Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Outemu Lime
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Lime switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing two exceptional mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Lime, both offering a tactile typing experience that can enhance your overall performance. The Crystal Violet, renowned for its meticulously crafted design, features a light operating force of 45g, making it ideal for those seeking a relaxed and stepped tactile feel. With a sound profile leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, this switch creates a pleasantly mellow and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Lime switch shines with its unique qualities of being lightweight, delicately tactile, and silenced. Perfect for tactile enthusiasts who prefer a feathery light typing experience coupled with a subtle touch of tactility. While these general pointers provide a glimpse into the characteristics of each switch, let's dive deeper beyond the generalities to help you determine the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
35g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Lime differ in terms of the materials used. The Crystal Violet features an ABS top housing, which is a relatively rare plastic to be used in switch housings. In contrast, the Lime utilizes a nylon top housing, which is a classic switch housing material. Typing on the Crystal Violet with ABS elicits a relatively low-pitched sound profile, while the Lime with nylon produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. This distinction in housing materials results in a difference in sound experience when typing on the switches.
Similarly, when comparing the bottom housings of the Crystal Violet and the Lime, the ABS and nylon materials come into play. The Crystal Violet's ABS bottom housing, like its top housing, offers a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing on the switches. However, the Lime's nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. This difference is caused by the characteristics of the housing materials, with nylon being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics.
It is important to note that if a switch has different top and bottom housings, the qualities of each housing material will be split between the top and the bottom of the switch. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when you press down on a key. On the other hand, the top housing influences the sound produced when you release a key, providing a more rounded and distinct sound. While the Crystal Violet and the Lime may have different housing materials, both switches provide unique sound profiles due to the qualities brought by their respective top and bottom housings.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Lime tactile switch, we can see some distinct differences. The Crystal Violet has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, placing it in the medium-light category. On the other hand, the Lime has a lighter actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it even lighter.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Lime switch would be the preferred choice as it requires less force to trigger a keystroke and bottom out. This can be beneficial for extended typing sessions or long gaming sessions, where lighter switches can help prevent fatigue. On the other hand, for those who enjoy a more substantial and tactile typing experience, the Crystal Violet switch with its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out forces might be a better fit.
It is important to consider personal preferences and typing style when choosing between these switches. Both switches offer a tactile typing experience, but the Lime provides a lighter touch while the Crystal Violet offers a slightly heavier one. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on the individual's preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
Comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Lime tactile switch, we can see that the Crystal Violet has a travel distance of 4.0 mm, while the Lime has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. The Crystal Violet with its 4.0 mm travel distance falls into the more traditional range, offering a deeper keystroke feel. On the other hand, the Lime with its 3.3 mm travel distance is on the shallower end, appealing more to gamers who prioritize faster response times. The choice between the two ultimately depends on individual preferences. Those seeking a more responsive typing experience may opt for the Lime with its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a deeper keystroke feel might prefer the Crystal Violet with its longer travel distance. It is important to note, however, that both switches are capable of providing satisfying tactile feedback, albeit with different travel distances.
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 Outemu Lime comes in at $3.40 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
When it comes to sound, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches have a pleasantly mellow profile with lower-pitched tones. This creates a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience, thanks in part to the rare use of ABS in the switch housing. On the other hand, the Outemu Lime switches have a neutral sound profile, meaning they have a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile suitable for most situations. Additionally, the Lime switches are described as muted, which means they produce softer and quieter sounds compared to regular switches. Overall, both switches offer pleasant sound profiles, with the Crystal Violet leaning towards lower tones and the Lime being more muted. However, it's important to note that the sound of the switches can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps chosen.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches provide a creamy and mild typing experience. The creamy sensation comes from the smooth and buttery feel of the switch, which can be attributed to lubrication applied at the factory or specific materials used in the switch. This results in a silky sensation when pressing the keys, allowing your fingers to effortlessly glide across the keyboard. The mild characteristic of the Crystal Violet switches means that they offer a gentle typing experience that most people will find approachable, as it falls within a safe middle-ground zone between more pronounced switches. Additionally, the Crystal Violet switches are described as stepped, which means they have a two-stage tactile feel with some pre-travel and/or post-travel.
Similarly, the Outemu Lime switches provide a mild and subtle typing experience. They offer a gentle resistance that is not feather-light, but still maintains a light typing feel. The switches also have a polished finish, resulting in smooth and refined key travel with reduced friction. This polished feel can come from the materials used or factory lubrication. The Lime switches are also described as feathery, meaning they require very little exertion from your fingers and have a light actuation force that reduces finger fatigue during long typing sessions. Additionally, the Lime switches have a subtle and polished sound signature, making them suitable for shared spaces.
In summary, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches offer a mellow sound profile leaning towards lower pitches, a creamy and mild typing feel with a stepped characteristic. On the other hand, the Outemu Lime switches have a neutral sound profile with a muted quality, a mild and subtle typing experience that is feathery and polished. Both switches provide a comfortable and approachable tactile typing experience, although the Crystal Violet leans slightly towards a relaxed and stepped feel while the Lime focuses more on a feathery light sensation. However, it's important to consider other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps chosen, as they can also affect the overall sound and feel of the switches. Overall, if you prefer a mellow sound profile and a creamy typing experience, the Crystal Violet switches would be a good choice. If you prefer a more muted sound profile and a feathery light typing feel, the Lime switches would be a suitable option.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a gentle and comfortable feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch would be a great choice for you. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, it provides a medium-light typing experience. The Crystal Violet switches also have a pleasantly mellow sound profile, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, making it non-intrusive to others. On the other hand, if you prefer a feathery light typing experience with just a touch of tactility and a bottom out force of 45 grams, the Outemu Lime tactile switch is a perfect option. These switches are also silenced, reducing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on your personal preference for typing feel and sound profile.
Mentioned in this article
