TTC Bluish White vs. Everglide Crystal Violet
An in-depth look at the TTC Bluish White and the Everglide Crystal Violet switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
We are pleased to offer two exceptional mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Bluish White and the Everglide Crystal Violet. If you are someone who desires a satisfyingly poppy typing experience, the Bluish White is the switch for you. With its buttery and polished feel, this switch provides a tactile feedback that is both mild and subtle. Its low-pitched sound profile adds an extra touch of satisfaction to your typing sessions. On the other hand, the Crystal Violet Custom switches are perfect for those seeking a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. With a light operating force of 45g, these switches offer a gentle and comfortable feel. The sound profile of the Crystal Violet switches is pleasantly mellow, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. Additionally, the special use of ABS in these switches' housings further enhances their unique feel. 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
42g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
ABS
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Bluish White and the Everglide Crystal Violet differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Bluish White utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffer nature, which produces a more clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the Crystal Violet incorporates an ABS top housing, resulting in a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing. While ABS is commonly used in keycaps, it is rare to find it in switch housings. Therefore, if you're looking for a switch with a clear housing for RGB lighting, the Bluish White's polycarbonate top housing would be a suitable choice, while the Crystal Violet's ABS top housing provides a different sound experience.
Turning our attention to the bottom housings, the Bluish White features a nylon bottom housing, a classic choice known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer composition allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing. On the other hand, the Crystal Violet utilizes an ABS bottom housing, mirroring its ABS top housing. This bottom housing material also contributes to a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing. While both housings are made of ABS, the Crystal Violet's bottom housing differentiates it from the Bluish White's nylon bottom housing, offering a slightly varied typing experience.
When considering the overall sound profile of the switches, it's important to note that the qualities of the top and bottom housing materials are split between the two. The bottom housing has more impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed down, while the top housing plays a larger role in the sound when a key is released. Therefore, both the TTC Bluish White and the Everglide Crystal Violet provide unique sound profiles due to their distinct top and bottom housings. However, if you're seeking similar results, the similarities between the ABS materials used in both switches may result in a comparable typing experience, albeit with slight variations due to their different top housings.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch, it is evident that there are slight differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Bluish White has an actuation force of 42 grams, while the Crystal Violet requires 45 grams of force to actuate, making the Crystal Violet slightly heavier. Similarly, when it comes to bottoming out, the Bluish White has a force of 50 grams, whereas the Crystal Violet requires 55 grams. This indicates that the Crystal Violet is also heavier in terms of bottom out force. Both switches fall within the lighter range, making them suitable for individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience for prolonged usage. Consequently, those who prioritize a more substantial typing feel may opt for the Crystal Violet due to its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out forces, while those desiring a lighter touch may prefer the Bluish White. Overall, the differences in force requirements between these two switches are relatively minor, ensuring that users can expect similar results in terms of actuation and bottoming out.
Travel distance
The TTC Bluish White tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Crystal Violet has a slightly longer distance compared to the Bluish White. 4.0 mm is considered the most traditional travel distance, while 3.0 mm is the most shallow. However, shorter travel distances are becoming more popular, especially among gamers who prefer faster response times. If you are looking for a more responsive feel, the Bluish White with its shorter travel distance may be a better choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper and more substantial keystroke, the Crystal Violet with its longer travel distance might be more suitable. Ultimately, it depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Bluish White has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bluish White for $4.63.
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
In terms of sound, both the TTC Bluish White and the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switches have a low-pitched profile, which means they produce a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. The Crystal Violet switches, however, also have a description of a neutral sound profile, which suggests a moderate sound that can be suitable for various purposes and environments. It is important to note that the sound of these switches is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Therefore, while the two switches have similar low-pitched characteristics, the Crystal Violet may offer a slightly more versatile auditory experience.
When it comes to feel, both the TTC Bluish White and the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switches offer a gentle and comfortable typing experience. The Bluish White switches are described as buttery, mild, stepped, subtle, and polished. This suggests that they provide a smooth, seamless, and refined typing sensation with a gentle resistance and reduced friction. The Crystal Violet switches, on the other hand, are described as creamy, mild, and stepped. This indicates a smooth and buttery typing experience with a silky sensation, as if gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. Both switches have a mild tactile feel, meaning they offer a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. Additionally, they both feature a stepped design, providing a sense of pre-travel and/or post-travel.
In conclusion, both the TTC Bluish White and the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switches offer subjective qualities that make them suitable for those seeking a satisfying typing experience. They share similarities in terms of the low-pitched sound profile and the mild tactile feel with a stepped design. However, the Crystal Violet switches also offer a creamy typing experience and have a neutral sound profile. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences and specific requirements, such as the desired sound and typing experience. It is recommended to consider factors such as personal typing style, environment, and the surrounding keyboard setup to make an informed decision.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you desire a satisfyingly poppy typing experience with a light bottom out force, the TTC Bluish White tactile switch would be a great choice for you. These switches offer a snappy sound profile and a buttery, mild, and polished feel. On the other hand, if you prefer a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a slightly heavier bottom out force, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch might be more suitable. These switches provide a pleasingly mellow sound profile and a creamy, mild, and stepped feel. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches depends on your preferences for sound and feel, as well as the desired bottom out force. Both switches offer their own unique qualities, ensuring a pleasant and enjoyable typing experience.
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