Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Durock Sea Glass. The Moyu Black is known for its sharp tactile feel and rare blend of PBT top and bottom housing, providing a premium typing experience. Its strong downstroke tactile bump, paired with an even sharper and stronger upstroke bump, creates a hypertactile sensation. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch series by Durock stands out with its five captivating pastel colors and proprietary material blend. These switches offer a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness in their typing experience, while maintaining smoothness. They also possess a weightlessness that defies expectations, despite their 62g bottom-out force. Additionally, typing on the Sea Glass switches produces a uniquely hollow sound signature. Both switches offer unique advantages, 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
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
PBT
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Durock Sea Glass differ in their housing materials, which contributes to their respective sound profiles. The Moyu Black features a PBT top housing, offering a neutral sound profile that is neither crisp nor dull. In contrast, the Sea Glass boasts a unique blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its top housing, resulting in a more pleasant and slightly brighter sound profile.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Moyu Black also utilizes PBT material, providing a similar neutral sound profile as its top housing. On the other hand, the Sea Glass incorporates a polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for its bottom housing, creating another distinctive sound profile. This blend contributes to a more unique and pleasant sound, although it is not particularly sharp.
When considering the overall feel and sound of these switches, it's important to note that the qualities of the housing materials are split between the top and bottom. When pressing down on either switch, the influence of the bottom housing becomes apparent, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, when releasing a key, the impact of the top housing is more noticeable in the resulting sound.
In summary, the housing materials in the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and Durock Sea Glass switches differ, leading to distinct sound profiles. While the Moyu Black offers a neutral sound profile throughout both its top and bottom housings, the Sea Glass presents a more pleasant and slightly brighter sound due to its unique polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend. However, it is important to note that both switches place emphasis on the impact of their respective bottom housings during key presses, while the top housing primarily affects the sound on key release.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, it is evident that they have slight differences. The Moyu Black has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Sea Glass's 45 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Moyu Black requires 67 grams, making it slightly heavier than the Sea Glass, which requires 62 grams.
Considering the weight factor, some prefer lighter switches like the Sea Glass, as it allows for longer typing periods and is ideal for work or long gaming sessions. On the other hand, those seeking a more substantial typing experience may opt for the Moyu Black with its heavier forces. Although the Moyu Black is slightly heavier in both actuation and bottom out forces, the difference is minimal and users can expect similar results in terms of the typing experience. Both switches fall within the medium range, with the Moyu Black being on the medium-heavy side.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, we can see that the Moyu Black has a slightly longer travel distance of 4.0mm, while the Sea Glass has a travel distance of 3.8mm. Both of these distances fall within the standard range, with 4.0mm being the more traditional option and 3.0mm being the more shallow option. It's worth noting that shorter travel distances are becoming more popular, especially among gamers who prioritize quicker response times. For these individuals, the Sea Glass with its shorter travel distance may be the preferred choice. However, some people find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt, and may prefer a switch with a longer travel distance like the Moyu Black for a more satisfying keystroke feel. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired level of responsiveness or depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) has an MSRP of $12.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) for $7.59.
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 Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) provides a resonant typing experience. When typing on these switches, you can expect a higher-pitched sound profile that is clean and sharp. The downstroke bump produces a satisfyingly sharp, short, snappy, and punchy sound, adding to the immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass switches have a uniquely hollow sound signature, which can be attributed to their proprietary material blend. The sound produced by the Sea Glass switches is distinct and may appeal to those looking for a different auditory experience. It's important to note that the actual sound of the switches can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) is described as having an accented and sharp tactile feel. The tactile bump in these switches is strong and crisp, providing a high feedback intensity and a prominent tactile sensation with each keypress. This makes them ideal for those seeking a tactile switch with a noticeable and defined bump. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass switches offer a frictionless and mild typing experience. These switches are exceptionally smooth and effortless to press, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction. They also require minimal force to activate, making typing comfortable and reducing finger fatigue. The Sea Glass switches strike a balance between a gentle typing experience and light actuation force, making them approachable for most users.
In conclusion, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and Durock Sea Glass switches offer contrasting subjective qualities. The Moyu Black switches provide a sharp and impactful typing experience with a strong and pronounced tactile bump, resulting in a clean and resonant sound profile. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switches offer a smooth and effortless typing experience, characterized by a mild and frictionless feel. The Sea Glass switches have a distinct dryness and airiness, giving them a uniquely hollow sound signature. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prioritize a sharp and impactful typing experience with a strong and crisp tactile bump, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switches would be an excellent choice for you. With their medium-heavy feel and distinctive sound profile, these switches provide a rare and premium typing experience that is sure to satisfy those seeking a pronounced tactile feel. On the other hand, if you prefer a more gentle and frictionless typing experience, the Durock Sea Glass switches would be a great fit. With their light actuation force, smoothness, and unique hollow sound signature, these switches offer a weightless and effortless typing feel. Additionally, their pastel color options add a touch of visual appeal to your keyboard setup. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on whether you prioritize a sharp and impactful feel or a gentle and frictionless typing experience.
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