Everglide Crystal Violet vs. TTC Honey
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the TTC Honey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Everglide Crystal Violet and the TTC Honey, two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique typing experiences. The Crystal Violet is a tactile switch, meticulously crafted with a light operating force of 45g, making it ideal for those who prefer a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. These switches provide a gentle and comfortable feel, accompanied by a pleasantly mellow sound profile that leans towards the lower-pitched spectrum. The use of ABS in their housings further enhances the auditory experience. On the other hand, the Honey is a linear switch that offers a smooth and creamy typing feel. With a deep and pleasant sound profile, it provides a subtle and polished typing experience. Whether you prefer the creamy, low-pitched, and mild characteristics of the Crystal Violet or the subdued, frictionless, and buttery qualities of the Honey, both switches have their unique selling points. 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
42g
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
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
ABS
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
25.5 mm lengthened spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the TTC Honey exhibit distinct differences. The Crystal Violet features an ABS top housing, which is a relatively rare plastic in switch housings. This ABS housing contributes to a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing, providing a softer and more muted typing experience. In contrast, the Honey utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. The use of polycarbonate lends a crisper and more resonant typing sound, giving the switch a distinct and pronounced auditory feedback. Aesthetically, the Crystal Violet's ABS top housing may not be as visually striking as the Honey's translucent polycarbonate housing, especially if RGB lighting is used.
Similarly, the materials used for the bottom housing in the Crystal Violet and the Honey differ as well. The Crystal Violet's ABS bottom housing, like its top housing, contributes to a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing. This consistency in housing material ensures a consistent typing experience throughout the switch. The Honey, on the other hand, incorporates a polycarbonate bottom housing. This polycarbonate material enhances the sharpness, higher pitch, and crispness of the sound profile that is characteristic of the Honey switch. The polycarbonate bottom housing adds to the distinct auditory feedback felt during the bottom-out action, resulting in a more pronounced and tactile typing feel.
It is important to note that the qualities brought by each housing material are distributed between the top and bottom parts of the switch. When pressing down on the switch, the characteristics of the bottom housing, whether it be ABS or polycarbonate, will be more noticeable in terms of impact and the sound when bottoming out a key. On the other hand, the top housing, whether it also be ABS or polycarbonate, will have a greater impact on the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, while the Crystal Violet and the Honey differ in their choice of materials for the top and bottom housings, their overall performance and characteristics are influenced by these housing materials in distinct ways.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the TTC Honey linear switch, the differences become apparent. The Crystal Violet has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams, while the Honey requires a lighter force of 42 grams to trigger a keystroke. Additionally, the Crystal Violet has a bottom out force of 55 grams, slightly heavier than the Honey's bottom out force of 50 grams. Overall, the Crystal Violet switch tends to offer a slightly more substantial typing experience with its medium-light actuation and bottom out forces.
Considering the weight aspect, individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience might lean towards the Honey switch as it requires less force, allowing for more prolonged typing sessions without causing fatigue. This makes it suitable for those who use a keyboard extensively at work or during long gaming sessions. Conversely, individuals who value a stronger push feel and desire a more substantial typing experience may opt for the Crystal Violet switch due to its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out forces. It provides a satisfying resistance while typing, giving a tactile feedback that some users find more comfortable.
However, it is important to note that while the forces may differ slightly between the two switches, they both fall within the medium-light to light range, ensuring a relatively easy typing experience overall. Thus, individuals selecting either the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch or the TTC Honey linear switch can expect similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, providing a comfortable typing experience for various preferences.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the TTC Honey linear switch, it is clear that the Crystal Violet has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Honey has a slightly shorter distance of 3.8 mm. While both switches offer a relatively similar experience in terms of travel distance, with only a 0.2 mm difference, it is important to note that the Crystal Violet falls into the more traditional range of 4 mm, while the Honey is slightly shallower at 3.8 mm. This may be preferred by gamers who prioritize faster response times, as shorter travel distances are often associated with quicker key presses. However, for those who prefer a deeper and more substantial feeling when typing, the Crystal Violet may be the better choice with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and the specific needs of 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 Honey has an MSRP of $9.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Honey for $6.78.
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
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch is known for its light operating force of 45g, which creates a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. This switch offers a gentle and comfortable feel. Its sound profile is pleasantly mellow, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, resulting in a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. The special use of ABS in the switch housing contributes to this unique sound profile.
On the other hand, the TTC Honey linear switch provides a smooth and creamy typing feel. It has a deep and pleasant sound profile. The sound produced by the Honey switch is described as subdued, meaning it produces a dampened sound when pressed. While not completely silent, it offers a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches.
In terms of sound, the Crystal Violet offers a low-pitched sound profile, which tends to be bass-heavy and mellow. This creates an auditory experience that is not too intrusive. The Honey switch, on the other hand, has a more subdued sound profile, offering a dampened and subtle sound when pressed.
In terms of feel, both the Crystal Violet and Honey switches are described as creamy. This indicates a smooth and buttery typing experience. The switches glide effortlessly, providing a silky sensation when typing. Additionally, both switches offer a mild typing experience, making them approachable to most users. The Crystal Violet is also described as stepped, meaning it has two stages in its tactile feedback, while the Honey is described as frictionless, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience.
In conclusion, both the Everglide Crystal Violet and TTC Honey switches provide a pleasant and comfortable typing experience. They share a creamy feel that allows for smooth and effortless keystrokes. While the Crystal Violet offers a low-pitched sound profile and a stepped tactile feedback, the Honey provides a more subdued sound profile and a frictionless typing experience. Depending on personal preference and the desired typing experience, either switch could be a suitable choice.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are looking for a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch is a great choice. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, it offers a medium-light feel that is approachable for most users. The Crystal Violet switches have a pleasantly mellow sound profile, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. Additionally, the use of ABS in these switches' housings adds to their unique sound characteristics. On the other hand, if you prefer a light typing feel, the TTC Honey linear switch with a bottom out force of 50 grams would be more suitable. These switches offer a smooth and creamy typing experience with a deep and pleasant sound profile. The Honey switches provide a frictionless and buttery typing sensation, making each keystroke feel seamless and effortless. Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Crystal Violet and TTC Honey switches depends on your preference for typing experience and sound profile.
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