Everglide Crystal Violet vs. TTC Gold Brown Pro
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the TTC Gold Brown Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two options that stand out are the Everglide Crystal Violet and the TTC Gold Brown Pro, both tactile switches. The Crystal Violet is known for its light operating force of 45g, providing a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. Its sound profile is pleasantly mellow and lower-pitched, creating a subtle auditory experience. On the other hand, the Gold Brown Pro offers a more subdued and nuanced feedback with a gentle tactile bump for those who seek a background presence while typing. Its sound profile is also subdued, ensuring minimal distraction during typing sessions. Both switches offer a mild and neutral experience, but the Crystal Violet leans towards the creamy side, while the Gold Brown Pro is polished and thocky. Overall, the Crystal Violet is perfect for those seeking a gentle and comfortable feel, while the Gold Brown Pro is ideal for individuals who value understated tactile experiences. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
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
NPI
Top housing material
ABS
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
18mm spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Crystal Violet and TTC Gold Brown Pro switches both offer unique characteristics in their housing materials. The Crystal Violet's ABS top housing provides a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing, while the Gold Brown Pro's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound. The use of ABS in the Crystal Violet switch may result in a more subtle typing experience compared to the distinct sound produced by the polycarbonate housing of the Gold Brown Pro. However, both switches offer a different auditory experience based on the materials used in their top housings.
In terms of the bottom housing materials, the Crystal Violet features ABS while the Gold Brown Pro utilizes nylon. The ABS bottom housing in the Crystal Violet contributes to a low-pitched sound profile, similar to its top housing characteristics. Conversely, the nylon bottom housing in the Gold Brown Pro results in a deeper and fuller sound experience when typing. The switch housing materials play a significant role in determining the overall sound profile of each switch, with the use of ABS and nylon influencing the sound produced during typing on the Crystal Violet and Gold Brown Pro respectively.
While the Everglide Crystal Violet and TTC Gold Brown Pro differ in their top and bottom housing materials, each switch offers a unique typing experience based on the material used in their construction. The split between ABS and polycarbonate in the top housing of the Crystal Violet and the contrast between ABS and nylon in the bottom housing of the Gold Brown Pro contribute to distinctive sound profiles for each switch. The choice of housing materials can significantly impact the sound and feel of the switch when typing, making it important to consider the characteristics of both the top and bottom housing components when selecting a switch for a particular typing preference.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch to the TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switch, the actuation force is the same at 45 grams for both switches. However, the Crystal Violet has a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Gold Brown Pro has an unknown bottom out force. This means that the Crystal Violet requires a slightly heavier force to fully press the key compared to the Gold Brown Pro. The Crystal Violet can provide a more substantial typing experience due to its higher bottom out force, while the Gold Brown Pro may be lighter and more suitable for longer typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. This means that the Crystal Violet has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Gold Brown Pro. Generally, a longer travel distance can provide a more satisfying keypress with a deeper feeling, while a shorter travel distance is preferred by gamers for quicker response times. In this case, if you are looking for a switch with a slightly longer travel distance, the Crystal Violet may be the better choice for you. However, if you prefer a slightly shorter travel distance, the Gold Brown Pro could be a good option. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on your personal preference for how the keypress feels.
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 Gold Brown Pro has an MSRP of $6.11 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Brown Pro for $2.90.
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 neutral sound profile, providing a soothing auditory experience that is not overpowering. On the other hand, the TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switch produces a thocky, low-pitched, and neutral sound that is deep and satisfying, enhancing the typing experience without being disruptive. Both switches aim to offer a quiet and subtle typing sound to prevent distractions and ensure a smooth workflow.
When it comes to feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet switch is described as creamy, mild, and stepped, providing a smooth and gentle typing experience with a two-stage tactile feel. In contrast, the TTC Gold Brown Pro switch is polished, silky, mild, subtle, and stepped, offering a refined and exceptionally smooth typing sensation with a gentle resistance and subtle tactile feedback. Both switches prioritize a comfortable typing experience with minimal resistance and a balanced tactile feel that caters to those who prefer a softer touch.
In conclusion, the Everglide Crystal Violet and TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switches both offer a pleasant typing experience with unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. While the Crystal Violet switch focuses on a light and relaxed tactile feel with a mellow sound profile, the Gold Brown Pro switch emphasizes a nuanced tactile feedback and a thocky sound for those seeking a more immersive typing experience. Ultimately, both switches provide a comfortable and understated typing experience that minimizes distractions and maximizes productivity. Whether choosing the Crystal Violet or Gold Brown Pro switch, users can expect similar results in terms of a gentle and smooth typing experience with subtle tactility and quiet operation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switch, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you value a relaxed and comfortable typing experience with a light operating force and low-pitched sound profile, the Crystal Violet may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a subtle and nuanced tactile feedback with a thocky sound profile and polished finish, the Gold Brown Pro could be the perfect fit. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preference for typing feel and sound characteristics. Experimenting with both switches can help you determine which one aligns best with your typing style and preferences.
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