Dareu Holly vs. Durock Lupine
An in-depth look at the Dareu Holly and the Durock Lupine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Dareu Holly and Durock Lupine mechanical keyboard switches offer unique features and characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Dareu Holly, a tactile switch, provides a distinctive typing experience with its medium 50g actuation force and a sound signature that combines chirpy and clacky elements. On the other hand, the Durock Lupine, a linear switch, offers a consistent weight distribution with two-stage long springs and a classic clacky sound profile. While the Holly is best suited for users looking for a balanced and distinctive typing experience, the Lupine is ideal for those who prefer a polished and high-pitched sound profile. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Two-stage long spring
Housing materials
The Dareu Holly and the Durock Lupine both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a relatively stiffer plastic that leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting. In contrast, the Holly and Lupine differ in their bottom housing material. The Holly features a nylon bottom housing that elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. Conversely, the Lupine also uses a nylon bottom housing with similar sound characteristics.
Despite the differences in bottom housing materials between the Dareu Holly and the Durock Lupine, the polycarbonate top housing ensures that both switches will have a similar sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate in the top housing of both switches contributes to a more clear and resonant sound, regardless of the variations in bottom housing materials. This consistency in sound quality provided by the polycarbonate top housing demonstrates the importance of the material used in creating the overall sound profile of a switch.
In terms of typing experience, the differences in housing materials between the top and bottom of the Dareu Holly and Durock Lupine will affect the sound and feel when pressing down and releasing a key. The qualities of the bottom housing material will be more noticeable when bottoming out a key, impacting the overall sound and feel at that moment. Conversely, the qualities of the top housing material will be more prominent when letting go of a key, influencing the sound profile during the key release. This distribution of housing materials showcases how the design of a switch can impact the typing experience in various ways.
Weight
Comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Durock Lupine linear switch reveals some key differences. The Holly has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams, making it easier to trigger a keypress compared to the Lupine, which has an unknown actuation force. On the other hand, the Lupine has a heavier bottom out force of 62 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience when compared to the Holly, whose bottom out force is unknown. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience conducive to longer typing sessions, the Holly may be the better option. However, for those who prefer a more substantial push feel, the Lupine may be the preferred choice. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Dareu Holly tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Durock Lupine linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. In this case, the Lupine has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Holly. Both switches fall within the traditional range of travel distances, with the Holly being on the longer side and the Lupine slightly shorter. Gamers may prefer the Lupine for its slightly faster response time due to the shorter travel distance, while those looking for a more substantial key press may prefer the Holly. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing experience.
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 Durock Lupine has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lupine for $4.25.
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 distinctive typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock Lupine linear switch offers a classic clacky sound profile, creating a satisfying auditory feedback when typing. Both switches offer different sound profiles, catering to users with varied preferences in terms of sound.
When it comes to feel, the Dareu Holly tactile switch does not have specific descriptors provided, leaving its tactile feel open to interpretation. However, the Durock Lupine linear switch is described as offering a mild typing experience, suitable for a wide range of users due to its gentle characteristics. Additionally, these linear switches are noted to have a polished finish, resulting in smooth key travel and reduced friction, enhancing the overall typing feel.
Considering the information provided, the Dareu Holly tactile switch and Durock Lupine linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. Users looking for a balanced and distinctive typing experience with a unique sound signature may prefer the Holly switch, while those seeking a classic clacky sound profile and a polished, mild typing feel may lean towards the Lupine switch. Ultimately, it is essential for newcomers to consider their personal preferences in sound and feel when selecting between these two switches to ensure a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Durock Lupine linear switch, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a unique sound profile that combines chirpy and clacky elements, along with a medium actuation force of 50g, the Holly switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a more powerful upward movement and a classic clacky sound profile, the Lupine switch with a bottom out force of 62g may be more to your liking. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal preference for sound and feel when typing.
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