Durock Sea Glass vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the Durock Sea Glass and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the right mechanical keyboard switch, the choice often boils down to personal preferences that cater to unique typing styles and gaming needs. The Durock Sea Glass switch is a delightful linear option, distinguished by its pastel colors and an enchanting typing experience characterized by a wispiness and airiness that adds a refreshing touch to your keystrokes. With a bottom-out force of 62g, these switches offer a smooth, lightweight, and surprisingly hollow sound signature that many typists and general users appreciate for its comfort and muted acoustics. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus switch is designed with gamers in mind, featuring a rapid actuation force of just 1mm for quick inputs. Its clacky sound profile and snappy feedback make it invigorating for fast-paced gameplay, appealing to those who thrive on speed and precision. Both switches offer their own unique advantages—whether you seek a gentle and airy typing experience or a lively and responsive gaming feel. 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
48g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.00 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
Nylon
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
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
The primary distinction between the Durock Sea Glass and HMX Vintage Citrus switches lies in the materials used for their top and bottom housings. The Sea Glass features a unique blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) for both its top and bottom housings. This combination is touted for producing a sound profile that is described as pleasant and slightly brighter, thereby emphasizing clarity and bringing out higher-pitched tones. In contrast, both the top and bottom housings of the Vintage Citrus are made entirely from nylon, a classic material that is known for its ability to create a deeper, fuller sound while providing a rounder acoustic experience. The softer nature of nylon contributes to its sound-dampening qualities, leading to a more muted sound when typing.
Despite the differences in material composition, both switch types are engineered to offer satisfying tactile feedback and sound experience. The Sea Glass’s blend of nylon with UHMWPE facilitates a certain brightness that might appeal to users looking for a more pronounced auditory response while typing. However, the Vintage Citrus, through its exclusive use of nylon, achieves a different kind of robustness in sound that is favored for those who prefer a deeper thump and feel during key presses. This suggests that users can expect different auditory experiences from the two switches, influenced heavily by the material properties of their respective housings.
When it comes to the performance of these switches, the combination of top and bottom housing materials ultimately shapes the typing experience and sound profile. While the Sea Glass may provide a brighter auditory experience due to its polymer blend, the Vintage Citrus will likely produce a more full-bodied and rounded sound owing to the character of the nylon. Users seeking a mix of both styles may find that different key presses yield varying levels of auditory feedback, with the bottom housing significantly affecting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound upon releasing the key. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches will hinge on personal preference for sound and tactile feedback during use.
Weight
The Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch each offer distinct characteristics in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Sea Glass has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, while the Vintage Citrus features a slightly heavier actuation force of 48 grams and a lighter bottom out force of 53 grams. This means that while the Sea Glass requires less force to actuate, it takes more force to bottom out compared to its counterpart. In terms of weight preference, the Sea Glass is lighter in actuation force but heavier in bottom out pressure, appealing to users who favor a softer initial keypress but a more substantial feel when bottoming out. On the other hand, the Vintage Citrus might be more suitable for those who enjoy a firmer experience overall, as its actuation force is heavier and its bottom out force is lighter, making it easier to release without bottoming out as hard. Therefore, for long typing sessions, the Sea Glass may be preferred by those seeking comfort and ease, while the Vintage Citrus caters to those who appreciate a more pronounced key feedback.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, the Sea Glass stands out with a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Vintage Citrus features a shorter travel distance of 3 mm. This difference indicates that the Sea Glass offers a slightly deeper feel, catering to those who appreciate a more substantial keypress, whereas the Vintage Citrus is designed for quicker responses, appealing to gamers who value speed and efficiency. Ultimately, if you prefer a more responsive typing experience, the Vintage Citrus is the better choice, but for users who enjoy a more pronounced keystroke, the Sea Glass would likely be more satisfying.
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 HMX Vintage Citrus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vintage Citrus for $2.79.
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 it comes to sound, the Durock Sea Glass switch showcases a uniquely hollow signature, creating a distinctive resonance that lends itself to an airy and lightweight auditory experience. This sound profile may be perceived as subtle and somewhat nuanced, emphasizing a dryness that many users find appealing. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus switch possesses a bright and clacky sound that is sharp and snappy when pressed. The crispness and percussive quality of its sound make it particularly satisfying for those who enjoy a more engaging auditory feedback. Overall, while both switches provide intriguing sound characteristics, the Sea Glass's hollow quality contrasted against the Vintage Citrus's clackiness will cater to different preferences.
Regarding feel, the Sea Glass switches impress with their mild, feathery touch, allowing users to experience a gentle and effortless typing sensation. The lightweight actuation and easy-to-press nature create a comfortable environment that is especially welcoming for prolonged use, whether it's for work or gaming. On the other hand, the Vintage Citrus switch offers a snappier and invigorating feel, characterized by its rapid response and pronounced feedback. This mid to firm actuation is designed to promote an active typing experience, making it ideal for gamers looking for tactile engagement during fast-paced scenarios. Each switch targets different typing habits: the Sea Glass focuses on softness and comfort, while the Vintage Citrus emphasizes responsiveness and activity.
In summary, both the Durock Sea Glass and HMX Vintage Citrus switches offer unique and enjoyable typing experiences, each appealing to different user preferences. The Sea Glass provides a featherlight, mild feel combined with a distinctive hollow sound signature, perfect for those who favor a less intrusive typing atmosphere. Conversely, the Vintage Citrus excels in quick actuation with a bright, clacky auditory response, tailored for users who desire a more engaging and reactive typing experience. Your choice will ultimately depend on whether you gravitate towards a gentle, airy typing experience or a lively, pronounced one.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch ultimately boils down to your personal preferences and intended usage. If you find yourself pursuing a switch that offers a balanced, mild typing experience alongside a unique, hollow sound signature, the Sea Glass may be your ideal choice. Its medium bottom-out force of 62 grams strikes a balance, providing a pleasant typing experience without being overly strenuous, making it suitable for long typing sessions whether for work or leisurely use. On the other hand, if you’re primarily a gamer seeking rapid responsiveness and a clacky sound profile that enhances your gameplay experience, the Vintage Citrus is likely to be more aligned with your needs. With a lighter bottom-out force of 53 grams and an exhilarating, invigorating feel, this switch is designed for quick actuation and snappy feedback, ensuring that every keypress feels crisp and engaging. Ultimately, your decision should reflect both the tactile sensations you enjoy and the activities you engage in, allowing you to tailor your mechanical keyboard experience in a way that best suits you.
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