Dareu Holly vs. KTT Lightning
An in-depth look at the Dareu Holly and the KTT Lightning switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Dareu Holly and KTT Lightning are two popular mechanical keyboard switch options, each offering unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Holly, known for its tactile feedback and medium 50g actuation force, stands out for its distinctive sound signature that combines chirpy and clacky elements, providing a balanced typing experience. On the other hand, the Lightning linear switch by KTT is lauded for its speed and responsiveness, making it ideal for situations where milliseconds can be the difference between victory and defeat. With a slick typing feel and a clacky sound profile, the Lightning offers a polished and subtle typing experience. 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
43g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Dareu Holly and the KTT Lightning both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, giving a clear and resonant sound overall. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting, enhancing the visual appeal of the keyboard. In terms of sound characteristics, both switches offer similar qualities due to their shared use of polycarbonate in the top housing.
However, where the Dareu Holly and the KTT Lightning differ is in their bottom housing material. The Holly features a nylon bottom housing, known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer composition absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound overall. Conversely, the Lightning also incorporates a nylon bottom housing, providing a similar experience in terms of sound characteristics brought on by this material.
Overall, the combination of different housing materials in the Dareu Holly and KTT Lightning creates a unique typing experience for users. The split between the top and bottom housing allows for a balance of qualities in sound production when pressing down on a key and when releasing it. This ensures that both switches offer a distinct tactile and auditory experience, making them stand out in the keyboard market.
Weight
The Dareu Holly tactile switch and the KTT Lightning linear switch each have their own unique actuation and bottom out forces. The Holly has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Lightning's lighter 43 grams. However, the bottom out force for the Holly is unknown, while the Lightning has a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it the heavier of the two. Those who prefer a lighter touch may find the Lightning more suitable for longer typing sessions or gaming, while those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Holly. In terms of actuation force, the Holly requires a slightly heavier push to trigger a keystroke compared to the Lightning. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and the desired level of force required for a satisfying typing experience.
Travel distance
Comparing the travel distance of the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the KTT Lightning linear switch, we can see that the Holly has a longer travel distance at 4 mm compared to the Lightning's 3 mm. The Holly's 4.0mm travel distance is more traditional, while the Lightning's 3.0mm is shallower. Gamers may prefer the Lightning for its faster response time due to the shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may opt for the Holly with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and what feels most comfortable for the individual user.
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 KTT Lightning comes in at $3.41 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 Holly tactile switch offers a unique combination of chirpy and clacky elements, providing a balanced and distinctive typing experience. On the other hand, the KTT Lightning linear switch produces a slick typing feel with a clacky sound profile, making it ideal for those seeking a quick and responsive switch. Both switches share a chirpy sound characteristic, but the Holly switch stands out with its distinctive clacky elements that set it apart from the Lightning switch.
Moving on to feel, information on the Holly switch's feel is currently unavailable. In contrast, the KTT Lightning linear switch is described as having a subtle resistance that maintains a light typing feel, making it suitable for shared spaces. Additionally, the Lightning switch is noted for its polished finish, resulting in smooth key travel and reduced friction. While the feel of the Holly switch remains unknown, the Lightning switch provides a comfortable and refined typing experience due to its subtle resistance and polished finish.
Overall, while both the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the KTT Lightning linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel, they each cater to different preferences. The Holly switch excels in providing a balanced and distinctive typing experience with its chirpy and clacky sound elements, appealing to users looking for a standout sound profile. On the other hand, the Lightning switch is designed for speed and responsiveness, offering a slick typing feel and clacky sound profile. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a unique sound signature and a balanced typing experience, the Dareu Holly tactile switch with its medium 50g actuation force would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more approachable switch with a light 50g bottom out force and a focus on speed, the KTT Lightning linear switch would be the better option. Consider your typing preferences and priorities in sound and feel when deciding between these two switches. Ultimately, the choice between the Dareu Holly and KTT Lightning switches will depend on your personal preferences and typing style.
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