Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Durock Sea Glass, two mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinct qualities and experiences. The G Pro 3.0 Brown, part of Gateron's budget-friendly G Pro series, provides an exceptional tactile sensation with a gentle bump that enhances your typing flow without being overwhelming. Its frosted light diffuser ensures that your RGB lighting shines brighter, elevating your visual experience. With a satisfying medium-high pitch, typing on these switches becomes a joyous auditory experience. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch series by Durock stands out with its captivating pastel colors and proprietary material blend. These linear switches offer a unique dryness, wispiness, and airiness while maintaining impeccable smoothness. Surprisingly, despite their 62g bottom-out force, these switches possess a weightlessness that defies expectations. They also produce a uniquely hollow sound signature. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so that you can better decide on the best switch for your preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63g
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
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
20.5mm lengthened stainless steel spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Durock Sea Glass switches have several similarities and differences. Starting with the top housing, the G Pro 3.0 Brown features a polycarbonate material, known for creating a sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound profile. In addition, its translucency is ideal for showcasing RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch utilizes a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE, offering a pleasant sound profile that is not overly sharp but leans towards a brighter tone.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the G Pro 3.0 Brown incorporates a classic nylon material, which generates a deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Similarly, the Sea Glass switch adopts a blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its bottom housing. This unique blend also contributes to a pleasant sound profile, although it is not particularly sharp and veers towards a brighter tone.
Although the top and bottom housings differ between the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Durock Sea Glass, the overall impact on the keypress experience is split between the two components. The bottom housing of each switch plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, while the materials may vary, both switches aim to provide a satisfying typing experience with their respective sound profiles.
Overall, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Durock Sea Glass switches implement different housing materials that contribute to distinct sound profiles. The G Pro 3.0 Brown's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound, while its nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound. In contrast, the Sea Glass switch's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend offers a unique pleasant sound, leaning towards a brighter tone in both the top and bottom housings. Despite their differences, both switches strive to enhance the user's typing experience through their specific sound characteristics.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, there are some similarities and differences to be noted. In terms of actuation force, the G Pro 3.0 Brown requires 55 grams, while the Sea Glass requires 45 grams. Although the Sea Glass is lighter in this aspect, both switches can still provide a medium actuation force. Moving on to the bottom out force, the G Pro 3.0 Brown has a force of 63 grams, whereas the Sea Glass has a force of 62 grams. These forces are quite similar, and both switches fall into the medium category in terms of bottoming out.
Considering the weight of the switches, it is worth mentioning that some individuals prefer lighter switches as it allows them to type for longer durations without fatigue. This lighter weight is particularly suitable for keyboards used in work settings or during extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, there are those who prefer a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience. For such individuals, switches with heavier forces are preferred.
Overall, while the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Durock Sea Glass switches do have some differences in actuation force, they provide similar results in terms of bottom out force. Therefore, individuals looking for a medium actuation force and bottoming out experience can consider either switch, with the G Pro 3.0 Brown being slightly heavier in both aspects.
Travel distance
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch have different travel distances. The G Pro 3.0 Brown has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is considered the most traditional distance. On the other hand, the Sea Glass has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. If you are a gamer looking for faster response times, the Sea Glass with its shorter travel distance may be the better option for you. However, if you prefer a deeper and more substantial feel when typing, the G Pro 3.0 Brown with its longer travel distance may be more suitable. While the Sea Glass offers a slightly shorter travel distance, both switches provide a comfortable typing experience and will yield similar results in terms of overall performance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown has an MSRP of $2.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the G Pro 3.0 Brown for $2.77.
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 Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown switch offers a medium-high pitch that delivers a satisfying auditory feedback. It adds an extra layer of joy to your typing sessions without being overpowering. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass switch series has a uniquely hollow sound signature. This can create a distinctive typing experience that some users may find appealing. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Therefore, the overall sound experience may vary.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown switch is described as easy-to-press and offers a gentle resistance during key presses. This means that it requires minimal force to activate, making typing effortless and comfortable. These switches have a mild tactile sensation with a subtle bump that enhances the typing experience without being too pronounced. Similarly, the Durock Sea Glass switches are also described as mild and offer a gentle typing experience. They have a frictionless nature, providing an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. Additionally, the Sea Glass switch series is feathery, meaning they require little exertion from your fingers. This reduces finger fatigue and makes them comfortable for extended typing sessions. Overall, both switches offer a low-impact and approachable typing feel with their mild characteristics.
Considering all the available information, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown switch and the Durock Sea Glass switch series have distinct subjective qualities. The G Pro 3.0 Brown provides a delightful and subtle tactile sensation with a medium-high pitch for a satisfying auditory feedback. It also enhances the visual experience with its frosted light diffuser. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switches emanate a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness while offering a unique hollow sound signature. Their typing experience is characterized by a frictionless and feathery feel. Both switches provide a gentle and mild typing experience, reducing finger fatigue and making them suitable for extended typing sessions. However, it's important to consider personal preferences and individual typing styles when selecting a mechanical keyboard switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a switch that offers a delightful, subtle tactile sensation without overpowering your typing flow, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown is an excellent choice for you. With a medium bottom-out force of 63 grams, it strikes a balance between responsiveness and ease of pressing. Additionally, the G Pro Brown features a frosted light diffuser that enhances the brightness of your RGB lighting, creating a visually immersive experience. Its medium-high pitch also provides satisfying auditory feedback during typing sessions.
On the other hand, if you seek a switch with a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness, along with a weightlessness that defies expectations, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is the one for you. Despite its 62g bottom-out force, these switches offer a frictionless typing experience, making them incredibly smooth and effortless to press. Moreover, the Sea Glass switches possess a uniquely hollow sound signature that adds to the overall typing experience.
In terms of sound, the G Pro 3.0 Brown offers a sound signature that can be described as subtle and balanced, while the Sea Glass switches provide a distinctly hollow sound experience.
As for feel, the G Pro 3.0 Brown is known for its easy-to-press nature, offering gentle resistance during key presses that require minimal force to activate. This makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended sessions. The G Pro Brown is also characterized as mild, providing a middle-ground typing experience suitable for most users. Additionally, it exhibits a stepped switch feel, which means you may feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel during keystrokes.
On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass switches are known for their frictionless nature, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. They provide a mild typing feel that stands in a safe, middle-ground zone and is approachable to most users. Additionally, Sea Glass switches can be described as feathery, as they are exceptionally light to press and require little exertion from your fingers. This reduces finger fatigue and makes them comfortable for extended typing sessions, whether for gaming, school, or work. Similar to the G Pro Brown, the Sea Glass switches can also be characterized as easy-to-press, requiring minimal force for activation.
Ultimately, the choice between Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switches and Durock Sea Glass linear switches depends on your personal preference for tactile sensation, sound signature, and typing feel. Consider factors such as the level of tactile feedback you desire, the smoothness and weightlessness you prefer, and whether you prioritize a distinct hollow sound signature. Consulting reviews and trying out samples can help you make a more informed decision. Remember, finding the perfect switch is a highly subjective experience, and both the G Pro 3.0 Brown and Sea Glass switches offer unique qualities that can enhance your typing journey.
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