Dareu Firefly vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Dareu Firefly and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that often stand out are the Dareu Firefly, a tactile switch, and the Durock Sea Glass, a linear switch. The Firefly switch from Dareu offers a unique take on clicky switches, providing a quiet typing experience with a light actuation and just a hint of clickiness, making it easy to press and chirpy in nature. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch series from Durock showcases a captivating selection of pastel colors and a typing experience characterized by dryness, wispiness, and airiness, while still maintaining smoothness. Despite its 62g bottom-out force, the Sea Glass switches feel weightless and frictionless, offering a mild and feathery typing experience. Both switches have their own distinct characteristics and appeal, making them suitable for different preferences and typing styles. 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
40g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
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
Partial box
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
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
Both the Dareu Firefly and the Durock Sea Glass feature unique housing materials that contribute to their overall sound profiles and typing experiences. The Firefly utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This stiffness in the polycarbonate material results in a more clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for switches that use RGB lighting. In contrast, the Sea Glass incorporates a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing, which offers a pleasant sound profile that is not particularly sharp but leans towards the brighter side. This unique blend provides a different typing experience compared to the Firefly's polycarbonate top housing.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Dareu Firefly features a nylon bottom housing that is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound that is unique to switches with nylon housings. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass also utilizes the Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for its bottom housing, maintaining consistency in the overall sound profile of the switch. This blend offers a pleasant sound profile that is not particularly sharp but slightly brighter, contributing to the overall typing experience of the Sea Glass switch.
While the Dareu Firefly and Durock Sea Glass may have different housing materials for their top and bottom components, the qualities of each material are split between the top and bottom of the switch, affecting the typing experience in different ways. The bottom housing material has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch, while the top housing material influences the sound when releasing a key. Both switches offer unique sound profiles and typing experiences based on their housing materials, providing users with options to choose the one that best suits their preferences.
Weight
In comparing the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, it is evident that the Firefly requires a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Sea Glass's 45 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Firefly's force is unknown while the Sea Glass has a higher bottom out force of 62 grams. This means that the Sea Glass provides a more substantial typing experience due to the heavier force required to fully press the keys. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Firefly, while users who enjoy a more tactile feel may opt for the Sea Glass. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches would depend on personal preference and whether a lighter or heavier force is desired for typing or gaming needs.
Travel distance
The Dareu Firefly tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Durock Sea Glass linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Firefly being on the longer end and the Sea Glass on the shorter end. Gamers may prefer the Sea Glass for its slightly faster response time due to the shorter travel distance, while those looking for a more substantial key press may opt for the Firefly with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Firefly has an MSRP of $6.59 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Firefly for $3.76.
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
The Dareu Firefly tactile switch is renowned for its quiet and light actuation with a hint of clickiness, offering a unique typing experience that is both gentle and responsive. The sound produced by the Firefly switch is described as chirpy, adding a subtle acoustic signature to each keystroke. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch stands out for its smooth and frictionless feel, providing a typing experience that is effortlessly fluid and mild. The Sea Glass switch series also offers a weightlessness that defies expectations, contributing to a comfortable typing experience that minimizes finger fatigue. When it comes to sound, the Sea Glass switches have a uniquely hollow sound signature that adds to the overall typing experience.
In conclusion, the Dareu Firefly and Durock Sea Glass switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Firefly switch provides a quieter and easy-to-press typing experience with a hint of clickiness, the Sea Glass switch series offers a smooth, frictionless feel with a mild and approachable typing experience. Both switches aim to enhance the overall typing experience by providing unique tactile and auditory feedback to users. Ultimately, the choice between the Firefly and Sea Glass switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a keyboard switch that provides a unique and light actuation with just a hint of clickiness, the Dareu Firefly tactile switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and frictionless typing experience with a weightless feel despite a 62g bottom-out force, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch would be more suitable for your needs. Consider your typing preferences and whether you prioritize a quieter, easy-to-press switch or a smooth, frictionless one when making your decision between these two switches. Ultimately, both the Firefly and Sea Glass switches offer distinct typing experiences that cater to different preferences, so choose based on what aligns best with your typing style.
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