Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Zuoce Lavender
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Zuoce Lavender switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Crystal Violet and Zuoce Lavender stand out as popular choices among enthusiasts. The Crystal Violet offers a tactile typing experience with a light operating force of 45g, perfect for those seeking a relaxed and stepped feel while typing. With a mellow sound profile leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, the Crystal Violet switches provide a subtle auditory experience that is not intrusive. On the other hand, the Zuoce Lavender switch is praised for its exceptional smoothness right out of the box, thanks to its proprietary Ly blend. Known for its crisp and clacky sound signature, each keystroke with the Lavender is a satisfying experience. While the Crystal Violet is characterized as creamy, low-pitched, mild, neutral, and stepped, the Lavender is known for being easy-to-press and clacky. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities to help you decide on the best switch for your typing preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Z1 (Ly blend)
Top housing material
ABS
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
21mm double-staged spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Crystal Violet and the Zuoce Lavender both offer unique housing materials that contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switches. While the Crystal Violet features ABS top and bottom housings, which are known for a relatively low-pitched sound profile, the Lavender utilizes POM top and bottom housings to create a deeper and more muted sound. This contrast in housing materials results in a noticeable difference in sound when typing on the two switches.
Despite the difference in housing materials, both the Crystal Violet and the Lavender switches offer a pleasing typing experience. The ABS and POM housings each bring their own characteristics to the table, with the Crystal Violet providing a more low-pitched sound profile due to its ABS material, while the Lavender offers a deeper and more muted sound thanks to its POM material. In terms of feel, the bottom housing of each switch has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key.
While the Everglide Crystal Violet and Zuoce Lavender differ in their housing materials, they both offer an enjoyable typing experience. The unique sound profiles produced by the ABS and POM materials in the top and bottom housings of each switch provide users with a variety of options to choose from based on their preferences. Whether you prefer a low-pitched sound with the Crystal Violet or a deeper, more muted sound with the Lavender, both switches deliver on quality and performance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel.
Weight
Overall, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Zuoce Lavender linear switch have similar actuation and bottom out forces, both falling into the medium-light category. The Crystal Violet has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Lavender has an actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams. In terms of weight, neither switch is significantly lighter or heavier than the other, making them both suitable options for those seeking a balance between typing comfort and tactile feedback. Some users may prefer the slightly lighter actuation force of the Crystal Violet for extended typing sessions, while others may appreciate the slight heftier feel of the Lavender for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and desired force feedback.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Zuoce Lavender linear switch, it is clear that the Crystal Violet has a longer travel distance at 4 mm compared to the Lavender's 3.4 mm. The Crystal Violet offers a bit more depth for those who prefer a more traditional feel, while the Lavender provides a slightly shallower experience. Gamers may lean towards the Lavender for its faster response time due to its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may opt for the Crystal Violet. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference and what feels most comfortable for the individual 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 Zuoce Lavender has an MSRP of $2.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lavender for $1.99.
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 provide a low-pitched and mellow tone, creating a soothing auditory experience during typing sessions. On the other hand, the Zuoce Lavender switches offer a crisp and clacky sound signature, providing a satisfying and distinct keystroke sound. Both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences, but if you prefer a quieter and more subdued typing experience, the Crystal Violet switches may be more to your liking. However, if you enjoy a more pronounced and satisfying sound feedback, the Lavender switches would be the better choice.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches offer a creamy and mild typing experience, with a stepped tactile sensation that adds a subtle level of feedback during keystrokes. This smooth and buttery feel can enhance typing comfort and overall typing experience. On the other hand, the Zuoce Lavender switches provide an easy-to-press typing experience with minimal resistance, making typing effortless and reducing finger fatigue during extended use. Both switches offer a comfortable typing experience, but if you prefer a more tactile and stepped feel, the Crystal Violet switches would be the preferred option. If you prioritize ease of typing and low-impact feedback, the Lavender switches would be the better choice.
Overall, both the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switches and the Zuoce Lavender linear switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Crystal Violet switches provide a quieter and smoother typing experience with a stepped tactile feedback, while the Lavender switches offer a more satisfying and easy-to-press typing feel with a crisp sound profile. Depending on your preferences for sound and typing feel, you can choose between these two switches to enhance your overall mechanical keyboard experience. Whether you opt for the Crystal Violet or Lavender switches, you can expect a high-quality typing experience that caters to different typing styles and preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch or the Zuoce Lavender linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your preference for typing experience. If you prioritize a gentle and stepped tactile typing experience with a mellow, low-pitched sound profile, then the Crystal Violet switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and easy-to-press linear switch with a crisp and clacky sound signature, the Lavender switch would be more to your liking. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing preferences, so it's essential to consider what aspects are most important to you when making your decision. Ultimately, the perfect switch for you will depend on your personal typing style and preferences.
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