Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Dareu Firefly
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Dareu Firefly switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Dareu Firefly mechanical keyboard switches, we see two distinct tactile options with their own unique characteristics. The Everglide Bamboo Green is known for its clacky sound signature and crisp tactility, categorized as 'Stepped', 'High-pitched', 'Accented', 'Sharp', 'Resonant', 'Polished'. On the other hand, the Dareu Firefly offers a quieter experience with a light actuation and a hint of clickiness, categorized as 'Easy-to-press', 'Chirpy'. Each switch has its own appeal depending on the user's preferences and typing style. 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
43g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
PBT
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Everglide Bamboo Green and the Dareu Firefly have different top housing materials, with the Bamboo Green featuring a PBT top housing and the Firefly featuring a polycarbonate top housing. The PBT material of the Bamboo Green offers a neutral sound profile, while the polycarbonate material of the Firefly creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. The translucency of polycarbonate also makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, giving it an aesthetic advantage over the Bamboo Green's PBT top housing. Overall, the choice between the two will depend on whether you prefer a neutral sound profile or a sharper, higher-pitched sound.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Dareu Firefly also differ. The Bamboo Green has a PBT bottom housing, offering a neutral sound profile similar to its top housing. On the other hand, the Firefly features a nylon bottom housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic absorbing more sound. This results in a duller and rounder sound compared to the Bamboo Green's bottom housing. Depending on your preference for sound profile, you may lean towards the fuller sound of the nylon bottom housing of the Firefly or the neutral sound of the PBT bottom housing of the Bamboo Green.
When considering the overall sound and feel of a switch, it is important to take into account both the top and bottom housing materials. While the qualities of the top housing material primarily impact the sound when you let go of a key, the bottom housing material plays a larger role in the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. If the top and bottom housings are different, as is the case with the Bamboo Green and Firefly, the qualities of each housing material will be split between the top and bottom of the switch, influencing the overall typing experience in different ways. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference for sound profile and feel.
Weight
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 43 grams compared to the Dareu Firefly tactile switch's 40 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Bamboo Green is also higher at 62 grams, whereas the Firefly's bottom out force is unknown. This means that the Bamboo Green switch overall requires a slightly heavier touch compared to the Firefly. For those who prefer a lighter touch, the Firefly may be the better option, especially for longer typing sessions or gaming. On the other hand, the Bamboo Green may be more suitable for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel. Ultimately, both switches offer different levels of actuation and bottom out forces, allowing users to choose based on their personal preferences for typing or gaming experiences.
Travel distance
Both the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Dareu Firefly tactile switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them similar in this aspect. When comparing and contrasting the two switches, it can be said that they offer the same tactile experience for users in terms of the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom. This means that whether you are using the Bamboo Green or the Firefly, you can expect a consistent feel and performance when typing or gaming. Both switches provide a satisfying tactile feedback for users, with neither switch being shorter or longer in travel distance than the other. Overall, users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of travel distance when using either the Everglide Bamboo Green or the Dareu Firefly tactile switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Bamboo Green has an MSRP of $9.67 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bamboo Green for $7.19.
The Dareu Firefly has an MSRP of $6.59 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Firefly for $3.76.
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 Everglide Bamboo Green switch offers a high-pitched and resonant typing experience, producing sharp and crisp sounds with each press. In contrast, the Dareu Firefly switch has a chirpy sound profile, adding a unique squeak to the typing experience. Depending on personal preference and the overall setup of the keyboard, these sound differences can significantly impact the auditory feedback while typing.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green switch provides a stepped, accented, sharp, and polished tactile sensation. This means that users can expect a two-stage tactile feedback with a medium level of tactility that is smooth and refined. On the other hand, the Dareu Firefly switch offers an easy-to-press feel, with gentle resistance and minimal force required to activate the keys. This light actuation force promotes effortless typing and reduces finger fatigue during extended use.
In conclusion, the Everglide Bamboo Green and Dareu Firefly switches offer distinct sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Bamboo Green switch provides a sharper and more tactile typing experience with a higher-pitched sound, the Firefly switch focuses on easy key presses and a quieter typing sound with a hint of clickiness. Choosing between these switches ultimately depends on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch or the Dareu Firefly tactile switch, you should take into account the key characteristics of each switch. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and enjoy a clacky sound with a crisp and sparkling tactility, the Bamboo Green might be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with a light actuation force and a quiet, chirpy sound with just a hint of clickiness, the Firefly could be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal typing preferences and the typing experience you are seeking.
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