Dareu Holly vs. Gateron Ink Black V2
An in-depth look at the Dareu Holly and the Gateron Ink Black V2 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Dareu Holly tactile switch to the Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch, both offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Holly stands out with its medium 50g actuation force, providing a balanced and distinctive typing experience with a sound signature that combines chirpy and clacky elements. On the other hand, the Ink Black V2 is praised for its smooth downstroke and rich clack, making it a favorite among the community for its low-pitched, bassy, and polished feel. While the Holly offers a more neutral typing experience with its tactile feedback, the Ink Black V2 provides a smoother and more consistent keystroke. 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
50g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
70g
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
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The Dareu Holly features a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. In contrast, the Gateron Ink Black V2 utilizes a proprietary INK blend top housing, characterized by a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound that is described as clacky. While both materials offer a distinct sound profile, the polycarbonate in the Holly provides a more resonant and clear sound, while the INK blend in the Gateron switch offers a slightly softer and more satisfying sound.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Holly utilizes a nylon material that elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, absorbing more sound than harder plastics. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Black V2 also employs its proprietary INK blend for the bottom housing, offering a similar pointed and high-pitched sound profile that is described as clacky. Both materials bring a unique sound experience to the switches, with nylon providing a duller and rounder sound compared to the slightly sharper sound of the INK blend.
In terms of how the housing materials impact the overall sound and feel of the switches, the qualities of the bottom housing are more prominent when pressing down on the switch, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel. Meanwhile, the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. While the Dareu Holly and Gateron Ink Black V2 may use different housing materials, each contributes to the switches' overall sound profile in their own unique way, providing users with a variety of options to suit their preferences.
Weight
The Dareu Holly tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch, which has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams. However, the bottom out force for the Holly is unknown, while the Ink Black V2 has a bottom out force of 70 grams, which is considered medium-heavy. This means that the Holly may provide a lighter typing experience, making it more suitable for extended use, while the Ink Black V2 will offer a more substantial and firm typing feel. Both switches have their advantages depending on the user's preferences, with the lighter force of the Holly being ideal for longer typing sessions and the heavier force of the Ink Black V2 providing a more solid typing experience.
Travel distance
Both the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key equipped with either switch, you will experience a consistent distance traveled from the top to the bottom. Due to their equal travel distances, users can expect similar results in terms of key feel and responsiveness. In comparison to other switches with longer or shorter travel distances, the Holly and Ink Black V2 offer a moderate amount of key travel, striking a balance between quick actuation and satisfying key press feedback.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Holly has an MSRP of $6.59 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Holly for $3.76.
The Gateron Ink Black V2 has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ink Black V2 for $7.24.
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 Holly tactile switch stands out for its unique combination of chirpy and clacky elements, providing a balanced and distinctive typing experience. The chirpy nature of the switch adds a bit of character with a little squeak, while the clacky aspect offers a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch offers a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, creating a deeper and richer tone during key presses. Both switches have a chirpy element to their sound, but the Holly is more focused on providing a mix of chirpy and clacky sounds, whereas the Ink Black V2 leans towards a mellower and bass-heavy tone.
When it comes to feel, information on the Dareu Holly tactile switch is not provided, so we will focus on the Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch. This switch is described as offering a mild and polished typing experience. The mild characteristic indicates a gentle typing feel that is approachable to most users, falling within a safe middle-ground zone in terms of key press feedback. The polished finish of the switch ensures a smooth and refined typing experience, with reduced friction and a sleek key travel. This combination results in a comfortable and pleasant typing feel for extended use.
In conclusion, while the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch both offer unique sound profiles with some similarities in their chirpy characteristics, they differ in their overall sound experience. The Holly provides a mix of chirpy and clacky elements for a balanced and distinctive typing sound, while the Ink Black V2 leans towards a low-pitched and bassy tone. In terms of feel, the information available highlights the polished and mild typing experience of the Ink Black V2, emphasizing a smooth and gentle key press feedback. Ultimately, both switches offer their own strengths and qualities, catering to different preferences for sound and feel in mechanical keyboard switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch, you should consider your preferences for actuation force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a lighter actuation force and a unique sound signature that combines chirpy and clacky elements, the Dareu Holly switch may be the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy actuation force and a smooth downstroke with a rich clack sound, the Gateron Ink Black V2 switch could be the ideal pick. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the kind of typing experience you are looking for.
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