Everglide Crystal Violet vs. KTT Hyacinth
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the KTT Hyacinth switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Everglide Crystal Violet and the KTT Hyacinth, two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique experiences for users. The Crystal Violet is a tactile switch that boasts a light operating force of 45g, providing a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. With a sound profile leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, these switches offer a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. The Crystal Violet's use of ABS in its housing adds to its pleasant sound profile. On the other hand, the Hyacinth is a linear switch that stands out with its design choice of a 3.5mm travel distance. This decision aims to avoid the hard bottoming-out experience common with switches that have longer stems, prioritizing tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort. Additionally, the Hyacinth deviates from the mainstream trend by using a single-stage elongated spring for a more consistent force curve. Both switches offer their unique qualities to enhance your typing experience, but let's dive deeper beyond generalities to help you 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
56g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
22mm spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Crystal Violet and the KTT Hyacinth differ significantly in their housing materials. The Crystal Violet features an ABS top housing, which is a relatively rare choice for switch housings. This ABS housing contributes to a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing on the switches. In contrast, the Hyacinth boasts a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate lends to a clear and resonant sound when typing. Aesthetically, the use of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting to shine through, making it ideal for those who desire illuminated switches.
Moving on to the bottom housings, both the Crystal Violet and the Hyacinth exhibit different materials. The Crystal Violet's bottom housing features ABS, much like its top housing. As a result, it also produces a comparatively low-pitched sound when typing. Conversely, the Hyacinth utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which enhances the switch's sound characteristics. Typing on nylon-based switches elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of the material. The nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when compared to switches with harder plastic bottom housings.
Despite their differences, it is worth noting that the materials utilized in the top and bottom housings influence different aspects of the overall experience. When pressing down on a switch, the qualities of the bottom housing become prominent, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel. In contrast, the top housing significantly impacts the sound produced when releasing a key. Thus, even though the Everglide Crystal Violet and the KTT Hyacinth employ different housing materials, the influence of each material on the overall sound profile is split between the bottom and top sections of the switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the KTT Hyacinth linear switch, it is evident that both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the force required to trigger a keystroke is equal for both switches, providing a similar typing experience in terms of responsiveness.
However, when it comes to the bottom out force, there is a slight difference between the two switches. The Crystal Violet has a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Hyacinth has a bottom out force of 56 grams. Both switches fall into the medium-light category, but the Hyacinth is slightly heavier when it comes to bottoming out.
Considering weight, some individuals prefer a lighter switch as it allows them to type for extended periods without experiencing fatigue. This lighter option is ideal for those who use their keyboards for work or indulge in long gaming sessions. On the other hand, there are users who prefer a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience. For such individuals, opting for switches with heavier forces is the way to go.
In summary, the actuation force of both the Everglide Crystal Violet and the KTT Hyacinth switches is the same at 45 grams, providing a similar level of responsiveness. However, the Crystal Violet has a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Hyacinth has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 56 grams. Therefore, those who prioritize a slightly heavier typing experience may prefer the Hyacinth, while those who value a lighter typing feel may opt for the Crystal Violet.
Travel distance
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the KTT Hyacinth linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. 4.0 mm is the more traditional travel distance, while 3.5 mm is slightly shorter. If you prefer a faster response time, the KTT Hyacinth would be the ideal choice with its shorter travel distance. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances for quicker reactions. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper and more substantial feeling when pressing down on a key, the Everglide Crystal Violet would be the better option with its longer travel distance. The longer travel distance can provide a more satisfying and immersive typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches depends on personal preference and whether you prioritize speed or a more tactile experience.
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 KTT Hyacinth has an MSRP of $4.03 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Hyacinth for $3.75.
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 Crystal Violet switches have a pleasantly mellow and low-pitched sound profile. This means that when typing on these switches, you can expect a bass-heavy and non-intrusive auditory experience. The Hyacinth switches, on the other hand, also have a neutral sound profile. This means that they have a moderate sound that is suitable for most intents and purposes. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Crystal Violet switches offer a creamy and mild typing experience. The creamy feel is achieved through the application of lubricant in the switch at the factory or through the use of specific materials. Typing on these switches provides a smooth and buttery sensation, with each keystroke feeling effortless and gliding. Additionally, the Crystal Violet switches are described as stepped, meaning that they have two stages in their tactile feedback. This results in a more mild and approachable typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics.
On the other hand, the Hyacinth switches offer a silky and subtle typing feel. The silky feel of these switches enhances the overall smoothness of the typing experience, minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The subtle resistance of the Hyacinth switches provides a light typing feel, making them suitable for shared spaces where a loud sound signature may not be desirable.
In conclusion, while the Crystal Violet and Hyacinth switches have some differences in terms of sound and feel, they both offer qualities that can be appealing to newcomers. Both switches have a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for a variety of purposes. Additionally, they provide a comfortable typing experience, with the Crystal Violet switches offering a creamy and stepped feel, and the Hyacinth switches providing a silky and subtle feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches would depend on personal preference and the specific requirements of the user. However, it's worth noting that both switches are designed to create an ideal balance between tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort.
Conclusion
In summary, if you are looking for a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a gentle and comfortable feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch would be a great choice for you. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, these medium-light switches offer a smooth and buttery typing experience, described as creamy. The sound profile of the Crystal Violet switches is pleasantly mellow and low-pitched, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. These switches are ideal for those who prefer a light operating force and want a switch that feels like gliding their fingers across the keys with ease.
On the other hand, if you prioritize a consistent force curve and an exceptionally smooth typing experience, the KTT Hyacinth linear switch would be a suitable option. With a bottom out force of 56 grams, these medium-light switches provide a gentle resistance and a light typing feel, described as subtle. The sound signature of the Hyacinth switches is neutral, making them suitable for shared spaces. The design choice of a 3.5mm travel distance aims to avoid a hard bottoming-out experience and strike a balance between tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort.
Ultimately, the choice between Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switches and KTT Hyacinth linear switches depends on your preferences for typing experience, sound profile, and force curve consistency. Consider if you prefer a stepped tactile typing experience with a mellow sound (Crystal Violet) or a smooth linear typing experience with a neutral sound (Hyacinth). Both switches offer medium-light bottom out forces, making them versatile options suitable for different intents and purposes. Select the switch that aligns with your typing style and enhances your overall mechanical keyboard experience.
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