Gazzew Bobagum vs. Dareu Mahjong
An in-depth look at the Gazzew Bobagum and the Dareu Mahjong switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Gazzew Bobagum and Dareu Mahjong mechanical keyboard switches, one can immediately see their differences. The Bobagum offers an unparalleled smoothness with a unique matte feel, providing a distinct tactility while maintaining a nearly silent sound profile. On the other hand, the Mahjong stands out with its lively, poppy sound signature and effortless typing experience, enhanced by its striking green and white color scheme. While the Bobagum is categorized as 'Muted' and 'Subtle', the Mahjong falls into categories like 'Bouncy', 'Mild', 'Neutral', and 'Polished'. Each switch has its own set of characteristics that may appeal to different preferences. 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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel 14.5mm Korean spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Gazzew Bobagum and the Dareu Mahjong utilize different materials for their housing components, with the Bobagum featuring a proprietary Gazzew blend for both the top and bottom housing, while the Mahjong uses POK material for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing. The Gazzew blend is known for delivering a rich and deep sound profile due to its softness, while the POK material in the Mahjong contributes to smooth, clacky, and durable switches. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing in the Mahjong elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing more sound than harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to the Gazzew blend.
In terms of durability, the Gazzew blend in the Bobagum offers a soft and deep sound profile due to its softness, while the POK material in the Mahjong is exceptionally strong, with wear resistance 14 times stronger than POM and shock resistance surpassing Nylon and POM. The use of nylon for the bottom housing in the Mahjong further enhances its sound profile, creating a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to the Bobagum's Gazzew blend. Overall, both switches offer unique characteristics in their housing materials, catering to different preferences in sound and feel for mechanical keyboard users.
While the Gazzew Bobagum and Dareu Mahjong feature different housing materials for their top and bottom components, the qualities of each material contribute to the overall sound profile and feel of the switches. The Gazzew blend in the Bobagum provides a rich and deep sound profile, while the POK material in the Mahjong offers smooth, clacky, and durable switches. The nylon bottom housing in the Mahjong creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing more sound and resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to the Gazzew blend. Despite the differences, both switches offer unique characteristics in their housing materials, allowing users to experience a variety of sound profiles and tactile responses based on their preferences.
Weight
When comparing the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch to the Dareu Mahjong linear switch, there are some notable differences in terms of actuation force and bottom out force. The Bobagum has a slightly higher actuation force of 46 grams compared to the Mahjong's 45 grams, making it slightly heavier. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Bobagum requires 62 grams while the Mahjong's force is unknown. The Bobagum offers a more consistent typing experience with a medium actuation and bottom out force, providing a good balance between light and heavy typing feel. On the other hand, the Mahjong's lighter actuation force may appeal to users who prefer a lighter touch when typing for extended periods. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out force levels.
Travel distance
The Gazzew Bobagum linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Dareu Mahjong linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming more popular, especially among gamers looking for quicker response times. The difference of 0.2 mm between the two switches may not be significant for some users, but those who prefer a slightly shallower key press may lean towards the Mahjong switch. However, for those who prefer a bit more depth to their key presses, the Bobagum switch may be the preferred choice. Overall, both switches offer a relatively short travel distance compared to more traditional options, catering to different preferences for typing or gaming experiences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Mahjong has an MSRP of $8.89 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mahjong for $5.79.
The Gazzew Bobagum 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 comparing the subjective qualities of the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Dareu Mahjong linear switch, the sound profiles stand out as quite different. The Bobagum switch offers a muted sound, providing a softer and quieter typing experience ideal for minimizing noise in shared spaces. In contrast, the Mahjong switch has a more neutral sound, with a moderate profile suitable for various environments and user preferences. Both switches may produce different sound responses based on the keyboard and keycap setup used in conjunction with them.
Moving on to the typing feel, the Bobagum switch is described as having a subtle resistance, offering a gentle typing experience with a sound signature that is not overly resonant. On the other hand, the Mahjong switch is characterized as bouncy, providing a lively and elastic feedback sensation when typing. Additionally, the Mahjong switch boasts a polished finish, resulting in smooth key travel and reduced friction. While the Bobagum switch leans towards a more subtle and smooth typing feel, the Mahjong switch offers a bouncier and more refined experience for users looking for a bit more bounce in their keystrokes.
In conclusion, the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Dareu Mahjong linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. Those who prefer a quieter and more subtle typing experience may lean towards the Bobagum switch, while individuals looking for a bouncier and more refined feel may opt for the Mahjong switch. Both switches provide distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences, ensuring users can find a switch that suits their typing style and environment. Ultimately, regardless of the choice between the two, users can expect a smooth and enjoyable typing experience with either switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Dareu Mahjong linear switch, consider the following factors. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and a smooth, almost 'matte' feel with nearly silent typing, the Bobagum switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with a lively, poppy sound signature and a bouncy, spring-like feel with a polished finish, the Mahjong switch could be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on the specific typing experience and sound profile you desire in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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