Everglide Crystal Violet vs. KTT Kang White
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the KTT Kang White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Everglide Crystal Violet, a tactile switch, and the KTT Kang White, a linear switch. Each switch offers its own unique features and benefits, catering to different preferences and typing styles. The Crystal Violet is perfect for those seeking a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience, delivering a gentle and comfortable feel with its light operating force of 45g. Additionally, its mellow sound profile, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creates a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Kang White impresses with its dazzling typing sound, making it an exquisite representation of a poppy linear switch. Its self-lubricating material ensures an unparalleled smoothness when typing, providing a seamless and effortless keystroke. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best 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
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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 KTT Kang White differ in terms of their housing materials. The Crystal Violet features an ABS top housing, which is a relatively rare plastic to be used in switch housings. This results in a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing on switches featuring ABS. On the other hand, the Kang White has a polycarbonate top housing. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. It is a stiffer plastic, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the polycarbonate top housing is ideal for RGB lighting due to its translucency.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Crystal Violet and the Kang White also differ. The Crystal Violet has an ABS bottom housing, which again provides a relatively low-pitched sound profile. In contrast, the Kang White utilizes a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is a classic switch housing material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. Due to its softer nature, nylon absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound. This difference in bottom housing material contributes to the overall sound profile and feel of the switches.
When both the top and bottom housings are considered, the Everglide Crystal Violet and the KTT Kang White offer contrasting experiences. The Crystal Violet, with its ABS top and bottom housing, provides a relatively low-pitched sound profile throughout typing. On the other hand, the Kang White, featuring polycarbonate top and nylon bottom housing, delivers a sharper, higher-pitched sound upon key release and a deeper, fuller sound upon bottom-out. These variances in housing materials contribute to the overall typing and auditory experience for users of these switches. However, if one is seeking a similar result, the Crystal Violet's ABS top housing and the Kang White's polycarbonate top housing share the characteristic of producing a clear and resonant sound profile.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the KTT Kang White linear switch, there are some similarities and differences to consider. Both switches have an actuation force of 45 grams, meaning that the force required to trigger a keystroke is the same for both. This similarity ensures that users will get similar results in terms of responsiveness when typing or gaming with either switch.
However, when it comes to the bottom out force, there is a slight distinction between the two switches. The Crystal Violet has a slightly lighter bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Kang White has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 58 grams. This means that when users fully press down on the keys with the Crystal Violet switch, they will experience a slightly lighter and softer impact compared to the Kang White switch. On the other hand, the Kang White switch offers a slightly more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel due to its slightly heavier bottom out force.
Considering the weight of the switches, some individuals may prefer the Crystal Violet switch with its lighter bottom out force of 55 grams. This lighter touch allows for longer periods of typing or gaming without experiencing fatigue, making it an ideal choice for those who require extended keyboard usage. However, others who prefer a more substantial typing experience may opt for the Kang White switch, with its slightly heavier bottom out force of 58 grams, providing a stronger push feel and a more pronounced tactile feedback.
In summary, while both the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the KTT Kang White linear switch share the same actuation force of 45 grams, they differ in terms of bottom out force. The Crystal Violet offers a lighter touch with a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Kang White provides a slightly heavier typing experience with a bottom out force of 58 grams. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience.
Travel distance
Both the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the KTT Kang White linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will feel the same distance of travel. Therefore, whether you choose the Crystal Violet or the Kang White, you can expect similar results in terms of the switch's travel distance.
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 Kang White comes in at $1.99 per 10 switches.
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 offering a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. It has a light operating force of 45g, providing a gentle and comfortable feel. The sound profile of the Crystal Violet switches is pleasantly mellow, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. This is partly due to the rare use of ABS in the switches' housings. On the other hand, there is no available information on the sound or feel of the KTT Kang White linear switch.
In terms of sound, both the Crystal Violet and Kang White switches are described as having a low-pitched sound profile. Low-pitched switches typically have a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. The Crystal Violet is also described as having a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for most intents and purposes. However, it should be noted that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Crystal Violet offers a creamy typing experience. Creamy switches provide a smooth and buttery feel, giving a sensation of gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. The Crystal Violet is also described as having a mild feel, which means it offers a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. Additionally, it is described as a stepped switch, which means it has a two-stage tactile feel with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. Unfortunately, there is no available information on the feel of the Kang White switch.
Based on the available information, the Crystal Violet tactile switch offers a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a mellow sound profile and a creamy and mild feel. It is ideal for those seeking a comfortable and gentle typing experience. Although the Kang White switch is not described in terms of sound or feel, it is mentioned to have a self-lubricating material, which suggests it may offer unparalleled smoothness when typing. Keep in mind that individual preferences may vary, and it is recommended to try out different switches to determine which one suits your personal preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are seeking a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a gentle and comfortable feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch would be the ideal choice for you. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, these medium-light switches offer a pleasant and mellow sound profile, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum. The ABS housing used in these switches contributes to the subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, if you are looking for a smooth and dazzling linear switch with a medium bottom out force of 58 grams, the KTT Kang White would be the perfect option. These switches are known for their self-lubricating material, which provides an unparalleled smoothness while typing. Ultimately, your decision between these two switches should be based on the typing experience you prefer, whether it's a stepped tactile feel or a smooth linear feel, as well as the sound profile that appeals to you, be it low-pitched or neutral.
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