Durock Black Lotus vs. Jerrzi Violet
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the Jerrzi Violet switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Black Lotus, a linear switch, and the Jerrzi Violet, a tactile switch, it's clear that both have their own unique strengths that cater to different preferences. The Black Lotus is renowned for its silky smooth feel and precision, with reduced housing and stem wobble for maximum typing pleasure. On the other hand, the Violet switches offer a smooth actuation and a pleasingly poppy tactility, providing a balanced and enjoyable typing experience. The Black Lotus's substantial 55g actuation weight gives it a satisfying heft, while the Violet switches have a neutral sound signature. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Black Lotus and the Jerrzi Violet switches differ in their composition and properties. The Black Lotus features a modified PC & UPE Blend top housing, which gives it a unique and premium feel, while the Violet utilizes a polycarbonate top housing for a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. In terms of aesthetics, the polycarbonate top housing of the Violet allows for RGB lighting to shine through, making it visually striking. However, both switches share a nylon bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer composition that absorbs more sound than harder plastics.
Despite the difference in their top housing material, both the Black Lotus and the Violet switches provide a high-quality typing experience with their nylon bottom housing. The nylon material helps to create a deeper and fuller sound profile, giving typists a satisfying and tactile feedback while typing. While the polycarbonate top housing of the Violet may offer a crisper sound profile compared to the modified PC & UPE Blend top housing of the Black Lotus, both switches excel in providing a premium typing experience with their shared nylon bottom housing.
The split in housing materials between the top and bottom of the switches affects the overall sound and feel of typing on the Durock Black Lotus and the Jerrzi Violet. The bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel, contributing to the overall typing experience with its deeper and fuller sound profile. On the other hand, the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key, adding to the overall tactile feedback of the switches. Despite the differences in their housing materials, both the Black Lotus and the Violet offer typists a high-quality typing experience with their unique blend of materials.
Weight
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch is heavier compared to the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch. The actuation force of the Black Lotus is 55 grams, while the Violet has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams. The bottom out force of the Black Lotus is 63.5 grams, which is also heavier than the Violet, where the exact bottom out force is unknown. The Black Lotus offers a medium-heavy typing experience, suitable for those who prefer a stronger push feel. In contrast, the Violet provides a lighter typing experience, making it ideal for extended typing sessions or long gaming periods. Both switches offer unique advantages based on individual preferences, with the Black Lotus catering to users who prefer a heavier typing experience, while the Violet is suitable for those who enjoy a lighter touch.
Travel distance
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, offering a good balance between responsiveness and depth. Gamers may prefer the Black Lotus for its slightly longer travel distance, which can provide a more satisfying key press feel. On the other hand, those looking for a faster response time may opt for the Violet switch with its shorter travel distance. Overall, both switches offer a similar typing experience, with the main difference being the slight variance in travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Black 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 Black Lotus for $4.57.
The Jerrzi Violet has an MSRP of $2.79 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Violet for $2.30.
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 Black Lotus and Violet switches offer different characteristics. The Black Lotus switch has a sound profile that is not specified, while the Violet switch is described as having a neutral sound signature. This means that the Violet switch produces a moderate sound that is suitable for most typing environments. However, the sound of a switch also heavily depends on external factors such as the keyboard housing and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Black Lotus is praised for its silky smooth typing experience, with minimal wobble and a 55g actuation weight that provides a satisfying tactile feedback. It is further described as buttery, providing a seamless and uniform typing sensation. On the other hand, the Violet switch is characterized as having a stepped feel, offering a mild tactile feedback with two distinct stages in the keystroke. This provides a different typing experience compared to the smoothness of the Black Lotus.
Considering all the available information, the Black Lotus linear switch and the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Black Lotus excels in providing a smooth and precise typing experience with a moderate actuation weight, while the Violet switch offers a gentle tactile feedback with a pleasing poppy tactility. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preference in terms of desired typing feel and sound profile. However, both switches are designed to enhance the overall typing experience for users seeking quality switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you value a smooth keystroke with medium-heavy actuation force and in-switch lighting, opt for the Black Lotus. On the other hand, if you prefer a gentle tactile switch with a smooth actuation and a pleasing poppy tactility, go with the Violet. Both switches offer a unique typing experience, so ultimately, your choice should align with your personal preferences and typing style.
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