Aflion Panda vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Aflion Panda and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options in the market are the Aflion Panda, a tactile switch, and the Durock Sea Glass, a linear switch. The Aflion Panda is well-known for its unparalleled, hyper-tactile sensation and deeply satisfying "thocky" sound profile. It offers a super responsive tactile force and a sonorous audio feedback, appealing to those who value hypertactility and a full-bodied typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass stands out with its captivating selection of pastel colors and a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness while typing. Despite their 62g bottom-out force, these switches feel weightless and offer a frictionless nature. Additionally, they produce a uniquely hollow sound signature. Both switches have their own unique characteristics and benefits. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
P3+
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Single-stage 15mm long spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Aflion Panda and the Durock Sea Glass differ significantly in their composition. The Panda utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound produced. Additionally, the translucent quality of polycarbonate makes it ideal for incorporating RGB lighting. Conversely, the Sea Glass features a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE in its top housing. This blend offers a pleasant sound profile that leans towards brightness rather than sharpness. While both materials contribute to the overall sound, the Panda's polycarbonate top housing emphasis on clarity differs from the Sea Glass's blend highlighting a more pleasing brightness.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Panda employs a nylon material. This classic choice provides a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. Nylon's softer nature allows it to absorb more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Sea Glass incorporates the same blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its bottom housing as its top housing. This blend creates a unique sound profile that is characterized as pleasant, leaning neither towards sharpness nor dullness. The differences lie in the use of nylon in the Panda, which enhances the depth of sound, while the Sea Glass benefits from the consistent blend, resulting in a more balanced sound experience.
When considering the impact of the top and bottom housings, their role in the overall sound and feel of the switch becomes apparent. The qualities brought by the bottom housing are primarily felt when pressing down on the switch and are more influential in the bottom-out sound and feel. In contrast, the top housing has more impact on the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, the different housing materials will influence these aspects differently. While the Panda's polycarbonate and nylon top and bottom housings create distinct characteristics when pressed and released, the Sea Glass's uniform blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE ensures a consistent sound profile throughout the typing experience.
Weight
When comparing and contrasting the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, one key difference is their actuation and bottom out forces. The Aflion Panda has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, both of which fall into the medium range. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass boasts a slightly lighter actuation force of 45 grams, but a slightly heavier bottom out force of 62 grams.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Durock Sea Glass may be the preferred choice due to its lower actuation force. This lighter force allows for longer periods of comfortable typing, making it suitable for work or extended gaming sessions. However, if a more substantial typing experience is desired, the Aflion Panda offers a slightly heavier bottom out force, providing a stronger push feel during keystrokes.
It is worth noting that while the actuation and bottom out forces differ slightly between the two switches, they both fall within the medium range. This means that regardless of the chosen switch, users can expect similar results in terms of the overall weight and force required for keystrokes. Ultimately, the decision between the Aflion Panda and the Durock Sea Glass will come down to personal preference and the specific typing experience one desires.
Travel distance
The Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch have different travel distances. The Panda has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Sea Glass has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. In terms of traditional travel distances, 4 mm is more common, while 3.8 mm is slightly shallower. This means that if you prefer a more traditional feel when typing or gaming, the Aflion Panda switch would be the better choice. However, if you prefer a slightly shallower travel distance, the Durock Sea Glass switch would be suitable. It's worth noting that shorter travel distances are becoming increasingly popular, especially among gamers who value faster response times. So, if you prioritize quick responsiveness, the Sea Glass switch would be a good option. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with more depth and a less abrupt feel, the Panda switch with its longer travel distance would be a better fit. Overall, the choice between the two switches ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific typing or gaming experience one desires.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Panda has an MSRP of $5.20 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Panda for $3.56.
The Durock Sea Glass has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Glass for $4.87.
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 Aflion Panda tactile switch is best known for its resonant sound profile. When typing on these switches, you can expect a higher-pitched sound that is clean and sharp, providing an immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the sound characteristics of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch are not mentioned in the provided information. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen. That being said, if you are looking for a similar resonant sound profile to the Panda, you may find comparable results by pairing the Sea Glass switch with the appropriate board and keycaps.
When it comes to feel, the Aflion Panda tactile switch is described as accented, which means it offers a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. It provides a medium tactile experience that is not scratchy, giving a satisfying feedback with a moderate to firm actuation force. This creates an invigorating and reactive typing sensation. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is described as frictionless, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. It minimizes any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys, providing a fluid travel feeling. The Sea Glass switch is also described as mild, offering a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. Its qualities stand in a safe middle-ground zone, making it approachable for most users. Additionally, the Sea Glass switch is noted to be feathery, meaning it is exceptionally light to press and requires little exertion from the fingers. This reduces finger fatigue and makes it comfortable for extended typing sessions.
In conclusion, the Aflion Panda tactile switch is renowned for its hyper-tactile sensation and thocky sound profile, making it ideal for those seeking a highly tactile and audibly satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch stands out with its captivating pastel colors and unique sound signature. It offers a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness, while maintaining a smooth and frictionless feel. Although the subjective qualities of the two switches differ, they both excel in providing a satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Aflion Panda and the Durock Sea Glass switch will depend on individual preferences regarding tactility, sound, and the overall aesthetic experience desired.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you value a hyper-tactile sensation and a profoundly "thocky" sound profile, the Aflion Panda tactile switch is the better choice for you. With its medium bottom out force of 60 grams, it provides a super responsive tactile force paired with a deep thocky echo, setting a new gold standard for those who prioritize hypertactility and sonorous audio feedback. On the other hand, if you prefer a unique pastel color selection and a distinct typing experience that emanates dryness, wispiness, and airiness, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is the way to go. Despite its medium bottom out force of 62 grams, it offers a weightlessness that defies expectations and a uniquely hollow sound signature. Ultimately, the decision between the Aflion Panda and the Durock Sea Glass depends on your preference for tactile feedback and sound profile.
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