Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Keygeek Keygeek Raw
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Keygeek Keygeek Raw switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options stand out: the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Keygeek Keygeek Raw. The Crystal Violet offers a tactile typing experience with a light operating force of 45g, perfect for those who enjoy a relaxed and stepped tactile feel. Known for its mellow, low-pitched sound profile, these switches are ideal for users seeking a gentle and comfortable typing experience. On the other hand, the Keygeek Raw switches feature a unique material blend of Nylon, UMPE, and Silicon for a creamy and lightweight feel. Offering a slightly textured feel right out of the box, these switches are a great choice for enthusiasts who prefer to hand-lube their switches. While both switches provide a mild and neutral typing experience, the Crystal Violet leans towards a more pronounced tactile feedback, while the Keygeek Raw offers a smoother linear 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
57.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
ABS
Top housing material
Nylon & UPE blend
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
UMPE & Si blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Keygeek Keygeek Raw, we can see some distinct differences. The Crystal Violet utilizes an ABS top housing, a material that is commonly used in keycaps but rare in switch housings. This results in a lower-pitched sound profile when typing. On the other hand, the Keygeek Raw features a unique Nylon & UPE blend top housing, exclusive to Keygeek Raw switches. This blend likely contributes to a different sound profile and feel compared to the Crystal Violet.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Crystal Violet once again makes use of ABS, resulting in a similar low-pitched sound profile when typing. In contrast, the Keygeek Raw incorporates a UMPE & Si blend bottom housing, exclusive to Keygeek Raw switches. This specific blend is likely designed to enhance the overall typing experience with a different sound profile and tactile feedback compared to the Crystal Violet. Each housing material brings its own characteristics to the switches, influencing the sound and feel of typing on each keyboard.
Overall, while the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Keygeek Keygeek Raw may have different housing materials, their goal is ultimately the same - to provide a unique typing experience. The ABS housing of the Crystal Violet may offer a traditional yet satisfying typing sound, while the Keygeek Raw's exclusive blend of materials in both the top and bottom housing may provide a more distinctive and customizable typing experience. Despite these differences, both keyboards aim to deliver a high-quality typing experience tailored to the preferences of the user.
Weight
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Keygeek Keygeek Raw linear switch, which doesn't have an exact actuation force listed. However, the Crystal Violet also has a lighter bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Keygeek Raw has a bottom out force of 57.5 grams. Both switches fall under the medium-light category, but the Crystal Violet is slightly lighter overall. This makes the Crystal Violet more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Keygeek Raw offers a slightly more substantial typing experience with its heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Keygeek Raw linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. In this case, the Keygeek Raw has a shorter travel distance compared to the Crystal Violet. The 4.0mm travel distance of the Crystal Violet is more towards the traditional side, offering a deeper key press, which some may find more satisfying. On the other hand, the 3.4mm travel distance of the Keygeek Raw provides a quicker response time, making it preferred by gamers for its speed. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and the type of typing experience one is looking for.
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 Keygeek Keygeek Raw has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Keygeek Raw for $3.51.
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 tactile switch is characterized by its low-pitched and mellow tone, which offers a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Keygeek Keygeek Raw linear switch is also described as having a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various settings and preferences. Both switches offer a pleasant sound experience, with the Crystal Violet leaning towards a lower-pitched spectrum.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet switch provides a creamy and mild typing experience, offering a smooth and buttery sensation with a stepped tactile feel. Conversely, the Keygeek Keygeek Raw switch is known for its slightly textured feel out of the box, offering a mild and subtle resistance that is suitable for a wide range of users. While the Crystal Violet switch emphasizes a creamy and stepped feel, the Keygeek Raw switch focuses on providing a textured and mild tactile experience.
Considering the subjective qualities of both switches, newcomers can expect a satisfying typing experience regardless of their choice between the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Keygeek Keygeek Raw linear switch. If a smoother and stepped tactile feel with low-pitched sounds is desired, the Crystal Violet switch would be an excellent choice. Alternatively, if a slightly textured feel with a neutral sound profile is preferred, the Keygeek Raw switch would be a suitable option. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, ensuring that users can find a switch that aligns with their typing style and preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Keygeek Keygeek Raw linear switch, consider your preferences for typing experience and sound profile. If you value a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a mellow, low-pitched sound, the Crystal Violet may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly textured feel right out of the box with a creamy and unexpectedly lightweight typing experience, the Keygeek Raw could be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on the specific qualities that you prioritize in a mechanical keyboard switch. Consider your typing style, desired sound profile, and tactile feedback when making your selection.
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