Outemu Red Panda vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Outemu Red Panda and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Red Panda and the Durock Sea Glass offer unique features and qualities that cater to different preferences. The Red Panda is known for its light-medium tactility, providing a satisfying feeling when typing. Its bottom-out sound is reminiscent of raindrops, while the top-out sound has a clackier, higher-pitched tone. Categorized as "Thocky" and "Mild," the Red Panda offers a tactile experience without being too overwhelming. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switches by Durock stand out with their captivating pastel colors and proprietary material blend. These switches offer a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness when typing, making them a refreshing choice. Despite their 62g bottom-out force, the Sea Glass switches feel weightless and easy to press, defying expectations. They are categorized as "Frictionless," "Mild," "Feathery," and "Easy-to-press." However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your typing style and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
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
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
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 Red Panda and the Durock Sea Glass present distinct differences in terms of sound profile and aesthetics. The Red Panda utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. In contrast, the Sea Glass features a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE in its top housing, resulting in a pleasant sound profile that is not particularly sharp but leans towards the brighter side. Both materials offer translucency, making them suitable for RGB lighting purposes. Therefore, while the Red Panda's polycarbonate top housing provides a clear and resonant sound, the Sea Glass's blend creates a different yet equally enjoyable sound experience.
When it comes to the bottom housing, the Red Panda employs nylon, a classic material known for its ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon allows for better sound absorption, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass combines Polymer nylon and UHMWPE in its bottom housing, creating another unique blend. While the specific qualities of this blend are not explicitly mentioned, we can infer that it contributes to the overall sound experience of the switch. Whether it enhances the depth and fullness like nylon or introduces its own characteristics is not clearly stated.
It is important to note that the top and bottom housing materials play different roles in the overall performance of the switch. The bottom housing primarily affects the bottom-out sound and feel when the key is pressed, while the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when the key is released. This means that the choice of housing material can significantly alter the typing experience and sound feedback of the switch. Both the Red Panda and the Sea Glass offer unique combinations of materials in their respective top and bottom housings, ensuring a diverse range of sound profiles and tactile responses for keyboard enthusiasts to choose from.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, there are a few notable similarities and differences. Both switches fall into the medium force range, making them suitable for a variety of typing preferences. The actuation force of the Outemu Red Panda is 50 grams, slightly higher than the Sea Glass's 45 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Red Panda requires 60 grams while the Sea Glass needs 62 grams. This means that the Red Panda provides a slightly lighter actuation but a slightly heavier bottom out experience compared to the Sea Glass. These differences are relatively subtle, and both switches offer similar results in terms of force requirements. Ultimately, the choice between them will depend on personal preferences and whether the user prefers a slightly lighter actuation or a slightly heavier bottom out force.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch is 3.3 mm, while the Durock Sea Glass linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. Comparing the two, it is clear that the Sea Glass has a longer travel distance than the Red Panda. A travel distance of 4.0 mm is considered the most traditional, while 3.0 mm is considered the most shallow. However, nowadays, shorter travel distances are becoming more common, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. So, if you prefer a more responsive feel when typing or gaming, the Red Panda with its shorter travel distance would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, if you enjoy a deeper and more substantial keypress, the Sea Glass with its longer travel distance may be more to your liking. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and 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 Red Panda comes in at $3.40 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 Red Panda tactile switch offers a unique experience with a bassier and raindrop-like bottom-out sound, accompanied by a clackier and higher-pitched top-out sound. This creates a satisfying and distinct sound profile when typing. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is known for its uniquely hollow sound signature. While specific details about the sound are not mentioned, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch is described as providing a mild typing experience. This means that the switch offers a gentle and approachable feel to most typists, as its qualities fall within a safe, middle-ground zone. In contrast, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch offers a frictionless typing experience, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. This frictionless nature contributes to a smooth and effortless typing feel. Additionally, the Sea Glass switch is described as feathery, with an exceptionally light actuation force that reduces finger fatigue and makes it comfortable for extended typing sessions.
Taking into consideration the available information, the Outemu Red Panda tactile and Durock Sea Glass linear switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Red Panda switch has a thocky and satisfying sound profile with a mild typing experience. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch provides a distinct hollow sound signature and a frictionless, feathery feel that reduce finger fatigue. While both switches offer an approachable typing experience, they each have their unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. Depending on the individual's preference for sound and feel, either switch can provide a delightful typing experience. It is also worth noting that the choice of keyboard board and keycaps can influence the sound produced by the switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, when it comes to choosing between the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, it ultimately depends on your preferences and priorities. If you prioritize a typing experience with a light-medium amount of tactility, alongside a bassier bottom-out sound and a clackier top-out sound, then the Red Panda would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you value a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness in your typing experience, along with a unique hollow sound signature, then the Sea Glass switches would be a better fit.
In terms of feel, the Red Panda offers a mild typing experience, providing a safe and approachable middle-ground zone in terms of sound and feel. The Sea Glass switches, on the other hand, offer a frictionless and fluid travel experience, reducing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. Furthermore, the Sea Glass switches are exceptionally light to press, requiring little exertion from your fingers, which reduces finger fatigue and makes it comfortable for extended typing sessions.
Overall, the Red Panda and Sea Glass switches cater to different preferences and priorities. The Red Panda is great for those who enjoy a lighter tactile experience and a specific sound profile, while the Sea Glass switches provide a smooth and effortless typing experience with a unique sound signature. Consider your personal typing preferences and priorities to determine which switch would best suit your needs.
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