Dareu Firefly vs. Gateron Quinn
An in-depth look at the Dareu Firefly and the Gateron Quinn switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Firefly and Gateron Quinn both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Firefly, known for its quiet and light actuation with a hint of clickiness, is a great choice for those who prefer a more subtle typing experience categorized as 'Easy-to-press' and 'Chirpy'. On the other hand, the Quinn switch stands out for its crisp tactility and deep, resonant sound profile, providing users with a rich and immersive typing experience categorized as 'Snappy', 'Bassy', 'Polished', 'Bouncy', 'Clacky', 'Accented', 'Buttery', 'Creamy', 'Low-pitched', and 'Resonant'. 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
59g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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 gold-plated
Housing materials
The Dareu Firefly and the Gateron Quinn have different housing materials for their switches, with the Firefly featuring a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing, while the Quinn has a nylon top and bottom housing. The use of polycarbonate in the Firefly's top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, ideal for RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, the Quinn's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. Both switches offer unique sound profiles based on their housing materials, with the Firefly giving a clearer and resonant sound, while the Quinn provides a rounder and duller sound.
Although both the Dareu Firefly and the Gateron Quinn have nylon bottom housings, they differ in their top housings, which impacts the overall sound profile of the switches. The nylon bottom housing of both switches contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is known for absorbing sound and creating a rounder tone. The split between the top and bottom housing materials allows for a combination of qualities in each switch, influencing both the press and release of keys. The Firefly's polycarbonate top housing affects the sound when releasing a key, while the Quinn's nylon top housing influences the sound when pressing a key.
In terms of housing materials, the Dareu Firefly and the Gateron Quinn offer distinct sound profiles due to their different top housing materials. The Firefly's use of polycarbonate for the top housing creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound, whereas the Quinn's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller tone. Both switches benefit from the nylon bottom housing, which enhances the overall sound profile with its sound-absorbing properties. Despite these differences, both switches excel in providing a unique typing experience based on their housing materials, catering to different preferences in sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Gateron Quinn tactile switch, it is clear that the Firefly is the lighter option between the two. With an actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Quinn's 59 grams, the Firefly offers a lighter touch for those who prefer a gentler typing experience. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Quinn is the heavier option with a force of 67 grams, while the Firefly's bottom out force remains unknown. For those who enjoy a more substantial push feel, the Quinn would be the preferred choice due to its heavier bottom out force. Overall, the Firefly provides a lighter touch for prolonged typing sessions, while the Quinn offers a stronger push for a more robust typing experience.
Travel distance
The Firefly tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is longer than the Quinn tactile switch's travel distance of 3.4 mm. The Firefly offers a traditional travel distance, while the Quinn offers a slightly shallower one. Gamers may prefer the Quinn for its faster response time due to the shorter travel distance, while those looking for a more substantial keypress may prefer the Firefly. Both switches provide different tactile experiences due to their varying travel distances, but ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and 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 Quinn has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Quinn for $5.50.
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 and distinctive chirpy sound that sets it apart from others in the market. This switch provides a quieter typing experience with a subtle clickiness that adds a touch of character to each keystroke. On the other hand, the Gateron Quinn switch boasts a deep and resonant sound profile, characterized by a bassy tone with a crisp and clacky sound. The Quinn switch provides a rich and immersive auditory experience that enhances the overall typing experience. Both switches offer distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences, with the Firefly being chirpy and the Quinn being bassy and clacky.
In terms of feel, the Dareu Firefly switch is described as easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. On the other hand, the Gateron Quinn switch is characterized as snappy, polished, bouncy, accented, buttery, and creamy. These qualities indicate a switch that is super responsive, smooth, springy, tactile, and provides a uniform and seamless typing sensation. Both switches offer a tactile experience that caters to different preferences, with the Firefly being easy-to-press and the Quinn being snappy and smooth.
Overall, the Dareu Firefly switch and the Gateron Quinn switch each offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Firefly provides a chirpy sound with an easy-to-press feel, making it ideal for those looking for a quieter and lighter tactile experience. On the other hand, the Quinn switch offers a deep and resonant sound with a snappy and polished feel, perfect for users seeking a more immersive and responsive typing experience. While they have distinct characteristics, both switches deliver quality tactile feedback that enhances the overall typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Firefly and the Quinn will come down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
In summary, when choosing between the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Gateron Quinn tactile switch, consider your preferences for bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a switch with no specified bottom out force and a quiet, light actuation with a hint of clickiness, the Firefly may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a deep, resonant sound profile with crisp tactility, the Quinn could be the better option. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and what typing experience you are looking for in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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