Gateron Smoothie Silver vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the Gateron Smoothie Silver and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Smoothie Silver and Dareu Violet Gold Pro stand out as excellent options to consider. The Smoothie Silver is a linear switch known for its lightning-fast actuation due to its short travel distance. With a thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and feather-light touch, this switch is perfect for those who prioritize speed and precision in their typing. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro is a tactile switch offering a medium level of tactility with a light touch and a neutral sound signature. Positioned as the ideal "Goldilocks" tactile option, this switch provides a balanced typing experience. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.20 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
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Smoothie Silver and Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches both offer unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Smoothie Silver's POM top housing creates a deep and muted sound, while the Violet Gold Pro's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound. The use of polycarbonate in the Violet Gold Pro allows for a more resonant sound profile, especially when paired with RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver's POM bottom housing contributes to a deep and pleasing sound, while the Violet Gold Pro's nylon bottom housing produces a fuller and rounder sound, thanks to nylon's softer nature that absorbs more sound.
While the top and bottom housings of the Smoothie Silver and Violet Gold Pro switches offer different characteristics, they both play a significant role in the overall sound and feel of the switches. The split between the two housing materials means that the bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed, while the top housing impacts the sound when a key is released. The unique qualities of POM and nylon in the Smoothie Silver, as well as polycarbonate and nylon in the Violet Gold Pro, provide a diverse range of sound profiles for users to choose from based on their preferences for key feel and sound.
Both the Smoothie Silver and Violet Gold Pro switches showcase the importance of housing materials in creating distinct sound profiles. While the POM and polycarbonate top housings offer differing sound characteristics, the POM and nylon bottom housings in the Smoothie Silver, as well as the polycarbonate and nylon bottom housings in the Violet Gold Pro, contribute to a range of deep, muted, sharp, and crisp sound options. Whether you prefer a softer, fuller sound from nylon or a clearer, resonant sound from polycarbonate, both switches offer unique options for users seeking a customized typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams. This means that users can expect a similar level of sensitivity when typing on either switch. However, the bottom out force for both switches is unknown, so it is unclear how much pressure is needed to fully press down the key. In terms of weight, some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of 45 grams as it allows for longer typing sessions without causing finger fatigue. On the other hand, those who prefer a heavier push feel may opt for switches with a higher actuation force for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, making it shorter than the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. The Smoothie Silver would provide a slightly quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a preferred choice for gamers looking for faster reactions. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro offers a bit more depth to the key press, making it more suitable for those who prefer a more substantial feel. Both switches fall within the range of modern travel distances, with the Smoothie Silver leaning towards the shorter end and the Violet Gold Pro towards the longer end. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on personal preference for travel distance and key feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Smoothie Silver has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Smoothie Silver for $2.60.
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
In terms of sound, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch is best known for its thocky sound, which offers a unique auditory experience that some users find quite satisfying. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch is known for its neutral sound signature, making it a versatile option suitable for a wide range of typing environments. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches in terms of sound will come down to personal preference, as both offer distinct characteristics that may appeal to different users.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch is celebrated for its unparalleled smoothness and feather-light touch, providing a premium typing experience that is highly sought after by enthusiasts. In contrast, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch offers a stepped feel with a medium level of tactility, giving users a more controlled and balanced typing sensation. Both switches provide unique tactile feedback, so the decision between the two will depend on whether you prefer a smoother linear experience or a slightly more tactile one with a stepped feel.
In conclusion, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel that cater to different preferences within the mechanical keyboard community. Whether you prefer the thocky sound and smoothness of the Smoothie Silver or the neutral sound and stepped feel of the Violet Gold Pro, you can expect a high-quality typing experience with either switch. Ultimately, it's important to consider your personal typing preferences and overall typing environment when selecting between these two switches to ensure you find the perfect fit for your needs.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your typing preferences and needs. If you prefer a lightning-fast actuation with a feather-light touch and thocky sound, the Smoothie Silver may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a balanced typing experience with moderate tactility, a fairly light touch, and a neutral sound profile, the Violet Gold Pro may be more suitable. Consider your typing style, whether you prioritize speed or a tactile feel, and the sound profile that best suits your environment when making your decision between these two switches. Ultimately, both switches offer unique features that cater to different preferences, so choose the one that aligns best with your typing habits and preferences.
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