Dareu Firefly vs. HMX Silent Sakura - 43g
An in-depth look at the Dareu Firefly and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, enthusiasts often find themselves weighing options between tactile feedback and smooth, linear experiences. The Dareu Firefly switch offers an intriguing blend of characteristics, featuring a quiet yet slightly clicky actuation that appeals to those who enjoy tactile sensations without the disruptive noise typically associated with clicky switches. With its easy-to-press design, the Firefly provides a satisfying typing experience that caters to both gaming and typing needs. On the other hand, the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g presents a contrasting approach with its ultra-light 43g bottom-out force, delivering a whisper-quiet experience ideal for light typists who prefer a serene atmosphere during their lengthy typing sessions. While the Silent Sakura excels in providing a smooth, gentle keystroke reminiscent of soft raindrops, it lacks the tactile feedback that some users may crave. Both switches have unique benefits tailored for different preferences, but let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities to help you determine which switch is the best fit for your typing style.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
43g
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm extended single-staged spring
Housing materials
The Dareu Firefly and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g feature distinct housing materials that significantly influence their auditory characteristics and tactile feel. The Firefly’s top housing is made from polycarbonate, a material known for its rigidity and translucence, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. This quality makes the Firefly particularly suitable for scenarios where RGB lighting is desired, as the transparency of the polycarbonate allows light to shine through effectively, creating an aesthetically pleasing effect. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 43g utilizes nylon for its top housing. Known for being a softer plastic, nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile that is often described as deeper and fuller. Thus, while the Firefly may provide a brighter and more resonant sound, the Silent Sakura delivers a warmer typing experience.
Interestingly, both switches have their respective bottom housings made of different materials as well, which further contributes to their sound and feel. The Firefly's bottom housing is constructed of nylon, which maintains the classically warm auditory experience associated with this material. This enhances the lower end of the sound spectrum when the switch bottoms out, creating a softer landing and deeper overall sound. Conversely, the Silent Sakura - 43g features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which introduces a sharper sound to this end of the switch. This allows for a more pronounced and clear sound, contributing a sense of brightness and bite to every keystroke. Therefore, the overall sound experience differs, with both switches housing unique relationships between the materials used in each segment of their construction.
When considering how the differences in housing materials affect the final typing experience, it's important to note that the characteristics of each material do impact the overall sound profile. For the Dareu Firefly, the combination of a polycarbonate top, contributing bright and resonant sounds, and a nylon bottom, echoing deeper tones, results in a balanced auditory footprint. The Silent Sakura - 43g offers a contrast with its nylon top yielding a softer sound combined with a polycarbonate bottom, which injects clarity into the bottoming out sound. Despite these distinctions, similarities are evident; both switches will yield satisfactory results for specific user preferences—those seeking a crisper sound might prefer the Firefly, while others leaning towards a more muted acoustic experience may gravitate towards the Silent Sakura. Ultimately, personal preference and intended use will drive the choice between these two fascinating keyboard switches.
Weight
When comparing the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch, we see some notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Firefly switch has an actuation force of 40 grams, while the Silent Sakura features a slightly lighter actuation force of 37 grams. This means that users may find the Silent Sakura easier to press, making it ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons. However, the Firefly's actuation is only 3 grams heavier, providing a more tactile feel which might be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. As for the bottom out force, it is unknown for the Firefly, while the Silent Sakura has a clearly defined bottom out force of 43 grams. This indicates that when fully depressed, the Silent Sakura requires a noticeable amount of force, offering a solid feedback that some users might appreciate. Overall, the Silent Sakura is the lighter option with a clear bottom out force, while the Firefly provides an uncertain but potential heavier experience depending on its bottom out characteristics.
Travel distance
The Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch both share the same travel distance of 4 mm, meaning users will experience an identical distance when pressing down on a key for either switch. This similarity in travel distance ensures that typing and playing experiences will produce comparable tactile feedback and actuation depth. Therefore, if you're considering one over the other based purely on travel distance, you can expect similar results in responsiveness and feel.
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 HMX Silent Sakura - 43g comes in at $3.50 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
When it comes to sound, the Dareu Firefly switch offers a unique auditory experience characterized by a chirpy quality, providing a light squeak that sets it apart from traditional clicky switches. This subtly playful sound can make typing feel engaging without overwhelming the user, maintaining a low-profile noise level suitable for office environments. In contrast, the Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch is designed for a whisper-quiet experience, delivering a serene typing atmosphere reminiscent of gentle raindrops. This switch is engineered to minimize sound, ensuring that key presses go largely unnoticed, making it ideal for situations where quiet is paramount. Together, these switches cater to different preferences, with the Firefly embracing a softer chirp while the Silent Sakura focuses on near-silence.
In terms of feel, the Firefly switch is noted for its easy-to-press design, featuring a gentle resistance that makes for minimal effort in key activation. This light actuation allows for an effortless typing experience, reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. The Firefly's tactile feedback can enhance the typing experience by providing responsive sensations with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch is tailored for light typists, characterized by its ultra-light 43g bottom out force. While specific descriptions of its tactile feedback are rare, its linear nature suggests a smooth, uninterrupted key press without any tactile bump, allowing for fluid keystrokes devoid of resistance or feedback. This makes it particularly appealing for users who prefer a minimalist typing experience.
In conclusion, both the Dareu Firefly and HMX Silent Sakura - 43g switches offer distinct, yet complementary experiences suitable for different typing preferences. The Firefly provides a chirpy sound and an easy-to-press feel that engages typists, while the Silent Sakura focuses on delivering a whisper-quiet performance with a smooth linear feel. Depending on individual taste, one might choose the Firefly for a bit of personality in sound and touch or the Silent Sakura for an incredibly tranquil typing environment. Each switch has its unique touchpoints, ensuring that users can find something that fits their desired typing atmosphere.
Conclusion
To sum up, choosing between the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the HMX Silent Sakura - 43g linear switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and environment. If you enjoy a switch that provides a subtle click sensation while remaining quieter than typical clicky switches, the Firefly is an excellent fit. Its easy-to-press nature allows for minimal finger fatigue, making it suitable for long typing sessions, especially in settings where a bit of feedback is desirable without the loudness usually associated with clicky switches. On the other hand, if your priority is a serene and almost silent typing experience that allows you to type with ease, the Silent Sakura switches shine with their ultra-light 43g bottom-out force. These switches cater to those who prefer a gentle tactile response without any additional noise interference, making them ideal for quiet environments like libraries or shared workspaces. Ultimately, your choice should reflect not only your typing style but also the atmosphere in which you will be using your keyboard.
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