Dareu Sky POM vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Dareu Sky POM and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, enthusiasts often find themselves torn between distinct offerings that cater to varying typing experiences. The Dareu Sky POM switch, renowned for its innovative POM construction, delivers a clacky sound that elevates its appeal, alongside a silky smoothness and a gentle actuation force that makes it ideal for users who favor a soft typing touch. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch provides a deep, thocky sound profile that enhances the tactile pleasure of typing, featuring a lengthened single-stage spring that introduces a bouncy feel with each keystroke, making it enjoyable for a diverse range of typists. While both switches boast buttery and easy-to-press characteristics, they cater to different preferences in sound and feel, leaving users to choose based on their unique typing style. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the optimal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials used in the Dareu Sky POM and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches exhibit notable differences in their acoustic properties and aesthetic qualities, which ultimately shape the user experience. The Sky POM utilizes POM plastic for its top housing, which produces a sound profile characterized by deeper, muted tones. This material effectively absorbs sound, leading to a fuller auditory experience, while its non-translucent nature limits the visual effects of RGB lighting. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue features polycarbonate for its top housing, renowned for its sharp, higher-pitched sound. Polycarbonate’s stiffer composition enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound produced, making it particularly well-suited for RGB-enabled setups, where its transparency allows light to refract beautifully.
When examining the bottom housing, the differences between the two switches continue to diverge. The Sky POM's nylon bottom housing introduces a classic, deeper sound profile, softening the auditory experience even further due to nylon's ability to absorb sound. This results in a duller and rounder sound, which complements its POM top housing effectively. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue employs a polycarbonate bottom housing, generating a sound that remains consistent with its top housing's characteristics—sharp, crisp, and resonant. This cohesive sound profile reinforces the brightness associated with polycarbonate and provides users with a distinct typing experience that is vastly different from that of the nylon counterpart.
Ultimately, the divergence in materials results in switches that cater to different auditory preferences, yet there is potential for achieving similar acoustic results if one were to customize their setup. The Sky POM, with its unique combination of POM and nylon, offers a fuller sound, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue provides a sharper, more resonant experience. In scenarios where sound dampening is a focus, layering materials or introducing sound-absorbing elements could allow users to somewhat replicate the deeper tones of the Sky POM with the brighter tones of the Tourmaline Blue. Understanding the nuanced differences in housing materials can help enthusiasts tailor their keyboard setup to fit their specific tactile and auditory desires, blending the unique attributes of each switch type.
Weight
When comparing the Dareu Sky POM linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, we see notable differences in their actuation forces that cater to varying typing preferences. The Sky POM has an actuation force of 40 grams, making it a lighter option ideal for users who prefer a more effortless typing experience, especially useful for long work sessions or extended gaming marathons. Conversely, the Tourmaline Blue features a higher actuation force of 59 grams, which provides a more substantial feel, appealing to those who appreciate a firmer keystroke. The bottom out force for the Sky POM is not available, while the Tourmaline Blue's bottom out force is 67 grams, indicating that it strikes a balance in providing a medium-heavy resistance when bottoming out. Overall, the Sky POM is the lighter switch, offering ease of use, while the Tourmaline Blue, being the heavier option, delivers a more pronounced tactile response that some users may prefer for a more engaging typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Dareu Sky POM linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, a clear distinction emerges. The Sky POM features a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Tourmaline Blue has a slightly longer travel distance of 4.0 mm. This means that the Sky POM offers a more responsive experience, making it ideal for gamers who appreciate shorter key travel for quicker reaction times. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue, with its longer travel distance, provides a more substantial feel, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a deeper typing experience. Ultimately, if you are seeking faster responses, the Sky POM is the preferable choice, while the Tourmaline Blue caters to a preference for a heartier depth in key presses.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Sky POM 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 POM for $4.98.
The Everglide Tourmaline Blue has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Tourmaline Blue for $3.89.
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 Dareu Sky POM switch produces a low-pitched, bass-heavy tone that lends itself to a more mellow auditory experience. This could be especially appealing if you prefer a sound that isn't overly harsh or distracting. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue offers a neutral sound profile that strikes a balance across various typing scenarios. While the Sky POM delivers a distinctively low-pitched clack, the Tourmaline's moderate sound can accommodate both casual and professional environments, making it more versatile for users who might need to consider their acoustics based on the setting.
Regarding feel, both switches excel in delivering a smooth typing experience, but they manifest that quality differently. The Sky POM is characterized by a buttery, creamy, and silky sensation that enhances the overall smoothness of each keystroke, providing a luxurious typing experience. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue is also described as buttery but is enhanced with an easy-to-press mechanism that promotes light resistance and requires minimal force for activation. The mild feel of the Tourmaline Blue makes it particularly approachable for extended typing, reducing the risk of finger fatigue—an advantage for those who spend long hours typing.
In summary, while both the Dareu Sky POM and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches offer smooth and enjoyable typing experiences, they cater to slightly different preferences in sound and feel. The Sky POM is better suited for those who enjoy a deeper, bass-heavy sound combined with a luxurious feel, whereas the Tourmaline Blue excels in delivering a balanced sound profile that remains accessible to a broader range of users while featuring easy actuation. Depending on your priorities, choosing between them could hinge on whether you value a rich auditory experience over a more versatile, comfortable typing environment.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Dareu Sky POM linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch ultimately depends on your preferences for sound, feel, and use case. If you’re seeking a smooth, creamy, and buttery typing experience that prioritizes effortless key presses, the Sky POM is an excellent choice, especially if you enjoy a deeper low-pitched sound and a gentle actuation force. This switch is perfect for casual typing, gaming, or extended work sessions where comfort and a premium feel are your top priorities. On the other hand, if you value a more substantial and bouncy typing experience with a medium-heavy actuation force and are looking for a satisfying thocky sound that offers a balanced, enjoyable feel, the Tourmaline Blue is likely the better fit for you. It suits both beginners and seasoned users alike, making it a versatile option whether you’re at home or in a professional setting. In essence, choose the Sky POM for smoothness and subtlety, and opt for the Tourmaline Blue for a more defined tactile experience.
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