KTT Vanilla Ice Cream vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Vanilla Ice Cream stands out for its remarkably smooth and creamy feel, thanks to the innovative use of POK material in both the stem and bottom housing. Paired with a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, this switch appeals to typists looking for a buttery and resonant typing experience. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro switches provide a medium tactility with a light touch and a neutral sound signature, making them a versatile option for those seeking a balanced typing feel. While the Vanilla Ice Cream excels in offering a distinctive buttery feel, the Violet Gold Pro provides a more subtle tactility, suitable for typists who prefer a lighter touch. 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
43g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
48g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POK
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches offer distinct characteristics that impact the overall sound and feel of the switches. While the Vanilla Ice Cream boasts a proprietary KTT blend top housing that creates a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro features a polycarbonate top housing known for its sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of different materials in the top housing results in unique sound experiences for users, with the KTT blend offering a more distinct clackiness and the polycarbonate delivering a clearer and resonant sound.
In terms of the bottom housing materials, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream utilizes a POK material that is highly smooth, durable, and contributes to the switch's overall clacky sound profile. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro features a nylon bottom housing that creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer composition that absorbs more sound. The contrast between the POK and nylon materials in the bottom housing brings different tactile experiences to users, with the POK material providing a smoother and more resistant feel, while the nylon material offers a more cushioned and rounded sensation when typing.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in both switches plays a significant role in shaping the sound and feel of the typing experience. While the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream and Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches have different top and bottom housing materials, they each offer a unique combination that enhances the overall switch performance. Whether it's the high-pitched clackiness of the KTT blend top housing or the deeper sound profile of the nylon bottom housing in the Dareu Violet Gold Pro, both switches provide distinct benefits that cater to different preferences in typing feel and sound.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, it is clear that the Vanilla Ice Cream is the lighter option with an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams, although the bottom out force is unknown. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Vanilla Ice Cream switch, as it requires less force to actuate and bottom out. In contrast, the Violet Gold Pro may appeal to those who prefer a bit more resistance and feedback while typing. Both switches offer their own advantages, with the Vanilla Ice Cream providing a lighter touch for longer typing sessions, while the Violet Gold Pro offers a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch is 3.5 mm, while the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are popular among gamers for their quick response times. However, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch offers a slightly shorter travel distance, making it more suitable for those seeking a faster and more responsive typing experience. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro switch provides a slightly deeper key press, which may be preferred by users who appreciate a more tactile and pronounced typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
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
When it comes to sound, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch offers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, providing typists with a sharp and crisp auditory experience. In contrast, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch boasts a neutral sound profile, which is more moderate and versatile for various typing environments. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard's construction and the keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch is described as providing a buttery and creamy typing experience, with a smooth and fluid keystroke sensation that is reminiscent of the dessert it is named after. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switch is noted for its stepped tactile feel, which incorporates two stages of feedback for a more subdued tactile experience compared to other tactile switches.
Considering the available information, it is evident that the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch excels in providing a high-pitched and clacky sound profile, along with a buttery and creamy typing feel. In contrast, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch offers a more neutral sound signature and a stepped tactile feel for a balanced typing experience. Whether you prefer the sharper sound and smoother feel of the Vanilla Ice Cream switch or the more versatile sound and subtle tactile feedback of the Violet Gold Pro switch, both options provide unique qualities that cater to different preferences in the realm of mechanical keyboard switches.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch or the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your preferences and typing style. If you prefer a lighter actuation force and enjoy a smooth and creamy typing experience with a high-pitched and clacky sound profile, then the Vanilla Ice Cream switch would be an excellent choice for you. On the other hand, if you're looking for a medium tactility with a light touch and a neutral sound profile, making it a versatile option for various typing scenarios, then the Violet Gold Pro switch may be more suitable for your needs. Whichever switch you decide on, both offer unique characteristics that can enhance your overall typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on what features are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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