Dareu Firefly vs. SP-Star Duck
An in-depth look at the Dareu Firefly and the SP-Star Duck switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Firefly and SP-Star Duck both offer unique qualities for different typing preferences. The Dareu Firefly stands out for its quiet yet tactile experience, providing a light actuation with a hint of clickiness that is categorized as 'Easy-to-press' and 'Chirpy'. On the other hand, the SP-Star Duck offers a more subtle tactile typing experience with a gentle tactility and clean, crispy sound profile, categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Buttery', and 'Polished'. While these general descriptions help highlight the key features of each switch, diving deeper into their specific characteristics can help you make an informed decision on which switch best suits your typing needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
58g
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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The Dareu Firefly and the SP-Star Duck both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate which leads to a more clear and resonant sound. In terms of aesthetics, the translucent nature of polycarbonate is especially beneficial for switches that plan to utilize RGB lighting. However, where the Firefly differs is in its nylon bottom housing, which provides a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound than harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to the stiffer polycarbonate.
While the Firefly's top housing is made of polycarbonate for a sharp and clear sound profile, the Duck also utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, resulting in a similar sound characteristic. However, the Duck differs in its use of polycarbonate for the bottom housing as well, providing a consistent sound profile throughout the keystroke. The stiffness of polycarbonate in the Duck's bottom housing contributes to a clear and resonant sound, similar to its effect on the top housing. This leads to a more uniform typing experience with consistent sound characteristics.
In switches where the top and bottom housings differ, such as in the Dareu Firefly and the SP-Star Duck, the qualities of each housing material are split between the bottom and top of the switch. The bottom housing affects the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing has more impact on the sound when a key is released. This split can result in a unique typing experience, as the different properties of the top and bottom housing materials come into play at different points during a keystroke. Ultimately, both the Firefly and the Duck offer distinct sound profiles based on their housing materials, providing users with a choice between a deeper and fuller sound (Firefly) or a more consistent and sharp sound (Duck).
Weight
When comparing the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the SP-Star Duck tactile switch, it is clear that they have different actuation and bottom out forces. The Firefly has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams, whereas the Duck's actuation force is unknown. On the other hand, the Duck has a heavier bottom out force of 58 grams, while the Firefly's bottom out force is unavailable. This means that the Firefly would provide a lighter typing experience, making it ideal for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Duck would offer a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference in terms of typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
Both the Dareu Firefly and SP-Star Duck tactile switches have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. The travel distance of a switch is important as it affects the feel and response of the switch when typing. A shorter travel distance may result in a quicker typing experience, while a longer travel distance may provide a more tactile and satisfying feel. In the case of the Firefly and Duck switches, their equal travel distance means that users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may come down to other factors such as actuation force or overall typing 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 SP-Star Duck has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Duck for $5.40.
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 switch offers a chirpy sound with a unique squeak, setting it apart from other switches. On the other hand, the SP-Star Duck switch provides a neutral sound profile that is clean and crispy, suitable for various settings. The choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for sound, as well as the overall setup of your keyboard.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Dareu Firefly switch is known for being easy-to-press, requiring minimal force for activation. This results in a light and effortless typing experience, reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. In contrast, the SP-Star Duck switch offers a mild and buttery typing experience, with a polished finish for smooth key travel. Both switches provide a comfortable typing feel, with the Firefly being more responsive and low-impact, while the Duck offers a gentle and approachable typing experience.
Overall, if you prefer a quieter typing experience with a hint of chirpiness, the Dareu Firefly switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you are looking for a neutral sound profile with a mild and buttery typing feel, the SP-Star Duck switch is the ideal choice. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for newcomers to the mechanical keyboard world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the SP-Star Duck tactile switch, consider the specific qualities of each switch. If you prefer a very light actuation force with a hint of clickiness and a quiet typing experience, the Firefly switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you seek a more subtle tactile typing experience with a clean and crispy sound profile, the Duck switch may be more to your liking. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for actuation force, sound profile, and typing feel. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing styles, so choose the one that aligns best with your typing preferences and needs.
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