TTC Flaming Purple vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the TTC Flaming Purple and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the TTC Flaming Purple and the Durock Sea Glass mechanical keyboard switches, it's clear that both offer unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience. The Flaming Purple stands out for its resonant character, bassier sound signature, and feathery feel with a low bottom-out force of 47g, making it a swift and effortless option for both enthusiasts and daily typists. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switches from Durock boast a captivating pastel color selection, a dry and airy typing experience, and a weightless feel despite a 62g bottom-out force. While the Flaming Purple is described as 'bassy' and 'resonant', the Sea Glass is labeled as 'frictionless' and 'mild'. 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
42g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
47g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POK
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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
23mm single-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the TTC Flaming Purple and the Durock Sea Glass, one key difference is in the top housing material. The Flaming Purple utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound profile due to its relatively stiff nature. This contrasts with the Sea Glass's unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE top housing, which offers a pleasant sound profile that is brighter but not particularly sharp. While the Flaming Purple's polycarbonate top housing is ideal for RGB lighting due to its translucency, the Sea Glass's blend provides a different auditory experience with a softer touch.
Another point of differentiation lies in the bottom housing material of both switches. The Flaming Purple features a nylon bottom housing, known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile as a result of its softer nature that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Sea Glass also utilizes the unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its bottom housing, contributing to a pleasant sound profile that is brighter in tone. This showcases how the choice of housing material can significantly impact the overall sound and feel of a switch, from the bottom-out sound to the overall typing experience.
Despite their differences, both the Flaming Purple and Sea Glass switches highlight the importance of housing materials in determining sound profiles and tactile experiences. Whether it be the stiffer polycarbonate top housing of the Flaming Purple or the unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE in the Sea Glass, each switch offers a distinct auditory sensation for users. While the Flaming Purple may provide a sharper and crisper sound with its polycarbonate top housing, the Sea Glass offers a more rounded and pleasant sound with its blend. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and typing feel.
Weight
The TTC Flaming Purple linear switch is lighter than the Durock Sea Glass linear switch in terms of both actuation force and bottom out force. The Flaming Purple has an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 47 grams, while the Sea Glass has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams. The Flaming Purple provides a lighter typing experience, making it suitable for longer typing sessions or gaming marathons. In contrast, the Sea Glass offers a more substantial typing feel with a stronger push required for each keystroke. Both switches provide different typing experiences, catering to users who prefer either a lighter or heavier key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The TTC Flaming Purple linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, which is shorter than the 3.8 mm travel distance of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch. The Flaming Purple switch would provide a quicker key press due to its shorter travel distance, making it a favorite among gamers looking for faster response times. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch offers a slightly longer travel distance, which may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial key press feel. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming more popular in the market today. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for key press depth and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Flaming Purple has an MSRP of $8.30 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Flaming Purple for $4.30.
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 TTC Flaming Purple switch offers a bassier and low-pitched sound profile that adds a poppy undertone to each keystroke, providing an engaging auditory experience. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass switch series emits a uniquely hollow sound signature due to its proprietary material blend, offering a distinct dryness and airiness during typing. While the Flaming Purple leans towards a richer sound with a touch of resonance, the Sea Glass switches provide a lighter and more hollow sound experience that sets them apart from other linear switches.
When it comes to feel, the TTC Flaming Purple switch is described as feathery, easy-to-press, and silky, offering a light and effortless typing experience that minimizes finger fatigue. In contrast, the Durock Sea Glass switches provide a frictionless and mild typing experience, with a weightlessness that defies expectations despite the 62g bottom-out force. Both switches aim to offer a smooth typing experience, but the Flaming Purple focuses on a light and silky feel, while the Sea Glass emphasizes a frictionless and mild typing sensation.
Overall, while both the TTC Flaming Purple and Durock Sea Glass linear switches offer smooth typing experiences, they each have their own unique sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences. The Flaming Purple provides a bassier and feathery typing experience, appealing to those who enjoy a richer sound profile and light actuation force. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switches offer a hollow and frictionless typing feel, perfect for those who prefer a weightless and airy typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and feel in a mechanical keyboard switch.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch or the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your individual preferences and typing style. If you are looking for a switch with a light bottom-out force and a poppy, resonant sound profile, the Flaming Purple may be the ideal choice for you. Its feathery feel and audible flair make it a great option for enthusiasts and daily typists alike. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a slightly higher bottom-out force and a unique, frictionless feel, the Sea Glass switch might be more suited to your taste. Its pastel colors and hollow sound signature coupled with a smooth, weightless typing experience make it a standout option for those looking for something different. Ultimately, both switches offer distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it's important to consider what factors are most important to you when making your decision.
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