Dareu Snow vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the Dareu Snow and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at two popular mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Snow and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro, one can see distinct differences in their design and feel. The Snow switch stands out for its use of POK material in the top housing and stem, resulting in a smooth linear switch with a deeper sound signature. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro switches offer a medium tactility with a light touch and a neutral sound signature, making them a balanced tactile option for users. While the Snow switch is characterized as 'Thocky', 'Neutral', 'Low-pitched', and 'Bouncy', the Violet Gold Pro falls under 'Stepped' and 'Neutral' categories. Each switch has its strengths, with the Snow providing a unique typing experience and the Violet Gold Pro offering a goldilocks-style balance. 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
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.30 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
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Dareu Snow and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro both feature top housing materials that contribute to the overall feel and sound of the switches. The Snow utilizes POK material, known for its smoothness and durability, while the Violet Gold Pro opts for polycarbonate, which results in a sharper and crisper sound profile. While both materials have their unique qualities, the Snow's POK material provides a smoother and clackier typing experience, whereas the Violet Gold Pro's polycarbonate material creates a more resonant and clear sound. Despite their differences, both materials enhance the switches in their own way.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials of the two switches, both the Dareu Snow and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro utilize nylon for their bottom housings. Nylon is known for its ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, which absorbs more sound than harder plastics. Whether you choose the Snow or the Violet Gold Pro, typing on these switches will result in a richer sound profile attributed to the nylon bottom housing. While the top housing material may differ between the two switches, the shared nylon bottom housing ensures a consistent typing experience in terms of sound and feel.
In conclusion, the housing materials of the Dareu Snow and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro play a crucial role in shaping the overall typing experience. While the Snow's POK top housing offers a smoother and more durable option, the Violet Gold Pro's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and more resonant sound profile. Additionally, both switches feature a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound. Whether you prioritize smoothness and durability or a sharper sound profile, both switches offer a unique typing experience thanks to their distinct housing materials.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the Dareu Snow linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch vary in weight, with the Snow being slightly heavier. The Snow has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a medium resistance level. In comparison, the Violet Gold Pro has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, but the bottom out force is unknown. The different weight levels cater to different preferences, with some users preferring a lighter typing experience for extended periods of use, while others may enjoy the heavier push feel for a more substantial typing sensation. Overall, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Dareu Snow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3mm, which is shorter than the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch with a travel distance of 3.8mm. The Snow switch offers a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a popular choice among gamers. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro switch provides a deeper and more satisfying keystroke feel for those who prefer a longer travel distance. Both switches have their own advantages depending on individual preferences, with the Snow being the shorter option and the Violet Gold Pro being the longer option. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference for travel distance and typing experience.
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 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 Dareu Snow linear switch is known for its thocky and low-pitched qualities, giving off a deep and rich sound that can be quite satisfying for users. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch offers a more neutral sound profile, providing a moderate sound that is suitable for various typing environments. Both switches provide a pleasant sound experience, but the Snow switch may offer a deeper and more bass-heavy tone compared to the Violet Gold Pro.
Moving on to feel, the Dareu Snow linear switch is characterized by its bouncy sensation, providing users with a spring-like feedback that can make typing feel lively and dynamic. In contrast, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch offers a stepped feel, which means it provides a two-stage tactile response, giving users a more subtle and controlled typing experience compared to the bouncy feel of the Snow switch. Both switches have distinct tactile feels that cater to different preferences, with the Snow switch leaning towards a more lively typing experience and the Violet Gold Pro switch offering a more measured and precise feel.
In conclusion, the Dareu Snow linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch each have their own unique sound and feel characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Snow switch provides a deep and thocky sound along with a bouncy typing feel, ideal for those who enjoy a dynamic and responsive typing experience. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro switch offers a neutral sound profile and a stepped tactile feel, making it a balanced and controlled option for users seeking a more subtle and refined typing sensation. Depending on your personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches offer quality performance that can enhance your overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Dareu Snow linear switch or the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preference and typing style. If you enjoy a smoother linear switch with a medium bottom out force and a deep thocky sound, then the Snow switch might be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a light touch, medium tactility, and a neutral sound profile, then the Violet Gold Pro switch could be more suitable. Both switches offer different typing experiences, so you should consider factors such as sound, feel, and actuation force before making your decision. Ultimately, the choice between the Snow and Violet Gold Pro switches will depend on what you prioritize in your typing experience.
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