Dareu Mahjong vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Dareu Mahjong and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Dareu Mahjong and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue mechanical keyboard switches, a notable difference arises in their sound profiles and typing experiences. The Mahjong switches stand out for their bright green and white color scheme, offering a lively and poppy sound signature that results in an effortless typing experience. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue switches provide a deep and thocky sound profile, creating a satisfying typing experience with a bouncy feel thanks to their lengthened single-stage spring. While the Mahjong switches are classified as bouncy, mild, neutral, and polished, the Tourmaline Blue switches are described as buttery, easy to press, mild, and neutral. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and typing style; however, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Dareu Mahjong and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches have some key differences. The Mahjong uses POK material for its top housing, known for its smoothness and durability, while the Tourmaline Blue utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, resulting in a sharper and crisper sound profile. In terms of the bottom housing, the Mahjong features nylon, creating a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Tourmaline Blue has a polycarbonate bottom housing for a sharper and higher-pitched sound. These differences in housing materials contribute to distinct sound and feel characteristics for each switch.
Despite the differences in housing materials between the Dareu Mahjong and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches, there are also some similarities. Both switches prioritize durability and longevity, with the POK material of the Mahjong and the polycarbonate used in the Tourmaline Blue known for their strength and wear resistance. Additionally, both switches offer a smooth typing experience, with the POK material providing a smooth and clacky feel in the Mahjong, and the polycarbonate creating a clear and resonant sound profile in the Tourmaline Blue. These similarities ensure that users can expect consistent performance and quality from both switches.
When it comes to the impact of the top and bottom housing materials on the overall typing experience, there are distinct factors to consider. The bottom housing material, whether nylon or polycarbonate, plays a significant role in the sound and feel of bottoming out a key, while the top housing material, whether POK or polycarbonate, influences the sound when releasing a key. This division of qualities between the top and bottom housing materials highlights the importance of each component in shaping the overall sound and feel of a switch, showcasing the intricate design considerations that go into creating a high-quality typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Dareu Mahjong linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it is evident that the Mahjong is the lighter option with an actuation force of 45 grams, while the Tourmaline Blue is the heavier one with an actuation force of 59 grams. The Mahjong does not provide information on bottom out force, while the Tourmaline Blue has a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. Those who prefer a light typing experience may lean towards the Mahjong for longer typing sessions, while individuals seeking a more substantial typing feel may opt for the Tourmaline Blue. Both switches offer a different typing experience based on their actuation and bottom out forces, allowing users to choose based on their preferred typing feel and comfort level.
Travel distance
The Dareu Mahjong linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, which makes it shorter than the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. The Mahjong switch is ideal for those who prefer a shorter travel distance for faster response times, such as gamers looking for quick keystrokes. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switch is better suited for individuals who prefer a deeper keypress with its longer travel distance. Both switches offer their own advantages depending on personal preference, but the Mahjong switch provides a slightly shorter travel distance for those seeking a quicker key response compared to the Tourmaline Blue switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
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
In terms of sound, both the Dareu Mahjong and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches are considered neutral, offering a moderate sound profile that is suitable for various usage scenarios, whether at home or in a work environment. The Mahjong switches provide a lively and poppy sound signature, while the Tourmaline Blues offer a deep and thocky sound profile, creating a satisfying typing experience for users. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Dareu Mahjong switches are described as bouncy and mild, providing a spring-like feedback sensation with a lively feel and rebound when pressed. Additionally, they are polished, offering a smooth and refined typing experience due to reduced friction. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches are described as buttery and easy-to-press, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with minimal force required for activation. Like the Mahjong switches, they also fall into the mild category, offering a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users.
In conclusion, both the Dareu Mahjong and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches have their unique sound and feel characteristics that cater to different preferences. While the Mahjong switches offer a livelier sound signature and bouncy feel with a polished finish, the Tourmaline Blues provide a deep thocky sound profile and buttery, easy-to-press feel. Depending on your personal typing style and preferences, you can expect a satisfying typing experience with either of these switches, as they both fall into the neutral category, making them versatile for a wide range of users.
Conclusion
In closing, when making a decision between the Dareu Mahjong linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, consider your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a switch with a unique color scheme, lively sound signature, and a bouncy typing experience, the Mahjong may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you appreciate a deep and thocky sound profile, a balance of spring weight for an enjoyable typing experience, and a buttery and easy-to-press feel, then the Tourmaline Blue could be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer their own distinct characteristics to enhance your typing experience, so choose based on what resonates with you the most.