Dareu Mahjong vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Dareu Mahjong and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Mahjong and Durock Sea Glass present intriguing options for enthusiasts seeking a unique typing experience. The Mahjong switches by Dareu are praised for their distinctive green and white color scheme, offering a lively and poppy sound signature that makes typing effortless. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switches by Durock stand out with their captivating pastel colors and proprietary material blend, resulting in a typing experience that is dry, wispy, and airy, yet remains smooth and frictionless. While the Mahjong switches are categorized as 'Bouncy' and 'Polished', the Sea Glass switches are labeled as 'Frictionless' and 'Feathery'. Ultimately, both switches have their own unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
P3+
Top housing material
POK
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
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Dareu Mahjong and Durock Sea Glass both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their overall performance. The Mahjong's POK top housing stands out for its exceptional smoothness and durability, with a coefficient of friction slightly higher than LY. In contrast, the Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing offers a pleasant sound profile that is brighter and not particularly sharp. While both housing materials are unique in their own right, the Mahjong's POK material is known for its smooth and clacky feel, while the Sea Glass's blend provides a brighter sound profile.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the Mahjong utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. On the other hand, the Sea Glass's bottom housing also features the unique Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend, which complements the top housing to create a pleasant and bright sound profile. Both bottom housing materials contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switches, with nylon offering a softer sound and the blend providing a brighter tone.
While the housing materials for the Dareu Mahjong and Durock Sea Glass differ in composition, they both bring unique qualities to the switches. The split between top and bottom housing materials allows for a balance of impact on the sound and feel of the switches. The Mahjong's POK top housing is known for its smoothness and durability, while the nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper sound profile. In comparison, the Sea Glass's blend top housing offers a pleasant and bright sound, complemented by the unique blend in the bottom housing. Overall, both switches offer a variety of sound profiles and feels due to the distinct housing materials used.
Weight
Comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Dareu Mahjong linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch reveals some differences. In terms of actuation force, both switches require 45 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, providing a consistent typing experience. However, where they differ is in their bottom out force. The Dareu Mahjong switch has an unknown bottom out force, while the Durock Sea Glass switch requires 62 grams to fully bottom out. This means that the Sea Glass switch offers a heavier typing experience compared to the Mahjong switch, which may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial push feel. Conversely, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may find the Mahjong switch more suitable for longer typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the user's preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Dareu Mahjong linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, it is evident that the Mahjong has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm compared to the Sea Glass's 3.8 mm travel distance. The Mahjong's shorter distance may appeal to those seeking a quicker response time, particularly gamers who benefit from faster key presses. On the other hand, the Sea Glass's longer travel distance may be preferred by individuals who enjoy a more tactile and substantial key press. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and how it impacts typing or gaming experience. Both switches offer unique benefits, and selecting the right one will result in a satisfactory keyboard experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Mahjong has an MSRP of $8.89 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mahjong for $5.79.
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 Dareu Mahjong linear switch provides a neutral sound profile that is suitable for a variety of uses, whether you are a beginner or more experienced user. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch offers a uniquely hollow sound signature that adds to the typing experience, creating a distinct auditory feedback for the user. Both switches have their own unique sound qualities, but ultimately the sound of the switch will also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
In terms of feel, the Dareu Mahjong linear switch is described as bouncy, mild, and polished, providing a lively and smooth typing experience with reduced friction. In comparison, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch offers a frictionless and feathery feel, making key presses effortless and light, ideal for reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Both switches offer a comfortable typing experience, with the Mahjong focusing on bounce and smoothness, while the Sea Glass emphasizes lightness and reduced resistance.
Overall, the Dareu Mahjong linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch each offer unique subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Mahjong provides a lively and poppy sound with a smooth and polished typing experience, while the Sea Glass offers a distinct hollow sound with a light and effortless feel. Depending on personal preferences and typing habits, both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience, with the Mahjong catering to those who appreciate bounce and smoothness, and the Sea Glass appealing to those who prefer lightness and reduced friction. Ultimately, both switches offer quality choices for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts seeking a unique typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Dareu Mahjong linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prefer a switch with a unique color scheme, lively sound signature, and effortless typing experience, the Mahjong switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you are drawn to pastel colors, a distinctive dry and airy typing experience, and a weightless feel despite a 62g bottom-out force, then the Sea Glass switch might be the better option for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for color, sound, feel, and typing experience. Make sure to carefully consider these factors before making your choice between these two exceptional linear switches.
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