Durock Sea Glass vs. Gazzew U4

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options are the Durock Sea Glass and the Gazzew U4. The Sea Glass switches are best known for their captivating selection of pastel colors, creating a visually appealing keyboard. These linear switches offer a distinct typing experience with a dry, wispy, and airy feel, while still maintaining smoothness. Despite their 62g bottom-out force, the Sea Glass switches feel weightless and frictionless. Typing on these switches also produces a uniquely hollow sound. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4 switches are known for their silent tactile feedback. With a sharp and exhilarating tactile bump, these switches also offer a plush and felt-like bottom-out sensation. The sound profile of the U4 switches is whisper quiet, making them ideal for those who prefer a more muted and low-pitched typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.

By the numbers

Durock Sea Glass Linear

Gazzew U4 Tactile

$5.80

$4.87 per 10

$6.50 per 10

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Housing materials

The Durock Sea Glass and the Gazzew U4 both have unique housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Sea Glass features a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for both the top and bottom housing. This blend creates a pleasant sound profile that leans towards the brighter side, without being overly sharp. On the other hand, the U4 utilizes a proprietary Gazzew blend for its top and bottom housing. This plastic blend, often referred to as "boba plastic," imparts a rich and deep sound profile due to its softness.

While the Sea Glass and the U4 both offer unique sound profiles, they differ in the specific qualities brought by their top and bottom housings. With the Sea Glass, the impact on the bottom-out sound and feel is influenced more by the bottom housing, while the sound when releasing a key is influenced more by the top housing. This means that the qualities of the Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend are split between the top and bottom of the switch. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4's proprietary plastic blend equally affects both the bottom-out sound and feel, thanks to its unified top and bottom housing.

Despite these differences, both the Sea Glass and the U4 provide pleasing sound profiles. Whether it is the Sea Glass's pleasant and bright sound or the U4's rich and deep sound, both switches offer distinct auditory experiences. Additionally, the utilization of unique housing materials in both switches ensures that you'll achieve satisfactory results in terms of sound quality. So, regardless of your preference for a brighter sound or a deeper tone, both the Durock Sea Glass and the Gazzew U4 can deliver a satisfying auditory experience.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Gazzew U4 tactile switch, we can observe some similarities and differences. Both switches have a bottom out force of 62 grams, indicating a medium level of resistance when pressing all the way down. This means that users can expect a similar feel when fully engaging both switches. However, when it comes to actuation force, there is a slight contrast between the two. The Durock Sea Glass linear switch requires 45 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, while the Gazzew U4 tactile switch requires a slightly lighter 43 grams. This makes the Gazzew U4 tactile switch slightly easier to actuate compared to the Durock Sea Glass linear switch. When it comes to weight, the paragraph mentioned that some individuals prefer lighter switches for extended typing periods or long gaming sessions, while others favor a heavier push for a more substantial typing experience. While the exact weights of the switches were not mentioned, it can be deduced that the Gazzew U4 tactile switch might be lighter due to its lower actuation force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preferences, with the Durock Sea Glass linear switch providing a slightly higher actuation force for those who prefer a more substantial feel, and the Gazzew U4 tactile switch offering a lighter actuation force for a smoother typing experience.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Gazzew U4 tactile switch, it can be observed that the Sea Glass has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the U4 has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. These differences may seem small, but they can have a noticeable impact on the typing or gaming experience.

For those who prefer a more traditional travel distance, the Sea Glass with its 3.8 mm distance would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, the U4 with its slightly shorter 3.6 mm travel distance might be more appealing to gamers who prioritize faster response times. The shorter travel distance allows for quicker actuation, which can be advantageous in competitive gaming scenarios.

However, it is important to note that personal preference plays a significant role in selecting a switch. Some individuals might find shorter travel distances too abrupt and prefer a switch with a longer travel distance like the Sea Glass. The longer travel distance can provide a more satisfying, tactile feedback for those who enjoy a deeper keystroke.

In conclusion, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Gazzew U4 tactile switch. While the Sea Glass might be suitable for those seeking a more traditional or deeper keystroke experience, the U4 offers a shorter travel distance for individuals looking for faster response times, especially in gaming situations. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preference and the desired typing or gaming experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Sea Glass switches from Durock have a uniquely hollow sound signature. This adds a distinct character to the typing experience, which can be appealing to some users. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4 tactile switches are described as having a muted and low-pitched sound profile. This means that they produce a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches, with a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. Both switches offer different sound experiences, so it ultimately depends on the user's preference and other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.

Moving on to feel, the Sea Glass switches are described as frictionless, providing an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. This means that there is minimal resistance or friction when pressing the keys, resulting in a fluid travel. Additionally, they are categorized as mild switches, offering a safe middle-ground typing experience with gentle characteristics that would be approachable to most users. The Sea Glass switches are also described as feathery and easy-to-press, meaning they are exceptionally light to press and require minimal force to activate. This reduces finger fatigue and makes them comfortable for extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4 tactile switches are known for their sharp tactile bump. This means that they provide a strong and crisp feedback intensity with each keystroke. The U4 switches offer a more pronounced tactile feel compared to the smoothness of the Sea Glass switches. Again, the choice between the two will depend on personal preferences and typing style.

In conclusion, the Durock Sea Glass linear switches and the Gazzew U4 tactile switches offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Sea Glass switches have a uniquely hollow sound signature and provide a frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press typing experience. On the other hand, the U4 switches have a muted and low-pitched sound profile and offer a sharp tactile bump. Both switches provide different experiences that cater to different preferences and typing styles. It's important to consider other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used to fully appreciate and optimize the qualities of these switches.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a distinct dry and airy typing experience, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch would be a great choice. With its medium bottom-out force of 62 grams, it offers a weightless feel that defies expectations. The Sea Glass switches also have a uniquely hollow sound signature, adding to the overall typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a silent tactile switch with a sharp and exhilarating tactile bump, the Gazzew U4 is the way to go. It provides a plush, felt-like bottom-out sensation and has a whisper-quiet sound profile. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches boils down to your personal preferences and typing style.

Mentioned in this article

Durock Sea Glass Linear

$5.80

$4.87 per 10

Learn more

Gazzew U4 Tactile

$6.50 per 10

Learn more