Bsun Cliff vs. Dareu Sky V4
An in-depth look at the Bsun Cliff and the Dareu Sky V4 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to enhancing your typing experience, the choice of mechanical keyboard switches can significantly impact both feel and sound. The Bsun Cliff tactile switch stands out with its medium tactility and crisp sound signature, making it an appealing option for those who appreciate feedback during typing. Tactile switches like the Cliff are often favored by typists who enjoy a pronounced bump that signals a keystroke, providing greater accuracy and engagement. In contrast, the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch offers a different allure with its innovative use of POK material in the top housing, delivering a smoother and quieter stroke. This switch is characterized by a deeper, thocky sound signature which many find satisfying, especially for long typing sessions. While the Cliff is ideal for those seeking tactile feedback, the Sky V4 caters to users who prefer a sleek and uninterrupted typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.30 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Bsun Cliff and the Dareu Sky V4, notable differences emerge, particularly in their top housing compositions. The Bsun Cliff utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, which is celebrated for creating a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffer nature. This stiffness enhances clarity and resonance, making polycarbonate a natural choice for RGB lighting applications, where translucency allows light to shine through vibrantly. On the contrary, the Dareu Sky V4 incorporates POK material (polyketone) for its top housing, known for its exceptional smoothness and wear resistance, contributing to a clackier sound when pressed. While both materials aim to enhance typing experience, polycarbonate leans toward producing a clearer sound, whereas POK offers a unique balance of smoothness and durability.
In stark contrast, both the Bsun Cliff and Dareu Sky V4 employ nylon for their bottom housings, ensuring a consistency in sound profile characteristics. Nylon’s inherent softness creates a deeper, fuller sound as it absorbs more impact energy than its harder counterparts. This shared bottom housing material means that when users engage with either switch, they will experience a similar sensation and sound quality associated with the nylon, contributing to deeper auditory feedback. Despite the differences in the top housing materials, the nylon bottom results in a harmonized experience when typing, giving both switches that plush, rounded sound that typists often find appealing.
In summary, while the Bsun Cliff and Dareu Sky V4 diverge in their top housing materials—polycarbonate providing clarity and POK facilitating smoothness—they find common ground with their nylon bottom housings. This shared material directly influences the tactile feedback and overall sound profile during typing, leading to a unified experience at the bottom-out stage. Thus, regardless of the variations in top materials, users can anticipate similar auditory results due to the nylon’s absorbing characteristics, ensuring a complementary interaction of both housing types within either switch.
Weight
When comparing the Bsun Cliff tactile switch to the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch, one can observe distinct differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Cliff switch features a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it an appealing option for those who favor prolonged typing sessions or gaming marathons due to its ease of activation. In contrast, the Sky V4 has a higher actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, offering a more substantial push feel that some typists may prefer for enhanced feedback and control. Consequently, those looking for a lighter switch experience might gravitate towards the Bsun Cliff, while users seeking a heavier and more tactile feedback would find the Dareu Sky V4 more suitable for their needs. This difference in weight and feel ultimately influences the user experience and choice based on personal preferences for typing comfort and tactile satisfaction.
Travel distance
Both the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch share the same travel distance of 3.6 mm, indicating that users can expect similar tactile feedback and actuation depth when pressing each key. This equal travel distance means that both switches will provide a comparable experience in terms of the distance a key travels from the top to the bottom when pressed. Consequently, for users seeking uniformity in their typing feel, either switch would serve well without noticeable differences in this particular aspect.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Cliff has an MSRP of $2.75 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cliff for $2.19.
The Dareu Sky V4 has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sky V4 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
The Bsun Cliff tactile switch is characterized by its crisp sound signature, which suggests a clean and clear auditory response when typing. In contrast, the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch emphasizes a deeper sound profile that leans towards a thocky quality, providing a rich, resonant auditory experience reminiscent of a soft thud when pressed. Users can expect a low-pitched sound that combines depth and neutrality, making the Sky V4’s auditory feedback distinctively more profound yet versatile for various environments.
When it comes to feel, the Cliff offers medium tactility that provides feedback through a noticeable bump during actuation, enhancing typing precision and engagement. This feedback can create a more deliberate typing experience, which some typists find reassuring. Conversely, the Sky V4 switch is designed to deliver a bouncy sensation, offering a spring-like rebound that makes key presses feel lively and responsive. This springy feedback can result in an enjoyable, fluid typing experience, catering to those who prefer smooth, uninterrupted key presses without tactile bumps.
In summary, the Bsun Cliff tactile switch presents a crisp sound and a satisfying tactile feedback, ideal for those who appreciate clear feedback with a balanced aural response. Meanwhile, the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch offers a deeper, thocky sound with a bouncier feel, catering to typists who favor a smooth and rich auditory experience. Both switches provide unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience; your choice between them will ultimately depend on whether you prioritize tactile feedback or a smoother linear action.
Conclusion
To conclude, the decision between the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and intended usage scenario. If you enjoy a lighter key feel with a medium tactility and a crisp sound signature, the Cliff would be an excellent choice, particularly for casual typing or gaming where quick response times are beneficial. Its light actuation at 45 grams allows for effortless key presses, making it suitable for users who may fatigue quickly with heavier switches. On the other hand, if you prioritize a richer auditory experience along with a smooth, bouncy linear action, the Sky V4 is the way to go. With its 55-gram actuation force and delightful "thocky" sound profile, it's perfect for those who appreciate a deeper sound and a more satisfying typing experience. This switch excels in a typing environment where the tactile response is less critical, allowing you to enjoy the nuances of a quality linear switch. Ultimately, your choice should reflect the balance you seek between sound, feel, and comfort in your typing or gaming sessions.