Durock Sea Glass vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Durock Sea Glass and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Durock Sea Glass and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream mechanical keyboard switches both offer unique characteristics that differentiate them in the crowded switch market. The Sea Glass switches present users with a captivating selection of pastel colors and provide a distinct typing experience with a dry, wispy, and airy feel. Despite their 62g bottom-out force, these switches feel weightless and produce a uniquely hollow sound signature. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream switches from KTT stand out for their smooth and creamy feel, thanks to the use of POK material in both the stem and bottom housing. They offer a high-pitched and clacky sound signature that adds another layer to the typing experience. Each switch has its own strengths and characteristics, making them suitable for different preferences. 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
43g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
P3+
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
POK
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
The Durock Sea Glass features a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for both its top and bottom housing, resulting in a pleasant sound profile that leans towards the brighter side. In contrast, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream utilizes a proprietary KTT blend for its top housing, providing a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. The Sea Glass's housing materials offer a more balanced and nuanced sound experience compared to the Vanilla Ice Cream's top housing, which is distinctive for its specific sound qualities.
On the other hand, while the Sea Glass employs the same blend for both its top and bottom housing, the Vanilla Ice Cream utilizes POK material for its bottom housing. The POK material is known for its smoothness, durability, and impact on the switch's sound and feel. This results in smooth, clacky, and durable switches that offer a different tactile experience compared to the Sea Glass. The POK bottom housing contributes significantly to the overall performance of the Vanilla Ice Cream switch, providing a unique sensation when pressing down on the keys.
When comparing the overall sound profile and tactile experience of the Durock Sea Glass and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream, it is clear that the choice of housing materials plays a crucial role in shaping the switch's characteristics. While the Sea Glass offers a more balanced and pleasant sound profile with its Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for both top and bottom housing, the Vanilla Ice Cream stands out for its proprietary KTT blend top housing and POK bottom housing. Ultimately, the differences in housing materials result in distinct sound signatures and tactile experiences for each switch, catering to different preferences among keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Sea Glass linear switch to the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, it is evident that the two switches have different actuation and bottom out forces. The Sea Glass has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Vanilla Ice Cream's 43 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Sea Glass is heavier at 62 grams, while the Vanilla Ice Cream has a lighter bottom out force of 48 grams. This means that the Sea Glass provides a slightly more substantial typing experience due to its heavier bottom out force, while the Vanilla Ice Cream offers a lighter touch for those who prefer it. Both switches offer a different typing experience due to the varying actuation and bottom out forces, catering to individuals who prefer either a lighter or heavier feel when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Sea Glass linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In this case, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Sea Glass switch. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them ideal for users looking for more responsiveness in their typing or gaming experience. However, the slight difference in travel distance may be noticeable to some users, with the Sea Glass switch offering a slightly deeper key press compared to the Vanilla Ice Cream switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing feel.
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 Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
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 linear switch offers a uniquely hollow sound signature, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch delivers a high-pitched and clacky sound profile. The Sea Glass switch emits a noise that resonates with a sense of airiness and dryness, providing typists with a distinct auditory experience. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch produces a sharp and crisp sound, contributing to a more lively and vibrant typing environment. Both switches present contrasting sound characteristics, catering to different preferences and adding diversity to the sensory aspect of typing.
When it comes to feel, the Sea Glass linear switch is characterized as frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press, offering an effortless and smooth typing experience. Typists can enjoy the light actuation force and gentle resistance of these switches, minimizing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch is described as providing a buttery and creamy feel, giving typists a seamless, uniform, and smooth keystroke sensation. With a focus on offering a luxurious and velvety typing experience, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch stands out for its tactile comfort and ease of use.
Overall, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Sea Glass switch presents a unique hollow sound and a frictionless typing feel, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch excels in delivering a high-pitched clackiness and a buttery, creamy typing sensation. Whether you prefer a more ethereal and smooth typing experience or a lively and rich auditory feedback, both switches offer exceptional qualities that cater to different preferences and typing styles. Ultimately, the choice between the Sea Glass and Vanilla Ice Cream switches will depend on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when considering whether to choose the Durock Sea Glass linear switch or the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, it comes down to your personal preference for typing experience. If you prefer a switch with a medium bottom out force that offers a unique dry, wispiness and airiness, along with a hollow sound signature, then the Sea Glass may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a lighter bottom out force that provides a smooth and creamy feel, along with a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, then the Vanilla Ice Cream is worth considering. Consider the feel and sound characteristics that best suit your typing style and preferences when making your decision between these two distinct linear switches.
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