Everglide Crystal Violet vs. KTT Mannan Pipefish
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the KTT Mannan Pipefish switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Are you in search of the perfect mechanical keyboard switch that suits your typing style? Look no further, as we compare and contrast two popular options: the Everglide Crystal Violet and the KTT Mannan Pipefish. The Crystal Violet switch offers a tactile typing experience, providing a relaxed and stepped sensation with its light operating force of 45g. Not only does it offer a gentle and comfortable feel, but its sound profile leans towards the lower-pitched spectrum, resulting in a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Mannan Pipefish switch boasts a smooth linear action, making typing effortless and enjoyable. With its light actuation and bottom-out force of 45g, this switch provides a comfortable and precise typing experience. It is perfect for casual typists seeking a delightful and strain-free journey. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities to help you decide on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Crystal Violet and the KTT Mannan Pipefish have contrasting housing materials. The Crystal Violet utilizes ABS for both its top and bottom housings, which is a relatively rare choice for switch housings. This results in a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing on switches featuring ABS. On the other hand, the Mannan Pipefish features a polycarbonate top housing. Polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing allows for a clear and resonant sound, especially when paired with RGB lighting.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Crystal Violet and the Mannan Pipefish also differ. The Crystal Violet continues to use ABS for its bottom housing, leading to a similar low-pitched sound profile as its top housing. On the other hand, the Mannan Pipefish opts for a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is known for absorbing more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon contributes to a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches with this material.
The difference in housing materials between the two switches impacts the sound and feel in different ways. When pressing down on the switches, the qualities of the bottom housing become apparent. The Crystal Violet's ABS bottom housing contributes to the bottom-out sound and feel, while the Mannan Pipefish's nylon bottom housing enhances the depth and fullness of the sound. On the other hand, the top housing's impact is more noticeable when releasing a key. The polycarbonate top housing of the Mannan Pipefish creates a distinct sound when letting go of a key, while the ABS top housing of the Crystal Violet contributes to a relatively low-pitched sound profile. Despite these differences, both switches offer unique auditory experiences due to their housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Crystal Violet has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it a medium-light option. In contrast, the Mannan Pipefish has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, categorizing it as a light switch.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Mannan Pipefish may be desirable. It allows for ease and comfort during long typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial typing feel may enjoy the Crystal Violet's slightly heavier actuation and bottom out forces. This can provide a satisfying and tactile feedback while typing.
Weight becomes an important factor to consider in keyboard switches as it influences typing experience and comfort. Those seeking a lighter switch may opt for the Mannan Pipefish, allowing them to type for longer periods without fatigue. However, individuals who prefer a stronger push feel might lean towards the Crystal Violet, as the heavier resistance can give a more substantial typing experience.
It is worth noting that while the actuation and bottom out forces differ between the two switches, the variance is not substantial. This means that even though one switch may be lighter or heavier, resulting in a slight difference in typing feel, users can still achieve similar results with both switches. Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Crystal Violet and the KTT Mannan Pipefish hinges on personal preference and the desired typing experience one seeks.
Travel distance
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch have the same travel distance, measuring at 4 mm each. This means that when you press down on a key fitted with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. Therefore, the results obtained from using these switches in terms of travel distance will be similar.
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 KTT Mannan Pipefish has an MSRP of $3.53 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mannan Pipefish for $3.05.
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, both the Everglide Crystal Violet and the KTT Mannan Pipefish switches are described as having a neutral sound profile. This means that they produce a moderate sound that is suitable for most users, whether beginner or advanced, and can be used in various settings such as at home or at work. However, the Crystal Violet switches lean towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a more mellow and bass-heavy tone compared to the Mannan Pipefish switches, which do not have any specific information about their sound characteristics. It's important to note that the sound of the switches can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Crystal Violet switches are known for providing a creamy and mild typing experience. The creamy feel is achieved through either factory lubrication or specific materials used in the switches, resulting in a smooth and buttery sensation when typing. The mild characteristic of the Crystal Violet switches means that they offer a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users, as their qualities fall within a safe middle-ground zone. Additionally, the Crystal Violet switches are also described as having a stepped feel, which means that they provide a tactile feedback that feels like it has two stages, with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. On the other hand, the Mannan Pipefish switches are described as easy-to-press and polished. The easy-to-press characteristic indicates that these switches require minimal force to activate, offering a low-impact and comfortable typing experience that reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. The polished aspect of the Mannan Pipefish switches refers to their smooth and refined finish, which results in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Taking all the available information into account, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches are known for providing a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a mellow sound profile. They offer a creamy and mild feel, gliding smoothly with each keystroke. On the other hand, the KTT Mannan Pipefish switches offer an effortless and enjoyable typing experience with their smooth linear action and easy-to-press characteristic. While there is no specific information about their sound, the Mannan Pipefish switches have a polished finish that ensures reduced friction and smooth key travel. Overall, both switches provide comfortable and precise typing experiences, but with slightly different characteristics. If you are looking for a similar typing experience with similar results, either switch could meet your needs depending on your preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are seeking a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a gentle and comfortable feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch with its 55g bottom out force would be an excellent choice for you. The Crystal Violet switches offer a mellow and non-intrusive auditory experience, thanks in part to their rare use of ABS in the switch housing. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and effortless typing experience with a light actuation and bottom-out force of 45g, the KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch would be perfect for you. The Mannan Pipefish switches provide a comfortable and precise typing journey, making them ideal for casual typists. Ultimately, the decision between the Crystal Violet and the Mannan Pipefish will depend on your specific preferences for typing feel and sound profile.
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