HMX Gravel vs. Dareu Mahjong
An in-depth look at the HMX Gravel and the Dareu Mahjong switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch that enhances your typing experience, both the HMX Gravel and the Dareu Mahjong present compelling options for enthusiasts seeking linear switches. The HMX Gravel is celebrated for its exceptional smoothness and refined feel, characterized by a medium-light actuation force that grants users a responsive and effortless typing experience—perfect for those who crave tactile clarity without the resistance of heavier switches. On the other hand, the Dareu Mahjong stands out not only for its distinctive green and white color scheme but also for its lively, poppy sound signature, providing a vibrant auditory feedback that can invigorate your typing sessions while also delivering a smooth and enjoyable interaction. Each switch offers unique advantages: the Gravel for its silky-smooth performance, and the Mahjong for its spirited feedback. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the HMX Gravel and the Dareu Mahjong, notable differences arise in the choice of materials for the top housing. The Gravel utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This quality is due in part to polycarbonate's stiffer composition, which enhances sound clarity and resonance. Moreover, polycarbonate's translucency makes it an ideal option for RGB lighting applications, allowing vibrant backlighting to shine through effectively. In contrast, the Mahjong employs POK (polyketone) for its top housing, which offers a different acoustic characteristic. POK is known for its smoother feel, contributing to a clackier sound, along with its exceptional durability. While both materials serve to enhance the overall performance and sound of the switches, they evoke distinctly different auditory experiences.
On the other hand, both the HMX Gravel and Dareu Mahjong utilize nylon for their bottom housing, creating a uniform aspect in their construction. Nylon is a classic choice for switch housings and is praised for producing a deeper, fuller sound profile than harder plastics. By absorbing sound more effectively, nylon contributes to a rounder acoustic representation, enhancing the switch's overall feel. Since both switches employ the same bottom housing material, they will similarly respond in terms of sound and feedback when typing. This similarity creates a continuity in user experience, as the foundational qualities of the switch—regarding depth and sound absorption—remain consistent regardless of the top housing variation.
Overall, combining the stiffer polycarbonate top of the Gravel with nylon's softer bottom results in a clear and vibrant sound signature. In contrast, the Mahjong's top housing crafted from POK enhances smoothness while still pairing with the familiar depth provided by nylon at the bottom. Therefore, regardless of their different top housings, both switches can deliver similar results in terms of sound quality from the nylon bottom, ensuring a deep sound profile when activated. The variance in top housing materials ultimately shapes how users experience the auditory characteristics of each switch, highlighting the importance of material selection in switch design.
Weight
The HMX Gravel linear switch and the Dareu Mahjong linear switch share an identical actuation force of 45 grams, indicating that both switches will provide a similar typing experience in terms of the force required to register a keystroke. However, their bottom out forces differ significantly; while the Gravel has a bottom out force of 50 grams, the bottom out force for the Mahjong is unknown. This means that we cannot directly compare how these switches feel when pressed all the way down. With the Gravel being lighter overall due to its known bottom out force, it may be more suitable for users who prefer a less strenuous typing experience, making it ideal for long work sessions or extended gaming. Conversely, the unspecified bottom out force of the Mahjong could imply a potentially heavier feel, appealing to those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience with stronger resistance.
Travel distance
The HMX Gravel linear switch and the Dareu Mahjong linear switch exhibit slightly different travel distances, with the Gravel measuring 3.5 mm and the Mahjong at 3.4 mm. This makes the Mahjong the shorter option, while the Gravel offers a bit more depth. If you're looking for a more responsive feel, the Mahjong's shorter travel distance may be appealing, especially for gamers who favor quick key presses. However, if you like a switch that provides a more substantial feel during actuation, the Gravel's longer travel distance could be more suitable for your preference. Ultimately, both switches provide relatively shallow distances compared to traditional switches, catering to modern users who seek faster response times.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Gravel has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gravel for $2.99.
The Dareu Mahjong has an MSRP of $8.89 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mahjong for $5.79.
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 HMX Gravel switch does not have specific acoustic characteristics mentioned, making it somewhat of a mystery in this regard. However, the Dareu Mahjong switch is characterized by a lively and poppy sound signature, which adds a distinctive auditory element to your typing experience. The Mahjong's neutral sound profile ensures that it shines in various environments, suitable for both casual typing at home and more focused work settings. It's important to note that the overall sound produced by either switch will also depend on the keyboard's build, keycap material, and design.
In terms of feel, the HMX Gravel switch is celebrated for its exceptional smoothness and refined typing experience. It features a medium-light actuation force that contributes to a responsive feel during typing, ideal for those who prefer a lighter touch. On the flip side, the Dareu Mahjong switches provide a bouncier feedback sensation that creates a lively atmosphere when typing. In addition, the Mahjong switches offer a mild experience that balances gentleness with enough feedback to keep users engaged. They are described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined key travel that further enhances comfort and performance across a variety of typing tasks.
In summary, while the HMX Gravel switch is recognized for its smoothness and light actuation force, the Dareu Mahjong switch shines with its lively sound, bouncy feedback, and polished feel. Although the Gravel does not have an established sound profile, its smooth typing experience aligns nicely with the refined characteristics of the Mahjong, making both switches potentially enjoyable for those who appreciate a lighter touch and responsive feel. Ultimately, your choice may come down to personal preference in sound, as the feel of both switches caters to a similar audience of enthusiasts seeking comfort and performance in their typing experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the HMX Gravel linear switch and the Dareu Mahjong linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preference and intended use. If you're seeking an effortlessly smooth and refined typing experience, the Gravel's medium-light actuation force and exceptional smoothness make it an ideal choice, especially for prolonged typing sessions or gaming where responsiveness is key. Its lighter bottom-out feel helps reduce finger fatigue, making it suitable for users who prefer a softer touch while still getting satisfying key feedback. On the other hand, if you appreciate a lively and bouncy typing experience, the Mahjong switch might be your go-to. With its unique sound profile and bouncy feel, it adds a fun element to typing, making it particularly enjoyable for casual users or those who like a bit of character in their keystrokes. The Mahjong's mild and polished characteristics ensure that it remains approachable and versatile, fitting well in both home and office settings. Ultimately, your choice should align with whether you value a smoother, more effortless feel or a dynamic and bouncy typing experience; both switches offer distinct advantages that cater to different user preferences.
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