Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Durock Light Tactile
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Durock Light Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Durock Light Tactile, two impressive mechanical keyboard switches that provide a tactile typing experience. The Crystal Violet, meticulously crafted with a light operating force of 45g, offers a relaxed and stepped tactile feel, perfect for those seeking a comfortable typing experience. The sound profile of this switch leans towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Light Tactile switch from Durock stands out for its gentle tactility, providing a welcome contrast to sharper tactile switches in the market. Typing on these switches offers an angelic tactile feel accompanied by a jelly-like sound signature. Both switches fall under the mild and neutral categories, providing a pleasant yet understated typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
52g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Crystal Violet and the Durock Light Tactile feature different housing materials, resulting in distinct sound profiles when typing. The Crystal Violet's ABS top and bottom housings create a relatively low-pitched sound profile. ABS is a rare plastic to be used in switch housings, but it is commonly found in keycaps. On the other hand, the Light Tactile's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and higher-pitched sound. Polycarbonate is known for its stiffness, which enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound. In terms of aesthetics, the Crystal Violet does not offer the translucent quality of polycarbonate, making it less suitable for RGB lighting effects.
Another distinction lies in the materials used for the bottom housings of these switches. The Crystal Violet features an ABS bottom housing, similar to its top housing. This consistency maintains the low-pitched sound profile throughout. Meanwhile, the Light Tactile incorporates a nylon bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound profile. Therefore, typing on the Light Tactile with its nylon bottom housing offers a unique and resonant experience compared to the Crystal Violet's ABS bottom housing.
It is important to note that the impact of the housing materials differs depending on where the material is used in the switch. The qualities of the bottom housing, whether ABS or nylon, primarily influence the sound and feel when bottoming out the key. On the other hand, the top housing, whether ABS or polycarbonate, plays a more significant role in the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, while the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Durock Light Tactile may have distinct sound profiles due to their different housing materials, their similarities lie in the impact of materials on specific aspects of typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Durock Light Tactile tactile switch, there are noticeable differences. The Crystal Violet has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, while the Light Tactile requires a slightly heavier force of 52 grams to trigger a keystroke. Similarly, the bottom out force of the Crystal Violet is lighter at 55 grams, whereas the Light Tactile requires a heavier force of 67 grams for a full press.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Crystal Violet with its medium-light actuation and bottom out forces would be a suitable choice. This lighter weight allows for longer periods of comfortable typing and is ideal for individuals who frequently use their keyboard for work or engage in extended gaming sessions.
On the other hand, for those who prefer a more substantial and pronounced typing feel, the Light Tactile with its medium-heavy actuation and bottom out forces would be more appealing. The increased forces provide a stronger push that results in a more satisfying typing experience.
It's important to note that while the Crystal Violet and the Light Tactile have different actuation and bottom out forces, both switches fall within the medium weight category. This means that regardless of the choice made, users can expect similar results in terms of the overall typing experience compared to switches that have significantly lighter or heavier forces.
Ultimately, the decision between the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Durock Light Tactile will depend on individual preferences for typing feedback. Whether one prefers a lighter or heavier actuation and bottom out force, both switches offer options that cater to different typing preferences.
Travel distance
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Durock Light Tactile tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will feel a consistent 4 mm of travel distance. Both switches offer an equal tactile feedback experience to users, providing a satisfying amount of keypress feedback. Therefore, whether you choose the Everglide Crystal Violet or the Durock Light Tactile, you can expect similar results in terms of travel distance and tactile feedback.
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 Durock Light Tactile has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Light Tactile for $4.25.
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 Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch offers a pleasantly mellow experience with a lower-pitched tone. This creates a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience, thanks in part to the unique use of ABS in the switch housings. On the other hand, the Durock Light Tactile switch provides a jelly-like sound signature, which is gentle and angelic in nature. Both switches have a neutral sound profile, meaning they have a moderate tone and actuation force requirement suitable for a wide range of users and environments. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
When it comes to feel, the Crystal Violet tactile switch offers a creamy typing experience. This means that it provides a smooth and buttery sensation, akin to effortlessly gliding your fingers across the keys. It achieves this through lubrication applied at the factory and/or specific materials used. Additionally, the Crystal Violet switch is described as having a mild feel, which means it offers a gentle typing experience without pronounced characteristics. It also has a stepped tactile feel, meaning it has two stages of tactility with some pre-travel and/or post-travel.
The Durock Light Tactile switch, on the other hand, offers a mild typing experience. This means it provides a more gentle tactile feedback compared to switches with stronger tactility. It also offers a polished finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Although the exact materials and factory lubing contribute to this polished feel, it provides a refined sensation while typing.
In conclusion, both the Everglide Crystal Violet and Durock Light Tactile switches offer unique and enjoyable experiences. While the Crystal Violet switch has a low-pitched sound profile, a creamy feel, and a stepped tactile response, the Light Tactile switch provides a jelly-like sound signature, a mild feel, and a polished finish. These switches cater to those seeking a relaxed and gentle typing experience, with qualities that are approachable to most users. Whether you choose the Everglide Crystal Violet or the Durock Light Tactile switch, you can expect a satisfying and comfortable typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience, along with a pleasantly mellow sound profile, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch is the better choice for you. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, it offers a medium-light feel and a creamy, mild, and stepped tactile sensation. The Crystal Violet switch is known for its use of ABS in its housing, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a super gentle tactile feel and a jelly-like sound signature, the Durock Light Tactile switch is the way to go. With a bottom out force of 67 grams, it provides a medium-heavy feel and a mild and polished typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on your personal typing preferences and the type of tactile experience you are seeking.
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