Dareu Firefly vs. Haimu Orange Sea

Overview

When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Dareu Firefly and Haimu Orange Sea offer two distinct experiences tailored to different preferences. The Firefly, a tactile switch, stands out for its soft actuation and subtle clickiness, providing users with satisfying feedback without the loud, resonant sound signature commonly associated with traditional clicky switches. This makes it an excellent option for those who want the tactile sensation while maintaining a quieter workspace. In contrast, the Haimu Orange Sea presents a completely different profile. As a linear switch, it prioritizes smoothness and a neutral sound, allowing for rapid keystrokes and a seamless typing experience without any noticeable feedback. This switch is ideal for gamers or typists seeking fluidity in their keystrokes without interruptions. Each switch has its unique advantages, catering to various typing styles and environments. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Dareu Firefly Tactile

Haimu Orange Sea Linear

$6.59

$3.76 per 10

$2.79 per 10

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Housing materials

The Dareu Firefly and the Haimu Orange Sea both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, which significantly influences their sound profile and aesthetic appeal. The incorporation of polycarbonate contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound, creating a more resonant auditory experience. This is due to polycarbonate's relatively stiff nature, which promotes clarity in sound production. Additionally, both switches leverage the translucency of polycarbonate to enhance their RGB lighting capabilities, making them visually striking when paired with light sources. Consequently, users can expect similar acoustic and visual qualities from both switches, particularly when activated under RGB lighting settings, which accentuates the polycarbonate’s inherent clarity.

In stark contrast to their identical top housings, the Dareu Firefly and Haimu Orange Sea feature distinct materials for their bottom housing. Both switches utilize nylon, revered as a classic switch housing material, which contributes to a deeper and fuller typing experience. The softer characteristics of nylon allow it to absorb more sound than the harder polycarbonate, resulting in a rounder and duller sound profile in comparison to the sharper tones produced by the polycarbonate top. This differentiation creates a duality in sound; while both shares the same clarity from the top, the bottom housing ensures a more nuanced auditory experience that varies distinctly between the two switches.

The impact of these contrasting housing materials is particularly significant during use, as the experience when pressing the key and at bottom-out is influenced by the nylon bottom housing. In practice, typists will notice that the sound produced on bottoming out is fuller and more rounded due to nylon’s sound-absorbing properties. Conversely, releasing the key will be characterized by the clearer, sharper tones provided by the polycarbonate top housing. Therefore, while the top housings of both the Firefly and Orange Sea yield similar auditory qualities, the bottom housings distinctly shape the overall typing experience, leading to a unique blend of characteristics that balances both clarity and fullness.

Weight

When comparing the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch, we notice some key differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Firefly has an actuation force of 40 grams, slightly heavier than the Orange Sea’s actuation force of 37 grams, making the Firefly the heavier option for actuating keystrokes. However, the bottom out force of the Firefly is unknown, whereas the Orange Sea has a defined bottom out force of 45 grams, which indicates a firmer feel when the key is fully pressed down. This difference in bottom out force means that typists or gamers preferring a more substantial keystroke experience may lean towards the Orange Sea for its tactile feedback when bottoming out. The Firefly may still be a suitable option for users who appreciate a lighter actuation force but without definitive data on its bottom out force, exact comparisons diminish. Ultimately, if you prefer a lighter touch, the Haimu Orange Sea would be the ideal choice, while those who enjoy a firmer resistance during typing would find favor with the substantial feeling of the bottom out on the Orange Sea switch.

Travel distance

The Dareu Firefly tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch features a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This difference means that for users who prefer a more responsive feel, the Orange Sea may be more appealing, as its shorter travel distance allows for quicker actuation. Conversely, the Firefly's longer travel distance provides a more pronounced tactile feedback that could be favored by users who enjoy a deeper key press, giving a sense of sturdiness and control. Therefore, if you prioritize responsiveness, the Haimu Orange Sea is the better choice, whereas those who appreciate more substantial key travel may lean towards the Dareu Firefly. Ultimately, users can expect a distinct typing experience based on their switch preference, with the Firefly being the longer option and the Orange Sea offering a more expedited actuation.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The sound profile of the Dareu Firefly switch is unique, featuring a chirpy quality that includes a subtle squeak, which diverges from traditional clicky switches. This gives the Firefly a distinct acoustic signature that can contribute to a pleasing typing experience, especially for those who enjoy a hint of auditory feedback. In contrast, the Haimu Orange Sea switch has a neutral sound signature, lacking any defined traits that would skew it towards clickiness or loudness. This means that while the Firefly's sound could be considered more expressive, the Orange Sea provides a more subdued auditory experience, allowing for quieter typing sessions. Ultimately, the sound can also vary based on the type of keyboard and keycaps used.

When it comes to feel, the Firefly switch is noted for being easy to press, requiring minimal force to activate. This results in a comfortable typing experience, significantly reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. Its light actuation makes it highly responsive, making each keystroke feel effortless. For the Haimu Orange Sea switch, the description lacks specific details about its tactile feel. However, given its reputation for smoothness, one can infer that the Orange Sea may offer a very different typing experience that is more gliding without any tactile feedback. So, while both switches aim to provide a comfortable typing experience, they do so in fundamentally different ways.

In conclusion, the Dareu Firefly and Haimu Orange Sea switches cater to different preferences in both sound and feel. The Firefly's chirpy acoustic profile and easy actuation offer a more engaging and responsive typing experience, ideal for users who appreciate auditory feedback. Conversely, the Orange Sea's smooth linear feel and neutral sound present a quiet and effortless alternative for those who prefer minimal distraction while typing. Depending on your priorities—be it feedback or smoothness—either switch could deliver a satisfactory typing experience, but the results are likely to be distinctly different.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch depends largely on your typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you favor a switch that is easy to press and offers a quiet yet engaging typing experience, the Firefly is an excellent choice. Its light actuation and subtle chirpy sound make it suitable for long typing sessions where comfort and reduced finger fatigue are priorities, without disturbing those around you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a smooth and neutral feel that still provides enough resistance for precise keystrokes, the Haimu Orange Sea may be more to your liking. With its 45-gram bottom-out force, this linear switch offers an ideal balance for typists who enjoy a steady and controlled typing experience. Therefore, consider your typing style, whether you prefer feedback with a hint of sound versus a completely smooth keystroke, when making your final decision.

Mentioned in this article

Dareu Firefly Tactile

$6.59

$3.76 per 10

Learn more

Haimu Orange Sea Linear

$2.79 per 10

Learn more