Gazzew Bobagum vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Gazzew Bobagum and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing two exceptional mechanical keyboard switches, the Gazzew Bobagum and the Durock Sea Glass. The Bobagum switch is renowned for its unparalleled smoothness that redefines the typing experience. With a texture that falls between the polished glide of ice-skating and the subtle feel of unlubed switches, these bubblegum-colored switches offer a truly unique tactile sensation. Additionally, they provide a nearly silent sound profile, perfect for those seeking a quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch series from Durock captivates users with its stunning pastel colors and stands out as a favorite. These switches emanate a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness, thanks to a proprietary material blend. Despite their 62g bottom-out force, they possess a weightlessness that defies expectations, making each keystroke effortlessly smooth. They also produce a uniquely hollow sound when typing. While the Bobagum is categorized as 'Muted' and 'Subtle,' the Sea Glass is described as 'Frictionless,' 'Mild,' 'Feathery,' and 'Easy-to-press.' However, let's dive deeper beyond these generalities so you can make the best decision for your individual preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel 14.5mm Korean spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gazzew Bobagum and the Durock Sea Glass switches offer distinct characteristics that contribute to their respective sound profiles. The Bobagum's proprietary Gazzew blend top housing, also known as "boba plastic," is described as soft, resulting in a rich and deep sound. Similarly, the Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing provides a pleasing sound profile that leans towards brightness. Both switches share a common attribute in delivering a pleasant sound, albeit with different tonal qualities.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Gazzew Bobagum utilizes the same proprietary plastic blend found in its top housing. This consistency ensures a cohesive sound experience throughout the keystroke, as the softness of the material contributes to the rich and deep sound profile, both on the downstroke and release. In contrast, the Durock Sea Glass incorporates a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for its bottom housing. While the exact sound qualities are not explicitly mentioned, it can be inferred that this blend provides a unique sonic character, making it distinct from the Bobagum.
It's important to note that in switches where the top and bottom housings differ, each housing material's qualities are divided. When pressing down on the switch, the bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing the key. Therefore, while the Gazzew Bobagum and Durock Sea Glass may have differing housing materials, their impact on the overall sound profile is complementary, resulting in satisfying typing experiences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, it is evident that they have similar bottom out forces of 62 grams, which can be considered medium. However, there is a slight difference in their actuation forces. The Bobagum requires a force of 46 grams to trigger a keystroke, while the Sea Glass requires a slightly lighter force of 45 grams.
Considering weight, some users may prefer a lighter switch as it allows for longer typing sessions without fatigue. This makes it suitable for keyboards used at work or during extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, those who desire a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience may prefer switches with heavier forces.
In terms of weight, the Bobagum switch is slightly heavier due to its higher actuation force of 46 grams, whereas the Sea Glass switch is slightly lighter with its actuation force of 45 grams. However, both switches offer the same bottom out force of 62 grams, providing similar results in terms of the overall typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, there is a slight difference between the two. The Bobagum has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Sea Glass has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which is becoming increasingly popular in recent times. Gamers, in particular, prefer switches with shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. If you value quick and responsive keystrokes, the Bobagum would be the suitable choice for you. However, for those who prefer a more substantial keypress, the Sea Glass with its slightly longer travel distance might be more appealing. It is worth noting that both switches deviate from the traditional 4.0 mm travel distance but offer their own unique experiences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Gazzew Bobagum comes in at $6.50 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
The Gazzew Bobagum linear switch is best known for its smoothness and unique tactility. When typing on these switches, users can expect a nearly silent sound profile, creating a softer and quieter typing experience compared to regular switches. The Bobagum switches offer a subtle feel, with a gentle resistance that maintains a light typing feel. The sound signature is also not resonant, making it suitable for shared spaces.
On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch offers a captivating selection of pastel colors and a distinct typing experience. These switches emanate a dryness, wispiness, and airiness due to their proprietary material blend. Despite their 62g bottom-out force, they possess a weightlessness that defies expectations, ensuring a frictionless typing experience. Typing on the Sea Glass switches reveals a uniquely hollow sound signature.
When comparing the subjective qualities of the two switches, the Bobagum has a more muted sound profile, while the Sea Glass offers a uniquely hollow sound signature. In terms of feel, the Bobagum provides a subtle typing experience with gentle resistance, while the Sea Glass offers a frictionless and effortless typing experience.
Based on the available information, the Bobagum switches excel in smoothness and tactility, while providing a nearly silent sound profile and a subtle typing feel. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switches stand out with their captivating colors, dry and weightless typing experience, and uniquely hollow sound signature. Both switches offer their own unique qualities that cater to different preferences, but for those seeking a smooth and quiet typing experience, the Bobagum switches would be an excellent choice. Meanwhile, those looking for a frictionless and airy typing experience with a distinct sound signature may find the Sea Glass switches more enticing.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a smooth and almost muted typing experience, the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch would be an excellent choice. These switches redefine smoothness with a unique 'matte' feel and offer unparalleled tactility. With their bubblegum-colored appearance, they also provide a nearly silent typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a distinct dryness and airiness, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is the way to go. Despite their 62g bottom-out force, these switches possess a weightlessness and are known for their frictionless nature. Typing on them reveals a uniquely hollow sound signature. In terms of feel, the Bobagum switch offers a subtle and gentle resistance, making it suitable for shared spaces, while the Sea Glass switch features a frictionless and mild feel that is approachable to most typists. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on whether you prioritize smoothness and tactility (Bobagum) or a distinct dryness and weightlessness (Sea Glass) in your typing experience.
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