HMX Gravel vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the HMX Gravel and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the decision often boils down to personal preferences and typing style. The HMX Gravel, a linear switch, stands out for its exceptional smoothness and refined typing feel, making it a popular option among enthusiasts who appreciate a responsive and effortless typing experience. With a medium-light actuation force that leans toward the lighter side, the Gravel ensures that each keypress feels fluid, ideal for users who prioritize speed and consistency in their keystrokes. In contrast, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro offers a medium tactility with a fairly light touch, boasting a neutral sound signature that positions it as a versatile "Goldilocks" choice for those who seek a balanced tactile experience. This switch caters to typists who enjoy a gentle bump on keypresses without the intrusive noise often associated with tactile switches. Both switches have distinct advantages: the Gravel for its smooth and swift performance, and the Violet Gold Pro for its balanced feel and satisfying feedback. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits 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
N/A
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
Polycarbonate
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
The HMX Gravel and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, which leads to a remarkably consistent sound profile within both switches. The polycarbonate material is pivotal in crafting a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound due to its stiffness. This clarity and resonance are particularly beneficial for users interested in RGB lighting, as the translucency of polycarbonate allows for an eye-catching illumination effect. Consequently, users seeking a lively and bright auditory feedback will find both switches offering similar results when it comes to the sound produced from the top housing, enhancing the overall aesthetic and performance of the keyboard.
In contrast, the bottom housing of both the Gravel and the Violet Gold Pro is made from nylon, another material that contributes to the acoustic characteristics but in a different manner. Nylon, being a softer plastic, is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. Its ability to absorb sound means that it creates a duller and rounder auditory experience compared to the more resonant qualities of polycarbonate. This contrast in materials between the top and bottom housings highlights how they contribute different effects to the typing experience; while both switches exhibit crispness from the top housing, the bottom housing introduces a fuller depth to the sound, making the feel and feedback of each switch unique yet complementary.
Ultimately, even though the HMX Gravel and Dareu Violet Gold Pro feature identical materials in their respective housing components, the combination of polycarbonate and nylon in both cases results in a well-rounded typing experience. Users can expect a blend of crisp top-end sounds from the polycarbonate while simultaneously enjoying the warmth and fullness provided by the nylon base. For those looking for consistency across a typing experience that balances sharpness with depth, both switches present an appealing choice, ensuring that sound quality remains uniform regardless of the specific model selected.
Weight
The HMX Gravel linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch have intriguing similarities and differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. Both switches feature an actuation force of 45 grams, meaning they require the same amount of force to trigger a keystroke, providing a consistent typing experience for users who prefer a lighter feel. However, the Gravel switch has a known bottom out force of 50 grams, indicating a slight increase in resistance when pressing the key all the way down. In contrast, the bottom out force for the Violet Gold Pro is unknown, making it difficult to directly compare the overall typing experience when fully depressing the key. Overall, the HMX Gravel can be considered lighter due to its known bottom out force, while the Dareu Violet Gold Pro could potentially feel different at the bottom due to its undefined force. This distinction may influence user preference, with those favoring a lighter and more responsive feel leaning towards the Gravel, while heavier forces could appeal to those desiring a more tactile experience, depending on the Violet Gold Pro's actual characteristics.
Travel distance
The HMX Gravel linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch features a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. This difference in travel distance can influence the typing experience significantly. The Gravel’s shorter distance may appeal to gamers and users looking for quicker response times, providing a more immediate feedback when typing or gaming. Conversely, the Violet Gold Pro's longer travel distance could be more satisfying for those who appreciate a deeper, more tactile feel with every keypress, making it more suited for typing tasks where a pronounced travel can be beneficial. In this comparison, it is clear that the Gravel offers a shorter travel distance, while the Violet Gold Pro provides a longer one, catering to different preferences in typing and gaming scenarios.
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 Violet Gold Pro has an MSRP of $7.73 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Violet Gold Pro for $4.76.
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 linear switch is noted for its smooth operation and is likely to produce a sound profile that is unobtrusive, making it suitable for quiet environments. The sound characteristics align well with the overall linear switch design, which tends to avoid any pronounced auditory feedback upon actuation. In contrast, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch features a neutral sound signature. This means that the Violet Gold Pro produces a balanced noise level, making it versatile for various settings, whether at home or in a workplace. While both switches are designed to create a pleasant typing experience, the Gravel leans towards a quieter operation, while the Violet Gold Pro may offer a slight audible feedback without being distracting.
In terms of feel, the HMX Gravel switch is characterized by its exceptional smoothness and a medium-light actuation force that contributes to a responsive and effortless typing experience. This smooth action is a hallmark of linear switches, which do not have a tactile bump, allowing the user to glide through their keystrokes. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro is a tactile switch, providing a distinct “stepped” feel. This means that users will experience a mild tactile bump at the actuation point, creating a clear sense of when the switch has been activated. Those preferring a fluid typing experience may gravitate towards the Gravel, whereas users who appreciate a tactile indication while typing might favor the Violet Gold Pro.
In conclusion, both the HMX Gravel linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard space. With the Gravel offering smoothness and lighter resistance for a quiet typing experience, and the Violet Gold Pro providing a balanced tactile feedback with a neutral sound, users can choose based on their individual needs. If you're looking for a more gliding typing experience, the Gravel will serve you well, while the Violet Gold Pro will appeal to those who enjoy tactile feedback without overwhelming sound. Either choice can lead to satisfying results, depending on the typing style and environment of the user.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the HMX Gravel linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you're looking for an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience, the HMX Gravel is an excellent option, especially if you appreciate a lighter actuation force that facilitates rapid key presses—ideal for gaming or fast-paced typing tasks. The Gravel's smoothness makes each keystroke feel fluid, perfect for those who prioritize speed and comfort without the distraction of tactile feedback. On the other hand, if you desire a more tactile experience that provides a subtle feedback with each key press, the Violet Gold Pro is a suitable choice. Its medium tactility and neutral sound signature create a balanced environment where you can enjoy a satisfying typing feel without being overly noisy, making it well-suited for professional workspaces or shared environments. In essence, choose the Gravel for a light and smooth experience, and opt for the Violet Gold Pro if you seek a tactile yet unobtrusive typing sensation.
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