Dareu Violet Gold Pro vs. Durock White Lotus
An in-depth look at the Dareu Violet Gold Pro and the Durock White Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro and the Durock White Lotus are two popular options to choose from. The Violet Gold Pro switches offer a medium tactility with a light touch and a neutral sound, providing a balanced typing experience for those who prefer a "Goldilocks" tactile feel. On the other hand, the White Lotus switches are designed for the discerning typist, offering a delicate tactility that is ideal for work and extended typing sessions. The White Lotus switches also feature a removable light column, allowing for vibrant RGB lighting effects to enhance your keyboard setup. Both switches have their unique strengths, 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
46g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
56g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Housing materials
The Dareu Violet Gold Pro and the Durock White Lotus both feature polycarbonate in their top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This material is known for being relatively stiff, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate is ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting. On the other hand, the White Lotus's modified PC & UPE Blend top housing offers a unique and premium feel, showcasing a different approach to material composition.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Violet Gold Pro and White Lotus feature nylon which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile during typing. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This classic switch housing material adds to the overall typing experience by enhancing the sound and feel of each key press. Despite both switches using the same material for the bottom housing, the combination with the different top housing materials offers a varied typing experience for users.
Overall, the choice of housing materials plays a significant role in determining the sound profile and typing feel of mechanical switches. While the Dareu Violet Gold Pro utilizes polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing, the Durock White Lotus blends modified PC & UPE for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing. This results in unique sound characteristics for each switch, with the top housing impacting the sound upon key release and the bottom housing affecting the bottom-out sound and feel. Ultimately, both switches offer a premium typing experience with their carefully selected housing materials.
Weight
The Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Durock White Lotus tactile switch which has an actuation force of 46 grams, making the White Lotus slightly heavier. However, the bottom out force of the Violet Gold Pro is unknown while the White Lotus has a bottom out force of 56 grams, which is considered medium-light. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Violet Gold Pro for longer typing sessions or gaming sessions, while those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel may opt for the White Lotus with its slightly heavier actuation force. Overall, the actuation force and bottom out force of these switches play a significant role in determining the typing experience for users.
Travel distance
The Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Durock White Lotus tactile switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. The Violet Gold Pro offers a slightly shorter travel distance, which may appeal to those looking for faster response times, such as gamers. On the other hand, the White Lotus provides a bit more depth during key presses, which may be preferred by those who like a more substantial feel to their switches. Both switches fall within the range of typical travel distances, so you can expect similar results in terms of key feel and performance with either option. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches may come down to personal preference and what feels best for your typing or gaming style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Violet Gold Pro has an MSRP of $7.73 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Violet Gold Pro for $4.76.
The Durock White Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the White Lotus for $4.57.
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 Dareu Violet Gold Pro offers a neutral sound profile suitable for various environments and user preferences. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus provides a low-pitched sound with a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, making it a calming option for those who prefer a quieter typing experience. Both switches cater to different sound preferences, with the Violet Gold Pro being more versatile and the White Lotus offering a soothing auditory experience.
Moving on to feel, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro is characterized by a stepped tactile feel, providing users with a two-stage typing experience that is less aggressive than hypersensitive switches. In contrast, the Durock White Lotus offers an easy-to-press sensation with gentle resistance during key presses, promoting a comfortable and effortless typing experience. The White Lotus's mild and subtle feel ensures a light touch that minimizes finger fatigue during long typing sessions, while the Violet Gold Pro's stepped design offers a unique tactile response for those seeking a more nuanced typing feel.
Overall, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro and Durock White Lotus switches both have their own distinct sound and feel qualities that cater to different typing preferences. While the Violet Gold Pro offers a balanced and neutral sound profile with a stepped tactile feel, the White Lotus provides a low-pitched sound and an easy-to-press sensation for a calming and comfortable typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience, ensuring that both options will deliver satisfactory results for newcomers to the mechanical keyboard world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, it is important to consider your preferences for bottom out force, tactility, sound, and feel. If you prefer a switch with no specified bottom out force and a medium tactility with a fairly light touch, and you value a neutral sound signature, then the Violet Gold Pro may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a bottom out force of 56 grams and a delicate tactility that strikes a perfect balance, along with low-pitched sound and a range of descriptors including easy-to-press, mild, and subtle feel, then the White Lotus may be the ideal option for your typing needs. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences and typing style.
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