Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the Durock Sea Glass are both linear switches that cater to different preferences and typing experiences. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow is known for its budget-friendly excellence, offering a polished and high-pitched clacky sound profile. Typing on these switches gives a fairly bouncy type feel. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch series by Durock presents a captivating selection of five pastel colors and emanates a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness. Despite their 62g bottom-out force, these switches have a weightlessness that defies expectations, making them easy to press. Typing on the Sea Glass switches also reveals a uniquely hollow sound signature. Both switches offer their own unique qualities and advantages. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your typing preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
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
15.4mm long spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the Durock Sea Glass differ significantly in terms of their housing materials. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow features a polycarbonate top housing, which offers a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its relatively stiffer plastic composition. This results in a higher-pitched sound that is particularly well-suited for use with RGB lighting. In contrast, the Sea Glass utilizes a unique blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its top housing. This blend produces a pleasant sound profile that is not particularly sharp but slightly brighter.
In terms of their bottom housing, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow incorporates a classic nylon material. This softer plastic absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. Conversely, the Sea Glass combines polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its bottom housing, providing a similarly unique sound profile that is more pleasant than sharp.
When it comes to the impact of the housing materials on the overall switch experience, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow distributes the qualities of its housing materials between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing predominantly influences the sound and feel when bottoming out a key, while the top housing has a greater influence on the sound when releasing a key. Similarly, the Sea Glass ensures that the qualities of its housing materials are evenly spread throughout the switch, contributing to a consistent typing experience.
In comparing these two switches, it is evident that they utilize different housing materials to achieve distinct sound profiles. While the G Pro 3.0 Yellow emphasizes a sharper, higher-pitched sound with its polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing, the Sea Glass offers a more pleasant, brighter tone with its unique blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE in both top and bottom housings. However, both switches prioritize providing a clear and resonant typing experience, albeit with slightly different characteristics.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, there are some notable similarities and differences. Firstly, in terms of weight, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow is slightly heavier than the Sea Glass. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, which falls into the medium-heavy category. On the other hand, the Sea Glass has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, which is classified as medium.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Sea Glass would be a suitable choice due to its lower actuation and bottom out forces. This lighter weight allows for longer typing sessions without causing fatigue, making it ideal for work or extended gaming sessions. In contrast, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow provides a slightly heavier push feel with its higher actuation and bottom out forces. This results in a more substantial typing experience that some individuals prefer for a solid and satisfying keystroke.
Overall, while the actuation and bottom out forces differ slightly between the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and Durock Sea Glass switches, both options provide a medium to medium-heavy typing experience. Thus, individuals seeking similar results can expect comparable levels of responsiveness and feedback from both switches. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preferences for typing force and the desired weight of the keyboard for optimal usage.
Travel distance
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear 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 offer a tactile feedback when pressed, but the G Pro 3.0 Yellow provides a slightly deeper keypress compared to the Sea Glass. A travel distance of 4 mm is more traditional and offers a more substantial feel, while the 3.8 mm travel distance of the Sea Glass switch provides a shallower keypress. Gamers often prefer shorter travel distances for quicker response times, making the Sea Glass a favorable option for those seeking increased responsiveness. However, individuals who prefer a more profound and satisfying keypress may choose the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switch with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience, as both options offer their own unique advantages.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow has an MSRP of $3.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the G Pro 3.0 Yellow for $2.78.
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 Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch produces a higher pitched clacky sound profile. This means that when you press the keys, you will hear a sharp and crisp sound that is clean and sharp. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch provides a uniquely hollow sound signature. This means that when typing on the Sea Glass switches, you can expect a distinct sound that is different from the G Pro 3.0 Yellow. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switch offers a polished and creamy typing experience. This means that the switch has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Typing on these switches feels like gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys, with each keystroke feeling silky and buttery. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch is described as frictionless and mild. This means that it offers an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance. It falls in a safe middle-ground zone, providing a gentle typing experience that is comfortable for extended sessions of typing, gaming, school, or work.
In summary, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and Durock Sea Glass linear switches have different qualities in terms of sound and feel. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow produces a higher pitched clacky sound and offers a polished and creamy typing experience. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch provides a uniquely hollow sound and is described as being frictionless and mild. Despite these differences, both switches offer a smooth and enjoyable typing experience, enhancing the overall typing feel. Whether you prefer a higher pitched sound or a hollow sound, and whether you prefer a polished and creamy feel or a frictionless and mild feel, both switches are excellent options to consider.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a budget-friendly option with a medium-heavy bottom-out force, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch would be the way to go. These switches offer a higher-pitched clacky sound profile and a fairly bouncy typing feel. On the other hand, if you are interested in a distinct typing experience with a medium bottom-out force, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is an excellent choice. These switches have a unique dry and airy typing feel, along with a hollow sound signature. While the sound profile of the G Pro 3.0 Yellow is high-pitched and resonant, we unfortunately do not have specific descriptors for the Sea Glass. In terms of feel, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow provides a polished and creamy typing experience, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The Sea Glass, on the other hand, offers a frictionless and mild typing experience, with a feathery and easy-to-press sensation. Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the Durock Sea Glass depends on your preference for bottom-out force, sound profile, and typing feel.
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