Dareu Firefly vs. Outemu Cream Pink
An in-depth look at the Dareu Firefly and the Outemu Cream Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Dareu Firefly, a tactile switch, to the Outemu Cream Pink, a linear switch, there are distinct differences in their key features. The Firefly switch stands out for its unique take on clicky switches, offering a quiet typing experience with a light actuation and subtle clickiness. On the other hand, the Cream Pink switch is known for its linear feel without any tactile bump or audible feedback. Generally, if you prefer a more tactile typing experience with a hint of clickiness, the Firefly may be the ideal choice. Conversely, if you prefer a smooth and consistent keystroke without any tactile feedback, the Cream Pink switch might be more suited to your 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
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
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
Partial box
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Dareu Firefly and the Outemu Cream Pink, it becomes evident that they both utilize nylon for their bottom housings. Nylon, being a softer plastic, produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a duller and rounder sound overall. This similarity between the two switches ensures that users can expect a consistent typing experience in terms of sound and feel when pressing down on the keys.
On the other hand, the top housings of the Firefly and Cream Pink differ significantly, with the Firefly boasting a polycarbonate top housing while the Cream Pink features a nylon top housing. The polycarbonate top housing of the Firefly offers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its relatively stiffer nature. In contrast, the Cream Pink's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing more sound compared to harder plastics. This contrast in top housing materials highlights the unique sound characteristics that each switch offers.
While the bottom housings of both the Dareu Firefly and Outemu Cream Pink share the same nylon material, their top housings showcase distinctive qualities. The Firefly's polycarbonate top housing creates a clear and resonant sound profile, ideal for those looking for a sharper typing experience. On the other hand, the Cream Pink's nylon top housing offers a deeper and fuller sound, providing a more rounded typing sound. Despite the difference in top housing materials, both switches ensure a satisfying typing experience with their unique sound profiles derived from their housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Outemu Cream Pink linear switch, it is evident that the Cream Pink requires a higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Firefly's 40 grams. This means that the Cream Pink will provide a slightly heavier typing experience when initially pressing the key. Additionally, the Cream Pink has a bottom out force of 65 grams, while the Firefly's bottom out force is unknown. This indicates that the Cream Pink will require more force to fully press the key down compared to the Firefly, resulting in a firmer and more substantial typing feel. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Firefly, while individuals who prefer a heavier typing feel may opt for the Cream Pink. Ultimately, selecting between the two switches will depend on personal preference and desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Outemu Cream Pink linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key equipped with either switch, you will experience a consistent travel distance from the top to the bottom. This similarity in travel distance ensures that users will get a similar typing experience in terms of key travel. In terms of comparing and contrasting the two switches, since they have the same travel distance, there is no difference in the amount of physical movement required to register a keypress. Overall, both switches offer a similar tactile and linear typing experience due to their identical travel distances.
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 Outemu Cream Pink comes in at $3.10 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
The Dareu Firefly tactile switch is known for its unique quiet sound profile, providing a light actuation with a hint of clickiness, making it stand out as a chirpy switch. On the other hand, the Outemu Cream Pink linear switch lacks a defining sound description. When it comes to feel, the Firefly is praised for its easy-to-press nature, offering gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. This results in a comfortable typing experience with reduced finger fatigue during long typing sessions. Unfortunately, the feel of the Cream Pink switch remains unknown. Overall, if you're looking for a quiet and light tactile switch with a unique sound profile and effortless typing experience, the Dareu Firefly switch would be a great choice. If you're looking for a linear switch with similar qualities, the Cream Pink may provide a similar experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Outemu Cream Pink linear switch, it's important to consider your preferences in terms of sound and feel. If you prefer a quiet and easy-to-press switch with a hint of clickiness, the Firefly may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy linear switch with no specific sound or feel characteristics mentioned, the Cream Pink might be more to your liking. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what type of typing experience you are looking for and which attributes are most important to you. Make sure to test out both switches if possible to determine which one aligns best with your preferences. Happy typing!
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