Durock Sea Glass vs. Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp)
An in-depth look at the Durock Sea Glass and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Durock Sea Glass and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinct experiences for different preferences. The Sea Glass switch series, with its captivating pastel colors, is known for its dryness, wispiness, and airiness, providing a unique typing experience. Despite its weightlessness and 62g bottom-out force, the Sea Glass switches remain smooth and frictionless, making them easy to press. Along with their distinct hollow sound signature, these switches are ideal for those seeking a frictionless, mild, and feather-light typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) is perfect for individuals who desire both tactile feedback and a silenced switch, making it suitable for noise-sensitive environments. With its medium bump, padded bottom-out feel, and subdued audio feedback, the Silent T1 offers a stepped, accented, and polished typing experience. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
67g
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
Yes
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
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Durock Sea Glass and Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) have noticeable differences in their housing materials. The Sea Glass features a top housing made of a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend, which creates a pleasant and slightly brighter sound profile. On the other hand, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) has a polycarbonate top housing that produces a sharper and higher-pitched sound. The translucency of polycarbonate also makes it ideal for RGB lighting. While the Sea Glass offers a unique blend, the Silent T1 focuses on a stiffer plastic for a more clear and resonant sound.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Sea Glass utilizes the same Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend as its top housing. This results in a sound profile that is not particularly sharp but slightly brighter. In contrast, the Silent T1 incorporates a nylon bottom housing, which is known for providing a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softness of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a rounder and duller sound. Thus, the Silent T1's nylon bottom housing contributes to a different typing experience compared to the Sea Glass.
When considering the overall sound and feel of the switches, it's important to note that the qualities of the housing materials are split between the top and bottom housing. Pressing down on the switch allows one to feel the impact and qualities of the bottom housing, which is more prominent in the bottom-out sound and feel. Meanwhile, the top housing has a greater influence on the sound when the key is released. Despite the differences in the housing materials, users can expect similar typing experiences with both the Sea Glass and Silent T1 as they each provide unique sound profiles based on their respective housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch, there are some notable similarities and differences. Starting with the actuation force, the Sea Glass requires 45 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, whereas the value for the Silent T1 (Shrimp) is currently unavailable. In terms of bottom out force, the Sea Glass requires 62 grams, while the Silent T1 (Shrimp) necessitates a slightly heavier 67 grams. Both switches fall into the medium to medium-heavy range, offering a substantial typing experience.
Considering weight, it is worth mentioning that some users prefer lighter switches for extended typing sessions or long gaming sessions. A lighter switch like the Sea Glass, with its medium actuation and bottom out forces, could be suitable for these individuals. On the other hand, those seeking a more robust and substantial typing experience may prefer switches with heavier forces. In this case, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) with its medium to medium-heavy forces would be a potential option.
While the actuation force for the Silent T1 (Shrimp) is unknown, it is possible to anticipate a similar result to the Sea Glass in terms of triggering a keystroke since both switches fall within the medium force range. However, for bottoming out, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) requires a slightly higher force of 67 grams, making it a slightly heavier option compared to the Sea Glass.
In conclusion, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch offer a range of actuation and bottom-out forces. The Sea Glass is characterized by its medium forces of 45 grams for actuation and 62 grams for bottoming out, while the Silent T1 (Shrimp) has an unknown actuation force but a heavier bottom out force of 67 grams. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on individual preferences for typing experience, with the Sea Glass offering a lighter option and the Silent T1 (Shrimp) providing a slightly heavier option.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch, there is a slight difference between the two. The Sea Glass has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Silent T1 has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. Both of these switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming more popular, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive typing experience, the Sea Glass with its slightly shorter travel distance may be the better option for you. However, some individuals find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt, and if you prefer a deeper keystroke feel, the Silent T1 with its slightly longer travel distance may be more suitable. Overall, while there is a difference in travel distance between the two switches, they both offer a similar experience and can cater to different preferences.
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 Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) has an MSRP of $7.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent T1 (Shrimp) for $5.57.
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
In terms of sound, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch offers a uniquely hollow sound signature. This means that when typing on these switches, you can expect a somewhat echoing or airy sound. On the other hand, the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch is described as muted. This means that it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical switches. It aims to minimize the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen, so your overall sound experience may differ.
Moving on to feel, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is characterized by several descriptors. It is described as frictionless, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. Pressing the keys feels fluid, with minimal resistance or friction. It is also considered mild, meaning it provides a gentle typing experience that falls within a safe middle-ground zone. Additionally, it is described as feathery, which indicates that it is exceptionally light to press and requires little exertion from your fingers. This helps to reduce finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. The Sea Glass switch is also easy-to-press, meaning it offers gentle resistance during key presses and requires minimal force to activate. This enhances the typing experience by providing a responsive and low-impact feel.
On the other hand, the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch is described as stepped. This means that the switch provides a two-stage feel, with noticeable pre-travel and/or post-travel. It is not as pronounced as a hypertactile switch but still offers a medium amount of tactility. The Silent T1 is also said to be accented, which implies that it provides a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or too subtle. Finally, the switch is described as polished, indicating that it has a smooth and refined finish. This results in reduced friction and smooth key travel, providing a sleek typing experience.
In conclusion, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Sea Glass provides a distinct hollow sound signature while the Silent T1 offers a more muted sound. As for feel, the Sea Glass is known for its frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press qualities, offering a smooth and effortless typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent T1 has a stepped and accented feel, providing an intermediate level of tactility. Both switches have a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Overall, these switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, ensuring an enjoyable typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a distinct dryness and weightlessness, as well as a uniquely hollow sound signature, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is a great choice for you. With its frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press qualities, it offers an effortless and comfortable typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch that combines both tactile feedback and silenced characteristics, the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch is the way to go. It provides a medium bump, padded bottom-out feel, and subdued audio feedback. Additionally, it has stepped, accented, and polished qualities, ensuring a smooth and refined typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the Sea Glass linear switch and the Silent T1 tactile switch depends on your preference for sound and feel, as well as the environment in which you will be using the keyboard.
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