Outemu Cold Plum vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the Outemu Cold Plum and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that stand out are the Outemu Cold Plum and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro. The Cold Plum is a linear switch known for its distinct thocky sound profile and fully nylon construction, providing a smooth and satisfying typing experience that appeals to enthusiasts looking for a unique feel. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro is a tactile switch offering a medium level of tactility with a light touch and neutral sound signature, making it a well-balanced option for those seeking a comfortable typing experience. While both switches have their own strengths and appeal to different preferences, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. 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
60g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The main difference between the Outemu Cold Plum and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro in terms of housing materials lies in the top housing. The Cold Plum utilizes a nylon top housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Violet Gold Pro features a polycarbonate top housing that creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile thanks to its stiffer plastic composition. While both materials have their own unique qualities, the Cold Plum's nylon top housing is more likely to result in a duller and rounder sound compared to the crisper and more resonant sound produced by the Violet Gold Pro's polycarbonate top housing.
On the other hand, both switches share the same nylon bottom housing, which means that they will elicit a similar deeper and fuller sound profile during typing. The softer nature of nylon plastic helps to absorb sound effectively, resulting in a rounder sound profile for both switches. This commonality in bottom housing material allows for a consistent typing experience in terms of sound and feel between the Outemu Cold Plum and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro. Despite the differences in their top housings, the shared nylon bottom housing ensures a similar acoustic experience for users of both switches.
In conclusion, the choice between the Outemu Cold Plum and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro may come down to personal sound preferences. If you prefer a deeper and fuller sound profile with a duller and rounder tone, the Cold Plum with its nylon top and bottom housing may be the better option. However, if you lean towards a sharper, higher-pitched sound with a clear and resonant tone, the Violet Gold Pro featuring a polycarbonate top housing might be more appealing. Ultimately, understanding the impact of housing materials on sound profiles can help you make an informed decision when selecting a switch for your keyboard.
Weight
The Outemu Cold Plum linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch have different actuation and bottom out forces. The Cold Plum has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, while the Violet Gold Pro has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and an unknown bottom out force. The actuation force for the Cold Plum is higher, providing a more substantial typing experience, while the Violet Gold Pro offers a lighter touch for longer typing sessions. The bottom out force for the Cold Plum is known, which can give users a sense of how much force is needed to fully press the key, while the bottom out force for the Violet Gold Pro is unknown. Overall, the Cold Plum is heavier in terms of both actuation and bottom out force compared to the Violet Gold Pro, offering a different typing experience for users.
Travel distance
The Outemu Cold Plum linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. In this case, the Cold Plum has a shorter travel distance compared to the Violet Gold Pro. The 0.5 mm difference may not seem significant, but for some users, it can make a noticeable impact on the typing or gaming experience. Those who prefer a shorter travel distance may opt for the Cold Plum for quicker response times, while those who enjoy a more substantial keypress may lean towards the Violet Gold Pro. Both switches offer their own unique feel, so choosing between them ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of typing or gaming style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Violet Gold Pro has an MSRP of $7.73 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Violet Gold Pro for $4.76.
The Outemu Cold Plum comes in at $3.10 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
When comparing the two switches, the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch provides a thocky sound profile, while the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch offers a more neutral sound experience. The Cold Plum switch is known for its smooth keystrokes and satisfying thocky sound, making it a popular choice among typing enthusiasts seeking a unique auditory experience. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro switch strikes a balance with its medium tactility and light touch, coupled with a neutral sound signature, making it a versatile option suitable for various typing preferences.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Cold Plum switch provides a smooth and linear typing experience, whereas the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switch offers a stepped tactile feel. The Cold Plum switch lacks the tactile feedback of the Violet Gold Pro, providing a consistent keystroke without any noticeable bumps. In contrast, the Violet Gold Pro switch offers a more subtle tactile experience with noticeable pre-travel and/or post-travel, giving typists a distinct feeling of feedback throughout each keystroke.
Overall, both the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch and Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community. While the Cold Plum switch excels in providing a thocky sound profile and smooth keystrokes, the Violet Gold Pro switch offers a more balanced tactile experience with a neutral sound signature. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches boils down to individual preference in sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
In summary, if you are looking for a mechanical keyboard switch that provides a unique and enjoyable typing experience with a thocky sound profile, the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a more balanced tactile typing experience with a light touch and neutral sound signature, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch may be the better option for you. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences in terms of typing feel, sound profile, and tactility. Both switches offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences, so it's important to consider what you prioritize in a keyboard switch when making your decision.
Mentioned in this article
