Dareu Holly vs. Outemu Blue
An in-depth look at the Dareu Holly and the Outemu Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Holly and the Outemu Blue are two popular options to consider. The Dareu Holly is a tactile switch with a 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 Outemu Blue is a clicky switch that offers a different typing feel. While the Holly is categorized as chirpy, clacky, and neutral, the Blue does not have a specific categorization. Choosing between these switches ultimately depends on personal preference and typing requirements. However, let's delve 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
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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 Outemu Blue both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate. This stiffness leads to a more clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for switches intended for use with RGB lighting. However, if we look at the nylon bottom housings of these switches, the typing experience is different. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This contrast in housing materials creates a unique typing experience for each switch.
While both switches share similar top housing materials, with their polycarbonate construction providing a sharp and clear sound profile, their bottom housing materials differ. The Holly's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound, while the Blue's nylon bottom housing leads to a duller and rounder sound. This difference in bottom housing material affects the overall sound and feel of typing on each switch, providing a distinct typing experience for users. By combining different housing materials for the top and bottom, each switch offers a balanced sound profile with a mix of sharpness and depth.
The combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing in the Dareu Holly and Outemu Blue switches showcases how different housing materials can impact the overall typing experience. The split in qualities between the top and bottom housings allows users to feel the impact of each material when pressing down on the switch or letting go of a key. Whether it be the sharpness and clarity of polycarbonate in the top housing or the deeper and fuller sound of nylon in the bottom housing, these switches provide a unique typing experience that caters to different preferences. Ultimately, the housing materials of these switches play a crucial role in shaping the sound profile and feel of typing, giving users a variety of options to choose from based on their preferences.
Weight
The Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Outemu Blue clicky switch both have an actuation force of 50 grams, meaning they have the same amount of force required to trigger a keystroke. However, the bottom out force for both switches is unknown, so it is difficult to compare them in that aspect. In terms of weight, some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of these switches as it allows for longer typing sessions or extended gaming sessions without tiring out their fingers. On the other hand, users who prefer a heavier push feel for a more substantial typing experience may opt for switches with heavier forces. Overall, both the Dareu Holly and the Outemu Blue switches offer similar results in terms of actuation force, but the bottom out force remains a mystery.
Travel distance
The Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Outemu Blue clicky switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing these two switches, it is evident that they provide a similar typing experience in terms of the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom. This means that whether you choose the Holly or the Blue switch, you can expect to feel the same level of keypress travel, resulting in a consistent typing experience. It is worth noting that the travel distance of both switches is the same, so there is no significant difference in this aspect between the two.
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 Blue 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
Overall, the Dareu Holly switch offers a unique sound experience with a combination of chirpy and clacky elements that create a balanced and distinctive typing sound. On the other hand, the Outemu Blue switch does not have any specific sound description provided, making it difficult to compare directly to the Holly. In terms of feel, both switches do not have any specific descriptions available for comparison. However, based on the actuation force of 50g for the Holly and the clicky nature of the Blue switch, it can be inferred that the Holly might provide a tactile typing experience while the Blue switch offers a clicky and responsive feel.
Ultimately, when choosing between the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Outemu Blue clicky switch, it will come down to personal preference and the typing experience you are looking to achieve. If you enjoy a unique sound signature with a balance of chirpy and clacky elements, the Holly switch may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a clicky and percussive typing experience, the Blue switch could be the right choice. Remember to consider other factors such as keycap and keyboard compatibility to fully optimize your mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Outemu Blue clicky switch, you should consider your typing preferences and environment. If you are looking for a unique typing experience with a balanced sound profile that combines chirpy and clacky elements, the Holly switch with its medium 50g actuation force would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a clicky and tactile typing experience without a specific preference for sound profile, the Blue switch might be more suitable for you. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and sound.
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