Durock Sea Glass vs. Jwick Taro
An in-depth look at the Durock Sea Glass and the Jwick Taro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Durock Sea Glass and the Jwick Taro, two mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinct and appealing features for your typing experience. The Sea Glass switch series by Durock stands out with its captivating selection of pastel colors, making it a favorite among enthusiasts. These linear switches provide a unique typing experience with a dryness and airiness that is complemented by their smoothness. Despite their 62g bottom-out force, the Sea Glass switches feel weightless and offer a frictionless nature. Typing on them also reveals a hollowness in their sound signature. On the other hand, the Taro switches from Jwick present a cozy typing experience with their comfy subdued color scheme. These tactile switches offer a snappy and medium-level of tactility, resulting in acute and crisp clacks when typing. While the Sea Glass switches are categorized as frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press, the Taro switches are described as neutral, buttery, and stepped.
However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal 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
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Durock Sea Glass and the Jwick Taro have contrasting housing materials that contribute to their unique sound profiles. The Sea Glass features a top housing made of a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend, which creates a pleasant and slightly brighter sound. In comparison, the Taro utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper and crisper sound profile. The translucency of polycarbonate also makes it suitable for RGB lighting effects. Although both top housings produce distinct sounds, they each cater to different preferences.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Sea Glass incorporates the same Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend as its top housing. This blend creates a sound profile that is again pleasant but slightly brighter. Conversely, the Taro's bottom housing is made of nylon, a traditional switch housing material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound and therefore produces a duller and rounder sound profile. The difference in bottom housing materials leads to a variation in the overall sound experience between the Sea Glass and the Taro.
When considering the impact of the housing materials on the switch, it's crucial to understand the division between the top and bottom housing. The bottom housing has a more significant influence on the bottom-out sound and feel when the key is pressed down. In contrast, the top housing plays a more prominent role in the sound generated when a key is released. This means that the unique qualities of the Sea Glass's polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend will be felt and heard during the keypress, while the characteristics of the Taro's polycarbonate or nylon housing will be more prominent when releasing a key. Despite these differences, both switches offer distinct sound experiences based on their housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch, there are noticeable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Sea Glass has an actuation force of 45 grams, while the Taro's actuation force is currently unknown. Both switches have a medium bottom out force, with the Sea Glass at 62 grams and the Taro at 67 grams, making it slightly heavier.
Consideration should be given to weight when choosing between the two switches. For individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Sea Glass would be a suitable option as it allows for longer periods of typing without fatigue. This makes it ideal for work settings or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, those who desire a more substantial typing feel may find the Taro more appealing due to its heavier bottom out force. The additional force required can provide a stronger push and a more satisfying typing experience.
While insufficient information is available regarding the actuation force of the Taro switch, it is essential to note that a similar actuation experience to the Sea Glass can still be achieved if the actuation forces are identical or close in value. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on the individual's preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch, it is apparent that the Sea Glass has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8mm, while the Taro has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7mm. While these variances may seem minimal, they can still contribute to a noticeable difference in user experience. For those who prefer a more traditional travel distance, both switches fall within the acceptable range. However, if faster response times are a priority, the Taro's shorter travel distance may be more appealing to gamers. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a deeper and more substantial keystroke may find the slightly longer travel distance of the Sea Glass more satisfying. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches comes down to personal preferences and one's desired level of responsiveness or key depth.
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 Jwick Taro has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Taro for $4.25.
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 comparing the sound of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch, we find that the Sea Glass switches have a uniquely hollow sound signature. This could be attributed to their proprietary material blend, which emanates a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness. On the other hand, the Taro switches are described as having acute and crisp clacks, providing a snappy and medium-level of tactility. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard itself and the keycaps used. So while the Sea Glass switches offer a hollow sound and the Taro switches provide acute clacks, individual results may vary depending on these factors.
Moving on to feel, the Sea Glass switches are known for their frictionless nature, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. This frictionless characteristic minimizes any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys, resulting in a fluid travel. These switches are also described as mild, with qualities that stand in a safe, middle-ground zone suitable for most users. Additionally, the Sea Glass switches are feathery, meaning they are exceptionally light to press and require little exertion from the fingers. This reduces finger fatigue and makes them comfortable for extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the Taro switches are described as buttery, implying a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. They provide a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. The Taro switches are also mentioned to have a stepped feel, which means they have two stages in the keystroke with some pre-travel and/or post-travel.
In conclusion, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Sea Glass switches provide a hollow sound signature, while the Taro switches offer acute and crisp clacks. In terms of feel, the Sea Glass switches are described as mild, frictionless, and feathery, while the Taro switches are considered buttery and stepped. It's important to remember that the experience of these switches can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used. Ultimately, it's recommended to try out both switches and see which one suits your preferences and typing style better.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prefer a switch with a distinct dry and wisp touch, the Durock Sea Glass linear switches would be an excellent choice. With their weightlessness and frictionless nature, typing on these switches offers a unique hollow sound signature. On the other hand, if you enjoy a cozy typing experience with a medium-level of tactility and acute clacks, the Jwick Taro tactile switches would be a great fit. These switches provide a snappy feel and come in a comfy subdued color scheme. In terms of sound, the Sea Glass switches do not have a specific description provided, while the Taro switches are described as having a neutral sound profile. In terms of feel, the Sea Glass switches offer a frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press typing experience. The Taro switches, on the other hand, have a buttery and stepped feel. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on your preference for linear or tactile switches, and the specific typing experience you desire.
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