Dareu Firefly vs. KTT Pine
An in-depth look at the Dareu Firefly and the KTT Pine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking for a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Dareu Firefly, a tactile switch, and the KTT Pine, a linear switch. The Firefly switch from Dareu offers a unique take on clicky switches, providing a very light actuation with a hint of clickiness while remaining very quiet. It is categorized as 'Easy-to-press' and 'Chirpy'. On the other hand, the KTT Pine Linear Switches are known for their medium-heavy feel, buttery smooth key travel, and polished, factory-lubed finish that minimizes friction. They are categorized as 'Bassy', 'Buttery', 'Creamy', and 'Low-pitched'. Each switch has its own strengths and characteristics that may appeal to different preferences and typing styles. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
15.5mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Dareu Firefly and the KTT Pine, we can see that both keyboards utilize polycarbonate for their top housing. This choice results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting effects to shine through, adding an aesthetic appeal to both keyboards. While both keyboards share this material for their top housing, the Firefly differs with a nylon bottom housing, creating a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound.
On the other hand, the KTT Pine uses polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housing. This consistency in material choice ensures a uniform sound profile throughout the key press. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate in the bottom housing leads to a clear and resonant bottom-out sound and feel. Similarly, the top housing's polycarbonate contributes to a sharp, higher-pitched sound when releasing a key. While the Firefly splits the qualities of its housing materials between the top and bottom, the Pine maintains a consistent sound experience through the entire key press.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in both the Dareu Firefly and the KTT Pine plays a crucial role in determining the sound profile and overall typing experience. While the Firefly offers a contrast in materials with polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing, creating a combination of sharpness and depth, the Pine opts for a consistent polycarbonate construction for both top and bottom, ensuring a uniform sound experience throughout. Despite these differences, both keyboards benefit from the unique qualities of their chosen materials, showcasing the importance of housing material selection in keyboard design.
Weight
When comparing the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the KTT Pine linear switch, it is evident that the Firefly is lighter in terms of actuation force, requiring 40 grams compared to the Pine's 45 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Pine is heavier at 58 grams compared to the Firefly, which is unknown. This means that the Firefly may provide a lighter typing experience, making it ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming. On the other hand, the Pine offers a more substantial typing feel with a heavier bottom out force, catering to those who prefer a stronger push when typing. 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 KTT Pine linear switch have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. When pressing down on either switch, you'll experience the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. This means that whether you choose the Firefly or the Pine, you can expect similar results in terms of the travel distance felt when typing or gaming. Overall, the travel distance of both switches is the same, providing consistency in user experience between the two.
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 KTT Pine has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Pine for $4.15.
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
When it comes to sound, the Dareu Firefly switch offers a unique chirpy sound that sets it apart from the typical clicky switches. On the other hand, the KTT Pine switch boasts a bassy and low-pitched sound profile, providing a deeper and richer auditory experience during key presses. Both switches offer distinct sound characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference and the overall setup of your keyboard.
Turning to the feel of the switches, the Firefly switch is praised for its easy-to-press nature, offering gentle resistance and a light actuation force that makes typing effortless and comfortable. In comparison, the KTT Pine switch is described as buttery and creamy, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience that enhances typing efficiency. Both switches prioritize a seamless typing sensation, but the Firefly focuses on minimal force requirements, while the Pine emphasizes a silky and effortless typing feel. Again, the choice between the two will depend on individual typing preferences and comfort levels.
In conclusion, the Dareu Firefly and KTT Pine switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel that cater to different preferences within the mechanical keyboard community. The Firefly switch excels in providing a quiet and light actuation experience with a hint of clickiness, while the Pine switch prioritizes a medium-heavy, smooth keystroke with a focus on effortless typing. Depending on whether you prefer a chirpy sound and easy-to-press feel or a bassy sound and buttery typing experience, either switch can provide a satisfying typing experience tailored to your liking. Ultimately, both switches offer quality performance and comfort, ensuring that you'll get similar results regardless of which one you choose.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the KTT Pine linear switch, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a light actuation force, minimal sound, and easy-to-press keys, then the Firefly may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium bottom out force, a bassy and low-pitched sound profile, and a buttery or creamy feel while typing, then the Pine switch might be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing style and what kind of typing experience you find most comfortable and enjoyable.
Mentioned in this article
