HMX Lotus vs. Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade)
An in-depth look at the HMX Lotus and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Lotus linear switch and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch stand out for their unique qualities. The Lotus switches from HMX are praised for their medium weight of 50g bottom out and a bright, resonant sound, offering a super bouncy feeling with every keystroke. On the other hand, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switches provide a sharp tactile feel with a rare and premium typing experience due to their unique blend of PBT top and bottom housing. While the Lotus switches offer a smoother typing experience, the Moyu Blacks feature a strong downstroke tactile bump and an even sharper upstroke bump, creating a hypertactile sensation. Both switches have their strengths, making them suitable for different preferences. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
PBT
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The main difference between the HMX Lotus and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) lies in their housing materials. The Lotus features a nylon top and bottom housing, known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softness and sound absorption properties, resulting in a dull and round sound. In contrast, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) uses PBT for both its top and bottom housing, providing a more neutral sound profile that is neither crisp nor dull. While both housing materials aim to enhance the typing experience, they offer distinct sound characteristics that appeal to different preferences.
Despite their differences, both the Lotus and the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) share similar qualities in terms of their housing materials. Both nylon and PBT are classic switch housing materials that contribute to a satisfying typing experience. They are both known for their durability and impact on sound profiles, albeit in slightly different ways. Whether it be the bottom-out sound and feel influenced by the bottom housing or the key release sound influenced by the top housing, both materials play a crucial role in shaping the overall typing experience for users.
In conclusion, the choice between the HMX Lotus and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile. The nylon top and bottom housing of the Lotus offer a deeper and fuller sound, while the PBT top and bottom housing of the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) provide a more neutral sound that is neither too sharp nor too muted. Whichever switch housing material you choose, both options offer durable and reliable components that enhance the overall typing experience, making them popular choices among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the HMX Lotus linear switch and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch show clear differences in weight. The Lotus has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, providing a smoother typing experience. In comparison, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) has a heavier actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, offering a more substantial typing feel. For those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions, the Lotus would be the better option. However, for users who enjoy a more significant push feel, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) would be the preferred choice for a more robust typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The HMX Lotus linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it slightly shorter than the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Lotus switch falls on the shorter end of the traditional travel distance spectrum, while the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switch is closer to the average 4.0 mm distance. Gamers looking for faster response times may lean towards the Lotus switch with its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial keypress experience may opt for the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switch with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for keypress feel and responsiveness.
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 Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) has an MSRP of $12.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) for $7.59.
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
When it comes to sound, the Lotus linear switch offers a bright and resonant sound profile, creating a super bouncy feeling with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch provides a sharp, short, snappy, and punchy sound with a strong downstroke tactile bump and an even sharper upstroke bump, producing a hypertactile sensation. Both switches offer unique sound experiences, with the Lotus being brighter and the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) being sharper and more impactfully.
In terms of feel, the Lotus linear switch is known for its medium weight of 50g bottom out and a bouncy feeling, making typing a delight. Meanwhile, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch features a medium-heavy feel with an abrupt and accentuated bottom-out, coupled with a sharp and strong tactile bump on both the downstroke and upstroke, providing a premium typing experience that is both challenging and satisfying. The Moyu Black (Dark Jade) offers a sharper and more distinct tactile feedback compared to the smoother and bouncier feel of the Lotus.
Taking into consideration the sound and feel characteristics of the HMX Lotus linear switch and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch, it is clear that they offer significantly different typing experiences. While the Lotus excels in providing a bouncy and resonant typing feel with a bright sound, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) offers a sharp and impactful typing experience with a strong tactile feedback and punchy sound. Depending on your preference for a smoother and bouncier feel or a sharper and crisper tactile feedback, you can choose between the Lotus and the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) to enhance your overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when deciding between the HMX Lotus linear switch and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch, consider your preference for typing experience. If you enjoy a light and bouncy keystroke with a bright sound, the Lotus may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier and more tactile typing experience with sharp and crisp feedback, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switches would be a better fit. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize smoothness and a lighter feel or a more pronounced tactile bump and a medium-heavy actuation force. Happy typing!