Dareu Violet Gold Pro vs. Gateron Zero Degree 0°
An in-depth look at the Dareu Violet Gold Pro and the Gateron Zero Degree 0° switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Dareu Violet Gold Pro and the Gateron Zero Degree 0° are two distinct mechanical keyboard switches that cater to different preferences. The Violet Gold Pro offers a medium tactility with a light touch and a neutral sound signature, making it an ideal option for those looking for a balanced typing experience. On the other hand, the Zero Degree 0° from Gateron revolutionizes silent typing with its innovative design, providing unparalleled smoothness, stability, and a soft, elastic feel that reduces noise. While the Violet Gold Pro excels in tactile feedback, the Zero Degree 0° stands out for its silent operation. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
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
Gold-plated spring
Spring
20mm extended spring
Housing materials
While both the Dareu Violet Gold Pro and the Gateron Zero Degree 0° feature polycarbonate top housings, they differ slightly in their use of material. Both switches will produce a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of polycarbonate. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is ideal for switches that plan to incorporate RGB lighting. The similarities in material suggest that users can expect a similar sound profile and aesthetic appeal from both switches when it comes to their top housings.
In terms of their bottom housings, the Violet Gold Pro utilizes nylon while the Zero Degree 0° also features a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to other materials. The softer plastic of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches that use this material. With both switches incorporating nylon for their bottom housings, users can anticipate a consistent typing experience in terms of sound and feel.
It's important to note that the bottom and top housings of a switch play different roles in the overall typing experience. The bottom housing will have a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed, while the top housing is more influential on the sound when a key is released. This means that while the Dareu Violet Gold Pro and the Gateron Zero Degree 0° may have similar top housings, the nuances brought by their different bottom housing materials can lead to variations in the overall typing experience between the two switches.
Weight
The Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch and the Gateron Zero Degree 0° linear switch both have an actuation force of 45 grams, making them equally light in terms of force required to trigger a keystroke. However, the bottom out force for both switches is unknown. This means that while they may feel similar in terms of actuation force, the overall typing experience may differ depending on how much force is required to fully press the keys. Some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of these switches for extended typing or gaming sessions, while others may prefer a heavier bottom out force for a more satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches may come down to personal preference in terms of weight and typing feel.
Travel distance
The Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, making it slightly longer than the Gateron Zero Degree 0° linear switch with a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are popular among gamers for faster response times. However, the slight difference in travel distance may result in a slightly different feel when pressing down on the keys. If you prefer a more responsive feel, you may lean towards the Zero Degree 0° switch, while those who prefer a slightly more substantial key press may opt for the Violet Gold Pro switch. Ultimately, both switches offer a relatively short travel distance that can cater to different preferences depending on the user's needs.
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 Gateron Zero Degree 0° has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Zero Degree 0° for $5.50.
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 Violet Gold Pro switch offers a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for a variety of typing environments. On the other hand, the Gateron Zero Degree 0° linear switch is known for its silent typing experience due to its unique design that absorbs sound and reduces noise. Both switches provide different sound characteristics, with the Violet Gold Pro offering a neutral sound and the Zero Degree 0° focusing on silence.
In terms of feel, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switch provides a medium tactility with a light touch, creating a balanced typing experience. The Gateron Zero Degree 0° linear switch, on the other hand, offers unparalleled smoothness and stability with a soft, elastic feel. While the Violet Gold Pro switch is described as stepped, providing a more mild tactile feedback with distinct pre-travel and post-travel stages, the feel of the Zero Degree 0° switch remains unknown.
Overall, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro and Gateron Zero Degree 0° switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. Choosing between the two would depend on personal preference regarding typing experience. If a user is looking for a balanced tactile option with a medium tactility and neutral sound, the Violet Gold Pro switch would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, if silent typing and smoothness are the priority, the Zero Degree 0° switch would be the ideal option. Regardless of the choice, both switches offer distinct characteristics that cater to different typing preferences.
Conclusion
Therefore, when deciding between the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch and the Gateron Zero Degree 0° linear switch, you should opt for the Violet Gold Pro if you prefer a medium tactility with a light touch and a neutral sound profile, ideal for a balanced typing experience. On the other hand, choose the Zero Degree 0° if you value silent typing, smoothness, stability, and a soft, elastic feel that absorbs sound and reduces noise. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you prioritize tactility and sound neutrality or smoothness and quiet operation in your mechanical keyboard switches.
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