Durock Sea Glass vs. Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring
An in-depth look at the Durock Sea Glass and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Durock Sea Glass and Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring, two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique typing experiences. The Sea Glass, a linear switch, boasts a captivating selection of pastel colors and a distinct dry, wispiness, and airy typing experience. Despite its 62g bottom-out force, it surprises users with its weightlessness and unparalleled smoothness. Typing on the Sea Glass switches also reveals a uniquely hollow sound signature. On the other hand, the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring, a tactile switch, offers a medium-high level of tactility with its long, two-staged spring. Users can enjoy deep, resonating thocks while typing on these switches. The Shadow switch variant is known for its clacky, high-pitched, and sharp characteristics, providing an accented, snappy, bouncy, and stepped typing experience. Both switches have their merits, making it an exciting decision to choose between them. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
63g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
P3+
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
20mm dual-stage spring
Housing materials
The Durock Sea Glass and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switches have differing housing materials both in their top and bottom housings, leading to distinct sound profiles and overall user experience. The Sea Glass features a top housing made of a polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend, resulting in a pleasant and slightly brighter sound profile. In contrast, the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound, particularly suitable for users who plan to utilize RGB lighting due to its translucency. Both switches offer unique sonic characteristics, but the Sea Glass provides a slightly less crisp sound compared to the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring.
Similarly, the bottom housings of the Sea Glass and Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switches also present differences. The Sea Glass boasts a bottom housing crafted from the same polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend as its top housing, resulting in a similarly pleasant and bright sound profile to that of its top housing. On the other hand, the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring incorporates a polycarbonate bottom housing, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The bottom housing of a switch primarily influences the sound and feel when bottoming out a key, meaning the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring will provide a more distinctive and resonant experience in this aspect.
In summary, the Durock Sea Glass and Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switches possess distinct housing materials in both their top and bottom housings. While the Sea Glass utilizes a polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for both its top and bottom, resulting in a pleasant and brighter sound profile, the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring utilizes polycarbonate, creating a sharper and crisper sound. Additionally, the polycarbonate top housing of the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring is especially suited for users who plan to incorporate RGB lighting due to its translucency. The differences between the two switches' housing materials contribute to variations in sound profiles and overall user experiences when pressing and releasing keys.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring tactile switch, there are some noticeable similarities and differences. In terms of weight, the Sea Glass is lighter compared to the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring. The Sea Glass has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, both falling within the medium range. On the other hand, the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring has a slightly higher actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 63 grams, still in the medium range.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Sea Glass switch would be an ideal choice as its actuation and bottom out forces are slightly lower. This lighter weight allows for longer typing durations, making it suitable for work or extended gaming sessions. However, for individuals who prefer a more substantial push feel, the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switch might be the better option. With slightly higher forces, it provides a more pronounced typing experience.
It is important to note that both switches fall within the medium range of actuation and bottom out forces. Therefore, while they have different numerical values, the overall results in terms of feel and experience may be similar for some users. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience one is looking for.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring tactile switch, there is a noticeable difference. The Sea Glass has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring has a travel distance of 4 mm. While both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with 4.0 mm being the most common, the Sea Glass offers a slightly shorter travel distance. This may be appealing to gamers or individuals looking for a faster response time when typing. On the other hand, the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring provides a slightly longer travel distance, which may offer a more satisfying and substantial typing experience for those who prefer a deeper key press. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on individual preferences and whether one prioritizes responsiveness or key depth.
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 Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring for $3.57.
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 Durock Sea Glass linear switch produces a uniquely hollow sound signature. The specific sound descriptors for the Sea Glass switch are not mentioned in the available information, so it's difficult to provide a direct comparison with the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring tactile switch. However, based on the information provided for the Shadow switch, it is described as "clacky" and "high-pitched." These characteristics indicate that the Shadow switch will have a sharp, crisp, and percussive sound when pressed. So, while the sound qualities of the two switches may differ, both can offer satisfying auditory feedback during typing.
Moving on to feel, the Sea Glass switch is known for its frictionless and mild characteristics. It offers a smooth and effortless typing experience, with minimal resistance or friction when pressing the keys. This creates a fluid travel feel. The Sea Glass switch is also described as feathery and easy-to-press, meaning it requires little exertion from the fingers and reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. In comparison, the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring tactile switch is described as sharp, accented, snappy, bouncy, and stepped in terms of feel. These descriptors point to a switch with a strong and crisp tactile bump, providing a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming. The switch's responsiveness and lively feel indicate a more interactive typing experience. So, while the two switches offer different tactile sensations, they both provide qualities that enhance the overall typing experience.
In conclusion, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring tactile switch differ in terms of sound and feel. The Sea Glass switch has a distinct hollow sound signature and a frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press feel. On the other hand, the Shadow switch offers a clacky and high-pitched sound, along with a sharp, accented, snappy, bouncy, and stepped feel. Despite these differences, both switches have their own unique qualities that can contribute to a satisfying typing experience. Whether you prefer the distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness of the Sea Glass switch or the deep, resonating thocks and strong tactile feedback of the Shadow switch, you can achieve similar levels of enjoyment depending on your preference and the factors like your choice of keyboard and keycaps.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a smooth and weightless typing experience with a distinct dryness and wispiness, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is a great choice for you. Despite its medium bottom out force of 62 grams, these switches feel frictionless and offer a hollow sound signature that adds a unique touch to your typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a medium-high level of tactility, the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switch is perfect for you. With its long, two-staged spring, these switches provide deep, resonating thocks when typing. They offer a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, making them clacky and high-pitched. In terms of feel, the Sea Glass switch is frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press, providing a smooth and effortless typing experience. The Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switch, on the other hand, is sharp, accented, snappy, bouncy, and stepped, offering a high feedback intensity and a lively feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on your preference for linear or tactile switches and the specific sound and feel characteristics you are looking for.
Mentioned in this article
