Dareu Snow vs. TKC Tangerine
An in-depth look at the Dareu Snow and the TKC Tangerine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Snow and the TKC Tangerine stand out as popular choices, both offering a smooth linear typing experience. The Snow switch distinguishes itself with its innovative use of POK material in the top housing and stem, resulting in a deeper sound signature while typing. Categorized as 'Thocky', 'Neutral', 'Low-pitched', and 'Bouncy', the Snow switch provides a unique tactile feedback. On the other hand, the TKC Tangerine boasts an incredibly smooth typing feel, attributed to the UHWMPE housings that are rare in the mechanical keyboard market. Categorized as 'Frictionless', 'Buttery', 'High-pitched', and 'Polished', the Tangerine switch offers a different typing experience with a high-pitched clack. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.30 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
POK
Top housing material
UHWMPE
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold coated spring
Housing materials
The Dareu Snow and the TKC Tangerine both use POK material for the top housing of their switches, providing a smooth and durable experience. However, the Tangerine offers a bright sound signature with resonant clacks, while the Snow focuses on a clacky and smooth typing experience. In terms of bottom housing, the Snow utilizes nylon for a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to the Tangerine's UHWMPE bottom housing, which also offers a bright sound signature with resonant clacks.
While both the Dareu Snow and the TKC Tangerine utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings, they each offer a unique typing experience. The POK top housing of the Snow provides smoothness and durability, while the UHWMPE top housing of the Tangerine offers a bright and resonant sound signature. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing in the Snow produces a deeper sound profile, while the UHWMPE bottom housing in the Tangerine contributes to the bright and resonant clacks when typing on the switches.
Overall, the Dareu Snow and the TKC Tangerine showcase how different housing materials can impact the overall typing experience of a switch. While both switches have top and bottom housings made of different materials, they each offer a unique sound signature and feel. Whether you prefer a clacky and smooth typing experience with the Snow or a bright and resonant sound profile with the Tangerine, both switches demonstrate the importance of housing materials in creating a customized typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Dareu Snow linear switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Snow has an actuation force of 50 grams, while the Tangerine's actuation force is unknown. In terms of bottom out force, the Snow requires 60 grams, slightly heavier than the Tangerine's 62 grams. Both switches fall into the medium weight category. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Snow may be the better choice due to its lower bottom out force. However, for those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel, the Tangerine may be more suitable with its slightly heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing force and feel during use.
Travel distance
The Dareu Snow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, which is shorter than the 4 mm travel distance of the TKC Tangerine linear switch. The Snow switch would provide a slightly quicker response time compared to the Tangerine switch due to its shorter travel distance. Gamers might prefer the Snow switch for its faster input recognition. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial key press might opt for the Tangerine switch with its longer travel distance. Overall, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing or gaming experiences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Snow has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Snow for $5.76.
The TKC Tangerine comes in at $6.30 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
In terms of sound, the Dareu Snow linear switch is known for its thocky and low-pitched profile, providing a deep and satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the TKC Tangerine linear switch offers a high-pitched sound, giving a sharp and crisp auditory feedback with each keystroke. If you prefer a richer, bass-heavy sound, the Snow switch might be more to your liking, while the Tangerine switch is better suited for those who enjoy a brighter and more pronounced sound.
When it comes to feel, the Dareu Snow switch is characterized as bouncy, offering a spring-like feedback that gives a lively and responsive typing sensation. In contrast, the TKC Tangerine switch is described as frictionless, buttery, and polished, providing an incredibly smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance or friction. If you prefer a switch that offers a more lively and dynamic feel, the Snow switch would be a good choice, whereas the Tangerine switch is ideal for those who prioritize smoothness and fluidity in their typing experience.
Overall, the Dareu Snow linear switch stands out for its deep and thocky sound profile coupled with a bouncy and responsive feel, making it a great option for users who enjoy a more tactile and dynamic typing experience. On the other hand, the TKC Tangerine linear switch offers a high-pitched and sharp sound with a smooth, frictionless feel, providing an excellent choice for those who prefer a buttery and polished typing sensation. Regardless of the choice between these two switches, both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for newcomers to the mechanical keyboard world.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Dareu Snow linear switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch, consider the characteristics that best suit your typing preferences. If you prefer a switch with a medium bottom out force and a deep, rich sound profile, the Snow may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you value an incredibly smooth typing experience with a higher-pitched sound profile and frictionless keystrokes, the Tangerine switch might be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your individual typing style and preferences to ensure the most comfortable and enjoyable typing experience.
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