Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Durock Dolphin
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Durock Dolphin switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking for a mechanical keyboard switch, you may come across the Everglide Crystal Violet, a tactile switch, and the Durock Dolphin, a linear switch. The Crystal Violet is renowned for its light operating force of 45g, providing a relaxed and tactile typing experience. On the other hand, the Dolphin offers a medium-heavy actuation force of 62g, perfect for those who prefer switches with more resistance. The Crystal Violet boasts a creamy and low-pitched sound profile, while the Dolphin is known for its muted and low-pitched sound. The Dolphin's silent operation makes it ideal for office environments where noise levels are a concern. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
ABS
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Crystal Violet uses ABS for both its top and bottom housing, providing a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing. In contrast, the Durock Dolphin features a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing. The polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, while the nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This difference in housing materials results in distinct sound experiences for each switch.
In terms of aesthetics, the Crystal Violet's ABS housing may not be as visually appealing as the Dolphin's polycarbonate top housing, which allows for RGB lighting due to its translucency. However, the Crystal Violet's ABS bottom housing offers a consistent low-pitched sound profile when compared to the Dolphin's nylon bottom housing, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound. Depending on the preference for sound and visual design, users may have a preference for one switch over the other based on their housing materials.
Despite the differences in housing materials between the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Durock Dolphin, both switches offer unique sound profiles based on their top and bottom housing materials. While the Crystal Violet's ABS housing provides a consistent low-pitched sound profile, the Dolphin's combination of polycarbonate and nylon creates a more dynamic sound experience. By understanding how each housing material affects the sound profile of a switch, users can make an informed decision based on their preferences for sound and aesthetics.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Durock Dolphin linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Crystal Violet has an actuation force of 45 grams, making it lighter than the Dolphin which has an unknown actuation force. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Dolphin requires 62 grams of force, making it heavier than the Crystal Violet which requires 55 grams. Overall, the Crystal Violet offers a lighter typing experience with a medium-light actuation force and bottom out force, while the Dolphin provides a more substantial typing experience with a medium bottom out force. Depending on personal preference, some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Crystal Violet for longer typing sessions, while others may gravitate towards the heavier bottom out force of the Dolphin for a more tactile typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
Comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Durock Dolphin linear switch, it is evident that the Crystal Violet has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Dolphin's 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Crystal Violet offering a slightly deeper press. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the Dolphin with its shorter travel distance, while those who enjoy a more substantial key press may lean towards the Crystal Violet. Overall, while the difference in travel distance between the two switches may be minor, it can still play a significant role in choosing the right switch for your preferences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Durock Dolphin has an MSRP of $6.87 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dolphin for $5.41.
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 comparing the subjective qualities of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Durock Dolphin linear switch, it is evident that they offer distinct experiences in both sound and feel. The Crystal Violet switch is known for its low-pitched and mellow sound profile, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience that is ideal for those seeking a relaxed typing environment. In terms of feel, the Crystal Violet switch provides a creamy and mild typing experience with a stepped tactile feel, offering a smooth and gentle keystroke. On the other hand, the Durock Dolphin switch is praised for its muted and low-pitched sound, making it a great choice for quiet environments. The Dolphin switch also offers a polished typing experience, with reduced friction and smooth key travel for a refined feel. While the sound and feel of these switches differ, both provide quality and precision in their keystrokes, catering to different preferences and typing styles. Ultimately, choosing between the Crystal Violet and Dolphin switches will depend on personal preference for sound and feel, as both switches offer excellent performance in their respective categories.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Durock Dolphin linear switch, consider your preferences for typing experience and noise levels. If you prefer a light operating force and a gentle tactile typing experience with a mellow sound profile, the Crystal Violet may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier actuation force, a more substantial feel, and a silent switch for a quiet workspace, the Dolphin linear switch could be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing style and the environment in which you'll be using the keyboard. Both switches offer quality and unique characteristics, so choose the one that best fits your needs and preferences.
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