Outemu Maple Leaf vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the Outemu Maple Leaf and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting a mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Maple Leaf and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro are both popular choices in the tactile switch category. The Maple Leaf is known for its straightforward design and falls under the category of simplicity, while the Violet Gold Pro is recognized for offering a medium tactility with a light touch and neutral sound signature, making it a well-balanced option for typing enthusiasts. The Maple Leaf may appeal to those who prefer a simpler, straightforward typing experience, while the Violet Gold Pro caters to individuals seeking a tactile switch with just the right amount of feedback. However, let's delve a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.30 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
pom
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 Outemu Maple Leaf and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro both offer different housing materials for their switches, with the Maple Leaf featuring a nylon top and bottom housing, while the Violet Gold Pro uses a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing. The nylon housing in both switches elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic properties that absorb more sound. However, the polycarbonate top housing in the Violet Gold Pro creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile compared to the duller and rounder sound produced by nylon. Aesthetically, the transparent polycarbonate top housing of the Violet Gold Pro allows for RGB lighting, unlike the opaque nylon housing of the Maple Leaf.
Despite the differences in housing materials, both the Outemu Maple Leaf and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro provide a satisfying typing experience with their unique sound profiles. The nylon housing in both switches contributes to a deeper and fuller sound while the polycarbonate housing in the Violet Gold Pro offers a clearer and more resonant typing experience. The split between the bottom and top housing in these switches allows for a combination of qualities to be felt when typing - the bottom-out sound and feel influenced by the bottom housing, and the sound when releasing a key shaped by the top housing.
In conclusion, while the Outemu Maple Leaf and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro may have distinct differences in their housing materials, both switches offer a quality typing experience tailored to individual preferences. The nylon housing of the Maple Leaf creates a rounder sound, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Violet Gold Pro produces a sharper sound. Whether you prefer the deeper sound profile of nylon or the crisp sound of polycarbonate, both switches provide a variety of options for users looking to enhance their typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preferences for sound profile and aesthetic considerations such as RGB lighting.
Weight
The Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch has a higher actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch with an actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the Maple Leaf will require more force to trigger a keystroke. However, the Maple Leaf also has a higher bottom out force of 65 grams, while the Violet Gold Pro has an unknown bottom out force. This means that the Maple Leaf switch will provide a more substantial typing experience compared to the Violet Gold Pro switch. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Violet Gold Pro switch may be the better option as it has a lower actuation force. Overall, when considering weight, some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Violet Gold Pro for longer typing sessions, while others may prefer the stronger push feel provided by the Maple Leaf for a more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, it is clear that the Maple Leaf has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Violet Gold Pro has a longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. The Maple Leaf's shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the Violet Gold Pro's longer travel distance may provide a more substantial keypress feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and keypress responsiveness.
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 Maple Leaf 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 it comes to sound, the Outemu Maple Leaf switch does not have a specific descriptor, making it difficult to pinpoint its sound profile. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switch is known for its neutral sound signature. This means that it has a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile, making it suitable for a wide range of users and environments. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard chassis and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Outemu Maple Leaf switch does not have a specified descriptor for its tactile feel. In contrast, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switch is described as having a stepped tactile feel. This means that the switch offers a two-stage tactile feedback, where users can feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel during the keystroke. This type of tactile feel is less intense compared to hypersensitive switches, providing a more gradual tactile response.
In conclusion, the Outemu Maple Leaf and Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches offer different subjective qualities when it comes to sound and feel. The Maple Leaf switch lacks specific descriptors for these qualities, making it a bit more ambiguous compared to the known neutral sound signature and stepped tactile feel of the Violet Gold Pro switch. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on the individual's preference for sound profile and tactile feedback. Both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience, with the Maple Leaf potentially offering a more tailored experience based on personal preference, while the Violet Gold Pro provides a balanced and versatile option for a wider range of users.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch or the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and are looking for a tactile switch that is best known for a specific feature (which we can assume is not specified in this context), then the Maple Leaf may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you are seeking a switch with a medium tactility, light touch, and neutral sound signature, making it a versatile option for a range of typing scenarios, then the Dareu Violet Gold Pro may be the more suitable choice. Consider your typing preferences and needs when making your decision between these two switches.
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