Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Outemu Crystal Brown
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Outemu Crystal Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Outemu Crystal Brown mechanical keyboard switches, we can see that both are tactile switches but offer different experiences. The Bamboo Green is praised for its clacky sound signature and crisp, sparkling tactility, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy a more pronounced typing experience. On the other hand, the Crystal Brown is known for its tactile feedback without any specific standout features. Choosing between the two switches ultimately comes down to personal preference - do you prefer a switch with a distinct sound and feel, like the Bamboo Green, or a more subtle tactile feedback, like the Crystal Brown? 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
43g
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
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
PBT
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Everglide Bamboo Green uses PBT for both its top and bottom housing, offering a neutral sound profile that falls somewhere between crisp and dull. This consistency in housing material results in a consistent sound experience throughout the keystroke. On the other hand, the Outemu Crystal Brown utilizes polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing. This combination results in a sharper, higher-pitched sound when pressing down on the switch due to the use of polycarbonate in the top housing, while the bottom housing's nylon material creates a deeper and fuller sound when bottoming out.
In terms of aesthetics, the Everglide Bamboo Green's PBT housing provides a clean and classic look, without the translucency that allows for RGB lighting. In contrast, the Outemu Crystal Brown's polycarbonate top housing allows for the use of RGB lighting, making it a more visually appealing choice for those looking to customize their keyboard setup. However, the use of nylon in the Crystal Brown's bottom housing may lead to a less visually consistent appearance compared to the Bamboo Green's all-PBT construction.
While the housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and Outemu Crystal Brown differ in their composition and resulting sound profiles, both switches offer a unique typing experience. The PBT housing of the Bamboo Green provides a consistent and neutral sound profile throughout the keystroke, while the combination of polycarbonate and nylon in the Crystal Brown results in a mix of sharpness and fullness in sound. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches may come down to personal preference in terms of sound profile, aesthetics, and typing feel.
Weight
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch has a slightly lighter actuation force of 43 grams compared to the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch with 45 grams. However, the Bamboo Green requires a heavier bottom out force of 62 grams, whereas the Crystal Brown has a lighter bottom out force of 55 grams. Both switches fall within the medium range for actuation force, but the Bamboo Green leans towards the heavier side when it comes to bottoming out, while the Crystal Brown is considered medium-light in this aspect. Those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Bamboo Green for its heavier bottom out force, while those looking for a lighter typing feel may prefer the Crystal Brown for its lighter actuation and bottom out forces. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for typing feel and experience.
Travel distance
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when you press down on a key using either of these switches, you will experience the same distance of key travel. The similarity in travel distance suggests that the typing experience with both switches will be consistent in terms of key feel and feedback. Whether you choose the Everglide Bamboo Green or the Outemu Crystal Brown, you can expect a similar level of key travel and tactile response.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Bamboo Green has an MSRP of $9.67 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bamboo Green for $7.19.
The Outemu Crystal Brown comes in at $3.10 per 10 switches.
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 Bamboo Green switch is known for its high-pitched and resonant sound profile, which provides a sharp and crisp auditory experience when typing. On the other hand, the sound characteristics of the Outemu Crystal Brown switch are unknown, so it is difficult to make a direct comparison. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard housing and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Bamboo Green is described as having a stepped, accented, sharp, and polished feel. This means that users can expect a tactile switch with two distinct stages, medium tactility that is not overwhelming, a strong and crisp tactile bump, and smooth key travel. Unfortunately, the feel of the Outemu Crystal Brown switch remains unknown, preventing a direct comparison in this aspect as well.
Overall, based on the available information, the Everglide Bamboo Green and Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Bamboo Green is known for its specific sound and feel characteristics, the lack of information on the Crystal Brown switch makes it challenging to draw a direct comparison. If the qualities of the Crystal Brown switch are similar to those of the Bamboo Green, users can expect a comparable typing experience in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch or the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you enjoy a medium bottom out force and a clacky sound with a sharp and sparkling tactility, the Bamboo Green may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force and are looking for a switch with a more subdued sound profile, the Crystal Brown could be the ideal option. Additionally, if you appreciate a switch with stepped, accented, sharp, and polished feel characteristics, the Bamboo Green is worth considering. Ultimately, whether you choose the Bamboo Green or the Crystal Brown, both switches have their own unique characteristics that can enhance your typing experience based on your individual preferences.
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