Outemu Phoenix vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Outemu Phoenix 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 Outemu Phoenix and the Durock Sea Glass. The Phoenix is a clicky switch that stands out for its unique under-skirt click mechanism. It offers a distinct crunchy and polished feel and sound profile, making it a favorite among clicky switch enthusiasts. On the other hand, the Sea Glass is a linear switch from Durock that captures attention with its captivating pastel colors. What sets it apart is a proprietary material blend that results in a typing experience characterized by a dryness, wispiness, and airiness. Despite its 62g bottom-out force, the Sea Glass switches feel surprisingly weightless, exhibiting a frictionless nature. Additionally, they produce a hollow sound signature when typing. These general pointers can help guide your decision, but let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Outemu Phoenix and Durock Sea Glass switches differ in terms of their housing materials. The Phoenix features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a relatively stiffer plastic, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch utilizes a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its top housing. This blend offers a sound profile that is pleasant and bright without being overly sharp. This suggests that the Sea Glass may provide a softer and more mellow typing experience compared to the Phoenix.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Phoenix and Sea Glass switches feature different materials. The Phoenix utilizes polycarbonate for its bottom housing, which shares the same qualities as the top housing mentioned earlier. The polycarbonate lends itself to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisp sound profile, providing consistency in sound and feel throughout the switch. On the other hand, the Sea Glass utilizes a blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its bottom housing. This unique blend likely introduces a different sound profile and tactile feel compared to the Phoenix. It is important to note that the bottom housing has a significant influence on the bottom-out sound and feel, suggesting that the Sea Glass may offer a more distinct tactility and cushioning when the switch bottoms out.
In summary, the Outemu Phoenix and Durock Sea Glass switches exhibit differences in their housing materials. While both switches feature polycarbonate for the top housing, providing a similar sharper and clearer sound profile, the Sea Glass introduces a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its top housing, resulting in a brighter sound. Similarly, the Phoenix and Sea Glass switches differ in their bottom housing materials, with the Phoenix utilizing polycarbonate for consistency in sound and feel, whereas the Sea Glass introduces a blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for potentially distinct tactility and cushioning. Overall, the choice between the two switches' housing materials will depend on the desired sound profile, typing experience, and aesthetic preferences of the user.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, there are some differences and similarities to consider. Starting with the actuation force, unfortunately, the exact grams required to trigger a keystroke for the Phoenix is unavailable. However, the Sea Glass has a relatively lighter actuation force of 45 grams. On the other hand, both switches share the same bottom out force of 62 grams, which is considered medium.
Considering weight, some individuals prefer lighter switches for extended typing sessions or long gaming sessions. This lighter actuation force of the Sea Glass may be suitable for these individuals, allowing for more comfortable and less fatiguing usage over time. Meanwhile, others may prefer a stronger push feel to provide a more substantial typing experience. For those individuals, they may lean towards options with heavier forces, although the Phoenix's actuation force remains unknown.
In summary, although the exact actuation force of the Phoenix is unavailable, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch offers a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the potentially heavier force of the Phoenix. However, both switches share the same medium bottom out force of 62 grams. Therefore, individuals seeking a lighter typing experience could opt for the Sea Glass, while those desiring a heavier feel may find the Phoenix to be a more suitable choice.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, it is clear that the Phoenix has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Sea Glass has a longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Phoenix being slightly shallower and the Sea Glass providing a bit more depth. Gamers who prioritize quick response times may prefer the Phoenix with its shorter travel distance, as it allows for faster keystrokes. On the other hand, those who appreciate a more substantial key press may lean towards the Sea Glass and its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
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 Phoenix comes in at $4.15 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
In terms of sound, the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch is best described as "crunchy" with a sound profile that resembles stepping on piles of crisp and crunchy autumn leaves. On the other hand, there is no specific information provided about the sound profile of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Outemu Phoenix switch offers a polished typing experience. This means that the switch has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. It provides a sleek and comfortable typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is described as frictionless, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. It minimizes resistance and friction when pressing the keys, providing a fluid travel. Additionally, the Sea Glass switch is mild, which means it offers a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. It is also feathery, meaning it is exceptionally light to press, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions.
In conclusion, the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Phoenix switch provides a unique clicky sound profile that is described as crunchy, while the sound profile of the Sea Glass switch is unknown. In terms of feel, the Phoenix switch offers a polished typing experience with reduced friction, while the Sea Glass switch is described as frictionless, mild, and feathery, providing a smooth and effortless typing experience. These switches both offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences, but they both aim to enhance the overall typing experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you value a unique clicky experience with a crystalline and sparkling feel, the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch would be a great choice for you. Its under-skirt click mechanism sets it apart from other clicky switches on the market. With a bottom-out force of 62 grams, it offers a medium level of resistance. In terms of sound, the Phoenix switch produces a crunchy sound reminiscent of stepping on crisp autumn leaves. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and frictionless typing experience, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is the way to go. Despite its 62g bottom-out force, the Sea Glass switch offers a weightless feel and minimal resistance. Its proprietary material blend creates a unique dryness and airiness, with a hollow sound signature. Additionally, the Sea Glass switch comes in five pastel colors, adding a touch of visual appeal to your keyboard. Ultimately, the choice between the Phoenix and Sea Glass switches depends on your preference for the feel and sound profile.
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