Gazzew Bobagum vs. Dareu Master
An in-depth look at the Gazzew Bobagum and the Dareu Master switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking for a mechanical keyboard switch that offers a unique tactile experience, the Gazzew Bobagum and Dareu Master switches stand out as top contenders. The Bobagum switch boasts an unparalleled smoothness with a matte-like feel, delivering a quiet typing experience with its bubblegum-colored design. On the other hand, the Master switch from Dareu provides users with a medium-weight linear switch that produces a classic clacky sound while maintaining exceptional smoothness. Both switches offer different sound profiles, with the Bobagum being more muted and subtle, while the Master switch is clacky, mild, and polished. 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel 14.5mm Korean spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gazzew Bobagum and Dareu Master have their own unique characteristics that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches. The Bobagum's proprietary Gazzew blend top and bottom housing, also known as "boba plastic," delivers a rich and deep sound due to its softness, impacting both the press down and let go sound of the switch. On the other hand, the Master's POM top and bottom housing create a unique and pleasing sound that is deeper and more muted, again affecting both aspects of the switch's sound profile. Both switches offer a rich sound experience, but the Bobagum provides a softer touch compared to the Master's more muted sound.
While the top housing materials of the Gazzew Bobagum and Dareu Master have their differences, they both contribute to the overall sound profile in their own way. The Bobagum's Gazzew blend top housing delivers a rich and deep sound due to its softness, impacting the sound when you let go of a key. In contrast, the Master's POM top housing creates a pleasing and unique sound that is on the deeper side, influencing the sound profile in a relatively more muted way. Despite their differences, both top housing materials offer a unique sound experience that appeals to different preferences.
When it comes to the bottom housing materials of the Gazzew Bobagum and Dareu Master, they also play a significant role in the overall sound profile of the switches. The Bobagum's Gazzew blend bottom housing delivers a rich and deep sound profile due to its softness, impacting the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. Similarly, the Master's POM bottom housing creates a pleasing and unique sound that is deeper and more muted, influencing the overall sound experience. Both switches offer a rich and deep sound profile, with the bottom housing materials contributing to the tactile feedback and overall feel of the switches.
Weight
When comparing the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Dareu Master linear switch, we can see that the actuation force of the Bobagum is slightly heavier at 46 grams compared to the Master's 45 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Bobagum is heavier at 62 grams, while the Master's bottom out force is unknown. The Bobagum provides a medium actuation force and bottom out force, offering a balanced typing experience. On the other hand, the Master's actuation force is slightly lighter, but without information on the bottom out force, it is hard to determine the overall feel. Considering weight preferences, some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Master for longer typing sessions, while others may prefer the heavier bottom out force of the Bobagum for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Gazzew Bobagum linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Dareu Master linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both of these switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming more popular in the keyboard industry. Gamers especially tend to prefer shorter travel distances for quicker response times. In this case, the Dareu Master has a slightly shorter travel distance than the Bobagum, making it potentially slightly more responsive. However, the Bobagum's slightly longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying key press for those who prefer a bit more depth in their keystrokes. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and desired responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Master has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Master for $4.76.
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
In terms of sound, the Bobagum linear switch offers a muted typing experience, with a softer and quieter sound profile that minimizes the typical noise associated with mechanical keyboards. On the other hand, the Dareu Master linear switch provides a clacky sound signature, producing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, described as crisp, bright, and percussive. Depending on personal preference and setup, the choice between these two switches will greatly impact the auditory experience during typing sessions.
Moving on to the feel, the Bobagum linear switch is known for its subtle typing experience, offering a gentle resistance that still maintains a light feel while typing. The sound signature of the Bobagum switch is also described as not resonant, making it suitable for shared spaces. In comparison, the Dareu Master linear switch provides a mild typing experience, falling into a safe middle-ground zone with its gentle characteristics. Additionally, the Master switch is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Overall, when considering the subjective qualities of the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Dareu Master linear switch, it is evident that they offer distinct experiences in both sound and feel. While the Bobagum switch provides a muted and subtle typing experience with unparalleled tactility, the Dareu Master switch offers a clacky sound signature and a mild typing feel with exceptional smoothness. Depending on personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing style, users can expect different results when using these switches, with the Bobagum providing a softer typing experience and the Master offering a more classic clacky feel.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Dareu Master linear switch, consider the specific qualities that each switch offers. If you are looking for a medium bottom out force and unparalleled tactility with a nearly silent sound profile, the Bobagum switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a classic clacky sound signature, medium weight, and exceptional smoothness in operation, the Master switch from Dareu could be more suitable. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your preference for sound, feel, and typing experience. Consider these factors carefully to select the switch that best fits your needs and preferences.
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