Durock Sea Glass vs. SP-Star Duck
An in-depth look at the Durock Sea Glass and the SP-Star Duck switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing two mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Sea Glass and the SP-Star Duck, offering distinct experiences for different preferences. The Sea Glass series by Durock stands out with its captivating pastel colors and a unique blend of materials that provide a dry, wispy, and airy typing experience, while maintaining uncompromised smoothness. Surprisingly, despite their 62g bottom-out force, these switches feel weightless and frictionless, accompanied by a uniquely hollow sound signature. On the other hand, if you prefer a more subtle tactile typing experience, the Duck switches are perfect. They offer a gentle tactility and a clean and crispy sound profile. While the Sea Glass switches are categorized as frictionless and feathery, the Duck switches have a neutral and buttery feel. These general pointers should give you an idea of why you might choose each switch. 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
58g
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Sea Glass and the SP-Star Duck differ in terms of their composition. The Sea Glass utilizes a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for both the top and bottom housings, resulting in a sound profile that is not particularly sharp but leans towards the brighter side. On the other hand, the Duck incorporates polycarbonate for its top and bottom housings, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and more crisp sound profile. Additionally, the stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a clear and resonant sound in the Duck switch. From an aesthetic perspective, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it an ideal choice for the top housing of a switch if RGB lighting is to be used.
While there are clear differences between the two housing materials, there are also similarities in their sound profiles. Both the Sea Glass and the Duck provide a pleasant sound experience, although the Sea Glass is less sharp compared to the Duck due to the combination of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE in its blend. The qualities of the bottom housing material, regardless of the switch, have a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when the switch is pressed down. Conversely, the top housing material influences the sound when a key is released. This means that both the Sea Glass and the Duck would exhibit similar characteristics in terms of the sound when a key is released, despite employing different housing materials.
In terms of construction, the Sea Glass and the Duck differ in their choice of materials, with the Sea Glass featuring a blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE and the Duck using polycarbonate. This variation results in distinguishable sound profiles, as the Sea Glass offers a more pleasant but bright tone, while the Duck delivers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. From a practical standpoint, if one desires a switch with a clearer and resonant sound, the Duck's polycarbonate housing would be preferable. However, if one prefers a less sharp sound with a slight brightness, the Sea Glass's unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE would suit their taste. Additionally, the selection of different housing materials for the top and bottom of a switch allows for the distribution of specific qualities between the two parts. As a result, the bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing has a more pronounced impact on the sound when a key is released. Despite these differences, both switches provide a pleasant sound experience, making them suitable choices for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the SP-Star Duck tactile switch, there are some similarities and differences to consider. In terms of weight, the Sea Glass is lighter with an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, both of which fall within the medium range. On the other hand, the actuation force for the Duck switch is unavailable, which means we cannot compare it directly to the Sea Glass. However, the bottom out force for the Duck switch is 58 grams, which is slightly lighter than the Sea Glass.
In terms of preference, those who prefer a lighter typing experience for longer periods of time might gravitate towards the Sea Glass switch. This would be ideal for individuals using their keyboards for work or engaging in lengthy gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals who desire a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience may opt for switches with heavier forces. While the actuation force for the Duck switch is not known, its slightly lighter bottom out force of 58 grams compared to the Sea Glass may appeal to those who want a balance between lightness and a bit more resistance.
Overall, while there are similarities in the medium force range between the Sea Glass and Duck switches, the Sea Glass is lighter in terms of both actuation and bottom out forces, while the Duck switch offers a slightly lighter bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences and typing needs.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is 3.8 mm, while the SP-Star Duck tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of numerical values, the Duck has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Sea Glass. However, both switches fall within the range of traditionally accepted travel distances, with the Duck being closer to the standard 4.0 mm and the Sea Glass being slightly shorter at 3.8 mm.
The choice between these switches ultimately depends on personal preference and usage. Gamers, for example, often prefer shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. If you prioritize responsiveness, the Sea Glass with its slightly shorter travel distance might be the better option for you. On the other hand, some individuals prefer a deeper and more satisfying keystroke, which can be achieved by a longer travel distance. If you are one of those who enjoys a hearty depth, the Duck with its 4 mm travel distance might be more suitable.
In summary, while the two switches have slightly different travel distances, they both fall within the range of accepted norms. The choice between them depends on personal preference, with the Sea Glass offering a slightly shorter travel distance for increased responsiveness and the Duck providing a longer travel distance for those who prefer a deeper keystroke.
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 SP-Star Duck has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Duck for $5.40.
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 switch has a uniquely hollow sound signature, emanating a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness. This creates a captivating and somewhat unique typing experience. On the other hand, the SP-Star Duck switch is described as having a clean and crispy sound profile. While the specific sound qualities of the Duck switch are not mentioned in the provided information, it can be inferred that it offers a more neutral sound experience based on its description. It is important to note that the sound produced by a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the type of keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Durock Sea Glass is described as frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press. These characteristics contribute to an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance or friction. The light actuation force and feathery nature of the Sea Glass switch make it comfortable for long typing sessions and reduce finger fatigue. Similarly, the SP-Star Duck switch is also described as mild. This implies a gentle and approachable typing experience suitable for most users. Additionally, the Duck switch is described as buttery and polished, suggesting a smooth and refined finish that enhances the overall typing feel.
In conclusion, the Durock Sea Glass and SP-Star Duck switches offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Sea Glass switch presents a uniquely hollow sound signature with a dry, wispiness, and airiness, while the Duck switch is described as having a clean and crispy sound profile. In terms of feel, the Sea Glass switch is characterized by its frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press nature, providing a smooth and effortless typing experience. The Duck switch, on the other hand, offers a mild, buttery, and polished typing experience, with smooth and refined key travel. While both switches have some similarities, such as the mild feel, they provide different overall experiences, allowing users to choose the option that suits their preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a distinct and weightless typing experience with a captivating pastel color selection, the Durock Sea Glass linear switches are a great choice. These switches offer a unique dryness, wispiness, and airiness that is complemented by their smoothness and frictionless nature. With a bottom out force of 62 grams, they provide a medium level of resistance while still feeling lightweight. Additionally, the Sea Glass switches have a uniquely hollow sound signature that adds to the overall typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a more subtle and gentle tactile typing experience, the SP-Star Duck tactile switches are a perfect option. These switches offer a clean and crispy sound profile, providing a neutral switch experience suitable for various purposes. With a bottom out force of 58 grams, these switches offer a medium level of resistance that is approachable to most users. The Duck switches are described as mild, buttery, and polished, indicating a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and effortless key travel.
Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Sea Glass linear switches and the SP-Star Duck tactile switches comes down to personal preference. If you are drawn to a weightless and distinct typing experience with unique color options, the Sea Glass switches are a great fit. However, if you prefer a more subtle and gentle tactile feel with a clean sound profile, the Duck switches are the way to go. Consider your typing preferences and choose the switch that aligns best with your desired typing experience.
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