Durock Daybreak vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Durock Daybreak and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Daybreak and Durock Sea Glass mechanical keyboard switches, it becomes apparent that both offer unique advantages that cater to different preferences. The Daybreak, with its 67g actuation force, provides a satisfyingly solid typing experience that suits those who prefer a heavier touch. Its quiet operation makes it ideal for environments where noise reduction is necessary. On the other hand, the Sea Glass stands out with its pastel color options and proprietary material blend, offering a dry, wispy typing experience with a weightless feel despite its 62g bottom-out force. While the Daybreak is categorized as 'Polished', 'Muted', 'Low-pitched', the Sea Glass is described as 'Frictionless', 'Mild', 'Feathery', and 'Easy-to-press'. 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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Daybreak and the Durock Sea Glass, we see a stark difference in the top housing materials. The Daybreak features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its clear, sharp, and resonant sound profile. This is in contrast to the Sea Glass, which utilizes a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for its top housing, resulting in a sound profile that is described as pleasant and bright. While the Daybreak's polycarbonate top housing offers a crisper sound, the Sea Glass's unique blend provides a softer and brighter tone, catering to different sound preferences.
On the other hand, both switches share a nylon bottom housing material. This classic housing material is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housings typically results in a duller and rounder sound compared to switches with harder plastic bottom housing materials. Therefore, despite their differences in top housing materials, the Daybreak and Sea Glass switches share a similar typing experience in terms of the bottom housing's impact on the sound and feel of the switch.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in the Daybreak and Sea Glass switches plays a significant role in shaping the sound profiles of each switch. The polycarbonate top housing of the Daybreak provides a sharp and clear sound, while the unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE in the Sea Glass offers a pleasant and bright tone. Both switches benefit from a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. Whether a switch user prefers a sharper, crisper sound or a softer, brighter tone, the housing materials of these switches cater to a variety of sound preferences.
Weight
The Durock Daybreak linear switch has a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it slightly heavier than the Durock Sea Glass switch, which has a bottom out force of 62 grams. However, the actuation force of the Daybreak switch is None, whereas the Sea Glass switch has an actuation force of 45 grams. The Daybreak switch provides a medium-heavy typing experience when bottoming out, while the Sea Glass switch offers a medium feel. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may gravitate towards the Sea Glass switch due to its lower actuation force, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. Alternatively, those seeking a more substantial typing experience may prefer the Daybreak switch with its heavier bottom out force. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, ensuring that users can find the right fit for their typing needs.
Travel distance
The Durock Daybreak linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch both have a travel distance of 3.8 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either switch, you will experience the same distance traveled from top to bottom. Both switches provide a consistent tactile feedback and actuation point, resulting in a similar typing experience. Their travel distances are equal, making them suitable options for those who prefer a standard key press feel. Overall, the Durock Daybreak and the Durock Sea Glass linear switches offer a smooth keystroke with a familiar travel distance for a satisfying typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Daybreak has an MSRP of $6.87 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Daybreak for $5.41.
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 Durock Daybreak linear switches are best described as producing a muted and low-pitched sound, creating a softer and quieter typing experience with a bass-heavy tone. In contrast, the Durock Sea Glass linear switches offer a uniquely hollow sound signature due to their proprietary material blend. The Sea Glass switches provide a dry, wispy, and airy typing experience that stands out from the traditional clicky or clacky switches. Both switches offer distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences, with the Daybreak emphasizing a quieter operation and the Sea Glass delivering a more unique auditory experience.
Moving on to feel, the Durock Daybreak linear switches are known for their polished finish, resulting in a smooth and refined typing experience. This polished quality reduces friction and ensures a sleek key travel motion, enhancing the overall typing feel. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switches offer a frictionless and feathery typing experience that is exceptionally light to press. These switches require minimal force to activate, reducing finger fatigue and providing a comfortable typing sensation. The Sea Glass switches also boast a mild and easy-to-press nature, offering a gentle typing experience that is approachable and pleasant for extended use.
In conclusion, the Durock Daybreak linear switches and Durock Sea Glass linear switches each bring unique qualities to the table in terms of sound and feel. The Daybreak switches provide a heavier touch with a muted, low-pitched sound, while the Sea Glass switches offer a weightless feel with a hollow sound signature. Both switches excel in different aspects, catering to varying preferences and typing styles. Whether you opt for the heavier, polished feel of the Daybreak switches or the light, frictionless sensation of the Sea Glass switches, you can expect a high-quality typing experience with either choice. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on your personal preference for sound profile, typing feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Daybreak linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, consider your preferences in typing experience. If you enjoy a heavier touch and a quieter operation, the Daybreak with its 67g bottom-out force might be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter and weightless feel with a unique sound signature, the Sea Glass with its 62g bottom-out force and frictionless nature could be more suited to your liking. Ultimately, your decision should be based on the specific typing feel and sound you are seeking in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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