Durock White Lotus vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the Durock White Lotus and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Durock White Lotus, a tactile switch, and the Outemu Yellow Silver, a linear switch. The White Lotus switches are meticulously designed with the discerning typist in mind, offering a delicate tactility that strikes the perfect balance. These switches are ideal for work and extended typing sessions, providing a tranquil typing experience without overwhelming the user. Additionally, the White Lotus switches feature a removable light column, allowing for vibrant and luminous RGB lighting effects that add a captivating glow to your keyboard setup. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switch by Outemu is known for its light actuation force and neutral sound profile, making it a favorable choice for gamers and typists who prioritize speediness and responsiveness. While these are some general factors to consider, let's delve deeper into the specific characteristics of each switch so that you can make an informed decision based on your individual preferences and requirements.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
56g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Durock White Lotus and the Outemu Yellow Silver differ in terms of their housing materials. The White Lotus features a modified PC and UPE Blend housing for its top housing, while the Yellow Silver utilizes a polycarbonate top housing. The use of a modified PC and UPE Blend in the White Lotus creates a unique and premium feel, while polycarbonate in the Yellow Silver creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. If you prefer switches with a clear housing for RGB lighting purposes, the Yellow Silver's polycarbonate top housing would be a more suitable choice. However, if you are looking for a switch with a distinct and premium feel, the White Lotus with its modified PC and UPE Blend top housing would be the better option.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the White Lotus and the Yellow Silver utilize nylon. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housings elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon being a relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This creates a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, both switches offer a similar typing experience in terms of sound when it comes to their bottom housing.
Considering the impact of the different housing materials, the qualities brought by the top and bottom housings are split between the two switches. When pressing down on either switch, the qualities of the bottom housing will be felt, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. On the other hand, the top housing will have a greater impact on the sound when you release a key. So, while the White Lotus and the Yellow Silver may differ in their housing materials, they both offer a unique and satisfying tactile experience, with differences mostly being noticed in the sound profile.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock White Lotus tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, there are several similarities and differences to consider. Both switches have relatively similar actuation and bottom out forces, making them ideal for individuals who prefer a medium-light typing experience. The Durock White Lotus has an actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 56 grams, while the Outemu Yellow Silver has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams. These forces are quite close to each other, resulting in comparable typing experiences.
Considering weight, some users may prefer a lighter switch for extended typing or gaming sessions. A lighter switch allows for effortless typing, reducing fatigue and strain on the fingers. In this regard, both the Durock White Lotus and Outemu Yellow Silver switches offer a relatively light actuation and bottom out force, which can contribute to a comfortable typing experience.
On the other hand, individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience may opt for switches with heavier forces. These switches provide a stronger push feel, enhancing the tactile feedback and giving typists a greater sense of keystroke engagement. Although the actuation and bottom out forces of the Durock White Lotus and Outemu Yellow Silver switches are not specifically heavy, they still offer a slightly more substantial typing experience compared to switches with lighter forces.
In conclusion, the Durock White Lotus tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch share similar actuation and bottom out forces, both falling into the medium-light range. This similarity ensures that users will achieve comparable results in terms of typing experience. However, those seeking a lighter typing experience for longer periods may prefer these switches, while individuals desiring a stronger push feel may still find satisfaction with the slightly heavier forces offered by both switches.
Travel distance
Both the Durock White Lotus tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience the same sensation of travel distance. Therefore, you can expect similar results in terms of the physical sensation and feedback provided by both switches.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Outemu Yellow Silver comes in at $3.40 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
When it comes to sound, the White Lotus switch is known for its low-pitched profile, which offers a bass-heavy and mellow tone. This makes it a great option for those who prefer a more soothing and relaxed auditory experience while typing. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switch has a neutral sound profile, which means it falls somewhere in the middle in terms of sound characteristics. It doesn't have any specific descriptors that indicate a particular sound profile, but it is likely to provide a moderate and non-distracting typing noise. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used. Overall, both switches offer a pleasant sound experience, with the White Lotus having a low-pitched profile and the Yellow Silver providing a neutral sound.
In terms of feel, the White Lotus switch offers an easy-to-press experience, requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. The switch also provides a mild and subtle typing feel, offering a gentle resistance without being too featherlight. Additionally, the White Lotus switch is designed to enhance the overall typing experience by providing a responsive and low-impact feel. On the other hand, there is no specific information available about the feel of the Yellow Silver switch in the given context. However, considering it is a linear switch and has a light actuation force, it can be expected to provide a smooth and effortless typing experience.
In conclusion, both the White Lotus tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch have their own unique qualities. The White Lotus offers a low-pitched sound profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone, while the Yellow Silver has a neutral sound profile, likely offering a moderate and non-distracting typing noise. In terms of feel, the White Lotus is described as easy-to-press, mild, and subtle, offering a low-impact and responsive typing experience. The specific feel of the Yellow Silver switch is unknown, but as a linear switch with a light actuation force, it is expected to provide a smooth and effortless typing feel. It is worth mentioning that individual preferences may vary, and the choice between these switches ultimately depends on the user's personal preferences and requirements.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are a discerning typist looking for a light tactile option that strikes the perfect balance, the Durock White Lotus switches are the ideal choice. With a bottom out force of 56 grams, these switches offer a delicate tactility that is well-suited for work and extended typing sessions. Additionally, the removable light column allows for vibrant and luminous RGB lighting effects, adding a captivating glow to your keyboard setup. The White Lotus switches provide a tranquil typing experience with their easy-to-press feel and mild resistance, reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. The sound profile of these switches is low-pitched, offering a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. On the other hand, if you prioritize speediness and responsiveness, the Outemu Yellow Silver switches are a great option. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, these linear switches provide a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, favorable for gamers and typists. Ultimately, the choice between the White Lotus and Yellow Silver switches depends on your specific preferences and needs in terms of tactility, lighting effects, and typing style.
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