Dareu Dream vs. Everglide Lightning Silver V3
An in-depth look at the Dareu Dream and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Dareu Dream linear switch is highly regarded for its light and easy-to-press feel, as well as its affordability, making it a popular choice for those looking for a quality switch without breaking the bank. On the other hand, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch stands out for its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, along with its silky typing experience and unique light diffuser for enhanced RGB illumination. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences and needs in a mechanical keyboard switch. 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
40g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Dareu Dream and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, creating a sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound profile. This stiffness of polycarbonate leads to a more clear and resonant sound, making it an ideal material for enhancing the sound of keystrokes. Aesthetically, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting effects to shine through, adding a visually appealing element to the switches. Both switches offer a similar experience in terms of sound and aesthetic appeal due to their shared use of polycarbonate in the top housing.
However, where the Dream features a nylon bottom housing, the Lightning Silver V3 opts for a polycarbonate bottom housing. The nylon bottom housing of the Dream provides a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Lightning Silver V3. Nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches that use this material. In contrast, the stiffer polycarbonate bottom housing of the Lightning Silver V3 contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile, contrasting with the nylon bottom housing of the Dream.
The difference in bottom housing material between the Dareu Dream and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 impacts the overall sound and feel of the switches. The qualities brought by each housing material are split between the top and bottom of the switch, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key. Conversely, the top housing has more influence on the sound when releasing a key. This distinction in housing materials allows for a nuanced typing experience, catering to different preferences for sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Dareu Dream linear switch and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch, it is evident that the Dream is the lighter option with an actuation force of 40 grams, while the Lightning Silver V3 is the heavier one with an actuation force of 48 grams. The bottom out force of the Dream is unknown, while the Lightning Silver V3 has a bottom out force of 60 grams. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Dream would be the better choice, as it requires less force to trigger a keystroke. On the other hand, the Lightning Silver V3 would be more suitable for individuals who enjoy a more substantial push feel while typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference based on the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Dareu Dream linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. The Dream has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Lightning Silver V3. This means that the Dream will provide a slightly more pronounced keypress sensation compared to the Lightning Silver V3's shorter travel distance. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may prefer the Lightning Silver V3, while those who enjoy a more substantial keypress may lean towards the Dareu Dream. Both switches offer a different feel and response, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference when selecting between the two.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Dream has an MSRP of $6.59 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dream for $3.76.
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lightning Silver V3 for $4.10.
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, both the Dareu Dream and Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switches are described as "clacky," producing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. This type of sound is characterized as crisp, bright, and percussive, creating an engaging auditory experience while typing. Additionally, the Lightning Silver V3 is noted for its "high-pitched" sound profile, adding an extra layer of auditory feedback that some users may prefer. Ultimately, the sound of a switch is subjective and can be influenced by other factors such as keycaps and keyboard construction.
In terms of feel, the Dareu Dream switches are praised for being easy-to-press and mild, offering a comfortable typing experience with minimal effort required to actuate the keys. These qualities make them ideal for users looking for a smooth and low-impact typing feel. On the other hand, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switches are described as "silky," providing an exceptionally smooth typing experience with reduced resistance during key presses. This can enhance the overall typing feel and make typing effortless and enjoyable for users.
In conclusion, both the Dareu Dream and Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While both switches share a "clacky" sound profile, the Lightning Silver V3 stands out with its additional high-pitched sound characteristic. In terms of feel, the Dareu Dream switches focus on being easy-to-press and mild, catering to users who prioritize comfort during typing sessions. On the other hand, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switches provide a silky smooth typing experience that minimizes resistance and enhances typing efficiency. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches will come down to personal preference and the specific typing experience that each user is looking for.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Dareu Dream linear switch and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch, you should consider your preferences in terms of bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a switch with a lighter bottom out force and a budget-friendly option, the Dareu Dream switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a medium bottom out force and a smooth typing experience with enhanced RGB illumination, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switch would be more suitable for you. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to personal preferences in terms of typing experience and budget constraints.
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