Aflion Carrot vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Aflion Carrot 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 Carrot and the Durock Sea Glass. The Carrot is a tactile switch that offers a bouncy tactile experience thanks to its long, two-stage spring. It also provides a firm sound profile with a mid-pitched tone. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch series by Durock stands out with its captivating selection of pastel colors and a typing experience that emanates a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness. Despite its 62g bottom-out force, these switches feel weightless, making them surprisingly easy to press. Additionally, they produce a uniquely hollow sound signature. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
45g
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
No
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
20mm two-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Aflion Carrot and the Durock Sea Glass differ in terms of their composition and their resulting sound profiles. The Carrot's polycarbonate top housing provides a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the polycarbonate's stiffness, which allows for a clearer and more resonant sound. Additionally, the Carrot's polycarbonate top housing is translucent, making it ideal for use with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing offers a unique sound profile that is pleasant and slightly on the brighter side. While not particularly sharp, it still provides a distinct sound experience.
In terms of the bottom housing materials, the Carrot features a nylon bottom housing that creates a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing. Conversely, the Sea Glass boasts a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend bottom housing. Similar to its top housing, this blend offers a pleasant sound profile that is not particularly sharp but leans towards a brighter tone. This unique blend brings its own set of characteristics to the switch, adding to the overall typing experience.
Although the top and bottom housing materials of the two switches differ, they both contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switch. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing become more prominent, impacting the bottom-out sound and feel. Meanwhile, the top housing has a greater influence on the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, while the specific materials may vary, both the Carrot and the Sea Glass aim to provide an enhanced typing experience through their choice of housing materials, albeit with slightly different sound profiles.
Weight
When comparing the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Carrot has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams, making it easier to trigger a keystroke with a gentle touch. In contrast, the Sea Glass requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams. However, both switches offer a similarly light bottom out force, with the Carrot at 45 grams and the Sea Glass at 62 grams, providing a pleasant typing experience without excessive force. While the Carrot is lighter in both actuation and bottom out forces, the Sea Glass offers a slightly more substantial typing feel due to its higher actuation force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preferences - whether one prefers a lighter touch or a stronger push for their typing or gaming needs.
Travel distance
The Aflion Carrot tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is considered a more traditional distance for a switch. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. This makes the Sea Glass switch slightly shallower than the Carrot switch. The difference may seem minimal, but it can have an impact on the typing or gaming experience. Gamers, in particular, often prefer shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. If you prioritize responsiveness, the Sea Glass switch would be a suitable choice. However, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt or lacking in depth. In that case, the Carrot switch with its longer travel distance would provide a more satisfying typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Carrot has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Carrot for $3.57.
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 Carrot switch is best described as clacky, marbly, and high-pitched. It produces a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, with a crisp, bright, and percussive quality. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass switch doesn't have any specific sound descriptors provided. However, it is worth noting that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors, such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. In terms of sound, the Carrot switch offers a more distinct and defined profile compared to the Sea Glass switch, which lacks specific descriptors in this aspect.
When it comes to feel, the Aflion Carrot switch offers a bouncy, snappy, stepped, feathery, and subtle typing experience. These switches provide a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation, with a lively feel that offers rebound when pressed. The longer two-stage spring contributes to their snappy responsiveness, making the typing experience feel more alive. In contrast, the Durock Sea Glass switch is described as frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press. They offer an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience, minimizing resistance or friction when pressing the keys. These switches have a gentle typing feel that is approachable to most users, providing a responsive and low-impact experience. Both switches offer a feathery feel, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions.
Taking into account all the available information, the Aflion Carrot switch stands out for its bouncy tactile experience and mid-pitched, firm sound profile. It offers a unique typing experience with its two-stage spring and lively feel. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass switch is known for its captivating pastel colors and frictionless, mild typing experience. It has a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness that doesn't compromise smoothness. While the sound descriptors are not provided for the Sea Glass switch, it is important to consider that factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used can also influence the sound. Overall, both switches provide unique qualities and a comfortable typing experience, with the Carrot offering a more pronounced tactile experience and the Sea Glass focusing on smoothness and a gentle feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a fun and bouncy tactile experience with a light bottom-out force, the Aflion Carrot switches may be the best choice for you. These switches are known for their unique two-stage spring that offers a lively and rebounding feel when typing. Additionally, the Carrot switches have a mid-pitched and firm sound profile, described as clacky, marbly, and high-pitched, which may appeal to those who prefer sharper and crispier sound profiles.
On the other hand, if you are drawn to pastel colors and a distinct typing experience, the Durock Sea Glass switches may be more suitable. These switches, available in five captivating pastel colors, are made from a proprietary material blend that gives them a dry, wisp, and airy typing sensation. Despite their 62g bottom-out force, the Sea Glass switches possess a weightless feel due to their frictionless nature. Typing on these switches also produces a uniquely hollow sound signature.
In terms of sound, the Carrot switches offer a variety of descriptors such as clacky, marbly, and high-pitched, while there is no specific sound description available for the Sea Glass switches.
In terms of feel, the Carrot switches provide a bouncy, snappy, stepped, feathery, and subtle typing experience. These switches are light to press, reducing finger fatigue and making them comfortable for extended typing sessions. Conversely, the Sea Glass switches are known for their frictionless and mild feel, offering a smooth and effortless typing experience. They are also considered feathery and easy-to-press, reducing strain on your fingers and enhancing comfort during long typing sessions.
Ultimately, the choice between the Aflion Carrot tactile switches and the Durock Sea Glass linear switches depends on your preference for tactile feedback, sound profile, and typing feel. Consider the factors mentioned above to determine which switch better aligns with your preferences and requirements.
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