Dareu Dream vs. HMX Twilight
An in-depth look at the Dareu Dream and the HMX Twilight switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves weighing the options between the Dareu Dream and the HMX Twilight, both offering unique attributes as linear switches. The Dareu Dream is celebrated for its lightweight feel and attractive price point, making it an excellent choice for those seeking quality without breaking the bank. Its design is characterized by an “easy-to-press” action, coupled with a “clacky” and mild sound profile, appealing to those who enjoy a responsive typing experience. On the other hand, the HMX Twilight boasts a longer travel distance of 3.85mm, resulting in a quieter typing experience while retaining the beloved clacky characteristics typical of HMX switches. With its refined design, the Twilight is likely to attract users prioritizing a smooth yet subdued auditory feedback during use. Each switch has its strengths, catering to different preferences and priorities in the quest for the ideal typing feel. 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
40g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.85 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the Dareu Dream and the HMX Twilight in terms of housing materials, notable differences arise in their construction. The Dareu Dream features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for its stiffer composition, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This characteristic lends itself well to producing a clear and resonant auditory experience, especially when combined with RGB lighting. Polycarbonate's translucency enhances the aesthetic appeal of the switch, making it ideal for those who want their keyboard to shine vibrantly. In contrast, the HMX Twilight utilizes a nylon top housing that contributes to a different sensory experience. Nylon is softer, absorbing sound rather than amplifying it, which produces a deeper, fuller sound profile—a quality many typists appreciate for its warmth and richness.
On the other hand, the bottom housing of both switches reveals a shared similarity, as both the Dareu Dream and the HMX Twilight are constructed with nylon materials. This commonality enhances the typing experience by creating a duller, rounder sound profile that absorbs more sound energy. Both switches benefit from that softer material, which diminishes the harshness often associated with harder plastics. The nylon bottoms provide a consistent feel and sound when bottoming out, making them appealing to users who favor a smooth typing sensation.
Overall, the distinct top and bottom housing materials influence the overall auditory experience of each switch. While the Dareu Dream leverages the sharper, more resonant qualities of polycarbonate in the top to enhance sound clarity, the HMX Twilight focuses on a softer, fuller sound profile with its nylon top. In both cases, however, the nylon bottom ensures a pleasing typing experience, hinting at how the interplay between materials creates a multifaceted auditory landscape. Ultimately, even with their differing top materials, both switches can yield satisfactory results for users, especially when it comes to the rich and enjoyable experience provided by their nylon bottoms.
Weight
When comparing the Dareu Dream linear switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch, notable differences emerge in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Dareu Dream has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams, making it a better choice for those who prefer a more effortless typing experience over extended periods, such as during prolonged work or gaming sessions. In contrast, the HMX Twilight's actuation force is slightly heavier at 42 grams, appealing to users who enjoy a more substantial push feel while typing. However, the Dareu Dream does not have a specified bottom out force, whereas the HMX Twilight has a bottom out force of 50 grams, indicating a more pronounced resistance when fully pressed down. Consequently, those looking for a lighter switch may gravitate towards the Dream, while users favoring a firmer bottom out experience would likely prefer the Twilight. Overall, the differences in actuation and bottom out forces suggest that the Dream is better suited for lighter, less strenuous typing, whereas the Twilight offers more feedback and resistance that some users might cherish.
Travel distance
The Dareu Dream linear switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the HMX Twilight linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.85 mm. This means that the Dream offers a more pronounced key press, which may appeal to users who prefer a deeper, more tactile experience when typing. On the other hand, the Twilight's shorter travel distance can result in quicker response times, making it a favorable option for gamers who prioritize speed and responsiveness. Ultimately, the difference of 0.15 mm may seem minimal, but it can affect the tactile feedback and overall experience of each switch. Therefore, if you value a more substantial feel to your key presses, the Dareu Dream would be the better choice, whereas those who seek speed might prefer the HMX Twilight.
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 HMX Twilight has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Twilight for $3.29.
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 Dareu Dream switch stands out with its distinctly clacky profile, characterized by a sharp and percussive sound that can bring a sense of joy to both typing and gaming experiences. The crisp and bright noise created when pressing the Dream switch makes it a delightful choice for those who enjoy the auditory feedback of their keyboard. In contrast, the HMX Twilight switch is designed to have a quieter operation due to its extended 3.85mm travel distance, which effectively dampens the sound while retaining some of its clacky characteristics. Although this results in a less pronounced sound compared to the Dream, the Twilight’s performance may still satisfy users who appreciate a more muted acoustic experience.
When considering feel, the Dream switch is particularly notable for its easy-to-press nature, providing gentle resistance that requires minimal effort to actuate. This feature makes the Dream an excellent choice for prolonged typing sessions, as it significantly reduces fatigue thanks to its light actuation force. Additionally, the mild character of the Dream ensures a balanced experience that appeals to a wide range of users, offering an approachable typing feel without overwhelming characteristics. Unfortunately, details about the feel of the HMX Twilight switch are not provided, leaving its specific tactile qualities unknown.
In conclusion, both the Dareu Dream and HMX Twilight linear switches cater to diverse preferences, with the Dream providing a vibrant auditory feedback and effortless typing experience, while the Twilight prioritizes a quieter performance and potentially different tactile response. Users seeking a lively and responsive switch may gravitate towards the Dream, while those desiring a tranquil typing experience may find the Twilight more appealing. Ultimately, each switch offers unique qualities that can enhance the overall mechanical keyboard experience, catering to varying user needs and preferences.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Dareu Dream linear switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch, your personal preferences and typing style will play a crucial role. If you prioritize a lighter, effortless feel, especially during extended typing sessions, the Dareu Dream stands out with its easy-to-press mechanism that minimizes finger fatigue while still delivering a clacky sound that's satisfying to type on. This switch is ideal for those who value comfort and affordability in their keyboard experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly firmer key feel with a better sound profile due to its extended travel distance, the HMX Twilight might be the better choice. With its bottom-out force of 50 grams, it offers a balance of responsive feedback without being excessively stiff, making it suitable for users who appreciate a more tactile response in their typing experience. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you seek a lightweight, comfortable typing experience or a more robust feel with enhanced sound characteristics.
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