Dareu Holly vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the Dareu Holly and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Holly and Gateron Mountain Top offer distinct features catering to different preferences. The Dareu Holly switch is a tactile switch known for its medium 50g actuation force, providing a unique sound signature that combines chirpy and clacky elements for a balanced and distinctive typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top is a linear switch designed specifically for office environments, offering a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience with a light actuation. While the Holly is ideal for users seeking a more pronounced typing experience, the Mountain Top is perfect for those looking for a subtle and discreet option in professional settings. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Dareu Holly and Gateron Mountain Top both utilize different housing materials for their switches, with the Holly featuring polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing, while the Mountain Top has nylon top and bottom housing. The polycarbonate top housing of the Holly creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffness, while the nylon top housing of the Mountain Top produces a deeper and fuller sound by absorbing more sound with its softer plastic composition. In terms of aesthetics, the polycarbonate top housing of the Holly allows for RGB lighting due to its translucency, whereas the nylon top housing of the Mountain Top is a classic material known for its sound properties.
On the other hand, the bottom housings of both switches share the same material - nylon. This material is prized for its ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing sound with its softer composition. The nylon bottom housing of both switches contributes to the overall typing experience by creating a duller and rounder sound when compared to harder plastics. This consistency in bottom housing material results in similar sound profiles when typing on both the Dareu Holly and Gateron Mountain Top switches.
Overall, while the top housing of the switches differ in material between the Holly and the Mountain Top, the bottom housing material remains the same, leading to a shared quality in sound production between the two switches. The top housing material plays a significant role in the sound profile when pressing down and letting go of a key, while the bottom housing material impacts the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. Both switches offer unique sound characteristics based on their housing materials, with the Holly providing a sharper and crisper sound with its polycarbonate top housing, and the Mountain Top offering a deeper and fuller sound with its nylon top housing.
Weight
Comparing the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, it is evident that the actuation force and bottom out force vary between the two. The Holly has a higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Mountain Top's 40 grams, making it the heavier option. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Holly's force is unknown while the Mountain Top has a light bottom out force of 50 grams. The difference in actuation force means that the Holly will require a slightly stronger push to trigger a keystroke, while the Mountain Top provides a lighter typing experience. Both weight options cater to different preferences, with the Holly being more suitable for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience and the Mountain Top being ideal for users who prefer a lighter feel for extended typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation force and bottom out force.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, the Holly has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Mountain Top's 3.4 mm. The Holly's 4.0 mm travel distance provides a deeper press compared to the Mountain Top's 3.4 mm, which may feel more abrupt to some users. Gamers often prefer shorter travel distances for faster response times, making the Mountain Top a popular choice for gaming. However, 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 for key press depth and responsiveness.
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 Mountain Top comes in at $6.00 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 is known for its unique chirpy and clacky elements, creating a distinctive typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch is designed for quiet and discreet typing, catering specifically to office environments. The Holly offers a more lively and pronounced sound profile, while the Mountain Top provides a subdued sound signature, balancing quietness with a light actuation. Both switches have a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for various typing preferences and environments. Ultimately, your choice between the two would depend on whether you prefer a more dynamic and distinct sound like the Holly or a quieter and more unobtrusive typing experience like the Mountain Top.
In terms of feel, the information available only provides descriptions of the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, highlighting its bouncy, easy-to-press, mild, snappy, and subtle characteristics. These qualities suggest that the Mountain Top switch offers a comfortable and responsive typing experience, with a gentle resistance and lively rebound when pressed. Unfortunately, there is no specific information available regarding the feel of the Dareu Holly tactile switch. However, based on the provided descriptions of the Mountain Top switch, it can be inferred that the Holly switch may offer a similar level of comfort and responsiveness in typing, catering to users looking for a satisfying tactile feel.
Overall, the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch each offer unique qualities in terms of sound and potentially feel. While the Holly provides a more distinct and lively sound profile, suitable for users looking for a distinctive typing experience, the Mountain Top switch caters to those seeking a quiet and unobtrusive typing feel, particularly in professional settings. If feel is also a consideration, both switches seem to offer a comfortable and responsive typing experience, with the potential for the Holly to provide a satisfying tactile feel similar to the characteristics described for the Mountain Top switch. Ultimately, your decision between the two switches would depend on your specific preferences for sound, feel, and typing environment.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a unique and tactile typing experience with a balanced sound profile, the Dareu Holly tactile switch with its medium 50g actuation force would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you require a quiet and light typing experience for office environments, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch with its 50g bottom out force would be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your specific preferences for sound, feel, and typing environment. Both switches offer their own distinct qualities, so choose the one that best aligns with your needs and typing style.
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