Gateron Ink Black V2 vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Black V2 and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing two popular linear mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Ink Black V2 and the Durock Sea Glass. The Ink Black V2 is a classic choice, loved by the community for its smooth downstroke and satisfying clack. With a low-pitched and bassy sound, this switch provides a polished typing experience. On the other hand, we have the Sea Glass switches from Durock, which stand out with their captivating pastel colors. These switches offer a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness due to their proprietary material blend, while still maintaining impressive smoothness. Despite their 62g bottom-out force, they possess a weightlessness, defying expectations and giving a frictionless sensation. Additionally, typing on the Sea Glass switches produces a uniquely hollow sound signature. Both switches provide a pleasant and mild typing experience, but let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities to help you decide on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
70g
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
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Ink Black V2 and the Durock Sea Glass differ in several aspects. Starting with the top housing, the Ink Black V2 utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend which results in a clacky and pointed sound profile, giving a satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound. In contrast, the Sea Glass features a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing that offers a pleasant sound profile which is not too sharp but leans towards the brighter side. While both provide unique sound characteristics, the Ink Black V2's top housing tends to have a slightly sharper and more defined sound compared to the Sea Glass.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the story remains a bit different. The Ink Black V2's bottom housing uses the same proprietary INK blend as its top housing, resulting in a clacky and pointed sound profile. Conversely, the Sea Glass employs a blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its bottom housing. This unique blend offers a sound profile that is pleasant and not overly sharp, giving it a different tonal characteristic compared to the Ink Black V2. The Sea Glass's bottom housing contributes to a softer and smoother bottom-out sound and feel in comparison to the Ink Black V2.
Although they differ in their housing materials, both switches showcase some similarities in terms of sound production. The Ink Black V2 and the Sea Glass both aim to provide a pleasurable typing experience with their respective blend combinations. Despite having distinct characteristics, both switches offer a satisfying sound profile that is not excessively sharp, allowing for a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience. Whether it is the clacky and higher-pitched sound of the Ink Black V2 or the slightly brighter tone of the Sea Glass, both switches bring their unique qualities to the table, delivering commendable sound profiles to satisfy different user preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, there are notable differences to consider. The Ink Black V2 requires a higher actuation force of 60 grams, while the Sea Glass has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the Sea Glass switch will provide a more sensitive and responsive keystroke, requiring less force to register. In terms of bottom out force, the Ink Black V2 is heavier at 70 grams compared to the Sea Glass at 62 grams. For those who prefer a heavier and more substantial typing experience, the Ink Black V2 may be the preferable option. However, if a lighter switch is desired for extended typing or gaming sessions, the Sea Glass offers a lighter actuation force. Both switches fall within the medium-heavy category, ensuring a satisfying tactile feedback. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch has a travel distance of 4.0mm, while the Durock Sea Glass linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8mm. Both switches fall within the traditional range of travel distances, with the Ink Black V2 being slightly longer. However, it is worth noting that shorter travel distances have become increasingly popular, particularly among gamers who prioritize faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive feel, the Durock Sea Glass would be the preferable choice due to its shorter travel distance. On the other hand, if you prefer a more substantial and deeper key press, the Gateron Ink Black V2's longer travel distance may be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preferences and desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Ink Black V2 has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ink Black V2 for $7.24.
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 Ink Black V2 switches have a low-pitched, bassy, and slightly chirpy sound profile. This means that they produce a deeper and richer sound, reminiscent of bass tones. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass switches are not specifically described in terms of sound. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Therefore, while the sound characteristics of the Sea Glass switches are unknown, you can expect a similar low-pitched and bassy sound from them if paired with the same setup as the Ink Black V2.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Ink Black V2 switches offer a mild and polished typing experience. They have a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. This makes typing on them effortless and comfortable. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass switches provide a frictionless and feathery feel. They offer an exceptionally light actuation force, reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. Similar to the sound comparison, it's worth noting that both switches are described as mild, meaning they offer a gentle typing experience. Therefore, if you prefer a smooth and polished feel, the Ink Black V2 switches are a great choice, while the Sea Glass switches provide a frictionless and comfortable typing experience.
Taking all the available information into consideration, the Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch offer different yet desirable qualities. The Ink Black V2 switches are known for their smooth downstroke and rich clack sound, along with a mild and polished feel. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switches feature a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness in their typing experience, with a uniquely hollow sound signature. They also provide a frictionless and feathery feel, making them suitable for extended typing sessions without finger fatigue. While the sound profile of the Sea Glass switches is unknown, you can expect similar low-pitched and bassy sound characteristics from both switches. Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Ink Black V2 and Durock Sea Glass switches depends on personal preference for specific sound and feel characteristics, along with consideration of other factors such as keyboard board and keycaps.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a classic linear switch with a smooth downstroke and a rich clack, the Gateron Ink Black V2 is the switch for you. It has a medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams, providing a satisfying typing experience. In terms of sound, the Ink Black V2 offers a low-pitched and bassy tone, lending a mellow and deep sound profile to your keyboard. Additionally, its mild and polished feel contributes to a comfortable and smooth typing experience, thanks to its reduced friction and refined finish.
On the other hand, if you're seeking a more unique and captivating typing experience, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is an excellent choice. With a bottom-out force of 62 grams, these switches embody a weightlessness that defies expectations. The Sea Glass switches are characterized by their distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness, while still maintaining a smooth feel. Typing on them also reveals a uniquely hollow sound signature. Furthermore, the Sea Glass switches offer a frictionless and feathery feel, making them exceptionally light to press and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions.
Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Ink Black V2 and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch depends on your preferences. If you prefer a classic and rich typing experience with a medium-heavy switch, go with the Ink Black V2. However, if you're looking for a more captivating and unique typing experience with a lighter and frictionless switch, the Sea Glass is the way to go. Consider your typing style, preferences, and intended use to make the best decision.
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