Everglide Crystal Violet vs. TTC Gold Pink
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the TTC Gold Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Everglide Crystal Violet and the TTC Gold Pink, two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique experiences for different preferences. The Crystal Violet is a tactile switch, renowned for its light operating force of 45g, making it perfect for those seeking a relaxed and comfortable typing experience. The switches provide a gentle and stepped tactile feel, allowing for precise keystrokes. Additionally, the Crystal Violet switches offer a pleasantly mellow sound profile with lower-pitched tones, enhancing the overall typing experience. On the other hand, the Gold Pink is a linear switch, boasting a mere 37g actuation force, making it one of the lightest switches available. These switches are ideal for those who value speed and effortless typing, making them perfect for both rapid typing and gaming. With a clacky sound, the Gold Pinks provide satisfying feedback to users. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
45g
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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the TTC Gold Pink switches differ in their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Crystal Violet utilizes ABS for both its top and bottom housing. ABS is a relatively rare plastic to be used in switch housings, but common in keycaps. Typing on switches featuring ABS creates a relatively low-pitched sound profile. In contrast, the Gold Pink features a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing. Polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Moreover, the nylon bottom housing of the Gold Pink elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer composition and enhanced sound absorption.
Aesthetically, the choice of housing material in the Everglide Crystal Violet and the TTC Gold Pink is also noteworthy. The Crystal Violet's ABS top housing does not offer the same translucency as the Gold Pink's polycarbonate top housing. Polycarbonate's transparency makes it especially suitable for switches that incorporate RGB lighting, as it allows the light to shine through and create vibrant effects. So, if you prioritize RGB lighting in your setup, the Gold Pink's polycarbonate top housing would be the more suitable option.
In terms of functionality, the use of different housing materials for the top and bottom housings of a switch affects the sound profile and tactile feedback experienced when typing. The bottom housing of a switch, which in the Crystal Violet is ABS and in the Gold Pink is nylon, has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the top housing—ABS in the Crystal Violet and polycarbonate in the Gold Pink—will influence the sound produced when you release a key. Therefore, while the Crystal Violet and the Gold Pink may offer similar results in terms of low-pitched sound profiles from their ABS top housings, the combination of polycarbonate and nylon in the Gold Pink creates a different blend of sharper and deeper sound profiles throughout the typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the TTC Gold Pink linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Crystal Violet has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Gold Pink's 37 grams, making it slightly heavier to trigger a keystroke. Similarly, the Crystal Violet has a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Gold Pink has a lower bottom out force of 45 grams. Therefore, the Gold Pink can be considered lighter in terms of both actuation and bottom out forces.
Considering the weight, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Gold Pink switch. This lighter actuation force allows for longer typing periods without causing fatigue, making it suitable for work or extended gaming sessions. Conversely, individuals who prefer a more substantial typing feel may opt for the Crystal Violet switch. With its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out forces, it provides a stronger push feel and a more pronounced typing experience.
However, it's worth noting that despite the differences in actuation and bottom out forces, both switches fall within the medium-light to light range. Therefore, if the specific force requirements are not crucial, both switches can deliver similar results in terms of the typing experience.
Travel distance
Both the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the TTC Gold Pink linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, meaning they both travel 4 mm from the top to the bottom. As a result, pressing down on a key equipped with either of these switches will give you a similar experience in terms of the distance you feel when typing. Therefore, the travel distance of both switches is equal, providing similar results and feedback 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 Gold Pink has an MSRP of $4.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Pink for $4.28.
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 have a pleasantly mellow and lower-pitched sound profile. This creates a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience, making them suitable for both quiet environments and shared spaces. On the other hand, there is no specific information available about the sound profile of the TTC Gold Pink switches. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. That being said, if you prefer a lower-pitched and mellow sound, you can expect similar results with the Crystal Violet switches.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches provide a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. They are described as creamy, mild, and stepped, offering a smooth and buttery typing sensation with a gentle resistance. This makes them suitable for comfortable and effortless typing sessions. The TTC Gold Pink switches, on the other hand, are described as buttery, mild, feathery, subtle, and polished. They offer a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with a gentle typing feel. The light actuation force of the Gold Pink switches reduces finger fatigue and makes them comfortable for extended typing sessions. While there are some similarities in the descriptions of feel for both switches, the Crystal Violet switches focus more on a stepped tactile feel, whereas the Gold Pink switches highlight a smooth and effortless typing experience.
Overall, based on the available information, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switches offer a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a mellow sound profile. They provide a comfortable and gentle typing feel, making them suitable for those seeking a more relaxed and effortless typing experience. On the other hand, the TTC Gold Pink linear switches offer a light and lively typing experience with a satisfying level of feedback. While there is no specific information about their sound profile, they are described as offering a smooth and fluid typing sensation with a gentle typing feel. Both switches have their own unique qualities, but if you prefer a lighter and more effortless typing experience, the Gold Pink switches may be more suitable. However, if you prefer a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a mellow sound, the Crystal Violet switches would be a great choice.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you value a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a medium-light bottom out force, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch would be a great choice for you. These switches offer a gentle and comfortable feel, making them ideal for those seeking a more relaxed typing experience. Additionally, the Crystal Violet switches have a pleasantly mellow sound profile, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, if you prioritize a fast and effortless typing experience with a light bottom out force, the TTC Gold Pink linear switch would be a suitable option. These switches are perfect for rapid typing or gaming due to their light actuation force and satisfying level of feedback. They also offer a range of descriptors such as buttery, mild, feathery, subtle, and polished to describe their feel, indicating a smooth and refined typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Crystal Violet and TTC Gold Pink switches depends on your preferred typing experience and specific needs.
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