Dareu Firefly vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the Dareu Firefly and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Firefly with its tactile feedback and the Gateron Silent Ink Black with its linear design stand out as popular choices. The Firefly switch from Dareu provides a unique take on clicky switches, offering a light actuation with a hint of clickiness, making it 'Easy-to-press' and 'Chirpy'. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black is beloved for its silenced version of the Ink Black switch, providing a quiet typing experience with a cushiony bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback, categorized as 'Silky', 'Muted', and 'Polished'. While both switches have their own strengths and appeal, understanding the specific qualities of each can help you determine the best switch for your individual 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
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
70g
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
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Dareu Firefly and the Gateron Silent Ink Black, it is clear that they each offer unique characteristics. The Firefly utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which creates a clear and resonant sound. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black features a proprietary INK blend top housing, which results in a pointed and high-pitched, but not overly sharp, sound. Both materials offer distinct sound profiles, with the Firefly's polycarbonate delivering a crisper sound compared to the Silent Ink Black's blend.
When it comes to the bottom housing materials, the Firefly incorporates nylon, known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer properties absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black's proprietary INK blend bottom housing provides a similar high-pitched and satisfying sound profile as its top housing. The blend creates a clacky sound that is unique to Gateron switches. While nylon and INK blend offer different sound profiles, both materials contribute to the overall typing experience of each switch.
Overall, the difference in housing materials between the Dareu Firefly and the Gateron Silent Ink Black impacts the sound and feel of each switch. The split between top and bottom housing allows for a varied typing experience, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. Whether utilizing polycarbonate and nylon in the Firefly or the proprietary INK blend in the Silent Ink Black, each switch offers its own distinct sound profile and typing feel that caters to different preferences and typing styles.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, it is evident that the Firefly is lighter in both aspects. The Firefly has an actuation force of 40 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes compared to the 60-gram actuation force of the Silent Ink Black. Additionally, the bottom out force of the Firefly is unknown, while the Silent Ink Black has a higher bottom out force of 70 grams. This means that the Firefly provides a lighter typing experience overall, which may be preferred by users looking for a more effortless typing feel. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black offers a heavier push feel, which can be appealing to those seeking a more substantial typing experience. Depending on personal preference, users can choose between the lighter actuation force of the Firefly or the heavier actuation and bottom out force of the Silent Ink Black for their desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch both have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. When pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance traveled from top to bottom. This means that whether you choose the Dareu Firefly or the Gateron Silent Ink Black, you can expect a consistent feel in terms of travel distance when typing or gaming. Both switches offer a comfortable and satisfying tactile experience with a travel distance that is neither too short nor too long.
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 Silent Ink Black has an MSRP of $8.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Ink Black for $8.35.
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 has a chirpy characteristic, adding a unique squeak to the typing experience, while the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch provides a muted sound, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. Depending on the user's preference, the Firefly offers a light clickiness without the classic clicky sound, whereas the Silent Ink Black provides a cushy, pillow-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback. Both switches excel in providing a quieter typing experience, but the Firefly introduces a chirpy element, whereas the Silent Ink Black maintains a more subdued sound profile.
Moving on to the feel, the Dareu Firefly switch offers an easy-to-press sensation, requiring minimal force to activate, enhancing the typing experience by providing a responsive and low-impact feel. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch provides a silky smooth typing experience, minimizing resistance during key presses and releases, and boasting a polished finish that contributes to a sleek typing experience. Both switches aim to provide a comfortable typing experience, with the Firefly focusing on effortless typing with gentle resistance, while the Silent Ink Black prioritizes a smooth and refined feel.
In conclusion, the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Firefly introduces a chirpy sound and gentle resistance, while the Silent Ink Black provides a muted sound and silky smooth typing experience. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, users can choose between the light clickiness of the Firefly or the cushioned bottom-out feel of the Silent Ink Black. Ultimately, both switches aim to enhance the typing experience with their respective attributes, and users can expect a quality typing experience regardless of their choice.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a quiet and light tactile switch with minimal audio feedback, the Dareu Firefly switch would be a great choice for you. Its easy-to-press feel and chirpy sound make it perfect for those who prefer a softer typing experience. On the other hand, if you need a linear switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a silky smooth typing feel, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch would be more suitable for you. Its muted sound and polished finish provide a cushiony typing experience with minimal resistance. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your preference for sound, feel, and typing force.
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