Durock Sea Glass vs. KTT Strawberry
An in-depth look at the Durock Sea Glass and the KTT Strawberry switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a mechanical keyboard switch that combines aesthetics and a distinct typing experience, look no further than the Durock Sea Glass and the KTT Strawberry. The Sea Glass switch series from Durock presents a captivating selection of pastel colors, which makes it stand out as a favorite choice. The proprietary material blend of the Sea Glass switches creates a unique typing experience that feels dry, wispy, and airy, yet remains smooth. Despite a bottom-out force of 62g, these switches possess a weightlessness that defies expectations, making them easy to press. Additionally, the Sea Glass switches produce a uniquely hollow sound signature. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry switches are loved for their attractive pink and clear housings, providing an aesthetically pleasing option. These switches offer a smooth actuation, comfortable feel, and reliable performance. They are categorized as low-pitched, frictionless, silky, buttery, and polished. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 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 Durock Sea Glass and the KTT Strawberry have contrasting housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Sea Glass features a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE in both its top and bottom housings, creating a pleasant but bright sound profile. In comparison, the Strawberry utilizes polycarbonate for its top and bottom housings, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound, making it a perfect choice for those who prefer a more defined typing experience.
Visually, the two switches also differ due to their housing materials. The Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing is not translucent, giving it a more solid and opaque appearance. On the other hand, the Strawberry's polycarbonate top housing is transparent, allowing for RGB lighting to shine through and create eye-catching effects. So, if you are someone who enjoys customizing your keyboard with vibrant lighting, the Strawberry would be the more suitable option.
However, despite their differences, the Sea Glass and the Strawberry both aim to provide a pleasurable typing experience. They both incorporate materials in their housing that contribute to a pleasant sound profile, even though the specific qualities may vary. Whether it's the Sea Glass's brightness or the Strawberry's crispness, users can expect satisfying auditory feedback when typing on either switch. Additionally, both switches prioritize the use of unique materials in their housing construction, showcasing a commitment to innovation and providing users with distinct options for their mechanical keyboards.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch, there are both similarities and differences. In terms of actuation force, the Sea Glass requires 45 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, while the Strawberry requires slightly less at 43 grams. Both switches can be considered medium in terms of actuation force.
Moving on to bottom out force, both the Sea Glass and the Strawberry require 62 grams of force to fully press the switch down. This means that regardless of the actuation force, the typing experience in terms of bottoming out will be similar for both switches.
Considering weight, it's worth noting that some users prefer lighter switches as it allows them to type for longer periods without fatigue. This is ideal for those who use their keyboards for extended work or gaming sessions. On the other hand, some users prefer a more substantial typing experience and opt for switches with heavier actuation forces.
In this regard, the Sea Glass can be considered slightly heavier due to its 45 gram actuation force compared to the Strawberry's 43 gram actuation force. However, since both switches have the same bottom out force of 62 grams, the overall typing experience in terms of force required to fully press the keys will be similar. Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Sea Glass and the KTT Strawberry will depend on the individual's preference for either a slightly lighter or heavier actuation force.
Travel distance
The Durock Sea Glass linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the KTT Strawberry linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches have relatively short travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0 mm distance. Gamers who prioritize fast response times may prefer the Sea Glass with its slightly shorter travel distance. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a deeper and more substantial key press may opt for the Strawberry switch, which has a slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and sensitivity to key press depth. However, it is worth noting that both switches offer similar results in terms of travel distance, providing a satisfying key press experience.
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 KTT Strawberry comes in at $4.91 per 10 switches.
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, there is a distinct echo-like quality to the sound produced. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry linear switch is described as having a low-pitched sound. This means that the sound produced by these switches is more bass-heavy and mellow compared to higher-pitched switches. It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, both the Durock Sea Glass and KTT Strawberry switches are described as frictionless. This means that they offer an extremely smooth typing experience with minimal resistance or friction when pressing the keys. Both switches provide a fluid travel and effortless typing sensation. Additionally, the Sea Glass switch is described as mild, which means it offers a gentle typing experience without any exaggerated characteristics. The Strawberry switch, on the other hand, is described as silky and buttery. This indicates an exceptionally smooth and fluid keystroke experience with a sleek and refined finish.
Taking into account the available information, both the Durock Sea Glass and KTT Strawberry switches offer a smooth and effortless typing experience. They share the common quality of being frictionless and providing a fluid travel. The Sea Glass switch is known for its distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness, while the Strawberry switch is loved for its smooth actuation and comfortable feel. Although the sound profiles differ, both switches are highly regarded for their overall performance. It is important to consider personal preferences and factors such as keycaps and keyboard board when making a decision.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a captivating and distinct typing experience with a weightless feel, the Sea Glass linear switch by Durock would be an excellent choice. With its proprietary material blend, these switches offer a dry, wispy, and airy feel while maintaining smoothness. The Sea Glass switches also produce a uniquely hollow sound signature. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and comfortable typing experience with reliable performance, the KTT Strawberry linear switch would be a great option. With its attractive pink and clear housings, the Strawberry switches provide a low-pitched sound and offer a frictionless and silky feel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches ultimately depends on your personal preference for typing experience and sound.
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