Dareu Holly vs. Gateron Melodic
An in-depth look at the Dareu Holly and the Gateron Melodic switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Dareu Holly and Gateron Melodic are two popular mechanical keyboard switches, each offering unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Holly, a tactile switch with a medium 50g actuation force, is well-known for its distinctive sound signature that combines chirpy and clacky elements, providing a balanced and unique typing experience. On the other hand, the Melodic, a clicky switch from Gateron, stands out with its smooth factory lubing and dual-railed stems that enhance the classic clicky sound and tactile feedback while maintaining a smooth typing experience. While the Holly is categorized as 'Chirpy', 'Clacky', and 'Neutral', the Melodic is described as 'Buttery', 'Resonant', 'Invigorating', and 'Crunchy'. So, if you're looking for a switch that offers a balanced and distinctive typing experience, the Holly might be the right choice for you. However, if you prefer a switch that provides a classic clicky sound with smoothness, the Melodic could be the better option. 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
60g
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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Dareu Holly and the Gateron Melodic, both switches feature polycarbonate as their top housing material. This material choice creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to polycarbonate's stiffness. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Holly and Melodic differ in their bottom housing material, with the Holly utilizing nylon while the Melodic also uses polycarbonate. Nylon bottom housing on the Holly provides a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This difference in bottom housing material contributes to the overall typing experience and sound of the two switches.
The use of polycarbonate in both the top housing of the Dareu Holly and Gateron Melodic creates a consistent sound profile, with a sharp and crisp sound upon keypress. However, the difference in bottom housing material between the two switches results in contrasting sound experiences. The nylon bottom housing of the Holly produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, contrasting with the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Melodic that may offer a more resonant sound. This variation in housing materials highlights the impact that different plastics can have on the sound and feel of mechanical switches.
Ultimately, whether using the Dareu Holly or Gateron Melodic, the choice of housing materials will impact the overall typing experience and sound profile of the switch. Both switches feature polycarbonate top housings for a sharper sound during keypresses and are ideal for RGB lighting. However, the contrasting nylon and polycarbonate bottom housing materials of the Holly and Melodic create different sound profiles upon keypress and release, with nylon offering a deeper and fuller sound compared to the softer, more resonant quality of polycarbonate. Overall, the choice of housing materials in mechanical switches plays a significant role in determining the sound and feel for users during typing.
Weight
When comparing the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Gateron Melodic clicky switch, the actuation force and bottom out force play a significant role in determining the typing experience. The Holly has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes quickly. However, the bottom out force is unknown, so it's hard to gauge the overall typing feel. On the other hand, the Melodic switch has a medium bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience. Since the actuation force is unknown for the Melodic switch, it's difficult to directly compare it to the Holly. In general, lighter actuation forces are preferred for longer typing sessions or gaming, while heavier forces are preferred for a more tactile typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Gateron Melodic clicky switch is the same, with both switches having a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance from the top to the bottom. As a result, you can expect similar results in terms of key feel and performance when using either switch. In terms of travel distance, there is no difference between the two switches, making them equally suitable for those who prefer a key with a 4 mm travel distance.
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 Melodic has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Melodic for $6.00.
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 Dareu Holly tactile switch offers a unique combination of chirpy and clacky elements, providing users with a balanced and distinctive typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch boasts a resonant sound profile that is clean, sharp, and immersive, along with a crunchy texture that adds to the overall auditory experience. Both switches offer their own distinct sound characteristics, catering to different preferences and typing styles. While the Holly leans towards a chirpy and clacky sound, the Melodic provides a resonant and crunchy sound quality, ensuring users have options to choose from based on their auditory preferences.
In terms of feel, the Dareu Holly tactile switch lacks specific descriptors, indicating that the information on its tactile feel is unknown. On the other hand, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch is described as offering a buttery and invigorating typing experience. This implies that the Melodic switch provides a smooth and fluid keystroke sensation, coupled with pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive feel. Users looking for a tactile switch that offers a seamless and uniform typing experience may find the Gateron Melodic clicky switch to be more suited to their preferences.
Overall, the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Gateron Melodic clicky switch offer unique sound and feel profiles that cater to different preferences. While the Holly excels in providing a distinctive chirpy and clacky sound signature, the Melodic stands out with its resonant and crunchy sound quality. In terms of feel, while the details on the Holly are unknown, the Melodic is praised for its buttery and invigorating typing experience. Depending on whether users prioritize sound or feel in their mechanical keyboard switches, they can choose between the Dareu Holly and the Gateron Melodic to achieve their desired typing experience.
Conclusion
In summary, when considering whether to choose the Dareu Holly tactile switch or the Gateron Melodic clicky switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences. If you are looking for a unique sound signature that combines chirpy and clacky elements for a balanced and distinctive typing experience, the Holly switch would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a classic clicky sound with smooth factory lubing and dual-railed stems for a clean and sharp auditory experience, the Melodic switch may be more suited to your liking. Ultimately, consider whether you prioritize sound or feel in your typing experience when making your decision between these two switches.
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