HMX Lotus vs. Durock Mamba
An in-depth look at the HMX Lotus and the Durock Mamba switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Lotus and Durock Mamba linear switches stand out as top contenders. The HMX Lotus is celebrated for its medium weight of 50g bottom out and vibrant sound, offering a bouncy typing experience that can elevate every keystroke. On the other hand, the Durock Mamba pays tribute to Kobe Bryant and provides a smooth, gliding sensation while typing, accompanied by a rich and creamy auditory experience. Both switches have their unique qualities, with the Lotus offering a super bouncy feel and the Mamba delivering a polished and thocky 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
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
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the HMX Lotus and the Durock Mamba, both switches utilize nylon in their top housing. However, the Lotus boasts a pure nylon top housing, which provides a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Mamba features a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing, offering a pleasant sound profile that leans towards the brighter side. Despite both switches incorporating nylon into their top housing, the blend used in the Mamba sets it apart with a unique sound quality compared to the Lotus.
In terms of bottom housing, the Lotus and the Mamba differ in their materials. The Lotus's nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, similar to its top housing characteristics. On the other hand, the Mamba utilizes a POM bottom housing, creating a pleasing and unique sound that leans towards the deeper side and is relatively more muted. The contrasting qualities of the bottom housing materials serve to differentiate the sound profiles of the two switches, with the Lotus offering a slightly fuller sound compared to the Mamba's more muted tones.
Overall, while both the HMX Lotus and the Durock Mamba feature nylon in their top housing, the specific blend of nylon and UHMWPE in the Mamba sets it apart from the Lotus in terms of sound profile. Additionally, the difference in bottom housing materials, with the Lotus using nylon and the Mamba using POM, also contributes to variations in sound characteristics between the two switches. However, both switches aim to provide a unique typing experience through their choice of housing materials, showcasing the importance of material selection in keyboard switches.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the HMX Lotus linear switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch differ in a few key ways. The HMX Lotus has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it a suitable choice for those who prefer a lighter touch while typing or gaming. In contrast, the Durock Mamba has an unknown actuation force but a heavier bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. The lighter weight of the Lotus allows for extended typing sessions without fatigue, while the heavier weight of the Mamba offers a more tactile typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
Both the HMX Lotus linear switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch have a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when you press down on a key using either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance. This similarity in travel distance allows for a consistent typing experience between the two switches. Whether you choose the HMX Lotus or the Durock Mamba, you can expect the keys to feel familiar in terms of travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Durock Mamba has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mamba for $5.17.
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 HMX Lotus linear switch is best known for its bright and resonant sound, providing a super bouncy feeling with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Durock Mamba linear switch offers a rich and creamy auditory experience, producing a gliding typing sensation. The Lotus switch may have a more vibrant sound compared to the neutral sound profile of the Mamba, but both switches can offer a satisfying auditory experience depending on the user's preference and setup.
When it comes to feel, the HMX Lotus linear switch offers a medium weight of 50g bottom out, providing a delightful and bouncy typing experience. Meanwhile, the Durock Mamba linear switch provides a mild and polished typing experience, offering a gentle and approachable feel with smooth key travel. The Lotus switch may offer a more pronounced typing experience with its medium weight, while the Mamba switch provides a more refined and smooth typing experience due to factory lubing.
Overall, both the HMX Lotus and Durock Mamba linear switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Lotus switch provides a bright and resonant sound with a bouncy typing sensation, while the Mamba switch offers a rich and creamy auditory experience with a polished and gentle typing feel. Depending on personal preferences, both switches can provide an enjoyable typing experience, with the Lotus potentially appealing to those who prefer a more vibrant sound and bouncy feel, while the Mamba may cater to those who enjoy a smooth and polished typing experience. Ultimately, trying out both switches on different setups will provide a better understanding of how they perform and which one suits individual preferences best.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the HMX Lotus linear switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch, you should consider your preference for bottom out force. If you prefer a lighter touch, the Lotus with its 50g bottom out force may be the better choice for you. Additionally, if you enjoy a bright and resonant sound with a bouncy typing experience, the Lotus switch would be ideal. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier touch, the 60g bottom out force of the Mamba may be more suitable for you. The Mamba also offers a gliding typing sensation and a rich and creamy auditory experience. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound profile.
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