Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. Everglide Crystal Violet
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the Everglide Crystal Violet switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Everglide Aqua King and the Everglide Crystal Violet. The Aqua King is a linear switch that is best known for its frictionless feel, providing a typing experience akin to gliding on a freshly resurfaced ice skating rink. On the other hand, the Crystal Violet is a tactile switch with a light operating force of 45g, offering a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. Additionally, the Crystal Violet switches have a pleasantly mellow sound profile, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum. Both switches have their unique characteristics, catering to different 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
46g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
ABS
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King and the Everglide Crystal Violet differ in their housing materials, resulting in distinct sound profiles. The Aqua King features a polycarbonate top and bottom housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound when typing. The relatively stiffer polycarbonate plastic provides a clear and resonant sound profile. Furthermore, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for use in the top housing, especially if RGB lighting is planned. In contrast, the Crystal Violet utilizes an ABS top and bottom housing, giving it a relatively low-pitched sound profile. ABS is a less frequent choice for switch housings, making the Crystal Violet unique in terms of its material composition.
Despite the variations in housing materials, both the Aqua King and the Crystal Violet deliver satisfactory results. The Aqua King's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper sound profile when compared to the Crystal Violet's ABS top housing. However, both materials contribute to a clear and resonant sound experience. Similarly, while the Aqua King's polycarbonate bottom housing may produce a more impactful bottom-out sound and feel, the Crystal Violet's ABS bottom housing provides a satisfactory typing experience. Therefore, although they differ in their materials, both switches offer comparable results in terms of sound and feel.
It is important to note that the impact of the housing materials differs depending on the specific action performed on the switch. When pressing down on a key, the qualities of the bottom housing become more pronounced, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, when releasing a key, the top housing comes into play, affecting the sound produced. Therefore, while the housing materials shape the overall sound profile of the switches, the specific action performed also plays a role in the perceived sound experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch, there are some noticeable similarities and differences. The Aqua King has an actuation force of 46 grams, slightly heavier than the Crystal Violet's actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the Aqua King requires a slightly stronger push to trigger a keystroke compared to the Crystal Violet. However, both switches fall within the medium range, providing a balanced typing experience for most users.
In terms of bottom out force, the Aqua King has a higher force of 62 grams, while the Crystal Violet has a lighter force of 55 grams. This indicates that the Aqua King will offer a more substantial typing experience, requiring more force to fully press down the keys compared to the Crystal Violet. On the other hand, the Crystal Violet provides a lighter bottom out force, which may be preferred by those who prefer a lighter touch or need to type for extended periods.
Considering weight, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Crystal Violet as its actuation and bottom out forces are slightly lighter. This can be beneficial for individuals who need to type for longer periods or engage in prolonged gaming sessions. However, for those who prefer a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience, the Aqua King would be a suitable choice due to its heavier actuation and bottom out forces.
Overall, while there are differences in actuation and bottom out forces between the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch, both switches provide a medium to medium-light typing experience. The decision between the two ultimately depends on personal preference and the desired typing style, whether one prefers a lighter touch or a more substantial and forceful keystroke.
Travel distance
The Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that both switches will provide a similar experience when pressed down, as they both travel the same distance from the top to the bottom. Whether you prefer a linear switch or a tactile switch, you can expect consistent and reliable performance from both options.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Aqua King (V3) has an MSRP of $7.18 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Aqua King (V3) for $5.44.
The Everglide Crystal Violet has an MSRP of $7.08 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Crystal Violet for $4.19.
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
The subjective qualities of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch differ in terms of sound and feel. The Aqua King switch is best known for its frictionless feel, creating a magical typing experience akin to ice skating on a freshly resurfaced rink. In terms of sound, the Aqua King switch is described as subdued, producing a dampened and subtle sound when pressed.
On the other hand, the Crystal Violet switch is known for its light operating force of 45g, offering a gentle and relaxed tactile typing experience. The sound profile of the Crystal Violet switch is described as low-pitched, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum. This results in a pleasantly mellow and non-intrusive auditory experience.
In terms of feel, both switches share the descriptor of being creamy, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience. This can be attributed to lubricant applied at the factory or specific materials used in the switches. Both switches provide a silky sensation, allowing your fingers to effortlessly glide across the keys.
However, the Aqua King switch is also described as frictionless, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance or friction. It is also described as silky and polished, indicating a sleek and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, the Crystal Violet switch is also described as mild, offering a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. It is also referred to as stepped, meaning it has two stages of tactile feedback, with some pre-travel and/or post-travel sensation.
In conclusion, the Aqua King linear switch and Crystal Violet tactile switch offer distinct subjective qualities. The Aqua King provides a frictionless and polished feel, creating a magical typing experience, while the Crystal Violet offers a gentle and relaxed tactile feedback with a mellow sound profile. Both switches share the creamy sensation and offer a smooth typing experience. Based on these descriptions, if you prefer a smooth typing experience, both switches will provide similar results, but the Aqua King will offer additional frictionless and polished qualities.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a truly frictionless typing experience where your fingers effortlessly glide across the keys, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch is the way to go. With a bottom out force of 62 grams, it offers a medium level of resistance. This switch is best known for its creamy, frictionless feel that resembles ice skating on a freshly resurfaced rink.
On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter tactile experience with a gentle and comfortable feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch is a great choice. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, it falls into the medium-light category. This switch offers a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience, perfect for those seeking a more subtle tactile feedback. Additionally, the Crystal Violet switches produce a pleasantly mellow and low-pitched sound, adding to the overall typing experience.
In summary, the Aqua King linear switch is ideal for those who prioritize a smooth and frictionless typing experience, while the Crystal Violet tactile switch is perfect for individuals who prefer a lighter tactile feedback and a mellow sound profile. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal preferences and typing style. Consider your desired level of resistance, feel, and sound characteristics to determine which switch will provide the best typing experience for you.
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