Aflion Carrot vs. Everglide Crystal Violet

Overview

When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two options stand out: the Aflion Carrot and the Everglide Crystal Violet. The Carrot switch is best known for its uniquely bouncy tactile experience, thanks to its long, two-stage spring. Along with this enjoyable tactile feedback, the Carrot switch offers a mid-pitched and firm sound profile, categorized as 'Clacky', 'Marbly', 'High-pitched', 'Bouncy', 'Snappy', 'Stepped', 'Feathery', and 'Subtle'. On the other hand, the Crystal Violet switch is meticulously crafted with a light operating force of 45g, making it ideal for those seeking a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. These switches provide a gentle and comfortable feel, with a pleasantly mellow, lower-pitched sound profile created by the rare use of ABS in their housings. Categorized as 'Creamy', 'Low-pitched', 'Mild', 'Neutral', and 'Stepped', the Crystal Violet switch offers a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.

By the numbers

Aflion Carrot Tactile

Everglide Crystal Violet Tactile

$4.60

$3.57 per 10

$7.08

$4.19 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Aflion Carrot and the Everglide Crystal Violet differ in their choice of housing materials. The Carrot features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiff plastic, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. On the other hand, the Crystal Violet utilizes an ABS top housing, which gives it a relatively low-pitched sound profile. ABS is less commonly used in switch housings but is more prevalent in keycaps. This difference in top housing material leads to distinctive sound characteristics between the two switches.

Moving onto the bottom housing, the Carrot employs a nylon material, which is considered a classic choice for switch housings. Typing on switches with a nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Crystal Violet utilizes an ABS bottom housing, similar to its top housing. Therefore, it shares the same low-pitched sound profile as the top housing, creating consistency in its sound characteristics throughout the switch.

When it comes to assessing the overall sound and feel of a switch, both the top and bottom housings play a role. With the Carrot, the polycarbonate top housing will have a greater impact on the sound when you release a key, providing a sharper and crisper sound. Conversely, the nylon bottom housing will contribute to the bottom-out sound and feel, creating a deeper and fuller sound. In the case of the Crystal Violet, the combination of ABS top and bottom housings will provide a consistent low-pitched sound profile throughout the entire typing experience.

In summary, the Aflion Carrot and the Everglide Crystal Violet differ in their choice of housing materials, resulting in distinct sound characteristics. The Carrot's polycarbonate top housing contributes to a sharper and higher-pitched sound, while its nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound. On the other hand, the Crystal Violet's ABS top and bottom housings produce a relatively low-pitched sound profile consistently throughout the switch. Despite these differences, both switches offer unique benefits based on the chosen housing materials, ensuring an enjoyable typing experience for users.

Weight

When comparing the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch, it is evident that their actuation and bottom out forces differ slightly. The Carrot has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, while the Crystal Violet has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams.

For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Carrot switch would be more suitable as it requires less force to activate the keystroke. This makes it ideal for those who type for extended periods, such as when using the keyboard for work or engaging in long gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Crystal Violet tactile switch offers a medium-light actuation and bottom out force, which provides a slightly more substantial typing experience. This would be preferable for individuals who appreciate a stronger push feel while typing.

It is worth noting that while the forces differ, both switches fall within the light to medium-light category, ensuring that users can enjoy a relatively effortless typing experience. Thus, whether one chooses the Carrot or the Crystal Violet switch, they can expect similar results in terms of weight and force required for typing.

Travel distance

Both the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will feel the key travel 4 mm from the top to the bottom. Therefore, both switches offer a similar tactile experience in terms of travel distance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Aflion Carrot switch is known for its mid-pitched and firm sound profile, which can be described as clacky, marbly, and high-pitched. This means that when pressed, the Carrot switch produces a sharp, snappy, and crisp sound, similar to tapping on a rock-solid piece of marble or the sound of two billiard balls colliding. On the other hand, the Everglide Crystal Violet switch offers a pleasantly mellow sound experience, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum. The use of ABS in the switch housing contributes to a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. This means that the Crystal Violet switch produces a bass-heavy and mellow tone when pressed. Overall, if you prefer a sharper and more crisp sound profile, the Carrot switch would be a suitable choice. However, if you prefer a mellow and bass-heavy sound, the Crystal Violet switch would be more fitting.

When it comes to feel, the Aflion Carrot switch is characterized by its bouncy, snappy, stepped, feathery, and subtle qualities. This means that the Carrot switch provides a uniquely bouncy and elastic feedback sensation, giving the keys a lively feel with rebound upon pressing. The longer and dual-staged spring contributes to a more responsive and alive typing experience. Additionally, the switch has a stepped feel, where you can feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel, making it less intense compared to hypertactile switches. The feathery attribute of the Carrot switch means that it requires little exertion from your fingers, reducing finger fatigue and making it comfortable for long typing sessions. Lastly, the Carrot switch offers a gentle resistance and a light typing feel, without being too feather-like, making it suitable for shared spaces. On the other hand, the Everglide Crystal Violet switch is known for its creamy, mild, and stepped characteristics. Typing on the Crystal Violet switch offers a smooth and buttery sensation, akin to gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. The switch provides a gentle and approachable typing experience without any pronounced characteristics, standing in a safe middle-ground zone. Both switches have a stepped feel, allowing for some pre-travel and/or post-travel feedback. Therefore, if you prefer a more lively and tactile typing experience, the Carrot switch would be a good choice. However, if you prefer a smoother and more gentle typing sensation, the Crystal Violet switch would be more suitable.

In conclusion, the Aflion Carrot and Everglide Crystal Violet switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Carrot switch provides a clacky, marbly, and high-pitched sound profile, while the Crystal Violet switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound experience. In terms of feel, the Carrot switch is bouncy, snappy, stepped, feathery, and subtle, providing a lively and responsive typing experience. On the other hand, the Crystal Violet switch is creamy, mild, and stepped, offering a smooth and approachable typing sensation. Based on these qualities, the Carrot switch would be preferred by users who enjoy a sharper and more vibrant sound, as well as a bouncy and tactile typing experience. Meanwhile, the Crystal Violet switch would be more suitable for those who prefer a mellow sound profile and a smoother and gentler typing experience. However, it is important to consider other factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps, as they can also influence the overall sound and feel of the switches.

Conclusion

Bringing it all together, when deciding between the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, in terms of force, the Carrot has a lighter bottom out force of 45 grams compared to the Crystal Violet's medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams. If you prefer a lighter touch, the Carrot may be the better choice for you.

In terms of sound, the Carrot switch produces a clacky, marbly, and high-pitched sound when pressed, while the Crystal Violet switch has a low-pitched and neutral sound profile. If you enjoy a sharper, crisper sound, the Carrot may be more to your liking. However, if you prefer a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, the Crystal Violet switch offers a pleasant auditory experience.

When it comes to feel, the Carrot switch provides a bouncy, snappy, stepped, feathery, and subtle typing experience. This means that the keys have a lively and spring-like feel, with good responsiveness and a gentle resistance. On the other hand, the Crystal Violet switch offers a creamy, mild, and stepped typing experience. These switches are smooth, gentle to type on, and provide a safe middle-ground in terms of their characteristics.

Ultimately, the choice between the Aflion Carrot and Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switches depends on your personal preferences. If you prefer a lighter touch, sharper sound, and a bouncy and lively feel, the Carrot switch may be the better option for you. However, if you prefer a slightly heavier touch, a mellow sound profile, and a smooth and gentle typing experience, the Crystal Violet switch might be more suitable. Consider these factors and choose the switch that aligns with your typing preferences and needs.

Mentioned in this article

Aflion Carrot Tactile

$4.60

$3.57 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Crystal Violet Tactile

$7.08

$4.19 per 10

Learn more