Durock Mamba vs. Dareu Sky V4
An in-depth look at the Durock Mamba and the Dareu Sky V4 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Durock Mamba and Dareu Sky V4 are both linear mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique characteristics to enhance your typing experience. The Mamba is celebrated for its tribute to Kobe Bryant and provides a smooth and gliding typing sensation accompanied by a rich and creamy auditory experience. Categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Thocky', and 'Polished', the Mamba switch is a popular choice for those seeking a pleasant typing experience. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky V4 sets itself apart with the innovative use of POK material in its top housing, resulting in a deeper sound signature that complements its smooth linear action. Categorized as 'Thocky', 'Neutral', 'Low-pitched', and 'Bouncy', the Sky V4 offers a rich and satisfying typing experience. 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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Extended long spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Mamba and the Dareu Sky V4 offer unique characteristics that contribute to the overall feel and sound of the switches. The Mamba's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing provides a bright and pleasant sound profile, while the Sky V4's POK top housing offers smooth, clacky, and durable switches. Despite their differences, both materials are known for their unique sound profiles, with the Mamba being described as not particularly sharp but on the brighter side, and the Sky V4 being smooth and clacky.
In terms of the bottom housing materials, the Mamba's POM bottom housing produces a deeper and more muted sound profile, while the Sky V4's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. On the other hand, POM housings provide a unique sound that is on the deeper side. Each material brings its own unique qualities to the switch, affecting the overall sound and feel when typing.
While the Mamba and Sky V4 have different top and bottom housing materials, the qualities of each material are split between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing has more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Despite their differences, both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences, providing a variety of options for keyboard enthusiasts to choose from.
Weight
The Durock Mamba linear switch and the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch both offer a medium actuation force, with the Mamba having a bottom out force of 60 grams and the Sky V4 having a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it slightly lighter. The actuation force of the Mamba is not specified, while the Sky V4 has an actuation force of 45 grams. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Sky V4 would be the better choice, as it allows for longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel may prefer the slightly heavier bottom out force of the Mamba. In terms of weight, the Sky V4 is lighter overall, making it a good option for extended use, while the Mamba offers a bit more heft for a more robust typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Durock Mamba linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them popular choices for gamers looking for quicker response times. The slight difference of 0.1 mm between the two may not be noticeable to most users in terms of feel. However, those who prefer a bit more depth to their key press may find the Dareu Sky V4 to be slightly more accommodating compared to the Durock Mamba. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and the specific feel that each individual user is looking for in their mechanical keyboard.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Mamba has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mamba for $5.17.
The Dareu Sky V4 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 V4 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, both the Durock Mamba and the Dareu Sky V4 switches offer a thocky sound profile, creating a deep and satisfying auditory experience. The Mamba switch is also described as having a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for a variety of typing environments, while the Sky V4 switch adds a low-pitched element to its sound, offering a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches in terms of sound will depend on personal preference and the setup they are used in.
In terms of feel, the Durock Mamba switch provides a mild and polished typing experience, offering a gentle feel and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky V4 switch is described as bouncy, providing a spring-like feedback sensation and lively keystrokes. While the Mamba switch offers a more refined and polished feel, the Sky V4 switch gives typists a more dynamic and responsive typing experience. Again, the decision between the two switches in terms of feel will ultimately come down to individual preference and typing style.
In conclusion, both the Durock Mamba and the Dareu Sky V4 linear switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. Typists can expect a rich and creamy auditory experience with the Mamba switch, while the Sky V4 switch boasts a deeper sound signature. When it comes to feel, the Mamba switch provides a mild and polished typing experience, while the Sky V4 switch offers a bouncy and lively feel. Depending on personal preference and typing style, users can achieve similar satisfying typing experiences with either switch, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable typing experience overall.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the Durock Mamba linear switch or the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. If you prefer a switch with a slightly heavier bottom out force and a gliding typing sensation, then the Mamba may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a switch with a deeper sound signature and a smoother linear action, then the Sky V4 might be more suitable. Both switches offer a satisfying typing experience, so you can't go wrong with either choice. Consider your sound and feel preferences, as well as your typing habits, and you'll be able to make an informed decision on which switch will best suit your needs.
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