Durock Dolphin vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Durock Dolphin and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
In the world of mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Dolphin and Durock Sea Glass stand out as unique options with distinct characteristics. The Dolphin is a linear switch known for its silence, making it ideal for quiet environments like offices. With a medium-heavy actuation force of 62g, this switch provides a satisfying press and precision touch, appealing to those who prefer a bit more resistance in their typing experience. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch series offers a visually captivating selection of five pastel colors and a typing experience that exudes dryness, wispiness, and airiness. Despite their 62g bottom-out force, these switches manage to feel weightless, defying expectations with their frictionless nature. Both switches bring something different to the table, but ultimately, the choice between them will come down to personal preference and specific needs. 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
62g
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 Dolphin and Durock Sea Glass, one key difference lies in the top housing material. The Dolphin features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffness. This is in contrast to the Sea Glass, which utilizes a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for its top housing, resulting in a more pleasant and brighter sound profile. While both materials offer unique characteristics, the polycarbonate of the Dolphin provides a clearer and more resonant sound, while the blend in the Sea Glass offers a softer and more rounded sound.
Another point of comparison between the two switches is their bottom housing material. The Dolphin's nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is known for absorbing more sound and creating a duller tone. Conversely, the Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend bottom housing adds to the switch's pleasant and brighter sound profile. Both materials bring their own unique qualities to the switches, with nylon providing a deeper sound and the blend offering a brighter tone, showcasing the diversity in sound profiles that can be achieved with different housing materials.
When considering how the top and bottom housings interact with each other in these switches, it becomes clear that each material brings its own impact to the overall sound and feel of the switch. The qualities of the bottom housing material will influence the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing material will have more of an impact on the sound when releasing a key. Despite the differences in housing materials between the Dolphin and Sea Glass, the unique characteristics of both materials ensure that users can still achieve a high-quality and customized typing experience with either switch.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Dolphin linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, the Dolphin has an actuation force of None grams, while the Sea Glass has an actuation force of 45 grams. The Dolphin has a bottom out force of 62 grams, the same as the Sea Glass. This means that while the actuation force differs significantly between the two switches, the bottom out force remains the same. The Dolphin switch provides a lighter typing experience in terms of actuation force, making it ideal for those who prefer a softer touch during long typing sessions. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch offers a slightly heavier actuation force, providing a more tactile and substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation force, with both options offering the same bottom out force for a consistent typing experience in that regard.
Travel distance
Both the Durock Dolphin linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch have the same travel distance of 3.8 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance. Therefore, you can expect similar typing experiences and tactile feedback from both switches. The similarity in their travel distances ensures that whether you choose the Dolphin or the Sea Glass, you will get consistent results in terms of keypress feel and travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Dolphin has an MSRP of $6.87 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dolphin 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
When it comes to sound, the Durock Dolphin linear switches are known for their muted and low-pitched sound profile, providing a softer and quieter typing experience compared to more traditional switches. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switches offer a uniquely hollow sound signature, contributing to a distinct typing experience. While both switches offer a different sound profile, the choice between them ultimately comes down to personal preference and the other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used, which can significantly influence the overall sound.
Turning to the feel of the switches, the Durock Dolphin linear switches are described as polished, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. In contrast, the Durock Sea Glass linear switches are characterized as frictionless, providing an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience with a weightlessness that defies expectations. Additionally, the Sea Glass switches are noted for their mild, feathery, and easy-to-press qualities, making them comfortable for extended typing sessions. Overall, both switches offer a different feel that caters to varying preferences, with the Dolphin appealing to those who prefer a bit more resistance and precision, while the Sea Glass suits those who value a smooth and effortless typing experience.
In conclusion, the Durock Dolphin and Sea Glass linear switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel, catering to different preferences and typing styles. While the Dolphin excels in providing a medium-heavy actuation force and a muted sound profile, the Sea Glass stands out for its proprietary material blend that offers a weightless and frictionless typing experience with a uniquely hollow sound signature. Whether you choose the Dolphin or Sea Glass switches, you can expect a high-quality typing experience with their respective subjective qualities. Ultimately, the best choice between the two will depend on your personal preference for sound and feel, as well as the specific requirements of your workspace or gaming setup.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Dolphin linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, consider the environment in which you will be using your keyboard. If you need a quieter option for an office setting or prefer a switch with a bit more resistance, the Durock Dolphin linear switch with its medium-heavy actuation force of 62g may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you are drawn to the captivating pastel colors and unique typing experience offered by the Sea Glass switch series, and prefer a lighter, more frictionless feel with a weightless quality during typing, then the Durock Sea Glass linear switch may be the perfect fit for you. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of sound, feel, and overall typing experience. So, choose the one that best suits your individual needs and preferences.
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