Dareu Firefly vs. Durock Mamba
An in-depth look at the Dareu Firefly and the Durock Mamba switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Firefly and the Durock Mamba are two notable options to explore. The Firefly, a tactile switch, stands out for its unique take on clicky switches, offering a quiet and light actuation with a hint of clickiness. On the other hand, the Mamba, a linear switch, pays tribute to Kobe Bryant and provides a smooth, gliding typing sensation with a rich auditory experience. The Firefly switch is easy-to-press and chirpy, while the Mamba switch is characterized as neutral, mild, thocky, and polished. Choosing between these switches may depend on your preference for a tactile or linear feel. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Dareu Firefly and the Durock Mamba, it is clear that they both offer unique sound profiles based on their composition. The Firefly's polycarbonate top housing provides a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness, while the Mamba's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing offers a pleasant and brighter sound. In terms of aesthetics, the Firefly's translucent polycarbonate top housing is ideal for RGB lighting, while the Mamba's blend top housing is incredibly unique in its sound profile.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Firefly's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound with its softer plastic composition. Meanwhile, the Mamba's POM bottom housing produces a pleasing and unique sound that is on the deeper side and more muted. It is evident that the choice of bottom housing material plays a significant role in the overall sound experience of the switch, with nylon providing a duller and rounder sound compared to POM's deeper and more muted profile.
Overall, while the Dareu Firefly and Durock Mamba utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings, they each offer distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences. The Firefly's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound, contrasting with the Mamba's blend top housing that provides a brighter and pleasant tone. Similarly, the Firefly's nylon bottom housing produces a fuller sound, while the Mamba's POM bottom housing delivers a deeper and more muted profile. Despite their differences, both switches offer unique sound experiences based on the combination of their housing materials.
Weight
The Dareu Firefly tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Durock Mamba linear switch, which has an unknown actuation force. On the other hand, the Mamba has a heavier bottom out force of 60 grams, while the Firefly's bottom out force is unknown. For those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions, the Firefly may be a better option due to its lower actuation force. However, for those who desire a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Mamba's heavier bottom out force may be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
Both the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch offer different travel distances for users to choose from. The Firefly has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Mamba has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This makes the Mamba the shorter option and the Firefly the longer option. The 4.0mm travel distance of the Firefly is more traditional, offering a deeper press compared to the 3.5 mm travel distance of the Mamba. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Mamba, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may lean towards the Firefly. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and the type of typing experience each individual is looking for.
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 Durock Mamba has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mamba for $5.17.
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
The Dareu Firefly tactile switch is known for its quiet and light actuation, providing a subtle and gentle typing experience with just a hint of clickiness. In contrast, the Durock Mamba linear switch offers a smooth and creamy auditory experience with a gliding typing sensation. The Firefly switch has a chirpy sound profile, adding a unique acoustic signature to your typing sessions, while the Mamba switch has a neutral sound profile with a thocky deep and satisfying sound when pressed.
When it comes to feel, the Firefly switch is easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance and minimal force required for activation. This light actuation force enhances the typing experience by reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the Durock Mamba linear switch provides a mild typing experience with polished smoothness, ensuring a comfortable and approachable typing feel for most users.
In conclusion, while the Dareu Firefly and Durock Mamba switches offer different sound and feel qualities, both switches cater to a wide range of preferences and typing styles. Whether you prefer a quiet and light tactile experience or a smooth and creamy linear feel, both switches provide a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience. With these switches, you can expect to achieve similar results in terms of quality and performance, catering to various preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when choosing between the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch, consider your typing preferences. If you enjoy a light actuation with a hint of clickiness and a quiet typing experience, the Firefly switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and gliding typing sensation with a moderate actuation force and a rich auditory experience, the Mamba switch would be more suitable for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what type of typing experience you prefer, whether it be a quiet and effortless one with the Firefly or a smooth and polished one with the Mamba.
Mentioned in this article
