Dareu Firefly vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the Dareu Firefly and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Dareu Firefly, a tactile switch, to the Gateron Mountain Top, a linear switch, it's evident that both offer unique features catering to different preferences. The Firefly is praised for its quiet actuation with a hint of clickiness, making it ideal for those who prefer a light and subtle typing experience. On the other hand, the Mountain Top is designed specifically for office environments, providing a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience, perfect for professional settings. While the Firefly is 'Chirpy' and easy to press, the Mountain Top is described as 'Bouncy', 'Mild', 'Snappy', and 'Subtle'. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences and needs. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Dareu Firefly and the Gateron Mountain Top both feature unique housing materials that contribute to the sound profile of the switches. The Firefly's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharp, high-pitched sound profile, while the Mountain Top's nylon top housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound. This contrast in sound can affect the typing experience, with the Firefly offering a more crisp and resonant sound compared to the Mountain Top's duller and rounder sound. However, both switches use nylon for their bottom housing, resulting in a similar deep and full sound profile when typing.
While the Firefly and Mountain Top switches share a nylon bottom housing material, their top housing materials set them apart in terms of sound quality. The polycarbonate top housing of the Firefly creates a clear and resonant sound profile, especially suitable for switches with RGB lighting. In contrast, the nylon top housing of the Mountain Top offers a deeper and more absorbing sound profile, providing a different typing experience. This difference in sound can affect the overall feel and sound of typing on each switch, catering to different preferences in mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
The split between the top and bottom housings of the Firefly and Mountain Top switches allows for a balance of qualities in typing experience. The impact of the bottom housing is felt in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, while the top housing has more influence on the sound when releasing a key. This division of housing materials highlights the importance of both the top and bottom housing in creating a unique sound profile for each switch. Whether you prefer the sharp and crisp sound of polycarbonate or the deep and full sound of nylon, both the Firefly and Mountain Top switches offer distinct typing experiences.
Weight
The Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch both have an actuation force of 40 grams, meaning that they will both require the same amount of force to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Firefly has an unknown value, while the Mountain Top linear switch requires 50 grams of force, making it the heavier of the two. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Firefly would be the better option, while those who prefer a more substantial typing feel may lean towards the Mountain Top. Ultimately, the actuation and bottom out forces play a significant role in determining the typing experience and comfort level for users.
Travel distance
The Dareu Firefly tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. In this case, the Mountain Top linear switch has a shorter travel distance compared to the Firefly tactile switch. The Firefly's 4 mm travel distance provides a more traditional key feel, while the Mountain Top's 3.4 mm distance offers a shorter and potentially faster response time, making it a preferred choice for gamers. However, some users may find the shorter travel distance of the Mountain Top to be too abrupt, preferring the deeper keypress of the Firefly instead. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for key travel distance in relation to key responsiveness.
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 Mountain Top comes in at $6.00 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 tactile switch offers a unique chirpy sound that sets it apart from the rest, providing a light actuation with a hint of clickiness. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch is described as having a more neutral sound profile, catering to office environments with a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience. Both switches aim to provide a subdued sound signature suitable for different settings, but the Firefly offers a bit more character with its chirpy sound compared to the more neutral sound of the Mountain Top.
When it comes to feel, the Dareu Firefly switch is characterized as easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance with minimal force required to activate the keys. This light actuation force makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended use. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top switch offers a bouncy and snappy typing experience, providing a spring-like feedback sensation and a lively feel with its responsive nature. Both switches aim to enhance the typing experience, with the Firefly offering a low-impact feel and the Mountain Top providing a more energetic typing experience with its bouncy and snappy characteristics.
Overall, the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch offer unique sound and feel profiles that cater to different preferences and settings. While the Firefly provides a chirpy sound and an easy-to-press feel, suitable for those looking for a light and characterful typing experience, the Mountain Top offers a more neutral sound and a bouncy, snappy feel ideal for office environments where discretion and responsiveness are key. Depending on your sound and feel preferences, both switches offer quality options that will provide a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a unique clicky feel that is quiet and easy to press, the Dareu Firefly switch would be a great option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a light actuation force and a more subdued sound profile, the Gateron Mountain Top switch would be a better fit. Consider your typing preferences and work environment when choosing between these two switches to ensure you find the one that best suits your needs. Ultimately, both switches offer their own set of advantages, so it's important to prioritize what factors are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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