Outemu Milk Blue vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the Outemu Milk Blue and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Milk Blue and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro offer unique characteristics to cater to different preferences. The Milk Blue is a clicky switch, providing an audibly satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro is a tactile switch, offering a subtle bump while typing without the loud clicking noise. The Milk Blue is best suited for individuals who enjoy the audible feedback of a clicky switch, while the Violet Gold Pro is ideal for those who prefer a tactile response with a lighter touch. 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
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
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
Both the Outemu Milk Blue and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate plays a significant role in creating a clear and resonant sound for both switches. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it an ideal choice for switches designed to incorporate RGB lighting. This shared material choice ensures that users will experience similar auditory and visual effects when using either switch.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing material, the Milk Blue features nylon while the Violet Gold Pro also utilizes nylon. Nylon is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, which absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This results in a more muted and rounded sound quality compared to the sharper tones produced by polycarbonate. Despite the difference in the bottom housing material between the two switches, the overall typing experience is likely to be quite similar due to the shared use of nylon for this component.
The division of housing materials between the top and bottom of a switch allows for a varied typing experience. The qualities of the bottom housing, such as impact on bottom-out sound and feel, will be felt when pressing down on the switch, while the top housing will influence the sound as keys are released. While both the Milk Blue and the Violet Gold Pro may have different materials for their top and bottom housing, the impact of these materials on sound and feel will be distributed differently throughout the typing process. Ultimately, users can expect a unique typing experience from each switch based on the specific qualities of their housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, it is clear that the Milk Blue has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Violet Gold Pro's 45 grams. Both switches have an unknown bottom out force, making it difficult to determine which one requires more force to fully press down. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Violet Gold Pro may be the better option due to its lighter actuation force. On the other hand, the Milk Blue may be favored by those who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a slightly heavier actuation force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and whether the user prefers a lighter or heavier feel while typing.
Travel distance
The Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. The Milk Blue offers a more traditional travel distance, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a more classic typing experience. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro provides a slightly shorter travel distance, which can appeal to gamers or individuals looking for a quicker response time. While both switches offer a similar typing experience, the Milk Blue has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Violet Gold Pro. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing 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 Milk Blue 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
The Outemu Milk Blue switch is best known for its clicky sound. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro offers a medium tactility with a light touch and a neutral sound profile, making it a balanced tactile option. When it comes to sound, the Milk Blue switch produces a clicky noise, while the Violet Gold Pro switch is known for its neutral sound profile, which is suitable for various typing situations. In terms of feel, the Milk Blue switch's specific tactile feel is not mentioned, but the Dareu Violet Gold Pro is described as a stepped switch, offering a mild and balanced tactility with distinct pre-travel and post-travel stages. Overall, if you prefer a clicky sound, the Milk Blue switch would be a suitable choice, whereas if you value a balanced and tactile typing experience with a neutral sound, the Violet Gold Pro switch would be the better option. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, ensuring that you can achieve a satisfying typing experience with either choice.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch or the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, it really comes down to your personal preferences and needs. If you are looking for a switch with a strong clicky sound and no bottom out force, the Milk Blue may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium tactility with a light touch and a neutral sound signature, the Violet Gold Pro could provide a more balanced typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on what you prioritize in your mechanical keyboard experience - whether it be sound, feel, or any other factors that are important to you.
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