the Ice King Tactile requires more force to activate a keypress. Additionally, the Ice King Tactile has a heavier bottom out force of 68 grams, while the Lotus has a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams. This indicates that the Ice King Tactile provides a more substantial typing experience with a greater resistance throughout the keystroke compared to the Lotus, which offers a lighter and smoother typing feel. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended use, the Lotus may be the better option, while the Ice King Tactile is better suited for individuals who prefer a more tactile and heavy typing feel.
Travel distance
Both the Durock Ice King Tactile and the HMX Lotus linear switches have the same travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either switch, you will experience a similar distance traveled from the top to the bottom. This consistency in travel distance between the two switches makes them equally suitable for users looking for a specific key feel and response. Whether you choose the Ice King Tactile or the Lotus switch, you can expect a consistent and satisfying typing experience with a travel distance of 3.5 mm.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Ice King Tactile has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ice King Tactile for $4.20.
The HMX Lotus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lotus for $2.99.
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 Ice King Tactile switch offers a subdued sound when pressed, providing a dampened and subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, information on the sound of the Lotus switch is not available. Remember, the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycap choice.
Moving on to feel, the Ice King Tactile switch is described as silky, frictionless, stepped, and polished, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance and a sleek finish. On the contrary, details regarding the feel of the Lotus switch are not provided. If the feel of the Lotus switch is similar to that of the Ice King Tactile in terms of being smooth and effortless, users can expect a rewarding typing experience with both switches.
In conclusion, the Ice King Tactile switch is praised for its unique blend of smoothness and pronounced tactile bump, creating a satisfying tactile experience, while the Lotus switch is lauded for its medium weight and bouncy feel. While the sound and feel qualities of the two switches differ based on the available information, users can anticipate a high-quality typing experience with either switch, especially if the Lotus switch also offers smoothness and satisfaction similar to the Ice King Tactile. Ultimately, the choice between the Ice King Tactile and Lotus switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the HMX Lotus switches, you should consider your preference for tactile feedback and bottom out force. If you prefer a medium-heavy tactile switch with a pronounced bump and creamy smoothness, the Ice King Tactile is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a light linear switch with a bouncy feeling and a bright, resonant sound, the Lotus is a great choice. Additionally, if you prioritize a more subdued sound and a silky, frictionless typing experience, the Ice King Tactile may be more suitable for you. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so choose the one that best suits your typing style and preferences.
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