Gateron Mountain Top vs. Dareu Sky V4
An in-depth look at the Gateron Mountain Top and the Dareu Sky V4 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When deciding between the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch, there are some key differences to consider. The Gateron Mountain Top switch is designed for office environments, offering a quiet and light typing experience that is perfect for professional settings where discretion is key. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky V4 switch stands out with its innovative use of POK material in the top housing, resulting in a deeper sound signature and smooth linear action that provides a rich typing experience. While the Mountain Top switch is bouncy and easy-to-press, the Sky V4 switch is thocky and low-pitched. Both switches have their unique advantages, but to truly determine the best fit for your needs, let's delve deeper into their specific characteristics.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Mountain Top uses nylon for both its top and bottom housings, which results in a deep and full sound profile when typing. The nylon material absorbs more sound due to its softer nature, creating a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky V4 utilizes POK material for its top housing and nylon for its bottom housing. The POK material in the Sky V4 contributes to a smoother and clackier typing experience, while also offering exceptional durability with wear resistance 14 times stronger than POM.
In terms of durability and shock resistance, the Dareu Sky V4's POK top housing outperforms the Gateron Mountain Top's nylon top housing. The POK material is exceptionally strong and offers wear resistance that is significantly higher than other materials like POM. Additionally, the shock resistance of the POK material surpasses nylon by 2.3 times and POM by 1.4 times, making the Dareu Sky V4 a more robust option in terms of long-term use. However, both switches provide a deep and full sound profile due to the nature of their housing materials, offering a similar typing experience in terms of sound quality.
Overall, the choice between the Gateron Mountain Top and the Dareu Sky V4 will depend on individual preferences for sound profile, smoothness, and durability. While the Mountain Top's nylon housing provides a classic typing experience with a deep sound, the Sky V4's POK material offers a smoother and clackier feel, along with superior durability. Whether you prioritize sound quality or durability in your switches, both options provide unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. Ultimately, both switches provide a satisfactory typing experience with their respective housing materials, showcasing the importance of material choice in switch design.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch, we can see some differences. The Mountain Top has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Sky V4 has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a slightly heavier bottom out force of 55 grams. The Mountain Top provides a lighter typing experience overall, making it more suitable for prolonged typing or gaming sessions where fatigue may be a concern. On the other hand, the Sky V4 offers a slightly heavier touch, which may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial and tactile typing experience. Overall, the Mountain Top is lighter in terms of both actuation and bottom out forces, while the Sky V4 falls on the medium-light side of the spectrum, providing a different typing feel for users to consider.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch, it is clear that the Mountain Top has a shorter travel distance at 3.4 mm compared to the Sky V4's 3.6 mm. The Mountain Top offers a slightly quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a preferred choice for gamers looking for fast reactions. On the other hand, the Sky V4 with its longer travel distance may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial keypress feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference for either a shorter or longer travel distance. Both switches provide varying levels of feedback and responsiveness, and while the Mountain Top is shorter and the Sky V4 is longer, both switches offer a unique typing experience to suit different user preferences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Gateron Mountain Top comes in at $6.00 per 10 switches.
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 Gateron Mountain Top switch offers a neutral sound profile that strikes a balance between actuation force and sound level, making it suitable for various environments. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky V4 switch provides a thocky and low-pitched sound that is deep and satisfying, enhancing the overall typing experience. Both switches offer a neutral sound profile, ensuring a versatile sound output regardless of the setting, while the Sky V4 adds a unique richness to the sound with its innovative POK material top housing. When considering the sound quality, users can expect similar performance from both switches, catering to different preferences with a focus on creating an enjoyable typing experience.
Regarding the feel of the switches, both the Gateron Mountain Top and Dareu Sky V4 switches offer a bouncy sensation, providing a spring-like feedback that enhances the typing experience. The Mountain Top switch is also described as easy-to-press, mild, snappy, and subtle, highlighting its gentle resistance and responsive nature, making typing effortless and comfortable. Similarly, the Sky V4 switch offers the same bouncy feel, ensuring a lively typing experience with a rebound when pressed. With both switches falling into the bouncy category, users can expect a consistent and enjoyable typing experience that promotes productivity and comfort.
In conclusion, the Gateron Mountain Top and Dareu Sky V4 linear switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel, catering to varying preferences among users. While the Mountain Top switch focuses on providing a neutral sound profile and a versatile typing experience suitable for professional environments, the Sky V4 switch stands out with its thocky and low-pitched sound that adds a rich depth to typing sessions. Both switches offer a bouncy feel that enhances the typing experience with a spring-like feedback, promoting comfort and responsiveness. Overall, users can expect a quality typing experience from both switches, with each offering its unique sound and feel characteristics to suit different preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch or the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch, there are a few key factors to keep in mind. If you are looking for a switch that is designed for quiet and discreet typing in professional office environments, with a light actuation force and a moderate sound profile, then the Mountain Top may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a deeper sound signature, smooth linear action, and a slightly higher actuation force, the Sky V4 might be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing style, preferences, and the environment in which you will be using the keyboard. Happy typing!
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