Gateron Oil King vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Gateron Oil King and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options are the Gateron Oil King and the Durock Sea Glass, both of which are linear switches. The Oil King is best known for its buttery smoothness and a sound profile reminiscent of a dark chocolate bar snapping. Its categorization as 'Low-pitched', 'Creamy', 'Silky', 'Bassy', 'Buttery', and 'Polished' gives you a sense of the luxurious typing experience it offers. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch series by Durock stands out with its captivating selection of pastel colors and proprietary material blend, resulting in a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness when typing. Despite its 62g bottom-out force, these switches possess a weightlessness that defies expectations, showcasing their frictionless nature. Additionally, the Sea Glass switches have a uniquely hollow sound signature. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
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
Nylon
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Gateron Oil King and the Durock Sea Glass offer distinct housing materials that contribute to unique sound profiles. Starting with the top housing, the Oil King utilizes a nylon material known for its softer and sound-absorbing properties. This results in a deeper and fuller sound when typing, creating a duller and rounder profile. In contrast, the Sea Glass incorporates a blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE, offering a pleasant and slightly brighter sound. While both materials contribute to a pleasant typing experience, the Oil King leans towards a deeper tone, while the Sea Glass provides a brighter tone.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Oil King features Gateron's proprietary INK blend. This blend brings about a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, known colloquially as a "clacky" sound. The INK blend strikes a balance between being sharp without being overly so. In comparison, the Sea Glass utilizes a blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its bottom housing. Like the top housing, this unique blend contributes to a pleasant sound profile that is not particularly sharp but leans towards the brighter side. Both housings offer satisfying auditory feedback, but the Oil King may provide a slightly sharper and more pointed sound compared to the Sea Glass.
It is important to note that if a switch has different top and bottom housings, the qualities of each housing material will be split between the top surface of the switch and the bottom-out sound and feel. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing, whether it be the Oil King's INK blend or the Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend, will be felt. On the other hand, the sound when releasing or letting go of a key will be influenced more by the top housing material. Despite these differences in housing materials, both the Gateron Oil King and the Durock Sea Glass provide excellent sound profiles that cater to the preferences of different users.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Oil King linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, there are notable differences between the two. The Gateron Oil King requires a higher actuation force of 55 grams, while the Durock Sea Glass has a lower actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the Durock Sea Glass will require a lighter touch to trigger a keystroke compared to the Gateron Oil King.
In terms of bottom out force, the Gateron Oil King has a higher force of 65 grams, while the Durock Sea Glass has a slightly lower force of 62 grams. Both switches fall within the medium range, but the Gateron Oil King provides a slightly heavier typing experience when bottoming out.
Considering weight, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Durock Sea Glass with its lower actuation force, as it allows for longer periods of typing without fatigue. On the other hand, those who prefer a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience may find the Gateron Oil King more suitable due to its higher actuation and bottom out forces.
In conclusion, the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Oil King and Durock Sea Glass linear switches differ slightly. While the Durock Sea Glass offers a lighter touch for triggering keystrokes, the Gateron Oil King provides a heavier typing experience when pressing all the way down. The choice between the two ultimately depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Oil King linear switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, it is evident that they have slight differences. The Oil King has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Sea Glass has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. 4.0 mm is considered a more traditional travel distance, while 3.8 mm falls on the shallower end. The choice between these two switches ultimately depends on personal preference and desired responsiveness. Gamers, for instance, often opt for shorter travel distances to achieve faster response times. Therefore, if you prioritize quick and precise keystrokes, the Sea Glass with its shorter travel distance may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial and satisfying depth when pressing down on a key may lean towards the Oil King's longer travel distance. Ultimately, both switches offer their advantages, and it's essential to consider your specific preferences when making a decision.
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 Oil King comes in at $6.50 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
When it comes to sound, the Gateron Oil King linear switch is best described as low-pitched and bassy. These switches have a deep, mellow tone with a lower frequency range, resembling the richness and depth associated with bass tones. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch has a uniquely hollow sound signature. While the exact description is unknown, this distinct sound profile adds a touch of airiness and wispiness to the typing experience. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Gateron Oil King linear switch is often described as creamy, silky, buttery, and polished. These switches offer a smooth and buttery typing experience, with lubricant applied at the factory and specific materials contributing to the silky sensation. Typing on the Oil King switch feels effortless and seamless, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is characterized as frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press. The Sea Glass switches provide an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience, minimizing resistance and offering a fluid travel. The light actuation force and gentle resistance make typing comfortable and reduce finger fatigue.
In conclusion, the Gateron Oil King and Durock Sea Glass linear switches offer different subjective qualities. The Oil King switch provides a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, along with a creamy, silky, buttery, and polished typing feel. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch exhibits a uniquely hollow sound signature and a frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press typing experience. While the sound and feel may differ between these switches, both options offer smoothness in their own way. Depending on your personal preferences and typing style, you can achieve similar results with either switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a smooth and buttery typing experience with a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, then the Gateron Oil King linear switch is the one for you. These switches offer a medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams and provide a creamy, silky, buttery, and polished feel when typing. The Oil Kings are known for their buttery smoothness and a sound profile reminiscent of a dark chocolate bar snapping. On the other hand, if you value a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness in your typing experience, accompanied by a weightless and frictionless feel, then the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is the ideal choice. With a bottom out force of 62 grams, these switches offer a uniquely hollow sound signature and a typing feel described as frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize a smoother feel and rich sound or a drier and weightless typing experience.
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