Dareu Firefly vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow
An in-depth look at the Dareu Firefly and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Dareu Firefly, a tactile switch, and the Everglide Sunset Yellow, a linear switch. The Firefly is praised for its quiet actuation and light clickiness, providing an easy-to-press and chirpy typing experience. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow stands out for its captivating sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding, offering a rich, bassy, and decadent typing experience. With a medium-weight and unique stem design, these switches are suitable for a wide range of users. 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
43g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Single-staged lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
The Dareu Firefly and Everglide Sunset Yellow both have distinct housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Firefly features a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow utilizes a POM top housing, creating a deeper and more muted sound. While polycarbonate is known for its translucency and suitability for RGB lighting, POM offers a pleasing and unique sound experience. Despite these differences, both switches aim to provide an enjoyable typing experience through their housing materials.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Firefly utilizes nylon, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow also uses POM for its bottom housing, resulting in a similarly deep and muted sound. Both switches prioritize creating a satisfying typing sound by carefully selecting housing materials that enhance the overall sound profile of the switch. While the specific properties of nylon and POM differ, they ultimately contribute to a similar goal of providing a unique and enjoyable typing experience.
When considering the overall typing experience, the combination of different housing materials in the Firefly and Sunset Yellow results in a well-balanced sound profile. The impact of the top and bottom housings can be felt and heard in different aspects of typing, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, and the top housing affecting the sound when releasing a key. Despite the differences in material used for the top and bottom housing, both switches prioritize creating a pleasant and satisfying typing experience for users. Ultimately, whether using polycarbonate and nylon in the Firefly, or POM in the Sunset Yellow, both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to individual preferences.
Weight
In comparing the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, it is evident that the Firefly is the lighter option with an actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Sunset Yellow's 43 grams. However, it is important to note that the bottom out force for the Firefly is unknown, while it is 51 grams for the Sunset Yellow, which is considered medium-light. For those who prefer a lighter touch, the Firefly may be the better choice, as it requires less force to actuate. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Sunset Yellow due to its slightly heavier bottom out force. Both switches offer unique typing experiences, with the Firefly providing a lighter touch and the Sunset Yellow offering a slightly firmer feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences for typing comfort and feedback.
Travel distance
The Dareu Firefly tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.2 mm. The Firefly has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Sunset Yellow, which may appeal to those who prefer a deeper key press. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow's shorter travel distance could be favored by individuals looking for faster response times, such as gamers. Both switches offer different experiences based on their travel distances, allowing users to choose the switch that best suits their typing or gaming preferences. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches comes down to personal preference regarding key press depth 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 Everglide Sunset Yellow comes in at $3.09 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
In terms of sound, the Dareu Firefly switch offers a chirpy sound, characterized by a unique squeak that sets it apart from other switches. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch provides a bassy and thocky sound profile, offering a deeper and richer tone reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding. Both switches provide distinct sound experiences that can enhance the overall typing feel, depending on personal preferences and the setup of the keyboard.
As for feel, the Dareu Firefly switch is easy-to-press, requiring minimal force to activate and offering a light and responsive typing experience. In contrast, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch boasts a creamy, frictionless, and polished feel, providing a smooth and buttery typing experience with minimal resistance and smooth key travel. Both switches offer unique tactile sensations that cater to different preferences, whether you prefer a light and effortless typing experience or a smoother and more indulgent feel while typing.
Overall, the Dareu Firefly switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch offer distinct sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences. The Firefly switch provides a quiet and light actuation with a hint of clickiness, while the Sunset Yellow switch offers a rich, bassy sound profile and a gliding feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience. Remember that the sound and feel of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard layout, keycaps, and personal typing style, so it's important to consider these factors when making a decision.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when choosing between the Dareu Firefly tactile switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, consider the following guidelines: If you prefer a quiet typing experience with a light actuation and just a hint of clickiness, opt for the Firefly switch. It offers an easy-to-press feel and a chirpy sound profile. On the other hand, if you enjoy a rich, bassy sound with a medium-light bottom out force, the Sunset Yellow switch is the way to go. It provides a creamy, frictionless, and polished feel, along with a thocky sound profile. Ultimately, your choice should depend on whether you prioritize sound and feel preferences in your mechanical keyboard switches.
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