Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black offer unique experiences for users. The Crystal Violet is a tactile switch known for its light operating force of 45g, providing a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a gentle and comfortable feel. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 Black is a linear switch from Gateron, offering a heavier typing experience with its 60g actuation and 70g bottom-out force. While the Crystal Violet produces a mellow, low-pitched sound, the G Pro 3.0 Black offers a clacky, medium-high pitch. Both switches cater to different preferences, with the Crystal Violet being more creamy and the G Pro 3.0 Black being more subdued and silky. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style; 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
60g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
70g
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
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
ABS
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black differ significantly. The Crystal Violet features ABS top and bottom housings, resulting in a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing. In contrast, the G Pro 3.0 Black has a proprietary INK blend top housing and a POM bottom housing, creating a pointed and higher-pitched sound profile with a deeper, more muted tone. This contrast in housing materials results in distinct auditory experiences for users of each switch.
Despite their differences, the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black share some similarities in their housing materials. Both switches utilize ABS in their top housing, although the Crystal Violet also uses ABS in its bottom housing. This shared material contributes to a satisfying thin and clacky sound profile for both switches. While the G Pro 3.0 Black's POM bottom housing creates a unique deep and muted sound, the ABS top housing maintains a consistent high-pitched profile in both switches, providing a familiar auditory experience for users.
The impact of the housing materials on the overall sound and feel of the switches is crucial to the typing experience. The qualities of the bottom housing material are more pronounced when pressing down on the switch, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing material plays a significant role in the sound produced when a key is released. In this way, the housing materials of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black interact to create distinct tactile and auditory responses for users, highlighting the importance of material selection in switch design.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black linear switch, it is evident that the Crystal Violet is lighter with an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the G Pro 3.0 Black is heavier with an actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams. The Crystal Violet offers a medium-light feel, making it suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 Black provides a medium-heavy feel, ideal for users who desire a more substantial typing experience. Both switches offer distinct weight profiles, catering to different preferences for actuation and bottom out forces. However, those seeking a similar typing experience can achieve it with either switch by adjusting their typing technique to accommodate the force required for optimal performance.
Travel distance
Both the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that users can expect a similar tactile feel and typing experience when using either of these switches. The 4 mm travel distance allows for a satisfying keypress without requiring too much force, making them ideal for fast and comfortable typing sessions. Whether you choose the Crystal Violet or the G Pro 3.0 Black, you can expect a consistent and reliable typing experience with a moderate travel distance.
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 Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black has an MSRP of $2.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the G Pro 3.0 Black for $2.77.
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 tactile switch offers a low-pitched and mellow tone, providing a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience that is gentle on the ears. On the other hand, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black linear switch delivers a clacky and medium-high pitch sound, offering a sharper and more percussive auditory feedback. Depending on personal preference, some users may favor the creamy and neutral sound of the Crystal Violet, while others may appreciate the clacky and subdued sound of the G Pro 3.0 Black.
When it comes to feel, both switches share similarities in providing a creamy typing experience that is smooth and buttery, allowing for effortless keystrokes with a silky sensation. The Crystal Violet offers a mild and stepped tactile feel, providing a gentle and comfortable typing experience with a light operating force of 45g. Meanwhile, the G Pro 3.0 Black offers a subtle and medium-heavy typing feel, appealing to those who prefer a more substantive keystroke with a 60g actuation and 70g bottom-out force. Overall, both switches offer a pleasant and approachable typing experience, with slight variations in their tactile feedback.
In conclusion, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black linear switch offer distinct sound and feel profiles that cater to different preferences. The Crystal Violet excels in providing a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a low-pitched sound, while the G Pro 3.0 Black appeals to users seeking a more substantive typing experience with a clacky sound profile. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch or the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black linear switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. If you prefer a lighter operating force and a gentle tactile typing experience with a mellow, low-pitched sound profile, then the Crystal Violet may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy linear switch with a more substantive typing experience and a medium-high pitch sound profile that is clacky and subdued, then the G Pro 3.0 Black may be more suited to your preferences. Consider factors such as bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel to determine which switch would best complement your typing style and preferences.
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