Haimu Viola Tricolor vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the Haimu Viola Tricolor and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Haimu Viola Tricolor and Dareu Violet Gold Pro both stand out as popular tactile options. The Viola Tricolor is praised for its thuddy and punchy sound profile, giving your typing experience a unique character with its pronounced tactility. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro offers a medium tactility with a light touch and a neutral sound signature, making it a "Goldilocks" option for those who desire a balanced typing experience. While the Viola Tricolor leans towards a more accented and bassy feel, the Violet Gold Pro provides a stepped and neutral sensation. Both switches have their own strengths, offering users the opportunity to choose based on personal preferences. 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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.80 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Dual-staged gold-plated spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
Both the Haimu Viola Tricolor and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro feature polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is ideal for switches with RGB lighting. However, the Viola Tricolor has a nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. Conversely, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro also utilizes a nylon bottom housing for similar sound characteristics.
Despite both switches sharing similarities in their top housing material, the Viola Tricolor and the Violet Gold Pro differ in their bottom housing material. The Viola Tricolor's nylon bottom housing creates a rounder and duller sound profile, while the Dareu Violet Gold Pro's nylon bottom housing brings a similar deep and full sound due to its softness and sound absorption. This difference in bottom housing materials may influence the overall sound and feel of typing on these switches.
When comparing the impact of the top and bottom housings on the overall typing experience, it is important to note that the qualities of the bottom housing will affect the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, while the top housing will impact the sound when releasing a key. This distinction is crucial in understanding how the different housing materials in the Viola Tricolor and Violet Gold Pro contribute to their unique sound profiles, with polycarbonate creating a sharper sound and nylon producing a deeper tone.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, it is evident that the Viola Tricolor has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams while the Violet Gold Pro has an actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the Viola Tricolor is heavier in terms of bottom out force, providing a more substantial typing experience, whereas the Violet Gold Pro offers a lighter actuation force for easier keystrokes. Choosing between the two switches would depend on individual preferences for typing feel - those who prefer a lighter touch may opt for the Violet Gold Pro, while those who enjoy a more pronounced keypress may lean towards the Viola Tricolor. Ultimately, both switches offer different levels of force that cater to varying typing styles and preferences.
Travel distance
The Haimu Viola Tricolor and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switches both have a travel distance of 3.8 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing their travel distance, it is evident that both switches offer a consistent and similar typing experience in terms of how far the keys travel from top to bottom. Therefore, users can expect to get similar results in terms of keypress feel and feedback when using either switch. Overall, the travel distance of both the Viola Tricolor and the Violet Gold Pro serves to provide a comfortable typing experience for users who prefer a tactile switch with a moderate key travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Haimu Viola Tricolor has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Viola Tricolor for $3.09.
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
In terms of sound, the Haimu Viola Tricolor switch offers a bassy and low-pitched sound profile that provides a deep and rich tone during key presses, adding a unique character to your typing experience. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switch provides a neutral sound signature, with a moderate actuation force requirement and a balanced sound profile suitable for various typing preferences. Both switches offer distinct acoustic characteristics, allowing users to choose based on their sound preferences and typing environment.
When it comes to feel, the Viola Tricolor switch is known for its accented and invigorating tactile feedback, offering a medium tactile experience that is satisfying without being overpowering. In contrast, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switch is described as stepped, providing a two-stage tactile sensation with a mild feel that includes pre-travel and post-travel feedback. While the Viola Tricolor focuses on providing a prominent tactile experience, the Violet Gold Pro offers a different tactile profile that may appeal to users looking for a more nuanced typing feel.
Overall, the Haimu Viola Tricolor and Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches offer unique sound and feel characteristics that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard enthusiast community. The Viola Tricolor excels in delivering a punchy sound profile and an invigorating tactile sensation, while the Violet Gold Pro provides a balanced sound signature and a stepped tactile experience. Whether you prefer a deep and rich sound with pronounced tactility or a neutral sound with a moderate tactile feel, both switches offer distinct qualities that can enhance your typing experience based on individual preferences and typing needs. Ultimately, choosing between the Viola Tricolor and Violet Gold Pro switches will depend on your personal typing style and desired keyboard feel.
Conclusion
Therefore, when choosing between the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a medium-heavy bottom out force, pronounced tactility, and a thuddy sound profile, the Viola Tricolor may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch, medium tactility, and a neutral sound signature, the Violet Gold Pro could provide the balanced typing experience you are looking for. Consider your sound, feel, and bottom out force preferences when making your decision to ensure you find the switch that best suits your needs.
Mentioned in this article
