Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow. The Crystal Violet switch is a tactile switch, designed with a light operating force of 45g. This makes it ideal for those who prefer a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. Additionally, the Crystal Violet switch offers a gentle and comfortable feel, creating a pleasantly mellow sound profile that leans towards the lower-pitched spectrum. This auditory experience is further enhanced by the rare use of ABS in the switches' housings. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow is a linear switch that stands out for its budget-friendly excellence. When typing on these switches, users can expect a higher-pitched and clacky sound profile, along with a fairly bouncy type feel. While these general pointers provide a starting point for decision-making, let's dive deeper beyond the generalities to help you choose the best switch for your specific preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
67g
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
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
15.4mm long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials used in the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow switches have distinct differences. The Crystal Violet features ABS plastic in both its top and bottom housings, which is relatively rare for switch housings. This results in a low-pitched sound profile when typing, providing a quieter and less sharp typing experience. In contrast, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing. This creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile, adding a more crisp and resonant typing experience. Additionally, the polycarbonate material allows for the use of RGB lighting, making it aesthetically appealing.
Moving on to the bottom housings, both switches differ in material. The Crystal Violet employs ABS plastic for its bottom housing, similar to its top housing. As mentioned earlier, this contributes to a low-pitched sound profile, providing a consistent typing experience. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow incorporates nylon for its bottom housing. Nylon is known to absorb more sound due to its softer nature, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. This creates a typing experience with a duller and rounder sound, which some users may prefer.
It is important to note that the combination of housing materials in a switch impacts the overall typing experience. If the top and bottom housings differ, the qualities of each material will be split between the two parts. When pressing down on the switch, the impact of the bottom housing will be felt more in terms of the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing will have a greater influence on the sound when releasing a key. Despite their differences, both the Crystal Violet and the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switches offer unique acoustic characteristics based on their individual housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The Crystal Violet tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes. In contrast, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams. This means that typing on the Crystal Violet switch may feel more effortless and be advantageous for extended typing sessions or prolonged gaming sessions.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Crystal Violet tactile switch has a force of 55 grams, while the G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch has a heavier bottom out force of 67 grams. This indicates that when fully pressing down on the keys, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch will provide a more substantial typing experience, requiring more force to fully bottom out.
Considering the weight aspect, individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience may opt for the Crystal Violet tactile switch due to its lighter actuation and bottom out forces. This allows for a more effortless typing experience and can be ideal for those who frequently use their keyboards for work or engage in long gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more solid and substantial typing feel may lean towards the G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch with its heavier actuation and bottom out forces.
In summary, the Crystal Violet tactile switch offers a lighter typing experience with its lower actuation and bottom out forces, while the G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch provides a heavier and more substantial typing feel due to its higher actuation and bottom out forces. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preferences and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch to the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch, it is important to note that both switches have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key fitted with either of these switches, you will experience the same 4 mm travel distance. Therefore, you can expect similar results in terms of the distance you feel when using these switches.
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 Yellow has an MSRP of $3.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the G Pro 3.0 Yellow for $2.78.
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 it comes to sound, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches provide a low-pitched and mellow tone. This creates a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience, thanks in part to the rare use of ABS material in the housing of these switches. On the other hand, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow switches produce a higher-pitched clacky sound profile. This sound is sharper and crisper, resulting in a more resonant and immersive auditory experience. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. If you prefer a bass-heavy and mellow sound, the Crystal Violet switches would be a suitable choice. If you enjoy a sharp and crisp sound, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switches will provide that. Both switches have their unique sound qualities, allowing you to tailor your typing experience to your preference.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches offer a creamy and mild typing experience. The creamy sensation is achieved through lubrication applied at the factory or specific materials, resulting in a smooth and buttery feel. The mild characteristics of these switches make them approachable to most users, as they provide a gentle typing experience without any extreme features. Additionally, the Crystal Violet switches have a stepped tactile feel, meaning there is a slight pre-travel and/or post-travel sensation. On the other hand, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow switches are described as polished and creamy. The polished finish and lubrication, whether applied at the factory or due to specific materials, contribute to a sleek and refined typing experience. The switches offer reduced friction and smooth key travel. Similar to the Crystal Violet switches, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switches provide a creamy sensation, allowing your fingers to effortlessly glide across the keys. Both switches offer a smooth typing experience, with the Crystal Violet switches being mildly tactile and the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switches being linear.
In conclusion, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switches and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switches offer distinct subjective qualities. The Crystal Violet switches have a low-pitched and mellow sound profile, providing a relaxed auditory experience. They offer a creamy, mild, and stepped tactile feel, ensuring a smooth and comfortable typing experience. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switches produce a higher-pitched clacky sound and offer a polished and creamy feel. While they differ in sound and feel, both switches deliver a pleasant typing experience based on their unique characteristics. Depending on your preferences, you can choose the Crystal Violet switches for a relaxed and stepped tactile experience with a low-pitched sound, or the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switches for a sharper and crisper sound with a polished and creamy feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a gentle and comfortable feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch would be a great choice for you. These switches have a light operating force of 45g, making them ideal for those seeking a more relaxed typing experience. The Crystal Violet switches also offer a pleasantly mellow, low-pitched sound profile, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a budget-friendly linear switch with a higher pitched clacky sound profile and a fairly bouncy feel, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch would be the way to go. These switches have a bottom out force of 67g, providing a medium-heavy typing feel. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches boils down to your personal preference in terms of typing experience and sound profile.
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