Dareu Holly vs. TTC Venus
An in-depth look at the Dareu Holly and the TTC Venus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Dareu Holly and the TTC Venus mechanical keyboard switches, both offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Holly, with its tactile feedback and medium 50g actuation force, provides a balanced and distinctive typing experience with its chirpy and clacky sound elements. On the other hand, the Venus stands out for its linear design, featuring a nearly frictionless glide and a "Q-texture" that offers a matte sensation akin to biting into a chewy mochi. The Venus boasts a very light actuation force for rapid typing and a muted sound signature for a more subdued auditory experience. While the Holly appeals to those seeking a tactile typing experience, the Venus caters to users looking for a smooth and engaging linear switch. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
52g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Lengthened 20.5mm spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Dareu Holly and the TTC Venus, we can see that they both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, which results in a sharper and crisper sound profile. However, the Venus's POM top housing provides a deeper and more muted sound compared to the Holly's polycarbonate top housing. This creates a contrast in the sound profiles of the two switches, with the Holly offering a brighter sound while the Venus produces a deeper tone. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches designed with RGB lighting, giving an added aesthetic appeal to the Holly.
The differences continue when we look at the bottom housing materials of the Holly and Venus. The Holly features a nylon bottom housing, known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature. On the other hand, the Venus utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, which contributes to a sharper and clearer sound profile. This contrast in sound characteristics between the two switches can provide users with options depending on their preference for sound when typing. The absorbent nature of nylon in the Holly's bottom housing creates a rounder sound, while the stiffer polycarbonate in the Venus provides more clarity and resonance.
Overall, while both the Dareu Holly and TTC Venus use polycarbonate for their top housing, they differ in their bottom housing materials, resulting in unique sound profiles for each switch. The split between the qualities of the top and bottom housings affects the overall typing experience, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, and the top housing impacting the sound when releasing a key. Ultimately, users can choose between the sharper and brighter sound of the Holly with its nylon bottom housing or the deeper and more muted sound of the Venus with its polycarbonate bottom housing, depending on their preferences for sound and typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, it is evident that the Venus has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Holly's 50 grams. This means that the Venus switch will require less force to trigger a keystroke, making it a preferred choice for those who enjoy a lighter typing experience. On the other hand, the bottom out force of the Venus is 52 grams, which is higher than the bottom out force of the Holly, which is unknown. This indicates that the Venus switch will provide a more substantial feeling when typing, as it requires more force to fully press down the key. Ultimately, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Venus switch, while those who enjoy a more substantial push feel may opt for the Holly switch.
Travel distance
The Dareu Holly tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the TTC Venus linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. The Holly is the longer option, providing a bit more depth when pressing down on a key compared to the Venus. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may prefer the Venus with its shorter travel distance, while those who enjoy a more robust and satisfying keystroke may lean towards the Holly. Both switches fall within the common range of travel distances, so users can expect a similar feel across both options, with the main difference being the slight variation in travel length.
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 TTC Venus has an MSRP of $7.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Venus for $5.09.
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 offers a unique combination of chirpy and clacky elements, providing a balanced and distinctive typing experience. On the other hand, the TTC Venus linear switch boasts a low-pitched and muted sound profile that wraps each keystroke in a subdued auditory embrace, making for a quieter typing experience overall. While the Holly leans towards a more lively and pronounced sound, the Venus takes a more subdued and mellow approach, catering to users looking for a quieter typing environment.
When it comes to feel, the information provided gives us insights into the TTC Venus linear switch, describing it as offering a buttery, gummy, frictionless, and polished typing experience. These qualities suggest that the Venus switch provides a smooth, effortless, and polished keystroke, with minimal resistance and a uniform typing sensation. While the feel of the Dareu Holly tactile switch is not explicitly described in the information provided, we can infer that it may offer a different tactile experience compared to the Venus, potentially with a more pronounced tactile bump or different texture.
In conclusion, the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the TTC Venus linear switch each offer unique characteristics in terms of sound and feel. The Holly provides a lively and distinct sound signature with a medium actuation force, appealing to users seeking a more pronounced auditory feedback. In contrast, the Venus delivers a quieter and more subtle sound with a light actuation force, paired with a smooth and effortless typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on individual preferences for sound profile, typing feel, and actuation force, as both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing styles and preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, you should consider your typing preferences. If you enjoy a balanced and distinctive typing experience with a medium 50g actuation force and a unique chirpy and clacky sound, the Dareu Holly switch would be a suitable choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a nearly frictionless glide with a captivating "Q-texture" and a very light 52g actuation force that promises rapid, effortless typing with a muted sound signature, the TTC Venus switch would be more appealing to you. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on whether you prioritize sound, feel, or actuation force in your mechanical keyboard switches.
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