HMX Cheese vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the HMX Cheese and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Cheese and Dareu Violet Gold Pro offer unique experiences tailored to different preferences. The HMX Cheese stands out for its unparalleled smoothness and pristine typing experience, with an ultra-light weight that is lighter than 90% of all switches. Its satisfying clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature makes it a favorite among users looking for a unique auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches provide a medium tactility with a fairly light touch and a neutral sound signature, making them a versatile option for those seeking a balanced typing experience. While both switches have their strengths, it ultimately comes down to 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
43g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
46g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the HMX Cheese and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro, it is clear that they both use nylon for the bottom housing. This means that typing on switches from both keyboards will elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the relatively softer nature of nylon. The duller and rounder sound created by the nylon bottom housing is consistent across both keyboards, providing a similar typing experience in terms of sound.
However, when it comes to the top housing material, the HMX Cheese utilizes nylon while the Dareu Violet Gold Pro uses polycarbonate. The nylon top housing of the Cheese produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Violet Gold Pro creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This difference in material leads to a noticeable variation in sound output between the two keyboards, with the Cheese offering a more muffled and rounded sound compared to the clearer and resonant sound of the Violet Gold Pro.
Overall, the choice of top housing material in a keyboard switch significantly impacts the sound profile experienced by the user. While both the HMX Cheese and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro provide a deep and full sound due to their shared nylon bottom housing, the use of different materials for the top housing results in distinct sound characteristics. The Cheese's nylon top housing dampens sound, creating a softer and more muted typing experience, while the Violet Gold Pro's polycarbonate top housing delivers a sharper and crisper sound, enhancing the overall typing feedback. Whether one prefers a duller, rounder sound or a clearer, higher-pitched sound, the housing materials of these keyboards offer unique auditory experiences.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch both fall within the lightweight category, with the Cheese being slightly lighter. The Cheese has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 46 grams, while the Violet Gold Pro has an actuation force of 45 grams. The bottom out force for the Violet Gold Pro is unknown. Those who prefer a lighter touch may find the Cheese more suitable for extended typing or gaming sessions, while those who prefer a slightly stronger push may lean towards the Violet Gold Pro. Overall, both switches offer a relatively light typing experience, providing similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The HMX Cheese linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, which is shorter than the 3.8 mm travel distance of the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch. This means that the Cheese requires less distance to actuate compared to the Violet Gold Pro. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the Cheese due to its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may opt for the Violet Gold Pro. Both switches offer unique experiences based on their travel distance, catering to different preferences in typing or gaming styles. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on personal preference for travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Cheese has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cheese for $3.79.
The Dareu Violet Gold Pro has an MSRP of $7.73 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Violet Gold Pro for $4.76.
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
Overall, the HMX Cheese linear switch is favored for its smoothness and unique sound profile, making it a standout choice for those who prioritize sound in their typing experience. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch offers a balanced tactile feel with a light touch, making it a versatile option suitable for various typing preferences. While the Cheese switch provides a clacky and poppy typing sound, the Violet Gold Pro switch is noted for its neutral sound signature. Additionally, the Cheese switch lacks a specific feel descriptor, while the Violet Gold Pro switch is categorized as a stepped tactile switch, offering a more subtle tactile feedback compared to other switches. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel, with both switches offering a high-quality typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preference and typing style. If you prefer a light and smooth typing experience with a satisfying clacky sound, then the HMX Cheese switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium tactility with a light touch and a balanced typing experience, then the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switch would be more suitable. Both switches have their own unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it is important to consider what you value most in a mechanical keyboard switch before making your decision. Ultimately, choose the switch that aligns best with your typing preferences and needs.
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