Dareu Mahjong vs. KTT Mannan Pipefish
An in-depth look at the Dareu Mahjong and the KTT Mannan Pipefish switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Dareu Mahjong and KTT Mannan Pipefish are both linear mechanical keyboard switches known for their unique features and exceptional typing experiences. The Mahjong switches stand out with their distinctive green and white color scheme, offering a lively and poppy sound signature along with an effortless typing experience. On the other hand, the Mannan Pipefish switch boasts smooth linear action, a lengthened spring, and a light 45g actuation and bottom-out force, providing a comfortable and precise typing experience for casual typists. While the Mahjong switch is categorized as 'Bouncy' and 'Mild', the Mannan Pipefish is classified as 'Easy-to-press', making them suitable for different preferences and typing styles. 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
37g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
22mm spring
Housing materials
The Dareu Mahjong and the KTT Mannan Pipefish both feature unique housing materials that contribute to the overall feel and sound of the switches. The Mahjong's POK top housing offers a smooth and durable experience, with a coefficient of friction that is slightly higher than LY. In contrast, the Pipefish's polycarbonate top housing provides a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness and clear nature. While both materials are known for their durability, the POK material of the Mahjong is specifically praised for its wear resistance and shock resistance, surpassing other materials like POM and Nylon. On the other hand, the polycarbonate top housing of the Pipefish is favored for its ability to enhance RGB lighting due to its translucency.
In terms of bottom housing materials, both switches feature nylon housing, known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. The Mahjong and the Pipefish both utilize the softer nature of nylon to absorb sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. Despite using the same material for the bottom housing, each switch offers a unique typing experience due to the combination of the top and bottom housing materials. The bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, while the top housing contributes more to the sound when releasing a key.
Although the Dareu Mahjong and the KTT Mannan Pipefish have different top housing materials, the switches ultimately aim to provide a smooth and durable typing experience. While the POK material of the Mahjong focuses on creating a clacky and durable switch, the polycarbonate material of the Pipefish aims to offer a sharper and more resonant sound profile. Both switches showcase how the choice of housing material can impact the overall feel and sound of a mechanical keyboard switch, highlighting the importance of selecting the right materials to suit individual preferences.
Weight
The Dareu Mahjong linear switch has a higher actuation force of 45 grams compared to the KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch which has an actuation force of 37 grams, making the Mannan Pipefish lighter in this aspect. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Mahjong's force is unavailable while the Mannan Pipefish has a bottom out force of 45 grams, which is considered light. This means that the Mannan Pipefish requires less force to bottom out compared to the Mahjong, providing a softer typing experience. It is important to consider these differences in actuation and bottom out forces when choosing between the two switches based on personal preference for a lighter or heavier typing feel.
Travel distance
The Dareu Mahjong linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4mm, while the KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch has a travel distance of 4mm. This means that the Mannan Pipefish has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Mahjong. In general, a shorter travel distance is favored by gamers for quicker responsiveness, while a longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying key press for some users. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming more popular in the market. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for the feel and response of the keys during use.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Mahjong has an MSRP of $8.89 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mahjong for $5.79.
The KTT Mannan Pipefish has an MSRP of $3.53 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mannan Pipefish for $3.05.
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, both the Dareu Mahjong linear switch and the KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch are described as having a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for a wide range of users and environments. The choice of keyboard and keycaps can also influence the overall sound produced by these switches. Moving on to feel, the Mahjong switch is known for its bouncy and mild characteristics, offering a lively typing experience with a gentle feel. On the other hand, the Mannan Pipefish switch is highlighted for its easy-to-press nature, requiring minimal force for activation and providing a comfortable and low-impact typing feel. Both switches feature a polished finish, ensuring smooth key travel and reduced friction during use.
In conclusion, while the Dareu Mahjong and KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switches may have some differences in terms of feel, they both offer enjoyable typing experiences with their unique characteristics. Whether you prefer a bouncy and mild feel or an easy-to-press and polished sensation, these switches cater to different preferences while aiming to provide a comfortable and strain-free typing journey for users. Ultimately, both switches are designed to enhance the overall typing experience, ensuring a smooth and effortless performance for all types of typists.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Dareu Mahjong linear switch and the KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch, you should consider your typing preferences and needs. If you are looking for a unique and lively typing experience with a bouncy and polished feel, the Mahjong switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth, easy-to-press switch with a light actuation force and polished feel, the Mannan Pipefish switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing style and comfort. Happy typing!
Mentioned in this article
