United States: Free shipping on orders over $49

Gateron Jupiter Brown vs. Durock Sea Glass

An in-depth look at the Gateron Jupiter Brown and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When comparing the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch to the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, it's clear that each offers a unique typing experience. The Jupiter Browns provide a classic keystroke feel with a medium-heavy weight, delivering reliable performance and aesthetic appeal. In contrast, the Sea Glass switches from Durock boast a distinct dryness and airiness in their typing experience, despite their 62g bottom-out force. While the Jupiter Browns offer a polished and stepped feel, the Sea Glass switches are known for their frictionless and easy-to-press nature. Both switches have their own advantages, but deciding between the two ultimately depends on personal preference. 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

55g

Actuation force

45g

Bottom-out force

70g

Bottom-out force

62g

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Total travel

4.00 mm

Total travel

3.80 mm

Factory lubed

Yes

Factory lubed

Yes

Stem construction

Standard

Stem construction

Standard

Stem material

POM

Stem material

P3+

Top housing material

Polycarbonate

Top housing material

Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Bottom housing material

Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Spring

Spring steel

Spring

Gold-plated

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Gateron Jupiter Brown and the Durock Sea Glass switches differ significantly in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Jupiter Brown features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound profile due to its stiffness. In contrast, the Sea Glass utilizes a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for its top housing, resulting in a more pleasant, bright sound profile that is not particularly sharp. While the Jupiter Brown's top housing is ideal for RGB lighting due to its translucency, the Sea Glass offers a unique blend that sets it apart in terms of sound aesthetics.

On the other hand, when it comes to the bottom housing of the switches, the Jupiter Brown uses nylon, known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature and ability to absorb more sound. In comparison, the Sea Glass also employs the same Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for its bottom housing, highlighting a similar pleasant sound profile that leans towards the brighter side. Despite the differences in their top housing materials, both switches aim to provide a unique typing experience through their bottom housing composition, showcasing the versatility and impact of different materials on sound and feel.

Overall, the choice between the Gateron Jupiter Brown and the Durock Sea Glass switches will ultimately depend on personal preferences for sound profiles and typing experiences. While the Jupiter Brown offers a sharper and crisper sound with its polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing, the Sea Glass presents a more pleasant and bright sound profile with its unique Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for both top and bottom housings. Whether you prefer a clear and resonant sound or a brighter and more pleasant sound, both switches provide distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.

Weight

The actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch offer different typing experiences. The Jupiter Brown requires a higher actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Sea Glass's lighter 45 grams. This means that the Sea Glass will be easier to trigger a keystroke with. In terms of bottom out force, the Jupiter Brown requires 70 grams to fully press down, while the Sea Glass only needs 62 grams. Both switches provide a medium typing experience, but the Jupiter Brown is heavier, offering a more substantial typing feel. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may find the Sea Glass more suitable for longer typing sessions, while those who enjoy a stronger push feel may lean towards the Jupiter Brown for a more solid typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing force.

Travel distance

The Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is considered a more traditional distance. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. Gamers, in particular, may prefer the Sea Glass switch for its quicker response time due to the shorter travel distance. However, some users may find the shorter distance too abrupt and prefer the Jupiter Brown switch for its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference regarding travel distance and responsiveness.

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 Gateron Jupiter Brown comes in at $2.80 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 Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch is often described as having a softer and more traditional mechanical keyboard sound, whereas the Durock Sea Glass linear switch offers a uniquely hollow sound signature due to its material blend. Both switches possess distinct auditory profiles that can add character to your typing experience, depending on personal preference and setup.

When it comes to feel, the Jupiter Brown switch provides a mild and polished typing experience, offering a safe middle ground for most users. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass switch is known for its frictionless and feathery feel, making it exceptionally light to press and effortless for extended typing sessions. While the Jupiter Brown offers a more classic tactile feel, the Sea Glass switch provides a smooth and weightless typing experience that defies expectations.

Overall, the Gateron Jupiter Brown and Durock Sea Glass switches each bring unique qualities to the table. The Jupiter Brown offers a more traditional tactile experience with a medium-heavy weight, while the Sea Glass switch stands out for its smoothness and airiness. Depending on whether you prefer a classic keystroke feel or a frictionless typing experience, both switches have something to offer. Ultimately, your choice between the two will depend on your individual preferences for sound, feel, and aesthetic appeal.

Conclusion

In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a more classic keystroke feel with a medium-heavy weight and high-precision molds, the Jupiter Brown may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you appreciate a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness in your typing experience, along with a weightless and frictionless nature, the Sea Glass switch series by Durock could be the perfect fit. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different needs and preferences, so be sure to consider factors such as bottom-out force, sound, and feel when making your decision. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on what qualities are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.

Mentioned in this article