Dareu Holly vs. Outemu Black
An in-depth look at the Dareu Holly and the Outemu Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Holly and the Outemu Black stand out as popular choices for different reasons. The Dareu Holly, a tactile switch, features a medium 50g actuation force and offers a unique sound signature that combines chirpy and clacky elements, providing a balanced and distinctive typing experience favored by users looking for something different. On the other hand, the Outemu Black, a linear switch, doesn't have a specific standout feature but is known for its smooth and consistent feel during typing. Choosing between these switches ultimately depends on personal preference and typing style; 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
65g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
82g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.50 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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Dareu Holly and the Outemu Black, both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing. This material creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its relatively stiff nature, which results in a clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically, polycarbonate is beneficial for switches with RGB lighting as its translucency allows for light to shine through. However, the nylon bottom housing of the Holly and the Black differs in sound production. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound than harder plastics, creating a deeper and fuller sound profile.
Due to the similarities in their polycarbonate top housing, both the Dareu Holly and the Outemu Black switches produce a sharp, high-pitched, and clear sound when typing. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing contributes to this sound profile by being a relatively stiff plastic. However, the nylon bottom housing of each switch offers a different typing experience. The Holly and the Black switches utilizing nylon for their bottom housing result in a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to nylon's softer nature and its ability to absorb more sound than harder plastics.
While both the Dareu Holly and the Outemu Black share the polycarbonate top housing, their nylon bottom housing sets them apart in sound production. Typing on the Holly provides a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the nylon bottom housing's ability to absorb sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Outemu Black offers a similar sound experience with its nylon bottom housing, emphasizing the impact of the bottom-out sound and feel when typing. The split qualities of the top and bottom housings in each switch showcase the nuances in sound production that different housing materials can bring to mechanical keyboards.
Weight
When comparing the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Outemu Black linear switch, it is clear that the Holly is the lighter option with an actuation force of 50 grams, while the Black is heavier with an actuation force of 65 grams. The bottom out force of the Holly is unknown, but for the Black, it is 82 grams, which is considered to be heavy. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Holly for longer typing sessions, while those who enjoy a more substantial push feel may opt for the Black. Both switches offer different levels of force for actuation and bottom out, providing users with the option to choose based on their personal preferences. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to whether one prefers a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Outemu Black linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel from the top to the bottom. The identical travel distance ensures that the typing experience with either switch will be consistent in terms of the distance the keys travel. Therefore, whether using the Dareu Holly or the Outemu Black, you can expect similar results in terms of key 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 Outemu Black comes in at $3.10 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
When it comes to sound, the Dareu Holly tactile switch offers a unique combination of chirpy and clacky elements, providing users with a distinctive typing experience. The chirpy sound adds a little squeak to the switch, while the clacky sound produces a sharp and snappy noise when pressed, making it stand out among other switches. On the other hand, the Outemu Black linear switch's sound characteristics are unknown, so it's hard to make a direct comparison. However, keep in mind that factors such as the keyboard itself and the keycaps used will also influence the sound produced by both switches.
Moving on to feel, unfortunately, there is limited information available about the subjective qualities of the Dareu Holly and Outemu Black switches in terms of how they feel when typing. This aspect of mechanical keyboard switches is highly subjective and can greatly impact a user's typing experience. Without detailed descriptions of the tactile feedback, key travel, and overall typing feel, it's challenging to directly compare the two switches in this regard.
Taking all available information into account, the Dareu Holly tactile switch seems to offer a more varied and unique sound profile compared to the information currently known about the Outemu Black linear switch. If sound is a crucial factor in your mechanical keyboard switch choice, the Holly may be the preferred option for those seeking a distinctive typing experience. However, without detailed information on the feel of each switch, it's difficult to make a definitive comparison in this aspect. Ultimately, personal preference and typing style will play a significant role in determining which switch is the best fit for you. Remember to consider other factors like keycap material, typing speed, and typing environment when making your decision.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Outemu Black linear switch, you should consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you are looking for a unique and balanced sound signature with a medium actuation force, the Dareu Holly switch might be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier bottom out force and a linear switch without any specific sound characteristics, the Outemu Black switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on factors such as typing style, noise preference, and overall typing feel to ensure you find the perfect mechanical keyboard switch for your needs.
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