KTT Darling vs. Dareu Firefly
An in-depth look at the KTT Darling and the Dareu Firefly switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The KTT Darling, a linear switch, offers a typing experience that is both satisfying and responsive, with a chewy sensation and pronounced bounciness that adds a springy feel to each keystroke. This switch is known for its high-pitched and resonant sound upon bottoming out, providing a unique blend of tactile and auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Dareu Firefly is a tactile switch that provides a quiet and light actuation, with just a hint of clickiness, making it easy to press and offering a chirpy feel. While the Darling is characterized by its bouncy and clacky nature, the Firefly stands out for its quiet and easy-to-press qualities. 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
53g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the KTT Darling and the Dareu Firefly feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the relatively stiff nature of polycarbonate, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, with their translucent properties, polycarbonate top housings are ideal for switches that plan to use RGB lighting. However, while both switches share this material for their top housings, they may differ in terms of design and customization options.
On the other hand, both the Darling and the Firefly utilize nylon for their bottom housings, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. Nylon is known for its softer nature, which absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, ultimately creating a duller and rounder sound. Despite both switches having nylon bottom housings, the switches may still offer unique typing experiences based on their individual design and construction.
Overall, the different housing materials used in the KTT Darling and the Dareu Firefly play a significant role in the sound and feel of the switches. While the top housing primarily impacts the sound when releasing a key, the bottom housing affects the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a switch. Both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housings, showcasing a sharper and crisper sound, while nylon bottom housings provide a deeper and fuller typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches may come down to personal preference and desired sound profile.
Weight
The KTT Darling linear switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Dareu Firefly tactile switch, which has an actuation force of 40 grams. This means that the Darling switch requires a bit more pressure to register a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Darling switch also comes out heavier with 53 grams compared to the Firefly switch which has an unknown bottom out force. In terms of weight, the Firefly switch is lighter with a lower actuation force, which may be preferred for longer typing sessions or gaming. On the other hand, the Darling switch offers a more substantial typing experience with its heavier actuation and bottom out forces. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The KTT Darling linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, which is shorter than the Dareu Firefly tactile switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. The Darling provides a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a popular choice among gamers. On the other hand, the Firefly offers a bit more depth with its longer travel distance, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of response time and key press feel. Both switches offer a different experience based on their travel distances, providing users with options to suit their individual preferences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Darling has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Darling for $3.90.
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
In terms of sound, the KTT Darling linear switch offers a clacky, high-pitched, and resonant experience, providing a sharp, crisp, and immersive auditory feedback when typing. On the other hand, the Dareu Firefly tactile switch is described as chirpy, lacking the classic clicky sound signature but instead offering a subtle hint of clickiness without the usual noise. This results in a quieter typing experience compared to the Darling, making it more suitable for environments where noise may be a concern.
When it comes to feel, the KTT Darling switch is known for its bouncy sensation, providing a springy and lively feedback that enhances the typing experience with a sense of rebound when pressed. In contrast, the Dareu Firefly switch is easy-to-press, requiring minimal force to activate and offering a low-impact typing feel that reduces finger fatigue during long typing sessions. While the Darling switch emphasizes a more robust and tactile response, the Firefly switch focuses on effortless and comfortable typing.
Overall, if you prefer a more tactile and substantial typing experience with a pronounced bounciness and resonant sound, the KTT Darling linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you value a quiet and easy-to-press typing feel with a subtle hint of clickiness, the Dareu Firefly tactile switch would be a suitable option. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, ensuring a satisfying typing experience regardless of your choice.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the KTT Darling linear switch and the Dareu Firefly tactile switch, consider the typing experience you are looking for. If you enjoy a chewy and substantial typing sensation with a bouncy and springy responsiveness, along with a clacky and high-pitched sound profile, then the Darling switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a quiet and easy-to-press switch with just a hint of clickiness, then the Firefly switch may be more suitable for you. Ultimately, your choice should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound.
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