Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Dareu Firefly
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Dareu Firefly switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Dareu Firefly mechanical keyboard switches, it's clear that both offer unique features catering to different preferences. The Crystal Violet provides a gentle and comfortable tactile typing experience with a light operating force of 45g, making it ideal for those seeking a relaxed feel. The sound profile of the Crystal Violet switches is mellow and low-pitched, offering a subtle auditory experience. On the other hand, the Dareu Firefly switch offers a quiet and light actuation with a hint of clickiness, providing a different take on clicky switches. Each switch has its own characteristics and benefits, catering 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
45g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
ABS
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Everglide Crystal Violet utilizes ABS for both its top and bottom housing, resulting in a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing. On the other hand, the Dareu Firefly features a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing. The polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, while the nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. This contrast in housing materials gives each switch a distinct sound experience, with the Crystal Violet leaning towards a softer sound and the Firefly offering a crisper sound.
In terms of aesthetics, the Everglide Crystal Violet's ABS housing may not be as visually striking as the Dareu Firefly's polycarbonate top housing with its translucency and compatibility with RGB lighting. ABS is a common plastic used in keycaps, so the Crystal Violet may appeal more to those looking for a consistent and familiar look. On the other hand, the Firefly's use of polycarbonate in the top housing adds a futuristic and unique touch to the switch's appearance, making it stand out in a keyboard with RGB lighting effects. Additionally, the Firefly's nylon bottom housing, while not as visually distinct, contributes to its overall sound profile.
Overall, both the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Dareu Firefly offer unique sound profiles due to their housing materials. While the Crystal Violet utilizes ABS for both top and bottom housings, resulting in a softer sound, the Firefly divides its materials between polycarbonate and nylon for a crisper and deeper sound experience. The choice between these switches may come down to personal preference in sound profile and aesthetic appeal, with the Crystal Violet offering a more traditional look and feel, while the Firefly provides a more modern and distinctive option.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Dareu Firefly tactile switch, it is evident that the Crystal Violet has a slightly heavier actuation force at 45 grams compared to the Firefly's 40 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Crystal Violet at 55 grams is higher than the Firefly's unknown bottom out force. This makes the Crystal Violet a bit heavier overall in terms of typing experience. Weight is an important factor to consider, as a lighter switch like the Firefly may be preferred for longer typing or gaming sessions, while a heavier switch like the Crystal Violet may appeal to those looking for a more substantial typing feel. Overall, while the actuation forces are relatively close, the Crystal Violet is the heavier option due to its higher bottom out force.
Travel distance
Both the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Dareu Firefly tactile switches have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing the two switches, their travel distance is identical, so users can expect similar results in terms of how the keys feel when pressed. They both provide a consistent tactile feedback experience with the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. This makes them ideal for those who prefer a standard travel distance in their mechanical keyboards. Overall, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience with a 4 mm travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Crystal Violet has an MSRP of $7.08 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Crystal Violet for $4.19.
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 Crystal Violet Everglide switches provide a low-pitched and mellow typing experience, thanks to the ABS housing material used in their construction. This results in a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience, perfect for those who prefer a quieter typing environment. On the other hand, the Dareu Firefly switches are described as having a chirpy sound profile, giving them a unique acoustic signature that sets them apart from other switches. If you enjoy a slight squeak in your switches, the Firefly might be the way to go.
In terms of feel, the Crystal Violet switches offer a creamy and mild typing experience with a stepped tactile feel. This means you can expect a smooth and buttery sensation when typing, as well as a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The Firefly switches, on the other hand, provide an easy-to-press feel, offering minimal resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. This makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions.
Overall, if you're looking for a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a mellow sound profile, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches are a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a quieter switch with a light actuation force and just a hint of clickiness, the Dareu Firefly switches might be the better option for you. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so choosing between them ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch or the Dareu Firefly tactile switch, you should take into account your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a light operating force and a mellow, low-pitched sound profile for a relaxed typing experience, the Crystal Violet may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a very light actuation force with a hint of clickiness and a quiet typing experience, the Firefly switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your individual typing preferences and what type of typing experience you are looking for.
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