Durock Sea Glass vs. Dareu Snow
An in-depth look at the Durock Sea Glass and the Dareu Snow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Sea Glass and the Dareu Snow both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Sea Glass switch series from Durock is admired for its pastel colors and proprietary material blend, providing a dry, wispy, and airy typing experience while maintaining smoothness. With a 62g bottom-out force, these switches feel weightless and produce a hollow sound when typing, categorized as frictionless, mild, feathery, easy-to-press. On the other hand, the Snow switch by Dareu utilizes POK material for the top housing and stem, resulting in a deeper sound signature and a smooth linear feel, classified as thocky, neutral, low-pitched, bouncy. Both switches have their own strengths and appeal, making them suitable for different preferences. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
POK
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In terms of housing materials, the Durock Sea Glass and the Dareu Snow offer different experiences to the user. The Sea Glass's unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE in both the top and bottom housing creates a sound profile that is described as pleasant and bright. On the other hand, the Snow's POK top housing and nylon bottom housing combination provide a smooth and clacky feel with enhanced durability. While the Sea Glass focuses on a pleasant sound profile, the Snow prioritizes smoothness and durability, making it a top choice for users looking for a long-lasting switch.
The top housing materials of the Sea Glass and the Snow exhibit distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing offers a sound profile that is not sharp but bright, providing a unique typing experience. In contrast, the Snow's POK top housing is known for its smoothness and durability, contributing to a clacky sound profile that is resilient to wear and tear. Each top housing material brings a different feel to the switches, appealing to users with varying preferences for sound and tactile feedback.
When considering the impact of the bottom housing materials, the Sea Glass's unique blend and the Snow's nylon bottom housing contribute to the overall sound profile and feel of the switches. The Sea Glass's bright and pleasant sound profile is influenced by its Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend bottom housing, while the Snow's nylon bottom housing enhances the switches' depth and fullness in sound. The bottom housing material plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches, providing users with a unique typing experience based on the choice of housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch, it is evident that both switches fall under the medium weight category. The Sea Glass has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, while the Snow has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams. The Sea Glass requires a lighter actuation force but a heavier bottom out force compared to the Snow, which may provide a smoother typing experience while still offering a substantial push feel. Both switches offer similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, making them suitable choices for individuals who prefer medium-weight switches for typing or gaming purposes. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches may come down to personal preference regarding typing endurance and tactile feedback.
Travel distance
The Durock Sea Glass linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Dareu Snow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. The Sea Glass has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Snow. Both switches fall within the shorter travel distance range, making them ideal for those seeking faster response times, especially in gaming. Gamers may appreciate the shorter travel distance of the Dareu Snow for its quick and precise keystrokes. On the other hand, some users may find the slightly longer travel distance of the Durock Sea Glass to provide a more satisfying keypress with a bit more depth. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference in terms of responsiveness and 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 Snow has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Snow for $5.76.
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 the typing experience. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow linear switch provides a deeper sound signature with a thocky quality, imbuing each keystroke with a rich and satisfying auditory feedback. Depending on personal preference, users may enjoy the airy sound of the Sea Glass or the thocky sound of the Snow, each offering a distinct acoustic profile to enhance the typing experience.
In terms of feel, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is described as frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press, providing users with a smooth and effortless typing experience that minimizes resistance and fatigue. Conversely, the Dareu Snow linear switch is described as bouncy, giving users a spring-like feedback sensation with a lively feel that adds a level of bounce to each keystroke. Both switches offer a comfortable typing experience with their own unique tactile attributes, catering to different preferences and typing styles.
In conclusion, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch each have their own standout qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Sea Glass offers a hollow sound signature with a frictionless typing experience, the Snow provides a deeper thocky sound profile with a bouncy feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preference, with users likely to enjoy either option based on their individual typing style and preference for sound and feel.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch, consider the distinct characteristics of each based on your preferences and typing style. If you are looking for a switch with a weightlessness and smoothness that defy expectations, as well as a uniquely hollow sound signature, the Sea Glass might be the choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper sound signature and a bouncy, spring-like feedback sensation, the Snow switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on the feel and sound profile that best aligns with your typing preferences and needs.
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