Bsun Jade Rosales vs. Gateron Luciola
An in-depth look at the Bsun Jade Rosales and the Gateron Luciola switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves navigating a spectrum of tactile experiences and performance characteristics. The Bsun Jade Rosales switches, crafted by XY Studio, are renowned for their exceptional smoothness, stemming from over a year of meticulous refinement in custom housings, stems, and advanced lubrication techniques. These linear switches promise a seamless typing experience that many users crave. On the other hand, the Gateron Luciola switches add a unique twist to the category with their eye-catching glow-in-the-dark feature and medium heft. Users looking for a smooth yet bouncy feel will appreciate the Luciola's distinct auditory profile, reminiscent of a hollow can of spray paint being shaken, providing not just a tactile experience but also an engaging auditory one. While the Jade Rosales shines with its refined smoothness for a highly polished typing experience, the Luciola stands out with its playful design and sound profile meant to elevate your typing experience. 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
45g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Y3X
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Custom Milky Material
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20.5mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Spring
22mm double-staged long spring; black-plated
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Bsun Jade Rosales and the Gateron Luciola, a clear distinction emerges in their top housing designs. The Jade Rosales utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for its stiffer composition, leading to a sharper and crisper sound profile. This material's translucency also enhances RGB lighting effects, making it particularly appealing for aesthetic purposes. Conversely, the Luciola's top housing employs Gateron's proprietary INK blend, noted for its pointed, high-pitched sound that remains enjoyable and not overly sharp. While both materials facilitate a higher frequency sound profile, the Jade Rosales leans more toward crispness due to its stiffer structure, whereas the Luciola's design emphasizes a "clacky" acoustic, which could give it a slightly different auditory experience.
The bottom housing materials of the two switches further illustrate their distinctions. The Jade Rosales incorporates a Custom Milky Material that is part of a proprietary BSUN blend, contributing to its overall sound and feel. In contrast, the Gateron Luciola also uses the proprietary INK blend for its bottom housing, delivering a sound profile similar to its top housing. The impact of each housing is crucial since the bottom housing significantly affects the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed. While both switches utilize high-pitched materials, the Jade Rosales's unique blend may offer a different tactile sensation compared to the Luciola, even if they share a common goal of enhancing sound clarity.
Despite the differences, there's potential for achieving similar sound profiles with both switches. The Jade Rosales's polycarbonate top housing can echo the clackiness offered by the Luciola’s INK blend if paired correctly with a compatible switch design. Similarly, the bottom housing of the Jade Rosales can contribute to the clarity that users might enjoy from the Luciola. Therefore, while both switches leverage unique materials for their design, the inherent properties of each housing can lead to an auditory experience that, under the right conditions, may resonate closely with one another. Whether one seeks the crispness of polycarbonate or the clacky timbre of the INK blend, both switches ultimately offer satisfying outcomes for enthusiasts in the mechanical keyboard community.
Weight
When comparing the Bsun Jade Rosales linear switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Jade Rosales has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, making it suitable for users who prefer a softer typing experience, ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming without fatigue. In contrast, the Luciola switch exhibits a heavier actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, aligning with users who enjoy a more substantial push feel while typing. This difference in weight means that those accustomed to a lighter switch may find the Rosales more comfortable for long use, whereas the Luciola caters to those who prefer a firmer key press. Overall, the Jade Rosales is the lighter option, while the Gateron Luciola is the heavier switch, providing distinct experiences suited to different user preferences.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Bsun Jade Rosales linear switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch, the Jade Rosales features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Luciola slightly exceeds this with a travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that the Luciola has a longer travel distance by just 0.1 mm, which can offer a more pronounced feedback during key presses, appealing to those who prefer a hearty depth. Conversely, the Jade Rosales, being shorter, may provide gamers and those seeking faster response times with a more responsive feel. Ultimately, while the difference is minimal, it can influence the overall typing experience, favoring the Luciola for depth and the Jade Rosales for swifter engagements.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Jade Rosales has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Jade Rosales for $5.39.
The Gateron Luciola has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Luciola for $6.50.
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 BSUN Jade Rosales switches are not specified, leaving their acoustic profile a bit of a mystery. On the other hand, Gateron Luciola switches are characterized by a rich and varied sound profile that includes elements such as clackiness, chirpiness, and a high-pitched resonance. This combination results in a lively typing experience, where the "can of spray paint being shaken" quality adds a unique auditory flair that users might find either endearing or distracting, depending on personal preference.
When considering the feel of each switch, the Jade Rosales switches are similarly unspecified, but the Gateron Luciola switches are noted for their medium heft and a typing feel that is both smooth and bouncy. The Luciola's design provides a snappy response that makes each keystroke feel lively and engaging. Additionally, terms like buttery and polished suggest that these switches offer a seamlessly smooth typing experience. The absence of detail regarding the feel of the Jade Rosales leaves a gap in comparison, making it difficult to assess how they might stack up against the engaging qualities of the Luciola.
Ultimately, when comparing the BSUN Jade Rosales and Gateron Luciola switches, it is clear that the Luciola has a distinct and lively sound profile paired with a smooth and responsive feel. Without knowing the sound and feel characteristics of the Jade Rosales, one cannot accurately equate their performance to the vibrant qualities that the Luciola offers. However, if you prioritize a lively auditory experience and a responsive typing feel, the Luciola clearly stands out, while the Jade Rosales awaits further exploration for its potential strengths.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Bsun Jade Rosales linear switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch depends on your individual preferences and needs. If you're looking for a switch that offers a smooth, refined typing experience with a medium-light actuation force of 53 grams, the Jade Rosales is an excellent choice. This switch is meticulously crafted for a luxurious feel, making it ideal for long typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier actuation force of 60 grams and an engaging auditory experience, the Luciola is more suited for you. With its unique glowing feature and lively "clacky" sound profile, it brings a fun, vibrant element to your typing and gaming experience. Additionally, the bouncy and snappy feel of the Luciola can provide a pleasant tactile feedback, enhancing your performance during fast-paced activities. Ultimately, both switches have their own distinct advantages, so consider what aspects are most important to you—be it smoothness and lightness or sound and responsiveness—before making your final decision.
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