Gateron CJ vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the Gateron CJ and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Gateron CJ, a linear switch, to the Dareu Violet Gold Pro, a tactile switch, there are several key differences to consider. The CJ is praised for its unique and enjoyable presentation of a linear switch, providing a high-pitched clack and smooth push feel. In contrast, the Violet Gold Pro offers a medium tactility with a light touch and neutral sound signature, making it a balanced option for those seeking a tactile typing experience. Each switch has its own strengths, with the CJ being categorized as 'Chirpy', 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Low-pitched', 'Thocky', and the Violet Gold Pro being categorized as 'Stepped', 'Neutral'. 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
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Gateron CJ and Dareu Violet Gold Pro both offer unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The CJ's proprietary INK blend top housing provides a clacky, pointed, and high-pitched sound, while the Violet Gold Pro's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound. The use of polycarbonate in the Violet Gold Pro also allows for RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, the CJ's POM bottom housing offers a deeper and more muted sound profile, while the Violet Gold Pro's nylon bottom housing produces a fuller and rounder sound. Overall, the CJ and Violet Gold Pro differ in their top housing material, resulting in distinctive sound profiles.
Despite their differences, both the Gateron CJ and Dareu Violet Gold Pro prioritize sound quality with their choice of housing materials. The CJ's combination of INK blend and POM materials creates a unique sound experience with a balance of high-pitched and deep tones. Meanwhile, the Violet Gold Pro utilizes polycarbonate and nylon to achieve a sharper and fuller sound profile that is enhanced by the softer properties of nylon. While the CJ and Violet Gold Pro have contrasting top and bottom housing materials, they ultimately aim to provide users with a satisfying typing experience through their sound profiles.
In conclusion, the housing materials used in the Gateron CJ and Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches play a significant role in shaping their sound characteristics. The CJ's INK blend top housing and POM bottom housing create a balance of high-pitched and muted tones, while the Violet Gold Pro's polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing offer a sharper and fuller sound. Despite their differences, both switches prioritize sound quality and aim to enhance the typing experience for users. Ultimately, whether you prefer a clacky and pointed sound profile or a sharper and crisper sound, both switches provide unique options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
The Gateron CJ linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch have differing actuation and bottom out forces. The CJ has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Violet Gold Pro's 45 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the CJ requires 60 grams while the Violet Gold Pro's bottom out force is unknown. The CJ provides a more medium feel in terms of force, making it a good option for those who prefer a bit of resistance when typing. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro may offer a lighter touch, which can be beneficial for longer typing sessions or gaming. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron CJ linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, we can see that the CJ has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Violet Gold Pro has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, but the CJ offers a slightly longer distance for those who prefer a deeper key press feeling. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro provides a slightly quicker and more responsive feel due to its shorter travel distance. Gamers may find the shorter travel distance of the Violet Gold Pro more suitable for faster response times, while those who prefer a more deliberate key press may opt for the CJ. Overall, the choice between the two switches ultimately comes down to personal preference for travel distance and key press feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron CJ has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the CJ for $5.35.
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 Gateron CJ linear switch offers a unique chirpy sound that sets it apart from other switches, giving it a distinctive acoustic signature. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch provides a neutral sound profile that is suitable for a wide range of users and purposes. Both switches offer pleasing sound qualities, with the CJ providing a higher-pitched clack and the Violet Gold Pro offering a more moderate sound profile, depending on the user's preference and setup.
Moving on to feel, the Gateron CJ linear switch is praised for its impossibly smooth push feel, providing a gentle typing experience that falls in a safe, middle-ground zone. In contrast, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch is described as stepped, offering a tactile experience with two stages that feel more mild compared to hyper-tactile switches. Both switches offer different tactile feels, with the CJ being milder and smoother, while the Violet Gold Pro provides a more distinct tactile feedback for those seeking a more pronounced feel while typing.
In conclusion, the Gateron CJ linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch each offer unique subjective qualities that cater to different preferences. The CJ excels in providing a chirpy sound and a smooth push feel, making it a standout linear switch option. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro offers a balanced tactile experience with a neutral sound profile, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of users. Depending on whether you prefer a unique sound profile with smooth keypresses or a tactile typing experience with moderate sound, both switches can deliver satisfying results, albeit in different ways.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Gateron CJ linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, consider your preferences for typing feel and sound. If you enjoy a unique, smooth linear switch with a medium bottom out force and a chirpy or low-pitched sound profile, the CJ may be the best option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a fairly light touch, neutral sound profile, and a stepped feel that provides a two-stage typing experience, the Violet Gold Pro could be the ideal choice. Ultimately, both switches offer distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences, so make your decision based on what qualities are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.
Mentioned in this article
