Dareu Firefly vs. Gateron Jupiter Brown
An in-depth look at the Dareu Firefly and the Gateron Jupiter Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Dareu Firefly and the Gateron Jupiter Brown are two popular options to consider. The Firefly switch from Dareu is a tactile switch that offers a unique take on clicky switches with a quiet and light actuation, making it easy to press and slightly clicky. On the other hand, the Gateron Jupiter Brown is also a tactile switch but with a more classic keystroke feel at a medium-heavy weight, featuring a single-stage spring for a polished and stepped typing experience. Both switches provide reliable performance and have their own unique characteristics that cater 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
40g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
70g
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
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
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
Spring steel
Housing materials
Both the Dareu Firefly and the Gateron Jupiter Brown utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate lends to a more clear and resonant sound experience, making it an ideal choice for users who prioritize sound quality. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for enhanced RGB lighting effects, adding a visual appeal to the switches. Despite the similar housing material, the slight variations in design and construction may lead to differences in typing experience between the two switches.
In terms of the bottom housing material, both the Firefly and the Jupiter Brown feature nylon, known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound experience when typing on switches using this material for the bottom housing. This adds a unique tactile and auditory feedback to each keystroke, enhancing the overall typing experience for users who prefer a quieter and more cushioned feel while typing.
The division of housing materials between the top and bottom of the switches allows for distinct characteristics to be felt and heard during typing. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing impacts the sound when releasing a key. This separation of qualities provides a balanced typing experience, combining the benefits of polycarbonate and nylon to create a harmonious blend of sound and feel for users of the Dareu Firefly and Gateron Jupiter Brown switches. While similar in some aspects, the choice between these switches may ultimately come down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and typing feel.
Weight
Comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch, we can see that the Firefly has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Jupiter Brown's 55 grams. However, the Firefly's bottom out force is unknown while the Jupiter Brown has a heavier bottom out force of 70 grams. This means that the Firefly may provide a lighter typing experience overall, whereas the Jupiter Brown may offer a more substantial and tactile feel when pressing down on the keys. Depending on personal preference, some may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Firefly for longer typing sessions, while others may opt for the heavier bottom out force of the Jupiter Brown for a more pronounced typing experience. In general, those who prefer a lighter touch may find the Firefly more suitable, while those who enjoy a heavier push may prefer the Jupiter Brown for their typing needs.
Travel distance
Both the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience a consistent travel distance from the top to the bottom. The similarity in travel distance between these two switches ensures that users will get similar results in terms of tactile feedback and typing experience. So, whether you choose the Dareu Firefly or the Gateron Jupiter Brown, you can expect a satisfying typing experience with a consistent travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Gateron Jupiter Brown comes in at $2.80 per 10 switches.
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 Firefly switch is known for its chirpy characteristic, which gives it a unique and slightly squeaky sound during key presses. On the other hand, information regarding the sound of the Gateron Jupiter Brown switch is not available. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard's construction and the keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Dareu Firefly switch is praised for its easy-to-press quality, offering a light actuation force that requires minimal effort to activate. This results in a comfortable and effortless typing experience that reduces finger fatigue during long typing sessions. In contrast, the Gateron Jupiter Brown switch is described as mild, offering a gentle typing experience without pronounced characteristics. Additionally, it is noted as polished, indicating a smooth and refined typing feel, potentially due to factory lubing. The Jupiter Brown switch is also described as stepped, providing a mild tactile feel with distinct pre-travel and/or post-travel stages during keystrokes.
Taking all available information into consideration, both the Dareu Firefly and Gateron Jupiter Brown switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Firefly switch provides a chirpy sound and an easy-to-press feel for a light and comfortable typing experience, the Jupiter Brown switch presents a mild tactile feel with a polished and stepped design for a refined and approachable typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches would depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing style. It's important to note that personal testing and experimentation with different switches are always recommended to find the best fit for your typing needs.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch, consider your preferences for typing experience. If you value a light actuation force and a quiet typing experience, the Firefly switch may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy key press with a smooth and polished feel, the Jupiter Brown switch could be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so it is important to prioritize what aspects of typing feel and sound are most important to you.
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