HMX Lotus vs. Outemu Crystal Brown
An in-depth look at the HMX Lotus and the Outemu Crystal Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Lotus and the Outemu Crystal Brown offer unique experiences for users. The Lotus, a linear switch, stands out with its medium weight of 50g bottom out and bright, resonant sound, providing a super bouncy feeling with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Crystal Brown, a tactile switch, provides a different typing experience with its unique tactile feedback. Choosing between these switches can depend on personal preferences such as typing style, gaming needs, and noise tolerance. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the HMX Lotus and the Outemu Crystal Brown, one notable difference is the material used for the top housing. The Lotus features a nylon top housing, known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, which absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Crystal Brown utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The translucency of polycarbonate also makes it ideal for RGB lighting, adding a visual element to its functionality. While both materials are effective in enhancing sound profiles, they offer different tonal qualities to the typing experience.
In terms of the bottom housing material, both the Lotus and the Crystal Brown feature nylon bottom housings. This material choice also contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to nylon's softer nature that absorbs more sound. With both switches sharing the same bottom housing material, users can expect a consistent typing experience in terms of sound and feel. The nylon bottom housing in both switches plays a significant role in the overall sound profile, ensuring a duller and rounder sound during typing sessions.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in mechanical switches like the HMX Lotus and the Outemu Crystal Brown can have a significant impact on the typing experience. While the Lotus's nylon top housing offers a deeper sound profile, the Crystal Brown's polycarbonate top housing provides a crisper and clearer sound. On the other hand, both switches share nylon bottom housings, ensuring a consistent and familiar typing experience in terms of sound and feel. Whether seeking a softer, fuller sound or a sharper, higher-pitched sound, users can choose a switch that aligns with their preferences based on the unique qualities offered by each housing material.
Weight
The HMX Lotus linear switch and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch have similar actuation forces of 45 grams, making them equally sensitive to the touch when engaging a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, there is a slight difference between the two. The Lotus has a bottom out force of 50 grams, which is on the lighter side, while the Crystal Brown has a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it slightly heavier. This means that typing on the Lotus may feel lighter and smoother, ideal for those who prefer a gentler touch, while the Crystal Brown provides a bit more resistance, offering a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches would depend on individual preference for typing feel and weight preference.
Travel distance
The HMX Lotus linear switch and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch both offer different travel distances that cater to different preferences. The Lotus has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Crystal Brown offers a longer travel distance of 4 mm. Gamers who prioritize speed and quick response times may find the Lotus more appealing due to its shorter travel distance, allowing for faster key presses. On the other hand, those who prefer a more pronounced key press and greater depth may find the Crystal Brown more satisfying with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences regarding key 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 Outemu Crystal Brown comes in at $3.10 per 10 switches.
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
The HMX Lotus linear switch is widely praised for its bright and resonant sound, creating a satisfying typing experience with a bouncy feeling that users find enjoyable. On the other hand, the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch's sound quality is unknown. When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Lotus is known for its medium weight of 50g bottom out, providing a smooth and consistent keystroke. In contrast, the feel of the Crystal Brown switch remains a mystery.
Overall, when considering the subjective qualities of the HMX Lotus linear switch and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch, users can expect a delightful and bouncy typing experience with the Lotus switch due to its medium weight and bright sound. However, as the sound quality and feel of the Crystal Brown switch are unknown, it's difficult to make a direct comparison. Nonetheless, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so users can expect a satisfying typing experience with either choice.
Conclusion
To sum up, when it comes to choosing between the HMX Lotus linear switch and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. If you prefer a light 50g bottom out force and a bright, resonant sound that provides a super bouncy feeling with each keystroke, then the Lotus switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier 55g bottom out force and a tactile feedback with a medium-light feel, then the Crystal Brown switch may be more suitable for you. Consider your typing preferences and needs when selecting the best switch for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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