Durock Sea Glass vs. Gateron Weightlessness

Overview

When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switches, the contrast between Durock’s Sea Glass and Gateron’s Weightlessness highlights the diverse experiences available to typists and gamers alike. The Sea Glass switches, renowned for their vibrant pastel colors, offer a linear experience characterized by a smooth, frictionless actuation and a uniquely hollow sound signature. With a bottom-out force of 62g, they provide an airy and feathery feel that makes for a delightful typing experience, perfect for those who prefer a light touch and rapid keystrokes. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness switches present a more tactile experience, featuring a subtle yet satisfying bump that enhances the feedback during typing. Their balanced sound profile pairs seamlessly with the tactile sensations, making them an excellent choice for users seeking both auditory and physical cues. Ultimately, one may gravitate towards the Sea Glass for its smoothness and visual appeal, or the Weightlessness for its tactile feedback and balanced sound. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Durock Sea Glass Linear

Gateron Weightlessness Tactile

$5.80

$4.87 per 10

$6.10

$5.50 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Durock Sea Glass and the Gateron Weightlessness switches, the distinctions are marked primarily by the composite materials used. The Sea Glass features a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for both its top and bottom housings, which contributes to a sound profile that is deemed bright yet pleasant. This blend’s nuances allow for a character that is less sharp, potentially appealing to consumers seeking a smoother typing experience without sacrificing clarity. On the other hand, the Weightlessness switch utilizes standard nylon for both its top and bottom housings, creating a traditional sound profile that is recognized for its depth and fullness. The softer nature of nylon aids in sound absorption, resulting in a more rounded auditory experience during typing.

Both the Durock Sea Glass and Gateron Weightlessness switches exhibit notable comparisons in how their housing materials affect overall sound profiles. The Sea Glass, with its distinctive polymer blend housing, delivers a brighter tone that enhances keystrokes in a lively manner. Meanwhile, the Weightlessness's nylon construction provides a muted, deeper sound that many typists might find appealing due to its classic performance. Although the materials differ in specifics, it can be argued they yield enjoyable auditory feedback, but directed at different preferences: either a brighter sound to energize typing or a deeper sound focused on comfort and nostalgia.

With the Sea Glass's unique blend and the Weightlessness's classic nylon composition, the resulting experiences can resonate similarly based on user preferences and expectations. For typing enthusiasts who appreciate distinct sound feedback, the qualities of each switch reflect their respective housing materials—whether the Sea Glass's brightness adds liveliness to the typing experience or the Weightlessness's fullness provides a satisfying depth. When pressed down, both switches will showcase the characteristics attributed to their bottom housings, impacting the feel and sound upon bottoming out. In contrast, the top housing of each switch will mostly influence the sound produced upon release. Thus, typists may derive pleasantly unique experiences from both switches, adapting based on the intricacies of their materials despite the clear differences in blends and sound profiles.

Weight

When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch, we see distinct characteristics. The Sea Glass switch has an actuation force of 45 grams, which is lighter compared to the Weightlessness switch's actuation force of 50 grams. This makes the Sea Glass more suitable for users who prefer a lighter, easier typing experience, particularly beneficial for long typing sessions or gaming. In terms of bottom out force, the Sea Glass exhibits a measurable force of 62 grams, indicating a solid feedback when the switch is fully pressed. In contrast, the Weightlessness switch lacks a specified bottom out force, making it challenging to compare this aspect directly. Nevertheless, the presence of a known bottom out force in the Sea Glass can provide a more predictable typing experience, while the Weightlessness may offer a different feel due to its unknown bottom out dynamics. Overall, for those who prefer a lighter key press, the Sea Glass is the preferable option, while the weightier performance of the Weightlessness appeals to users seeking a more substantial keystroke feel.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch, the Sea Glass comes in at 3.8 mm, while the Weightlessness measures 3.4 mm. This makes the Sea Glass the longer of the two options, offering a deeper press that can provide a more substantial feel. In contrast, the Weightlessness, with its shorter travel distance, may appeal to gamers or those seeking faster response times. For individuals who prefer a more responsive typing experience, the Gateron Weightlessness could be more suitable, whereas those who like a more pronounced travel feel might gravitate towards the Durock Sea Glass. Thus, the choice between these switches ultimately comes down to personal preference regarding depth versus responsiveness.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is noted for its uniquely hollow sound signature, which contributes to a typing experience that feels airy and light. This characteristic can evoke a sense of space and subtlety, enhancing the overall auditory satisfaction. On the other hand, the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch has a balanced sound profile that pairs well with its tactile feel. While specific details on the exact sound are not provided, the emphasis on balance suggests a pleasant auditory experience that doesn’t overshadow the tactile feedback.

When considering feel, the Sea Glass switches are celebrated for their frictionless and feathery qualities, delivering an incredibly smooth and effortless typing experience. The 62g bottom-out force, despite promoting a weighty feel, combines with the switch's frictionless nature to create a typing sensation that is light and easy on the fingers. The description of these switches as mild indicates they are approachable for a wide range of users, making them suitable for extended typing sessions. In contrast, while specific descriptors for the Weightlessness switch have not been provided, the mention of a subtle to moderate tactile feel suggests that they are comfortable without overwhelming the typist. This combination typically balances sensitivity and responsiveness.

In summary, both the Durock Sea Glass linear switches and Gateron Weightlessness tactile switches offer distinctive qualities that cater to varying preferences. The Sea Glass shines with its airy sound and frictionless feel, making it ideal for those who appreciate a smooth and gentle keystroke. Meanwhile, the Weightlessness switches provide a balanced tactile sensation that appeals to users looking for touch feedback in their typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on whether one prefers a purely linear feel or desires a tactile reinforcement.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and intended use. If you favor a typing experience that is exceptionally smooth, frictionless, and airily pleasant, the Sea Glass is your go-to option, especially if you appreciate a medium bottom-out force of 62 grams that offers just the right amount of resistance without being overly taxing on your fingers. These switches not only enhance your typing experience with their unique sound signature but also bring a touch of style with their pastel color options. On the other hand, if you're seeking a more tactile sensation without the pronounced impact of heavier switches, and if you prefer a balanced sound profile that complements the gentle tactile feedback, the Gateron Weightlessness switches are ideal. Their subtle tactile nature makes them suitable for those who might enjoy a softer feel while typing—perfect for both casual typing and gaming. Ultimately, your decision should align with what typing experience resonates more with you: the airy, smooth sailing of the Sea Glass or the balanced tactile feedback of the Weightlessness.

Mentioned in this article

Durock Sea Glass Linear

$5.80

$4.87 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Weightlessness Tactile

$6.10

$5.50 per 10

Learn more