Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Invyr Holy Panda
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Invyr Holy Panda switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Invyr Holy Panda are two popular options that offer distinct typing experiences. The Crystal Violet is praised for its light operating force of 45g, providing a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience that is ideal for those seeking a gentle and comfortable feel. With a pleasantly mellow sound profile leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, the Crystal Violet switches offer a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience, thanks to the special use of ABS in their housings. On the other hand, the Holy Panda stands out for its sharp tactility, providing a satisfyingly bright "clack" with each keystroke. Known for their pronounced feedback and acoustic resonance, these switches are preferred by tactile switch enthusiasts for their invigorating and snappy feel. 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
N/A
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Invyr Holy Panda, we can see a clear distinction in the sound profiles they produce. The Crystal Violet's ABS top and bottom housings offer a relatively low-pitched sound when typing, while the Holy Panda's polycarbonate top and nylon bottom housings create a sharper, higher-pitched, and fuller sound profile. This contrast highlights how the choice of housing material can significantly impact the overall sound experience when using mechanical keyboards.
Despite their differences, both the Crystal Violet and Holy Panda switches showcase the importance of housing materials in shaping the sound and feel of typing. The use of ABS in the Crystal Violet provides a unique typing experience with a softer sound profile, while the Holy Panda's combination of polycarbonate and nylon materials results in a crisper and deeper sound. While these differences may appeal to different preferences, both switches offer a premium typing experience that is enhanced by the careful selection of housing materials.
In the realm of aesthetics, the Everglide Crystal Violet's ABS housing offers a classic look that may appeal to those who prefer a more traditional appearance. On the other hand, the Invyr Holy Panda's polycarbonate and nylon housing combination provides a sleek and modern design that is especially suitable for users looking to incorporate RGB lighting into their setup. Regardless of personal style preferences, both switches showcase how housing materials play a crucial role not only in sound production but also in the overall visual appeal of mechanical keyboards.
Weight
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch which has an unknown actuation force. However, the bottom out force of the Crystal Violet is 55 grams, while the Holy Panda has a heavier bottom out force of 67 grams. This means that the Crystal Violet offers a slightly lighter typing experience overall, while the Holy Panda provides a more substantial and heavier feel. For those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions, the Crystal Violet may be the better option. On the other hand, users who enjoy a more solid and tactile typing experience may prefer the heavier bottom out force of the Holy Panda. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance. This allows for a consistent typing experience regardless of which switch you choose. Both switches offer a comfortable amount of key travel, making them great choices for those who prefer a tactile response while typing. Overall, the travel distance of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Invyr Holy Panda is equal, providing a satisfying typing experience for users of either switch.
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 Invyr Holy Panda has an MSRP of $12.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Holy Panda for $7.17.
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 are known for their low-pitched and neutral sound profile, offering a soft and subdued auditory experience that is not overly intrusive. On the other hand, the Invyr Holy Panda switches are celebrated for their sharp tactility, resulting in a satisfyingly bright "clack" with each keystroke. These switches provide a pronounced feedback and acoustic resonance that is unmatched, making them a favorite among tactile switch enthusiasts. Both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences, with the Crystal Violet leaning towards a more mellow tone and the Holy Panda delivering a more intense and vibrant sound.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches provide a creamy and mild typing experience with a stepped tactile feel. This means that users can expect a smooth and buttery sensation while typing, accompanied by a gentle tactile feedback that is approachable to most users. On the other hand, the Invyr Holy Panda switches offer an invigorating and sharp tactile experience that is accentuated by a snappy and responsive feel. These switches provide a strong and crisp tactile bump with each keypress, creating an immersive typing sensation that is both satisfying and enjoyable. While the Crystal Violet switches offer a more relaxed and stepped tactile feel, the Holy Panda switches deliver a more intense and pronounced typing experience.
Overall, the Everglide Crystal Violet and Invyr Holy Panda switches each offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Crystal Violet switches are characterized by their low-pitched and creamy typing experience, while the Holy Panda switches are praised for their sharp tactility and invigorating feel. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, users can choose between the gentle and mellow experience of the Crystal Violet switches or the intense and vibrant feedback of the Holy Panda switches. Ultimately, both switches provide high-quality tactile typing experiences that cater to different preferences within the mechanical keyboard community.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a gentle and relaxing typing experience with a subtle sound profile, you may want to choose the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch. It offers a creamy and mild feel with a stepped tactile response, making it suitable for those who prefer a smoother typing sensation. On the other hand, if you are seeking a more pronounced and invigorating tactile feedback with a bright "clack" sound, the Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch would be the better choice for you. With its accented and sharp tactile characteristics, the Holy Panda provides a snappy and responsive typing experience that is sure to satisfy tactile switch enthusiasts looking for a more intense feel. Ultimately, your decision between these two switches will come down to your personal preference for typing feel and sound profile.
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