Dareu Holly vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the Dareu Holly and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Dareu Holly and Dareu Violet Gold Pro are two popular mechanical keyboard switches, both offering a tactile typing experience. The Holly switch stands out with its medium 50g actuation force, providing a unique sound signature that combines chirpy and clacky elements, appealing to users seeking a balanced and distinctive typing experience. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro switches offer a medium tactility with a fairly light touch and a neutral sound signature, making them a great "Goldilocks" tactile option for those looking for a balanced typing experience. Each switch has its own strengths and characteristics that cater to different preferences and typing styles. 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
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Dareu Holly and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro both feature polycarbonate top housings, providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiff nature of polycarbonate. This material is also ideal for switches with RGB lighting as its translucency allows the light to shine through. On the other hand, the Holly and the Violet Gold Pro differ in their bottom housing materials, with the Holly using nylon and the Violet Gold Pro also using polycarbonate for the bottom housing. Nylon creates a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to polycarbonate, as it is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
While both the Holly and the Violet Gold Pro share the benefits of polycarbonate top housings, the difference in their bottom housing materials will lead to variations in sound and feel. With the Holly's nylon bottom housing, users can expect a more muted and softer bottom-out sound, while the Violet Gold Pro's polycarbonate bottom housing may result in a crisper and sharper bottom-out experience. The split characteristics of the top and bottom housings highlight the importance of a switch's construction in determining the overall typing experience, with the bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, and the top housing influencing the sound when releasing a key.
In conclusion, the Dareu Holly and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro offer unique sound profiles based on their housing materials. Both switches benefit from the clarity and resonance of polycarbonate top housings, but the use of nylon in the Holly's bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound compared to the Violet Gold Pro's polycarbonate bottom housing. Understanding the impact of housing materials on sound profiles can help users choose the right switch for their preferences, whether they prioritize a sharper, crisper sound or a softer, more rounded typing experience.
Weight
The Dareu Holly tactile switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, which has an actuation force of 45 grams. Both switches have an unknown bottom out force, making it difficult to determine which one requires more pressure to fully press down. In terms of weight, the Holly switch is slightly heavier than the Violet Gold Pro switch. The actuation force of a switch is important for determining the force required to trigger a keypress, while the bottom out force is crucial for understanding the pressure needed to fully press the key down. Some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Violet Gold Pro for longer typing or gaming sessions, while others may prefer the slightly heavier actuation force of the Holly for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Dareu Holly tactile switch is 4 mm, while the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Holly being on the longer side and the Violet Gold Pro being slightly shorter. Gamers may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Violet Gold Pro for faster response times, while those who prefer a more substantial keypress may lean towards the Holly. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired 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 Dareu Violet Gold Pro has an MSRP of $7.73 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Violet Gold Pro for $4.76.
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 that stands out. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch presents a more neutral sound profile, making it a versatile option suitable for various typing environments and preferences. While the Holly switch brings a lively and sharp sound, the Violet Gold Pro switch caters to those seeking a more balanced and unobtrusive typing experience. Ultimately, the sound produced by each switch will be influenced by factors such as the keyboard itself and the keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Dareu Holly switch does not have specific descriptors available, whereas the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switch is described as providing a stepped tactile feel. A stepped switch offers a subtle two-stage tactile sensation, distinguishing it from more pronounced tactile switches like hypertactile ones. This means users of the Dareu Violet Gold Pro can expect a mild and nuanced tactile feedback throughout their typing experience.
In conclusion, the Dareu Holly and Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Holly switch stands out with its chirpy and clacky sound profile, providing a unique typing experience, while the Violet Gold Pro switch offers a more neutral sound and a stepped tactile feel for a balanced and versatile typing experience. Depending on personal preferences for sound and tactile feedback, users can choose between the two switches to achieve a typing experience tailored to their liking.
Conclusion
Therefore, in wrapping up the comparison between the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, you should consider your preference for sound and feel when making a decision. If you enjoy a unique mix of chirpy and clacky sounds during typing and prefer a medium actuation force, the Dareu Holly switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch, neutral sound profile, and a stepped tactile feel, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switch would be more suitable for your typing needs. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to personal preference and the typing experience you prioritize the most.
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