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Durock Lupine vs. Dareu Sky POM

An in-depth look at the Durock Lupine and the Dareu Sky POM switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When it comes to choosing between the Durock Lupine and the Dareu Sky POM mechanical keyboard switches, you'll find yourself faced with two excellent linear switch options. The lupine is celebrated for its unique two-stage long springs that provide a consistent weight distribution on the press down and a powerful upward movement on the rebound, accompanied by a classic clacky sound profile. On the other hand, the Sky POM stands out for its premium quality crafted entirely from POM material, offering a smooth typing experience with a gentle actuation force and a clacky sound. The Lupine is categorized as neutral, mild, high-pitched, polished, while the Sky POM is categorized as buttery, low-pitched, creamy, silky. Each switch has its own strengths and characteristics that may appeal to different preferences, but diving deeper into their specifics will help you make the best decision for your typing needs.

By the numbers

Technical specifications

Actuation force

N/A

Actuation force

40g

Bottom-out force

62g

Bottom-out force

N/A

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Total travel

3.70 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

POM

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Spring

Two-stage long spring

Spring

Gold-plated spring

Housing materials

The Durock Lupine and Dareu Sky POM both feature polycarbonate top housings, providing a sharp, high-pitched sound profile. The use of polycarbonate in the Lupine creates a clear and resonant sound due to its stiffness, while the Sky POM's POM top housing produces a deeper, more muted sound. However, both materials offer the advantage of translucency, making them ideal for switches designed to showcase RGB lighting. In terms of sound, the Lupine's polycarbonate top housing may deliver a crisper sound, while the Sky POM's POM housing could provide a more unique and pleasing tone.

In terms of bottom housing, both the Lupine and Sky POM utilize nylon, a classic switch housing material known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. The qualities of nylon are split between the top and bottom of the switch, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing impacts the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, both the Lupine and Sky POM offer a similar typing experience in terms of bottom housing material.

Overall, the choice between the Durock Lupine and Dareu Sky POM ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile. The Lupine's polycarbonate top housing may appeal to those seeking a sharper and crisper sound, while the Sky POM's POM top housing could be preferred by those looking for a deeper and more muted tone. Both switches offer a classic nylon bottom housing that enhances the typing experience with its fuller sound profile. Whether you prioritize sound quality or aesthetic features like RGB lighting, both switches provide reliable performance with their respective housing materials.

Weight

The Durock Lupine linear switch has a bottom out force of 62 grams, providing a medium level of resistance compared to the Dareu Sky POM linear switch, which lacks information on bottom out force. However, the Sky POM switch has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Lupine switch, which has an actuation force of None grams. This means that the Lupine switch will require more force to trigger a keystroke than the Sky POM switch. Weight is a crucial factor to consider when choosing between these switches, as a lighter actuation force may be preferred for longer typing or gaming sessions, while a heavier force may be favored for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the differences in actuation and bottom out forces between the Durock Lupine and Dareu Sky POM switches offer users options based on their individual preferences for typing feel and resistance.

Travel distance

The Durock Lupine linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, making it slightly shorter than the Dareu Sky POM linear switch, which has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming increasingly popular, especially among gamers looking for quicker response times. However, while the Lupine offers a slightly shorter travel distance for those seeking a more responsive feel, the Sky POM provides a touch more depth for those who prefer a more substantial key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and the desired level of key feedback.

Price comparison

Which switch is more bang for your buck?

The Durock Lupine has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lupine for $4.25.

The Dareu Sky POM has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sky POM for $4.98.

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 Durock Lupine linear switch offers a neutral sound profile, providing a moderate actuation force and sound suitable for various typing scenarios. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky POM linear switch delivers a low-pitched sound with a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. The choice of board and keycaps can also influence the overall sound of the switches, so it's essential to consider these factors when selecting between the two.

When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Durock Lupine linear switch offers a mild and polished typing experience, striking a balance between gentle typing and smooth key travel. In contrast, the Dareu Sky POM linear switch is described as buttery, creamy, and silky, providing a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. Both switches promise a comfortable typing experience, but the Dareu Sky POM switch may offer that extra level of smoothness and fluidity due to its unique materials and factory lubing.

Overall, while the sound profiles and typing feel of the Durock Lupine and Dareu Sky POM linear switches may differ slightly, both switches aim to provide an enjoyable typing experience for users. If you prefer a more neutral sound with a moderate feel, the Lupine switch may be the way to go. On the other hand, if you desire a low-pitched sound with a buttery, creamy, and silky feel, the Dareu Sky POM switch could be the better choice. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference and the specific typing experience you are looking to achieve.

Conclusion

In closing, when it comes to choosing between the Durock Lupine linear switch and the Dareu Sky POM linear switch, you may want to consider your preference for bottom-out force, sound profile, and typing feel. If you prefer a switch with a medium bottom-out force and a classic clacky sound profile, the Lupine could be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with a gentle actuation force, exceptional smoothness, and a clacky sound, the Sky POM might be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so it's essential to consider what factors are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch before making your decision.

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