Everglide Crystal Violet vs. TTC Flame Red
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the TTC Flame Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are a plethora of options available, each offering a unique typing experience. Two popular choices among enthusiasts are the Everglide Crystal Violet and the TTC Flame Red. The Everglide Crystal Violet is a tactile switch that is best suited for those who prefer 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. On the other hand, the TTC Flame Red is a linear switch that captures attention with its dazzling light diffuser, making it the perfect choice for anyone who desires a backlit, RGB keyboard. Typing on the Flame Reds provides a weighty smoothness, and the clacky sound profile adds to the overall tactile experience. While these generalities give us a glimpse into the characteristics of these switches, it is important to delve deeper to find the perfect switch that suits your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
54g
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
ABS
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
24.5mm long spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Crystal Violet and TTC Flame Red differ in their housing materials, which greatly impact the typing experience. The Crystal Violet features an ABS top housing, whereas the Flame Red has a nylon top housing. ABS is a relatively rare material to be used in switch housings, but it offers a low-pitched sound profile when typing. On the other hand, the nylon top housing of the Flame Red provides a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to nylon's softer nature, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Crystal Violet and Flame Red utilize ABS. Thus, they share the characteristic of offering a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing on switches featuring ABS. However, the Flame Red stands out with its nylon bottom housing. Similar to its top housing, the nylon material enhances the typing experience by eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. As nylon is a softer plastic and absorbs more sound than harder plastics, pressing down on the Flame Red switch produces a more substantial and impactful bottom-out sound and feel.
When both top and bottom housings differ in a switch, it splits the qualities each material brings to the typing experience. The bottom housing has a more significant influence on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, for the Crystal Violet, the ABS bottom housing contributes to its relatively low-pitched sound profile, while the Flame Red's nylon bottom housing enhances the deep and impactful bottom-out sound. Similarly, the ABS top housing of the Crystal Violet offers a quieter sound when letting go of a key, while the nylon top housing of the Flame Red results in a more pronounced sound release.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the TTC Flame Red linear switch, both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the force required to trigger a keystroke is equal for both switches. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Crystal Violet requires a slightly heavier force of 55 grams compared to the Flame Red's 54 grams. Both switches can be considered medium-light in terms of bottom out force.
Considering weight, individuals looking for a lighter typing experience may prefer the Crystal Violet or the Flame Red switches for longer periods of typing or gaming sessions. The actuation force being the same for both switches means that users can expect similar results in terms of triggering keystrokes. However, for those who prefer a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience, the slightly heavier bottom out force of the Crystal Violet may be more suitable.
In summary, while the Everglide Crystal Violet and TTC Flame Red switches share the same actuation force of 45 grams, there is a slight difference in their bottom out force, with the Crystal Violet being slightly heavier at 55 grams compared to the Flame Red's 54 grams. Both switches can offer a medium-light typing or gaming experience, allowing users to choose based on their preference for weight and the intensity of keystrokes.
Travel distance
Both the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the TTC Flame Red linear 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 a total distance of 4 mm from top to bottom. In terms of travel distance, both switches offer the same experience to the user.
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 TTC Flame Red has an MSRP of $7.29 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Flame Red for $4.38.
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, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches are best described as having a low-pitched sound profile. This means that they produce a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. The sound is pleasantly mellow and leans towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. This is partly due to the rare and special use of ABS in the switches' housings. On the other hand, the TTC Flame Red switches have a neutral sound profile, which means they have a moderate sound that is suitable for most intents and purposes. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches are known for providing a creamy and mild typing experience. These switches offer a smooth and buttery sensation, making it feel like gliding your fingers across the keys with ease. The switch has a mild tactile feel, which means it offers a gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. It also has a stepped feel, meaning it has two stages of tactile feedback with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. On the other hand, the TTC Flame Red switches have a mild and polished feel. They provide a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users and have a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience. The polished finish and reduced friction contribute to smooth key travel.
Considering the available information, the Everglide Crystal Violet and TTC Flame Red switches have different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Crystal Violet switches have a low-pitched sound and a creamy, mild, and stepped feel. They provide a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a comfortable and gentle feel. On the other hand, the Flame Red switches have a neutral sound and a mild and polished feel. They offer a weighty smoothness and a clacky sound profile, providing a gentle typing experience with a smooth and refined finish. It's important to note that individual preferences and the overall keyboard setup can also influence the subjective experience of using these switches. If a user is seeking similar results in terms of feel and sound, they can expect a more gentle and mild experience, although the exact qualities may vary depending on their personal preferences and the other components of their keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are seeking a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a medium-light bottom out force, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch would be an excellent choice. These switches offer a gentle and comfortable feel with a creamy and mild typing experience. The sound profile is pleasantly mellow and leans towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. Additionally, the Crystal Violet switches are crafted with ABS in their housings, adding to their unique qualities. On the other hand, if you prioritize visual aesthetics and are looking for a switch that is best suited for a backlit, RGB keyboard, the TTC Flame Red linear switch would be a great option. These switches provide a weighty smoothness and a clacky sound profile. They also offer a mild typing experience and a visual appeal with their dazzling light diffuser. Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Crystal Violet and the TTC Flame Red depends on your preferences and priorities in terms of typing experience, sound profile, and visual aesthetics.
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