Dareu Holly vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Dareu Holly and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Holly and Everglide Tourmaline Blue offer unique experiences to cater to different preferences. The Dareu Holly, with its tactile nature and distinctive sound signature blending chirpy and clacky elements, appeals to those seeking a balanced and engaging typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue stands out with a linear design and a deep, thocky sound profile, accompanied by a bouncy feel due to its lengthened single-stage spring. While the Holly offers a medium 50g actuation force and is categorized as 'Chirpy', 'Clacky', and 'Neutral', the Tourmaline Blue provides a buttery, easy-to-press feel with a mild nature, making it suitable for a wide range of users. 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
59g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
Both the Dareu Holly and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue feature a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate, which enhances resonance and clarity in sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that use RGB lighting, adding a visually appealing element to the overall design. However, the Holly's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound.
The use of different materials for the top and bottom housing in the Dareu Holly and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue results in a split of qualities between the two parts of the switch. The bottom housing, whether nylon or polycarbonate, has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. Conversely, the top housing, made of polycarbonate in both cases, plays a more significant role in the sound produced when releasing a key. This distinction highlights how the choice of housing material can influence the overall typing experience and sound profile of a mechanical keyboard switch.
Overall, while the Dareu Holly and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue share similarities in their polycarbonate top housing, the difference in bottom housing materials sets them apart in terms of sound profile. The Holly's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound, while the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing maintains a sharper and crisper sound. Both switches provide a unique typing experience based on the combination of top and bottom housing materials, showcasing the impact that material choice can have on the overall performance and feel of a mechanical keyboard switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it is clear that there are differences in weight between the two. The Holly has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Tourmaline Blue's 59 grams, making the Holly lighter in terms of force required to trigger a keystroke. However, the Tourmaline Blue has a heavier bottom out force of 67 grams, while the bottom out force of the Holly is unknown. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Holly for longer typing sessions or gaming, while those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may prefer the Tourmaline Blue for its heavier push feel. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
Both the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing them, it can be noted that they both offer a similar tactile experience due to their matching travel distances. This means that users can expect consistent keypress feedback and actuation regardless of which switch they choose. In terms of travel distance, there is no significant difference between the two switches, allowing for a comparable 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 Everglide Tourmaline Blue has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Tourmaline Blue for $3.89.
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 considering the sound produced by the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it is evident that they offer different acoustic experiences. The Holly switch is known for its chirpy and clacky elements, creating a unique sound profile that can cater to users seeking a distinctive typing experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switch provides a deep and thocky sound that immerses users in a satisfying typing session. Both switches fall under the category of neutral in terms of sound profile, making them suitable for a wide range of users and purposes. It is important to note that the sound produced by a switch is also influenced by external factors such as keyboard construction and keycaps.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the information provided highlights a contrast between the two. The Holly tactile switch does not have specific descriptors regarding its feel, whereas the Tourmaline Blue switch is described as buttery, easy-to-press, and mild. These descriptors suggest that the Tourmaline Blue switch offers a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with gentle resistance, requiring minimal force to activate. This enhances typing comfort and reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. The mild characteristic of the Tourmaline Blue switch also indicates a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users.
In conclusion, the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offer unique sound profiles and tactile feels that cater to different preferences. While the Holly switch stands out for its chirpy and clacky sound elements, the Tourmaline Blue switch provides a deep and thocky sound with a buttery and easy-to-press feel. Both switches fall under the neutral category in terms of sound, making them versatile options for various users and settings. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and feel during typing sessions.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the Dareu Holly tactile switch or the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your preferences in typing experience. If you are looking for a balanced and distinctive sound profile with a unique combination of chirpy and clacky elements, the Holly switch with its medium 50g actuation force would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a deep and thocky sound profile with a bouncy feel and moderate actuation force, the Tourmaline Blue switch would be the ideal option. Ultimately, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience, so it depends on what qualities resonate with you the most.
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