Dareu Firefly vs. Everglide Lightning Silver V3
An in-depth look at the Dareu Firefly and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options are the Dareu Firefly, a tactile switch, and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3, a linear switch. The Firefly is known for its quiet and light actuation, providing a comfortable typing experience with just a hint of clickiness. On the other hand, the Lightning Silver V3 stands out for its clacky and high-pitched sound, offering a silky typing feel and enhanced RGB illumination. While the Firefly may appeal to those seeking an easy-to-press and chirpy switch, the Lightning Silver V3 caters to individuals looking for a clacky, high-pitched, and silky typing experience. 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
In comparing the housing materials of the Dareu Firefly and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3, we see that both keyboards feature a polycarbonate top housing. This material creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, making it ideal for those looking for a more distinct typing experience. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting to shine through, adding a visually appealing element to the keyboards. However, the Firefly's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Lightning Silver V3's polycarbonate bottom housing, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller, rounder sound. This difference in bottom housing material may impact the overall typing experience and sound quality of the keyboards.
While both keyboards utilize polycarbonate in their top housing, the Firefly and Lightning Silver V3 differ in their choice of bottom housing material. The Firefly opts for a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound when typing. In contrast, the Lightning Silver V3 continues with polycarbonate for its bottom housing, maintaining a sharper and crisper sound profile. This variation in bottom housing materials may result in distinct sound and feel characteristics when using the keyboards. Additionally, the impact of the bottom housing on the bottom-out sound and feel, as well as the top housing on the sound when releasing a key, may vary between the two keyboards due to this material difference.
Overall, the Dareu Firefly and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 showcase how different housing materials can impact the sound profile and typing experience of a keyboard. While both keyboards feature a polycarbonate top housing, the Firefly's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Lightning Silver V3's polycarbonate bottom housing. This results in a more rounded and dull sound on the Firefly, contrasting with the crisper and sharper sound of the Lightning Silver V3. Whether you prefer a sharper sound profile or a deeper one may influence your choice between these two keyboards based on their housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch, it is clear that the Firefly is lighter with an actuation force of 40 grams, while the Lightning Silver V3 is heavier with an actuation force of 48 grams. Additionally, the Firefly does not have a specified bottom out force, whereas the Lightning Silver V3 has a bottom out force of 60 grams. This means that the Lightning Silver V3 requires more force to both trigger a keystroke and press all the way down compared to the Firefly. It is important to consider personal preferences when choosing between these switches, as some may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Firefly for extended typing or gaming sessions, while others may prefer the heavier feel of the Lightning Silver V3 for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual typing preferences and usage scenarios.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch, it is evident that the Firefly has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Lightning Silver V3's 3.4 mm. The Firefly falls into the category of a more traditional travel distance, offering a bit more depth when pressing down on a key, which may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial feel. On the other hand, the Lightning Silver V3 with its shorter travel distance may be favored by gamers seeking faster response times due to its shallower feel. Both switches have their own advantages depending on personal preference, with the Firefly providing a longer travel distance for a deeper press and the Lightning Silver V3 offering a shorter distance for quicker keystrokes. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to individual preference and the desired feel when typing or gaming.
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 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
In terms of sound, the Dareu Firefly tactile switch offers a chirpy sound with a hint of clickiness, providing a unique acoustic signature that sets it apart from other switches. On the other hand, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch produces a clacky and high-pitched sound when pressed, giving a sharp and crisp sound profile. Both switches offer distinct sound characteristics that cater to different preferences, whether you prefer a quieter and lighter sound like the Firefly or a sharper and more percussive sound like the Lightning Silver V3.
When it comes to feel, the Dareu Firefly tactile switch is known for being easy-to-press, requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force offers a gentle resistance during key presses, making typing effortless and comfortable while reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. In contrast, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch provides a silky typing experience, offering an exceptionally smooth feel when pressing and releasing keys. Both switches enhance the typing experience in their own way, whether you prefer a low-impact and responsive feel like the Firefly or a smooth and effortless typing experience like the Lightning Silver V3.
Considering the subjective qualities of the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch, it's evident that they cater to different preferences in terms of sound and feel. While the Firefly offers a quieter and lighter sound with an easy-to-press feel, the Lightning Silver V3 provides a clacky and high-pitched sound with a silky smooth typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience. It's important to consider these subjective qualities along with factors like keycap choice and keyboard setup to ensure a satisfying and personalized mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a quiet and light tactile switch that is easy to press and offers a gentle typing experience, the Dareu Firefly might be the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a medium bottom out force, a clacky and high-pitched sound profile, and a silky smooth typing feel, then the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 could be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal typing style, sound preference, and desired typing experience. Consider these factors carefully before making your choice to ensure you find the perfect switch for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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