Durock Sea Glass vs. Gazzew U4T
An in-depth look at the Durock Sea Glass and the Gazzew U4T switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Durock Sea Glass and the Gazzew U4T. The Sea Glass switch series by Durock stands out with its captivating pastel colors, providing a visually pleasing experience. These linear switches are known for their distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness, which adds a unique typing sensation. Despite their 62g bottom-out force, the Sea Glass switches feel weightless and offer a frictionless typing experience. Additionally, they produce a uniquely hollow sound signature. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4T switches offer a different experience, characterized by a harmonious fusion of thockiness and sharp tactility. These tactile switches provide a satisfying auditory and tactile feedback with every keystroke, thanks to their bassy "thock" sound profile and assertive tactile feedback. While these general pointers can help guide your decision, 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
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
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
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel 17.5mm Korean spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Sea Glass and the Gazzew U4T have some similarities and differences. Both switches utilize unique proprietary blends of plastic to enhance their sound profiles. The Sea Glass features a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top and bottom housing, while the U4T incorporates Gazzew's proprietary blend for both the top and bottom housing.
In terms of sound profile, the Sea Glass's blend offers a pleasant and bright tone without being overly sharp. On the other hand, the U4T's blend, often referred to as "boba plastic," provides a rich and deep sound profile due to its softness. This distinction suggests that the U4T may deliver a more pronounced and resonant sound compared to the Sea Glass.
When it comes to the tactile experience of typing, the bottom housing plays a significant role. The bottom housing determines the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. As such, the qualities of the Sea Glass's bottom housing, which offers a pleasant and bright sound profile, may contribute to a satisfying and tactile typing experience. Similarly, the U4T's bottom housing, known for its softness, likely enhances the overall feel and sound when bottoming out.
On the other hand, the top housing influences the sound when a key is released. Although both switches have unique top housings, it is challenging to directly compare the Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing with the U4T's proprietary blend top housing. However, it can be assumed that the qualities of the top housing materials of both switches contribute to the overall sound experience when releasing a key, allowing for a pleasing auditory feedback.
In conclusion, while the housing materials of the Durock Sea Glass and the Gazzew U4T differ in composition, they both contribute to delivering an enhanced typing experience through their unique sound profiles. The Sea Glass offers a pleasant and bright sound with its Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend, while the U4T's blend provides a rich and deep tone. The bottom housing affects the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the key release sound. Although their specific characteristics may vary, both switches aim to provide a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Gazzew U4T tactile switch, there are some notable similarities and differences. The actuation force of the Sea Glass is 45 grams, while the actuation force of the U4T remains unknown. However, both switches have a bottom out force of 62 grams, indicating a medium level of force required to fully depress the keys.
In terms of weight, individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience may find the Sea Glass more suitable, as it allows for longer periods of typing without causing fatigue. This characteristic makes it ideal for those who use their keyboards extensively for work or gaming sessions. On the other hand, for users seeking a more substantial typing feel and a stronger push, the U4T might be a better choice. By comparison, the Sea Glass can provide a lighter actuation force, offering a gentler keystroke sensation, while the U4T's actuation force remains a mystery.
Considering the bottom out force, both switches share the same 62 grams requirement, resulting in a similar tactile experience when fully depressing the keys. This means that users can expect a consistent level of resistance and feedback during typing or gaming activities, regardless of which switch they choose.
In summary, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch offers a known actuation force of 45 grams, while the Gazzew U4T tactile switch's actuation force remains unavailable. The Sea Glass is lighter in terms of actuation force and thus provides a lighter typing experience, making it suitable for extended periods of use. Meanwhile, both switches share the same bottom out force of 62 grams, ensuring consistent resistance and feedback when fully depressing the keys.
Travel distance
The Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Gazzew U4T tactile switch have different travel distances. The Sea Glass has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the U4T has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. While both switches fall within the traditional range of travel distances, with the U4T being closer to the standard 4.0mm, the Sea Glass offers a slightly shorter travel distance. This may be appealing to gamers or those who prefer a faster response time when typing or gaming. On the other hand, the U4T with its longer travel distance may provide a deeper and more satisfying keystroke for individuals who prefer a more substantial feel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on an individual's personal preference for travel distance - whether they prefer a shorter and faster keystroke or a longer and more pronounced 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 Gazzew U4T comes in at $6.50 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 Sea Glass switches from Durock offer a uniquely hollow sound signature. This distinct sound profile adds a sense of airiness and wispiness to the typing experience. On the other hand, the U4T switches from Gazzew are described as having a bassy "thock" sound profile. This means that each keystroke produces a deep and rich sound similar to a low-frequency bass tone. It provides both auditory and tactile satisfaction with its assertive tactile feedback. While the Sea Glass switches have a hollow sound and the U4T switches have a bassy "thock" sound, it is important to note that the sound of a switch is also dependent on other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Sea Glass switches are described as having a frictionless and mild typing experience. They offer an extremely smooth and effortless typing feel, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. This frictionless nature adds to the weightlessness of these switches, despite their 62g bottom-out force. The Sea Glass switches can be considered feathery, as they are exceptionally light to press and require little exertion from the fingers, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions.
On the other hand, the Gazzew U4T switches are characterized by their sharp tactile bump. This sharp tactile feedback provides a high intensity of feedback, allowing users to distinctly feel the tactile bump with each keystroke. The U4T switches embody a harmonious fusion of thockiness and sharp tactility, offering both a satisfying sound and tactile experience.
In conclusion, the Durock Sea Glass switches and the Gazzew U4T switches offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of both sound and feel. The Sea Glass switches have a hollow and airy sound signature, along with a frictionless and mild typing experience. They can be considered feathery and easy to press. On the other hand, the U4T switches have a bassy "thock" sound profile and a sharp tactile feedback, providing both auditory and tactile satisfaction. While they have different qualities, both switches offer unique typing experiences that can enhance the overall enjoyment of using a mechanical keyboard.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a unique and captivating switch with a distinct feel and sound, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is a great choice. With its medium bottom-out force of 62 grams, it strikes a balance between weight and weightlessness. The Sea Glass switches offer a frictionless and effortless typing experience, making them perfect for those seeking a smooth and gentle typing feel. They also have a uniquely hollow sound signature. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch that provides a satisfying auditory and tactile experience, the Gazzew U4T tactile switch is the way to go. These switches have a bassy "thock" sound profile that resonates with each keystroke. With their sharp tactile feedback, they offer a high feedback intensity that can be distinctly felt. Ultimately, the choice between the Sea Glass and U4T switches depends on your preference for linear or tactile switches and the specific typing experience you're looking for.
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