HMX Perky vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the HMX Perky and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the HMX Perky and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro each offer distinct experiences tailored to different typing preferences. The HMX Perky switches are celebrated for their softer, glittery nylon housings, providing a unique and deeply satisfying linear typing experience. With a shorter travel distance, these switches promote a more condensed feel, appealing to those who prefer fluid key presses without tactile interruptions. In contrast, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches are designed with a medium tactility that delivers a balanced "Goldilocks" typing experience, featuring a fairly light touch and a neutral sound signature—an excellent choice for users who appreciate tactile feedback without overpowering noise. While both switches cater to varying needs, the choice ultimately boils down to whether one values smoothness and speed or prefers the reassuring bump of a tactile response. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your typing style and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
T2
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm extended single-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the HMX Perky and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro, a distinct contrast emerges in their top housing materials. The Perky employs nylon for its top housing, which is well known for producing a deep and full sound profile due to its softer characteristics. This softer plastic absorbs sound, leading to a more muted auditory experience that many typists appreciate for its comfort and smoothness. Conversely, the Violet Gold Pro utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, which is a stiffer material that contributes to a sharper and more resonant sound. The acoustics derived from a polycarbonate housing are typically crisper, producing a more pronounced auditory feedback that is appealing to users who enjoy a clicky experience while typing.
Despite the differences in their top housing, both switches employ nylon for their bottom housings, creating a notable similarity in their fundamental sound and feel. As nylon is a classic material known for its ability to absorb sound, both switches will elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile when the keys are pressed down. As such, while the Perky's top housing emphasizes a rounder sound, the shared nylon bottom housing ensures that both switches deliver a more cohesive auditory experience at the bottom-out point. This makes the typing experience ultimately smoother, regardless of the variation at the top housing.
In summary, the combination of materials results in unique auditory characteristics for each switch while maintaining some commonality through their use of nylon in the bottom housing. The Perky's nylon top creates a soft and muted sound profile, while the Violet Gold Pro's polycarbonate top yields a clearer and crisper auditory experience. However, the shared nylon bottom housing of both switches ensures that the foundational sound remains consistent and satisfying during key presses. This interplay between the different housing materials ultimately caters to a wide range of preferences among typists, whether they favor a deeper sound or a sharper sound.
Weight
When comparing the HMX Perky linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, we see notable differences in their actuation forces along with an absence of data on the bottom out force for the Violet Gold Pro. The Perky requires an actuation force of 43 grams, making it relatively light and ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming, where users may prefer less strain on their fingers. In contrast, the Violet Gold Pro has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams, which provides a firmer push feel for those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. While the bottom out force for the Violet Gold Pro is unknown, the Perky's bottom out force is at 50 grams. This means that while both switches have similar actuation forces, the Perky is the lighter option overall, allowing for a more effortless key press, whereas the Violet Gold Pro offers a heavier resistance that may appeal to users who prefer a more tactile feedback in their keystrokes.
Travel distance
The HMX Perky linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch differ in their travel distances, with the Perky measuring 3.4 mm and the Violet Gold Pro at 3.8 mm. This makes the Perky the shorter option, which might appeal to gamers seeking faster response times due to its quicker actuation. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro's longer travel distance may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial feel while typing, as it offers a greater depth for each keystroke. Therefore, if you prioritize responsiveness, the Perky would be the better choice, whereas if you lean towards a more pronounced tactile experience, the Violet Gold Pro would be more suitable.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Perky has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Perky for $2.99.
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.
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 HMX Perky linear switch offers a softer auditory experience with a neutral sound signature that is generally unobtrusive, making it a good choice for quiet environments. The Dareu Violet Gold Pro, on the other hand, is characterized by its neutral sound as well, which strikes a balance between a moderate actuation force requirement and a versatile sound profile. This neutrality makes both switches suitable for various contexts, whether at home, in a co-working space, or during long typing sessions.
In terms of feel, the Perky switch provides a satisfying, condensed typing experience thanks to its shorter travel distance and softer nylon housing, creating a smooth and seamless keypress that is enjoyable for extended use. Meanwhile, the Violet Gold Pro features a medium tactile bump and is categorized as a stepped switch, offering a touch of tactility without overwhelming the typist. This stepped nature allows users to experience a gentle transition during keypresses, making both switches comfortable for different typing styles—though they produce distinct tactile feedback.
In conclusion, while the HMX Perky and Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches exhibit notable differences in feel—with the Perky being smoother and more linear compared to the stepped tactility of the Violet Gold Pro—they both offer a neutral sound profile that is well-suited for a range of environments. Ultimately, your experience with either switch will depend on your personal preferences for typing feedback and the specific feel you're looking for, but both options provide satisfying and effective performance for various typing tasks.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the HMX Perky linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, consider your specific typing or gaming needs. If you prefer a softer, more condensed typing experience with a lighter bottom-out force, the Perky is an enjoyable choice, especially if you appreciate a smooth keystroke and minimal travel distance. This makes it ideal for fast typists or gamers who want swift actuation without the distraction of excess sound. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a balanced typing experience that provides a gentle tactile feedback—making it versatile for both work and leisure—the Dareu Violet Gold Pro is a great option. Its neutral sound and medium tactility create a satisfying keystroke without overwhelming feedback, catering to a wide range of users including those who might be new to mechanical keyboards. Ultimately, your preference will depend on whether you're seeking the smoothness of a linear switch or the subtlety of tactility that enhances your typing experience.
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