TTC Honey vs. Dareu Mahjong
An in-depth look at the TTC Honey and the Dareu Mahjong switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the TTC Honey and the Dareu Mahjong, both of which are linear switches. The TTC Honey is renowned for its smooth and creamy feel, along with a deep and pleasant sound profile. Categorized as subdued, creamy, frictionless, buttery, subtle, and polished, the Honey offers a luxurious typing experience that is sure to please any user. On the other hand, the Dareu Mahjong stands out with its distinctive green and white color scheme, providing a unique highlight within Dareu's switch lineup. Known for its lively and poppy sound signature, along with an effortless typing experience, the Mahjong is categorized as bouncy, mild, neutral, and polished. Each switch has its own set of qualities that make it appealing, but ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference and typing style. However, let's dive a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the most suitable switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
25.5 mm lengthened spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Honey and the Dareu Mahjong switches showcase different characteristics that cater to various preferences in sound profiles. The Honey utilizes polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This material's stiffness contributes to a clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for those who prefer a more pronounced typing experience. On the other hand, the Mahjong employs POK material for its top housing and nylon for its bottom housing. The POK material offers a smoother and clacky typing experience with exceptional durability, while the nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature.
Despite the differences in housing materials, both the Honey and the Mahjong switches offer unique benefits to users. The Honey's polycarbonate top housing is optimal for RGB lighting due to its translucency, while the Mahjong's POK material provides unmatched smoothness and wear resistance. Additionally, the Honey's polycarbonate bottom housing enhances the overall sound profile with its stiffness, while the Mahjong's nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound during typing sessions. These contrasting features cater to a diverse range of preferences, allowing users to choose a switch that best suits their individual typing experience.
In understanding the impact of housing materials on switch performance, it becomes clear that the qualities of each material contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switch. The bottom housing material influences the bottom-out sound and feel upon key press, while the top housing material affects the sound when releasing a key. For the Honey and Mahjong switches, the combination of polycarbonate and POK or nylon housing materials provides users with a versatile range of options to customize their typing experience. Whether one prefers a sharper and crisper sound profile or a smoother and clackier typing feel, both switches offer distinct qualities that enhance the overall typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Honey linear switch and the Dareu Mahjong linear switch, it is evident that the Honey switch is lighter in both aspects. The Honey switch has an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Mahjong switch has an actuation force of 45 grams with an unknown bottom out force. In terms of weight, the lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Honey switch make it ideal for longer typing sessions or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Mahjong switch, with a slightly heavier actuation force but unknown bottom out force, may appeal to those looking for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, individuals who prefer a lighter touch may find the Honey switch more suitable, while those who enjoy a stronger push feel might lean towards the Mahjong switch.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the TTC Honey linear switch and the Dareu Mahjong linear switch, it is evident that the Mahjong has a shorter travel distance of 3.4mm compared to the Honey's 3.8mm. The Honey switch provides a slightly longer distance for a more substantial and tactile feel when pressing down on a key, while the Mahjong switch offers a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance. Gamers who prioritize speed and responsiveness may lean towards the Mahjong switch, while those who prefer a more traditional and deliberate keystroke may opt for the Honey switch. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of travel distance and typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Honey has an MSRP of $9.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Honey for $6.78.
The Dareu Mahjong has an MSRP of $8.89 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mahjong for $5.79.
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 TTC Honey linear switch is known for its subdued sound profile, offering a dampened and subtle sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Dareu Mahjong linear switch has a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement, suitable for various typing environments. Both switches provide different sound experiences, with the Honey being more subdued while the Mahjong is described as neutral.
When it comes to feel, the TTC Honey linear switch is characterized by its creamy and frictionless typing experience, offering a smooth and buttery sensation with minimal resistance. Additionally, the Honey switch is also described as buttery, subtle, and polished, providing a seamless and refined typing experience. In comparison, the Dareu Mahjong linear switch offers a bouncy and mild typing sensation, giving a spring-like feedback and a gentle overall feel. Both switches have polished typing experiences, but the Honey has a more creamy and frictionless feel, while the Mahjong has a bouncier and milder touch.
Overall, the TTC Honey linear switch and Dareu Mahjong linear switch offer unique sound and feel qualities. The Honey switch provides a smoother and creamier typing experience with a subdued sound profile, while the Mahjong switch offers a bouncier and more lively typing feel with a neutral sound signature. Depending on personal preference for typing sensation and sound, users can choose between the two switches to suit their needs. It's important to consider other factors such as keyboard build and keycaps when determining the overall typing experience with these switches.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the TTC Honey linear switch and the Dareu Mahjong linear switch, you should consider the typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a smooth and creamy feel with a deep sound profile, then the TTC Honey switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a more lively and poppy sound signature with a bouncy and mild typing experience, then the Dareu Mahjong switch may be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preference for typing feel and sound profile.
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