Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Everglide Lightning Silver V3
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Everglide Crystal Violet, a tactile switch, and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3, a linear switch. The Crystal Violet is known for its light operating force of 45g, providing a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. It offers a gentle and comfortable feel with a pleasantly mellow sound profile that leans towards the lower-pitched spectrum. On the other hand, the Lightning Silver V3 stands out for its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, offering a silky and seamless typing experience. One unique feature of the Lightning Silver V3 is its light diffuser, enhancing RGB illumination for a vibrant touch to any keyboard setup. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on personal preference for typing experience and sound profile. 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
48g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
ABS
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3, it is evident that they both have unique characteristics based on the materials used. The Crystal Violet features an ABS top housing, which is known for producing a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing. On the other hand, the Lightning Silver V3's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. This contrast in sound profiles highlights how the choice of housing material can significantly impact the overall typing experience for users.
Similarly, the bottom housings of the Crystal Violet and Lightning Silver V3 also showcase differences in sound profiles based on the materials used. The Crystal Violet's ABS bottom housing produces a relatively low-pitched sound profile, while the Lightning Silver V3's polycarbonate bottom housing creates a sharper and crisper sound due to its stiffness. This differentiation in sound profiles between the bottom housings further emphasizes how the choice of housing material can influence the tactile feedback and acoustic experience when using these switches.
Overall, the use of different housing materials in the Everglide Crystal Violet and Lightning Silver V3 switches not only impacts the sound profiles but also contributes to the overall aesthetic appeal of the switches. While ABS is commonly used in keycaps, its application in switch housings is relatively rare and results in a unique low-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, the utilization of polycarbonate in the Lightning Silver V3's housing creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, especially beneficial for users who prioritize a clear and resonant typing experience. Despite these differences, both housing materials offer distinct qualities that enhance the typing experience in their own right.
Weight
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams compared to the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch, which has a slightly heavier actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams. Both switches fall in the medium range of actuation and bottom out forces, with the Crystal Violet being slightly lighter overall. Those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing or gaming sessions may lean towards the Crystal Violet, while the Lightning Silver V3 may appeal to those who prefer a slightly stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference for actuation and bottom out force preferences.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch, we can see that the Crystal Violet has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Lightning Silver V3, which has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. The 4.0mm travel distance of the Crystal Violet is more traditional, offering a deeper key press feel, while the 3.4mm travel distance of the Lightning Silver V3 is slightly shorter, providing a quicker response time. Gamers may prefer the Lightning Silver V3 for its shorter travel distance, allowing for faster reactions during gameplay. However, those who prefer a more substantial key press may opt for the Crystal Violet with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for key press depth and responsiveness.
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 Everglide Lightning Silver V3 has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lightning Silver V3 for $4.10.
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 praised for its low-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a mellow and non-intrusive auditory experience during typing. On the other hand, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch is known for its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, offering a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. In terms of feel, the Crystal Violet switch is described as creamy, mild, and stepped, providing a smooth and gentle typing experience with a subtle tactile feedback. In contrast, the Lightning Silver V3 switch is described as silky, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance. Overall, while the Crystal Violet switch focuses on a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a mellow sound, the Lightning Silver V3 switch provides a clacky and high-pitched sound with a silky and seamless typing experience. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, individuals can choose between these two Everglide switches to enhance their typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch or the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a more relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a light operating force, then the Crystal Violet switch would be the ideal choice for you. The mellow and low-pitched sound profile, along with the creamy and mild feel, provide a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a clacky and high-pitched sound signature with a smooth typing experience, then the Lightning Silver V3 switch would be more suitable for you. The light diffuser and silky feel offer a unique and vibrant touch to your typing sessions. Ultimately, it's important to consider both the sound profile and feel of the switches to determine which one aligns best with your preferences and typing needs.
Mentioned in this article
