Outemu Gold vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Outemu Gold and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Outemu Gold clicky switch to the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, one can see distinct differences in their characteristics. The Outemu Gold is known for its satisfying clicky feedback, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy audible typing experiences. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass stands out with its smooth and frictionless typing feel, coupled with a unique hollow sound signature. While the Gold switch offers a tactile and clicky typing experience, the Sea Glass switch provides a more subtle and lightweight touch. Choosing between these two switches ultimately depends on personal preferences for tactile feedback and sound. 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
60g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
1.80 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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Outemu Gold and Durock Sea Glass switches offer contrasting sound profiles. The Gold's polycarbonate top housing provides a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound due to its stiffness, while the Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing produces a pleasant but brighter sound. The Gold's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile thanks to its softer nature, while the Sea Glass's blend results in a unique sound profile that leans on the brighter side. Overall, the Gold switch offers a sharper and more resonant sound experience compared to the Sea Glass switch.
In terms of aesthetics, the housing materials of the Outemu Gold and Durock Sea Glass switches also differ. The Gold's polycarbonate top housing is translucent, making it suitable for use with RGB lighting to create visually appealing effects. In contrast, the Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing does not offer the same translucency, potentially limiting the customization options for lighting effects. However, both switches offer a unique and stylish appearance that can enhance the overall look of a mechanical keyboard setup.
While the Outemu Gold and Durock Sea Glass switches have different housing materials, they both provide a satisfying typing experience. The split between the bottom and top housings allows for a combination of qualities in both sound and feel. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, while the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. Ultimately, both switches offer a blend of qualities that cater to different preferences in terms of sound profile and typing experience.
Weight
The Outemu Gold clicky switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch both have a similar actuation force of 45 grams, making them ideal for those who prefer a lighter touch when typing. However, the Outemu Gold has a slightly lighter bottom out force of 60 grams compared to the Durock Sea Glass's 62 grams. This means that while both switches offer a medium actuation force, the Outemu Gold provides a slightly lighter overall typing experience. For those who enjoy a lighter touch for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons, the Outemu Gold may be the more suitable option. Conversely, those who prefer a more substantial typing feel may lean towards the Durock Sea Glass with its slightly heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Outemu Gold clicky switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Durock Sea Glass linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. The Gold switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Sea Glass switch. Both switches fall within the traditional range of travel distances, with the Gold being on the higher end and the Sea Glass being on the lower end. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may prefer the Sea Glass switch with its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may lean towards the Gold switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and key feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Outemu Gold comes in at $3.10 per 10 switches.
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 Outemu Gold clicky switch is known for its distinctive clicky noise that is crisp and satisfying to many users. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is noted for its uniquely hollow sound signature, offering a quieter typing experience compared to clicky switches. Both switches produce different sounds that cater to personal preferences, with the Gold providing a more pronounced audible feedback while the Sea Glass offers a subtle and soothing typing sound.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Gold clicky switch provides a tactile and clicky typing experience, with a noticeable bump in the keypress that provides feedback to the user. In contrast, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is described as frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press. These characteristics indicate a smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance, making it comfortable for extended use. While the Gold switch offers a tactile and clicky feel, the Sea Glass switch provides a smoother and lighter typing sensation that is preferred by users who prioritize a gentle keypress.
Overall, the Outemu Gold clicky switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch offer distinct typing experiences that cater to different preferences. The Gold switch is best known for its clicky feedback and tactile feel, while the Sea Glass switch stands out for its smoothness and light actuation force. Depending on whether the user prefers a satisfying clicky sound and tactile feedback or a quieter and smoother typing experience, they can choose between the Outemu Gold and Durock Sea Glass switches for their mechanical keyboards, ensuring a customized typing experience based on personal preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Outemu Gold clicky switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a clicky and tactile typing experience with a medium bottom-out force, the Outemu Gold switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth, frictionless, and weightless typing experience with a unique sound signature, the Durock Sea Glass switch could be the perfect fit. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal preference for typing feel and sound. Both switches offer their own unique characteristics, so it's important to choose the one that aligns with your preferences for a satisfying typing experience.
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