Aflion Blue Sky vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blue Sky 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 to consider are the Aflion Blue Sky and the Durock Sea Glass. The Blue Sky switch offers a linear typing experience with a long pole stem, resulting in a crystal clear feel. It provides a sparkling sound profile and an exquisitely smooth push feel. Categorized as high-pitched, neutral, mild, and polished, the Blue Sky switch is a great choice for those who prefer a linear switch with a distinct typing experience. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch series by Durock stands out with its captivating selection of five pastel colors. These switches offer a unique typing experience with a proprietary material blend that brings about a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness. Despite their 62g bottom-out force, the Sea Glass switches feel weightless and provide smoothness that defies expectations. They are categorized as frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press, making them an appealing choice for those who value a smooth and lightweight switch. 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
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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15mm spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Aflion Blue Sky and the Durock Sea Glass differ in several aspects. Starting with the top housing, the Blue Sky utilizes polycarbonate, which offers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, its translucency makes it ideal for use with RGB lighting. In contrast, the Sea Glass employs a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE. It provides a pleasant sound profile that is not particularly sharp but leans towards the brighter side. While both materials offer distinct sound characteristics, the Blue Sky's polycarbonate emphasizes clarity, while the Sea Glass's blend focuses on a pleasant tone.
Moving to the bottom housing, the Blue Sky uses nylon, a classic switch housing material. Typing on switches with nylon housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is attributed to nylon being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a slightly duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Sea Glass features the same Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend in its bottom housing, contributing to the unique sound profile found in this switch. Although both materials offer a softer feel and absorb sound, the Sea Glass's blend may bring a slightly brighter tone compared to the Blue Sky's nylon bottom housing.
When comparing the overall impact of the housing materials, it becomes clear that the Aflion Blue Sky and the Durock Sea Glass provide different experiences for the user. The Blue Sky's polycarbonate top housing emphasizes a sharp and clear sound when releasing a key, while its nylon bottom housing adds depth and a duller sound when bottoming out a key. In contrast, the Sea Glass's blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE in both top and bottom housings ensures a unique sound profile that is pleasant and brighter in tone. Despite their differences, both switches offer distinct sound characteristics depending on whether the key is pressed or released. Ultimately, the choice between the two housing materials will depend on the user's preference for sound profile and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, there are some notable similarities and differences. Starting with the actuation force, the Blue Sky requires 50 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, while the Sea Glass requires a slightly lighter 45 grams. Both switches fall under the medium force category, providing a fairly balanced and comfortable typing experience.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Blue Sky requires 60 grams of force to fully press the key down, while the Sea Glass requires a slightly heavier 62 grams. Again, both switches fall under the medium force range, but with a slight variation.
Considering the weight aspect, those who prefer a lighter typing experience might find the Sea Glass switch more suitable with its lower actuation force. This can benefit individuals who spend long periods typing or engaging in extensive gaming sessions, allowing for increased endurance and reduced fatigue. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial typing experience might lean towards the Blue Sky switch. Its slightly heavier bottom out force can provide a stronger push feel, offering a satisfying feedback and more pronounced keystrokes.
Overall, while there are slight differences in actuation and bottom out force between the Aflion Blue Sky and Durock Sea Glass linear switches, they both fall within the medium force range. Therefore, individuals seeking similar results in terms of typing experience can rely on either switch, with the choice depending on personal preferences for lighter or heavier forces.
Travel distance
The Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch have different travel distances. The Blue Sky switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which falls within the traditional range of switch travel distances. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. While both switches offer a relatively similar experience in terms of travel distance, the slight difference can be noticeable to some users. Gamers, for instance, may prefer the Sea Glass switch with its shorter travel distance as it allows for faster response times. However, those who value a deeper and more substantial key press may find the Blue Sky switch with its longer travel distance more satisfying. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Blue Sky has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Blue Sky for $4.07.
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
When it comes to sound, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch is known for its high-pitched profile. This means that when you press the keys, you can expect a sharp and crisp sound. If you prefer a more rich and bassy sound, the Blue Sky switch may not be the best choice for you. On the other hand, the sound profile of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is unknown. 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 you choose.
Moving on to the feel, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch offers a mild typing experience. This means that it provides a more gentle feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The Blue Sky switch falls in a safe, middle-ground zone in terms of sound and feel. It is also described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience. With reduced friction and smooth key travel, this switch ensures a smooth and comfortable typing experience.
On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is described as frictionless, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. This means that there is minimal resistance or friction when pressing the keys, resulting in fluid key travel. Additionally, the Sea Glass switch is also categorized as mild, providing a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. It is considered feathery, meaning it is exceptionally light to press and requires little exertion from your fingers. This can reduce finger fatigue and make it comfortable for extended typing sessions.
In conclusion, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch have distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Blue Sky switch offers a high-pitched sound profile and a mild, polished feel. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch's sound profile is unknown, but it is known for its frictionless and gentle typing experience. Depending on your preferences, you can choose the switch that aligns with your desired sound and feel. However, it's worth noting that both switches aim to provide a smooth and enjoyable typing experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when considering the choice between Aflion Blue Sky linear switches and Durock Sea Glass linear switches, there are a few factors to consider. Both switches have a similar bottom out force, with the Blue Sky being 60 grams and the Sea Glass being 62 grams, which falls into the medium range.
If you are looking for a switch with a sparkling sound profile and exquisitely smooth push feel, the Blue Sky switch with its long pole stem would be an excellent choice. It offers a crystal clear linear typing experience and has a high-pitched sound, perfect for those who prefer a sharp and crisp sound when pressing keys. Additionally, the Blue Sky switch is described as mild, providing a gentle typing experience, and polished, ensuring reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, if you are drawn to a captivating selection of pastel colors and a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness in the typing experience, the Sea Glass switches by Durock would be a great fit. They possess an interesting hollow sound signature and despite their 62g bottom-out force, they feel weightless and frictionless to type on. The Sea Glass switches are described as frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press, offering a smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal finger fatigue.
Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal preferences. If you prioritize a crystal clear linear typing experience with a high-pitched sound and a polished, mild feel, the Blue Sky switches would be a great match. However, if you are intrigued by a distinct typing experience with pastel colors, a hollow sound signature, and a frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press feel, the Sea Glass switches are worth considering. Consider your typing preferences and aesthetic preferences to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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