Everglide Crystal Violet vs. TTC Gold Red
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the TTC Gold Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options come to mind: the Everglide Crystal Violet and the TTC Gold Red. On one hand, the Crystal Violet boasts a tactile typing experience with a light operating force of 45g. This switch is ideal for those who prefer a relaxed and stepped tactile feel while typing. Additionally, the Crystal Violet's sound profile leans towards the lower-pitched spectrum, providing a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Gold Red offers a buttery smooth typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance. These linear switches add a modest touch of personality to your keyboard with their snappy sound profile. Both switches have their undeniable merits, however, let's delve deeper beyond generalities to help you make the best choice depending on your preferences and typing style.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
50g
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Everglide Crystal Violet and the TTC Gold Red differ in terms of their housing materials. The Crystal Violet features an ABS top housing, which is relatively rare in switch housings and is commonly used in keycaps. When typing on switches with ABS housing, a relatively low-pitched sound profile is observed. On the other hand, the Gold Red utilizes a polycarbonate top housing. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. Additionally, polycarbonate's translucency makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Crystal Violet and the Gold Red have different materials. The Crystal Violet has an ABS bottom housing, similar to its top housing. This ABS material, although rare in switch housings, contributes to a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing. In contrast, the Gold Red utilizes a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is a classic switch housing material that elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is attributed to nylon's softer texture, which absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
It's important to note that the top and bottom housings of a switch play distinct roles in the overall typing experience. The bottom housing primarily affects the bottom-out sound and feel when the key is pressed down, while the top housing has more impact on the sound when the key is released. Therefore, the combination of different housing materials in these switches will result in a combination of qualities, ensuring a unique typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch to the TTC Gold Red linear switch, one can observe distinct differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Crystal Violet requires an actuation force of 45 grams, slightly heavier than the Gold Red's 43 grams. However, both switches provide a relatively light actuation force which allows for swift keystrokes. When it comes to the bottom out force, the Crystal Violet requires 55 grams while the Gold Red is slightly lighter at 50 grams. This indicates that the Crystal Violet provides a slightly more substantial typing experience, as it requires a slightly stronger push to fully activate the keystroke. On the other hand, the Gold Red allows for a smoother and lighter typing experience, making it ideal for prolonged typing sessions or extended gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference and whether one prefers a lighter or more substantial typing feel.
Travel distance
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the TTC Gold Red linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that both switches will provide a similar experience in terms of the distance you feel when pressing down on a key. Whether you prefer a tactile switch or a linear switch, you can expect to have a consistent travel distance with either option. Neither switch offers a shorter or longer travel distance compared to the other, ensuring that typing on both switches will be equally comfortable and responsive.
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 Red has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Red for $3.28.
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
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch is best known for its light operating force of 45g, providing a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. In terms of sound, the Crystal Violet produces a pleasantly mellow sound profile that 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 switch housings. The feel of the Crystal Violet is described as creamy, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience. It has a mild feel, making it approachable for most users, and the stepped design provides a more subtle tactile feedback compared to other switches.
On the other hand, the TTC Gold Red linear switch is known for its buttery smooth typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance. In terms of sound, the Gold Red produces a snappy sound profile that adds a modest touch of personality to your keyboard without being too ostentatious. The sound of the Gold Red is described as thocky, producing a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed. The Gold Red also has a low-pitched sound profile, similar to the Crystal Violet. The feel of the Gold Red is described as mild, silky, subtle, and polished. It offers a gentle resistance with a light typing feel, enhances smoothness, and reduces friction, providing a sleek typing experience.
In conclusion, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the TTC Gold Red linear switch have some similarities in sound and feel. Both switches have a low-pitched sound profile and offer a mild typing experience that is approachable for most users. However, the Crystal Violet has a stepped tactile feedback, while the Gold Red has a more linear feel. Both switches provide a smooth and comfortable typing experience, with the Crystal Violet offering a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience, and the Gold Red offering a buttery smooth typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preferences and the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, if you are in search of a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a gentle and comfortable feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch is the way to go. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, it offers a medium-light resistance that strikes a nice balance. The Crystal Violet switches produce a pleasantly mellow, low-pitched sound, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. Additionally, the use of ABS in the switch housings enhances the sound profile. On the other hand, if you prefer a buttery smooth typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance, the TTC Gold Red linear switch is the right choice. With a bottom out force of 50 grams, it offers a light and comfortable typing feel. The Gold Red switches produce a thocky and low-pitched sound, adding a modest touch of personality to your keyboard without being too ostentatious. Ultimately, the choice between Everglide Crystal Violet and TTC Gold Red will depend on your personal preference for typing experience, sound profile, and resistance level. Consider your specific needs and preferences to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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