Gazzew U4T vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the Gazzew U4T and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gazzew U4T and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro are both tactile switches that offer unique qualities to enhance your typing experience. The U4T is celebrated for its blend of thockiness and sharp tactility, providing a satisfying bassy 'thock' sound profile and assertive tactile feedback with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro offers a medium tactility with a light touch and neutral sound signature, making it a well-balanced option for those seeking a more subtle typing experience. While both switches have their strengths and cater to different preferences, diving deeper into their characteristics will help you determine the best fit for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 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
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel 17.5mm Korean spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Gazzew U4T and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro both offer unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Gazzew U4T features a proprietary blend top housing made of "boba plastic," which delivers a rich and deep sound profile due to its softness. In contrast, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro uses polycarbonate for its top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. While the U4T offers a softer and more mellow sound, the Violet Gold Pro delivers a more vibrant and defined sound experience.
In terms of bottom housing, the Gazzew U4T utilizes its proprietary Gazzew blend to create a rich and deep sound due to its softness. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro features a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon material is softer and absorbs more sound, leading to a duller and rounder sound compared to the Gazzew blend. These differences in bottom housing materials contribute to the overall acoustics of each switch.
While the top and bottom housing materials of the Gazzew U4T and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro may differ, they both serve to enhance the sound profile of the switches. The Gazzew blend top housing and bottom housing work together to create a rich and deep sound experience, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Violet Gold Pro offers a sharper and crisper sound that is complemented by the nylon bottom housing. Each switch's unique housing materials cater to different preferences in sound aesthetics, providing users with options to tailor their typing experience to their liking.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gazzew U4T tactile switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, it is evident that they offer different experiences for users. The U4T has a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it medium-heavy, while its actuation force is not specified. Conversely, the Violet Gold Pro has an actuation force of 45 grams, with no information provided about its bottom out force. In terms of weight, the U4T is heavier due to its higher bottom out force, while the Violet Gold Pro is lighter in terms of actuation force. This means that the U4T may provide a more substantial typing experience, while the Violet Gold Pro may be preferred for longer typing sessions due to its lighter actuation force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The Gazzew U4T tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. In this case, the U4T has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Violet Gold Pro. A difference of 0.2 mm may not seem significant, but it can affect the overall feel and response of the switch. The U4T would provide a slightly deeper keypress experience, which could be preferred by some users looking for a more substantial feel. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro offers a slightly shorter travel distance, which may appeal to those looking for a faster response time. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, so users can expect similar results in terms of keypress feedback and overall performance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Gazzew U4T comes in at $6.50 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
When it comes to sound, the Gazzew U4T offers a deep and rich bassy thock that resonates with each keystroke, providing a satisfying auditory experience. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches have a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for various environments and preferences. Depending on the keyboard and keycaps used, the sound produced by each switch will vary, but the U4T leans towards a deeper and more pronounced sound compared to the Violet Gold Pro.
In terms of feel, the Gazzew U4T is known for its sharp tactile feedback, giving a strong and crisp bump with each keypress. This intense feedback is a defining characteristic of the U4T switches, providing a satisfying typing experience for those who enjoy a pronounced tactile response. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches offer a stepped tactile feel, providing a more subtle and gradual tactile bump throughout the keystroke. This makes the Violet Gold Pro switches a versatile option for users who prefer a gentler tactile experience.
Overall, the Gazzew U4T and Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the U4T provides a bassy thock sound with a sharp tactile response, the Violet Gold Pro offers a neutral sound profile with a stepped tactile feel. Depending on personal preference and typing style, users can choose between the bold and assertive feedback of the U4T or the balanced and versatile feel of the Violet Gold Pro. Whether you prefer a pronounced tactile experience or a more subtle feedback, both switches deliver a satisfying typing experience that caters to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Gazzew U4T tactile switch or the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force, a bassy 'thock' sound profile, and a sharp tactile feedback, then the U4T would be a great option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with no specified bottom out force, a neutral sound signature, and a stepped tactile feel, then the Violet Gold Pro may be more suited to your preferences. Both switches offer their own unique characteristics and benefits, so it's important to consider what features are most important to you in a tactile switch. Ultimately, the decision between the Gazzew U4T and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro will depend on what type of typing experience you are looking for.
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