Durock Sea Glass vs. Dareu Sky V3
An in-depth look at the Durock Sea Glass and the Dareu Sky V3 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Dareu Sky V3 linear switch, it's clear that both offer unique advantages worth considering. The Sea Glass stands out for its captivating pastel colors and distinct dry, wispiness that provides a frictionless typing experience. Despite its 62g bottom-out force, these switches feel weightless and produce a unique hollow sound. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky V3 is celebrated for its neutral sound signature and medium-light weight, offering a comfortable and precise typing experience. While the Sea Glass emphasizes a feathery and easy-to-press feel, the Sky V3 focuses on a more subdued and mild typing experience. Both switches cater to different preferences and needs, so choosing between them might depend on personal preference and typing style. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
N/A
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
Partial box
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 spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Sea Glass and the Dareu Sky V3 provide distinct sound profiles and aesthetics. The Sea Glass utilizes a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for its top housing, resulting in a pleasant, bright sound profile that is not overly sharp. In contrast, the Sky V3's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound, thanks to its stiffness and translucency which is ideal for RGB lighting. However, both switches offer unique sound profiles based on their top housing materials, with the Sea Glass leaning towards a brighter sound while the Sky V3 delivers a sharper and more resonant tone.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the Sea Glass's blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE contributes to its pleasant and bright sound profile, similar to its top housing. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky V3 utilizes a nylon bottom housing, known for creating a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. This contrast in bottom housing materials results in different sound profiles for the two switches, with the Sea Glass maintaining a brighter tone while the Sky V3 produces a deeper and rounder sound.
Overall, the combination of top and bottom housing materials in a switch plays a crucial role in determining its sound profile and feel. The Sea Glass and Sky V3 showcase how different housing materials can impact the overall sound quality of a switch, with the Sea Glass offering a pleasant and bright tone throughout, while the Sky V3 provides a sharp and resonant sound. Despite their differences, both switches demonstrate the importance of choosing the right housing materials to achieve the desired sound profile and feel for mechanical keyboards.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Dareu Sky V3 linear switch, there are notable differences. The Sea Glass has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Sky V3's 40 grams, making the Sea Glass slightly heavier in this aspect. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Sea Glass requires 62 grams, whereas the force required for the Sky V3 is unknown. This makes the bottom out force of the Sea Glass heavier than that of the Sky V3. In terms of preference, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Sky V3, while those who prefer a more substantial typing feel may opt for the Sea Glass. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Dareu Sky V3 linear switch, it is clear that the Sea Glass has a shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Sky V3 has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. The Sea Glass offers a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a preferred choice for gamers seeking a fast and responsive feel. On the other hand, the Sky V3's longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying keystroke depth for those who prefer a more tactile typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and typing 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 Dareu Sky V3 has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sky V3 for $4.76.
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 offers a uniquely hollow sound signature, adding an extra layer of auditory satisfaction to your typing experience. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky V3 linear switch is known for its neutral sound profile, providing a more subdued and subtle sound when compared to other switches. Both switches offer different sound qualities, catering to a variety of preferences depending on the atmosphere you desire during your typing sessions.
Moving on to feel, the Durock Sea Glass switch is characterized by its frictionless and feathery typing experience, offering a smooth and effortless feel with minimal resistance. This makes it comfortable for extended typing sessions, reducing finger fatigue and allowing for comfortable typing. Similarly, the Dareu Sky V3 switch provides a mild typing experience that is approachable to most users, falling into a safe, middle-ground zone in terms of feel. Both switches offer a comfortable typing experience, with the Sea Glass emphasizing lightness and ease of press, while the Sky V3 focuses on a gentle and approachable typing feel.
In conclusion, the Durock Sea Glass and Dareu Sky V3 linear switches each bring their own unique qualities to the table. The Sea Glass stands out with its hollow sound signature and frictionless, feathery feel, providing a weightless and smooth typing experience. On the other hand, the Sky V3 offers a neutral sound profile and a mild typing feel, striking a balance between comfort and precision. Depending on your personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience that can enhance your overall keyboard usage. Ultimately, whether you choose the Sea Glass or Sky V3, you can expect a high-quality typing experience that meets your needs.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Dareu Sky V3 linear switch, you should consider a few key factors. If you value a unique and weightless typing experience with a distinctive dry and airy feel, then the Sea Glass switch with its 62g bottom-out force and hollow sound signature may be ideal for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a neutral sound profile with a balanced actuation force, the Sky V3 switch offers a comfortable and precise typing experience. Ultimately, your choice should depend on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound, and overall typing experience. Consider these factors carefully before making your decision.
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