Durock Sea Glass vs. TTC Venus
An in-depth look at the Durock Sea Glass and the TTC Venus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Sea Glass and the TTC Venus mechanical keyboard switches, one can see that both offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Sea Glass stands out with its pastel colors and distinct dry, wispy typing experience, providing a weightlessness that defies expectations despite its 62g bottom-out force. On the other hand, the TTC Venus boasts an internal configuration that offers a smooth and engaging typing experience with a unique "matte" sensation and very light actuation. While the Sea Glass is characterized by its frictionless and feathery feel, the Venus is known for its buttery and gummy texture. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
52g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
POM
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
Lengthened 20.5mm spring
Housing materials
The Durock Sea Glass and the TTC Venus both offer unique housing materials for their switches. The Sea Glass features a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing, which creates a pleasant and bright sound profile. In contrast, the Venus utilizes POM top housing, resulting in a deeper and more muted sound. While both provide distinct sound profiles, the Sea Glass leans towards a brighter sound, while the Venus leans towards a deeper tone.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Sea Glass continues with its Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend, which maintains a pleasant and bright sound profile. On the other hand, the Venus switches have a polycarbonate bottom housing, creating a sharper and crisper sound. The use of polycarbonate in the Venus switches leads to a more clear and resonant sound profile, especially beneficial for switches with RGB lighting due to its translucency. The split between the bottom and top housing materials results in different qualities being felt when pressing down and releasing a key.
While the housing materials of the Durock Sea Glass and the TTC Venus differ in terms of top and bottom materials, they both offer unique and pleasing sound profiles. The Sea Glass's combination of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend creates a brighter sound, while the Venus's POM and polycarbonate housings produce deeper and crisper tones. Whether you prefer a brighter or deeper sound profile, both switches provide options for customizable typing experiences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, we see that both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams. However, the Sea Glass has a higher bottom out force of 62 grams, making it heavier compared to the Venus, which has a bottom out force of 52 grams, making it lighter. The Sea Glass provides a more substantial typing experience due to its higher bottom out force, which may be preferred by some users who like a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Venus offers a lighter bottom out force, making it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience for longer periods of use. In terms of weight, the force difference between the two switches may not be significant enough to yield drastically different results, so users may still get similar typing experiences with either switch. Ultimately, the decision between the Sea Glass and Venus switches will depend on the user's preference for a lighter or heavier typing feel.
Travel distance
Both the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch have the same travel distance of 3.8 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance. This similarity in travel distance allows for a consistent typing experience across both switches. Whether you choose the Sea Glass or Venus linear switch, you can expect to get similar results in terms of the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom.
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 TTC Venus has an MSRP of $7.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Venus for $5.09.
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 is best described as having a uniquely hollow sound signature, creating a distinct auditory experience for the user. On the other hand, the TTC Venus linear switch is characterized by a low-pitched, muted, neutral, subdued sound profile that wraps each keystroke in a subdued auditory embrace. While both switches offer unique sound profiles, the Sea Glass presents a more airy and hollow sound, whereas the Venus provides a softer, quieter sound overall.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is known for its frictionless typing experience, offering a smooth and effortless keystroke with minimal resistance. Additionally, it provides a feathery feel that requires little exertion, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. On the contrary, the TTC Venus linear switch is described as buttery and gummy, indicating a smooth and uniform typing sensation with a unique bottom-out sensation akin to a trampoline or gummy bear. Both switches offer a gentle and approachable typing experience, with the Sea Glass focusing on a lightweight and frictionless feel while the Venus presents a more polished and refined typing experience.
In conclusion, both the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch offer unique subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Sea Glass provides a distinct hollow sound and frictionless typing experience, the Venus showcases a low-pitched, muted sound profile and a buttery, gummy feel. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel, but rest assured that both switches offer a high-quality typing experience with their own unique characteristics. Whether you opt for the Sea Glass or the Venus, you can expect a satisfying and engaging typing experience with similar levels of quality.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when considering whether to choose the Durock Sea Glass linear switch or the TTC Venus linear switch, it all comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a switch with a weightless feel and a unique hollow sound signature, the Sea Glass may be the perfect fit for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a light actuation force and a buttery smooth typing experience, the Venus might be more to your liking. Keep in mind that the Sea Glass has a slightly higher bottom out force compared to the Venus, so if you prefer a lighter touch, the Venus would be the way to go. Ultimately, both switches offer their own unique characteristics, so choose based on what aligns best with your typing preferences.
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