HMX Gravel vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the HMX Gravel and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves torn between options that offer various tactile sensations and performance characteristics. The HMX Gravel switch is celebrated for its exceptional smoothness and a medium-light actuation force that provides a responsive and effortless typing experience; it’s an ideal choice for those who prioritize a refined and satisfying feel in every keystroke. In contrast, the Durock Sea Glass switch captivates with its unique pastel colors and notable weightlessness, delivering a typing experience characterized by an airy and hollow sound signature. Despite its heavier 62g bottom-out force, this switch offers a frictionless feel that can surprise users accustomed to denser switches. Both switches have their distinct advantages: the Gravel for its smooth responsiveness and the Sea Glass for its enticing weightlessness and aesthetic appeal. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your typing style and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the HMX Gravel and the Durock Sea Glass switches, there are notable differences that impact their sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Gravel features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound due to its stiffer plastic composition. This characteristic contributes to a clear and resonant sound profile, making it particularly well-suited for RGB lighting setups, where its translucency can enhance visual aesthetics. In contrast, the Durock Sea Glass utilizes a unique blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its top housing. While it also provides a bright sound profile, it is characterized as being less sharp than that of polycarbonate, resulting in a more pleasant auditory experience that still maintains clarity but with a distinct tonal quality.
On the other hand, the choice of materials for the bottom housings of both switches further differentiates their overall acoustic characters. The Gravel's nylon bottom housing, with its classic reputation, contributes a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to nylon's ability to absorb sound, creating a softer touch that dulls the higher frequencies. Conversely, the Sea Glass employs the same polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for its bottom housing, which maintains the unique sound profile of its top housing. This shared use of materials fosters a sound experience that is distinctive and pleasant, albeit slightly brighter than the Gravel's sound delivery. The combination of these materials allows both switches to deliver enjoyable auditory experiences, albeit through different tonal pathways.
Ultimately, the interaction between the top and bottom housing materials leads to distinct auditory results during key presses. For instance, while the Gravel’s stiffer polycarbonate top produces a sharper sound upon release, the nylon bottom mitigates this effect by providing a fuller, rounded sound experience when bottoming out. Conversely, the Sea Glass blends qualities from both its housings, creating a sound profile that is bright but not overly sharp, allowing users to enjoy a cohesive auditory signature. In this way, even with different material choices, both switches can yield satisfying results, customized by the specific properties of their individual components.
Weight
When comparing the HMX Gravel linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, both have the same actuation force of 45 grams, providing a consistent keystroke trigger that is ideal for those who prefer lighter switches for extended typing or gaming sessions. However, the bottom out forces differ, with the Gravel switch at 50 grams and the Sea Glass at a heavier 62 grams. This means that while both switches initiate a keystroke with the same ease, the Sea Glass requires significantly more force to fully bottom out, offering a more substantial typing experience for users who prefer a heavier feel in their keystrokes. Therefore, the Gravel switch is lighter overall due to its lower bottom out force, while the Sea Glass is heavier, making it better suited for those who value a more robust tactile feedback.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Gravel and Durock Sea Glass linear switches, the differences become clear. The HMX Gravel features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Durock Sea Glass has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. Consequently, the Gravel will provide a more responsive feel, which can be advantageous for gamers seeking quicker key presses and faster response times. On the other hand, the Sea Glass, with its additional 0.3 mm of travel, may be preferred by users who enjoy a deeper and more substantial typing experience. Therefore, the Gravel is the shorter option, and the Sea Glass is the longer one, catering to different preferences in key feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Gravel has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gravel for $2.99.
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 HMX Gravel switch's acoustic profile remains unspecified, which leaves its auditory characteristics open to interpretation. In contrast, the Durock Sea Glass switch is known for its uniquely hollow sound signature, which adds a distinct tonal quality to the typing experience. This aspect of the Sea Glass can be particularly appealing to users who enjoy a more airy, resonant sound while typing, although individual perceptions may vary based on the keyboard build and keycap materials used.
Moving on to feel, the HMX Gravel switch is celebrated for its exceptional smoothness and refined typing sensation, complemented by a medium-light actuation force that provides a delightful balance of responsiveness and ease. Users can expect a fluid and unresisted experience when typing. Conversely, the Durock Sea Glass switch features a frictionless quality, offering an effortless travel with minimal resistance. It maintains a mild and gentle feel that is approachable for most users, while also being exceptionally feathery and easy to press. The overall sensation is one of weightlessness and comfort, ideal for prolonged typing sessions.
In summary, while the HMX Gravel switch excels in smoothness and a responsive feel, with its audio profile remaining less defined, the Durock Sea Glass switch offers a distinctly hollow sound paired with an incredibly light and frictionless typing experience. Both switches cater to enthusiasts looking for smooth linear options, but the Sea Glass introduces unique auditory and tactile characteristics with its airiness and mild nature. Ultimately, enthusiasts can expect a top-notch typing experience from either choice, with some nuanced differences in feel and sound that may resonate differently depending on individual preferences.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the HMX Gravel and the Durock Sea Glass linear switches ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you prefer a smoother and lighter typing experience, the HMX Gravel switches—with their 50-gram bottom-out force—provide an effortless and responsive feel that is ideal for long typing sessions, whether for work or gaming. Their smooth nature will appeal to those who enjoy a refined touch and an overall gentle typing experience. On the other hand, if you don't mind a slightly heavier feel for better tactile feedback and want to embrace a unique sound profile, the Durock Sea Glass switches are an excellent option. With a bottom-out force of 62 grams, they still offer a surprisingly light touch despite their medium weight, and their distinct, hollow sound can add character to your setup. These switches also provide a frictionless feel that's comfortable for extended use, making them versatile for any typing task. In summary, if you're looking for lightness and smoothness, go for the HMX Gravel. However, if you appreciate a more substantial feel and a distinctive auditory experience, the Durock Sea Glass will likely be your best bet.
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