Huano Strawberry Latte vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the Huano Strawberry Latte and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switches to enhance your typing or gaming experience, two notable contenders stand out: the Huano Strawberry Latte and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro. The Strawberry Latte, a linear switch, is celebrated for its super smooth feedback and balanced sound profile, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a fluid keystroke without the distraction of excessive noise. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro, a tactile switch, offers a medium level of tactility with a surprisingly light touch, providing a satisfying feedback without overwhelming the user, making it a fantastic "Goldilocks" option for those who desire a well-rounded typing feel. Ultimately, whether you lean towards the softness of the Strawberry Latte or the tactile sensation of the Violet Gold Pro can depend on your personal preference and typing style. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.60 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
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials used in the Huano Strawberry Latte and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro present a study in contrast, particularly when examining their top housings. The Strawberry Latte features a POK top housing, which is known for its smoothness due to a coefficient of friction of 0.04, offering a tactile experience that's noticeably refined. In addition, the exceptional durability and wear resistance of POK—as demonstrated by its resilience compared to POM—allows users to enjoy longer-lasting performance in their switches. The sound profile produced by the POK material tends toward a smooth, clacky character, setting it apart from the more resonant and higher-pitched tones associated with the Violet Gold Pro’s polycarbonate top housing. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate not only enhances the percussive quality during typing but also makes it particularly compatible with RGB lighting due to its translucency, further diversifying the user experience.
When it comes to the bottom housings, both the Strawberry Latte and the Violet Gold Pro deploy nylon, a classic and well-regarded material in the switch manufacturing realm. The use of nylon in both switches yields a deeper and fuller sound profile, which is attributed to nylon's softer properties that dampen sound waves effectively. This similarity means that despite the differing top housing materials, the overall acoustic experience during typing will maintain a richness thanks to the nylon's innate sound absorption capabilities. Therefore, users can enjoy a consistent auditory experience from the bottom of the switch that grounds the typing experience, bridging the acoustical differences introduced by the top housing materials.
In summary, while the top housings of the Huano Strawberry Latte and Dareu Violet Gold Pro differ significantly—offering a range of tactile and auditory qualities—both switches utilize nylon for the bottom housing. This common choice ensures that the two switches share an important aspect of their sound profiles, allowing deeper notes to resonate during use. The contrasting top housing materials, with POK providing smoothness and polycarbonate enhancing clarity and responsiveness, create an intricate balance of sound and feel that appeals to a host of preferences in the mechanical keyboard community. Thus, both switches promise an enjoyable typing experience, albeit with distinct characteristics influenced by their respective housings.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, significant differences in their actuation forces emerge. The Strawberry Latte features a light actuation force of 35 grams, requiring less effort for keystrokes, making it ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons. In contrast, the Violet Gold Pro has a heavier actuation force of 45 grams, which may appeal to users seeking a more substantial typing experience. However, the bottom out force for the Violet Gold Pro is unavailable, making it challenging to provide a direct comparison on that metric. With the Strawberry Latte's bottom out force set at 45 grams, it also denotes a consistent, lighter feel throughout its operation. Thus, those who prefer lighter switches for comfort should lean towards the Strawberry Latte, while those who favor a firmer response may find the Violet Gold Pro more satisfying, despite the unknown bottom out force.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, we see that the Strawberry Latte has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Violet Gold Pro measures slightly longer at 3.8 mm. This makes the Strawberry Latte the shorter option, which may appeal to gamers seeking faster response times due to its quicker actuation. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro, with its longer travel distance, offers a more pronounced feedback that some users might prefer for a more engaging typing experience. Ultimately, your choice may depend on whether you favor the responsiveness of a shorter travel distance or the deeper, more satisfying feel of a longer one.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Huano Strawberry Latte has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Strawberry Latte for $3.29.
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
The Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch features a balanced sound profile. It’s not overly quiet or excessively resonant, which creates an aesthetically pleasing auditory experience. This quality makes the Strawberry Latte suitable for a variety of environments, whether you're typing at home or in a quieter office setting. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch offers a neutral sound signature, positioned to accommodate a broad range of users. Its moderate sound profile allows it to blend seamlessly into various situations, making it a versatile choice for both beginners and advanced typists alike. Both switches can provide a satisfying auditory feedback without being too distracting.
When it comes to feel, the Strawberry Latte is known for its super smooth operation, owing to the advanced molds used in its design. This smoothness enables a seamless keystroke experience, ideal for users who appreciate a fluid typing action. Conversely, the Violet Gold Pro is characterized by its medium tactility and a stepped design. This means that while users will feel a noticeable tactile bump, it presents itself in a more restrained manner compared to hypertactile switches. The combination of some pre-travel and post-travel in the tactile feedback offers a unique typing experience for those who prefer mild tactile sensations.
In conclusion, the Huano Strawberry Latte and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches each offer distinct attributes that cater to different preferences among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The balanced auditory experience of the Strawberry Latte complements its smooth keystroke, appealing to those who prioritize fluidity in their typing. In contrast, the Violet Gold Pro provides a reliable medium tactile feel with a neutral sound, perfect for users seeking a "just right" balance in their typing experience. Ultimately, whether you're drawn to the smoothness of a linear switch or the gentle tactility of a stepped switch, both options will deliver high-quality performance, depending on your typing style and environment.
Conclusion
To sum up, choosing between the Huano Strawberry Latte linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a smooth, uninterrupted keystroke and prefer a lighter touch for faster, more effortless typing, the Strawberry Latte will likely be your best choice. Its balanced sound profile makes it versatile enough for both casual and professional settings, allowing you to type quietly yet without feeling muted. On the other hand, if you appreciate tactile feedback in your typing experience, the Violet Gold Pro offers a medium level of tactility that provides a distinct but not overwhelming feel with each keystroke. Its "Goldilocks" design suits those who want just enough tactile sensation to enhance their typing accuracy without excessive noise or force. Ultimately, your decision should reflect not only the nature of your tasks, whether for gaming or typing, but also whether you lean towards the slick, smooth operation of a linear switch or the satisfying feedback of a tactile one.
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