Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Durock Medium Tactile
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Durock Medium Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Everglide Crystal Violet and the Durock Medium Tactile are both mechanical keyboard switches that offer a tactile typing experience. The Crystal Violet is known for its light operating force of 45g, making it ideal for users seeking a relaxed and gentle feel while typing. Additionally, the Crystal Violet's sound profile leans towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Durock Medium Tactile features a pronounced yet balanced tactility, giving users a satisfying feedback with each keystroke. Its sound signature can be described as jelly-like, adding a unique touch to the typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
65g
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 Medium Tactile differ in their housing materials, specifically in terms of the top and bottom housings. The Crystal Violet features an ABS top housing, while the Medium Tactile has a polycarbonate top housing. ABS is a relatively rare plastic to be used in switch housings, but it provides a low-pitched sound profile during typing. On the other hand, polycarbonate, being a stiffer plastic, creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile, making it especially suitable for switches with clear housings intended for RGB lighting.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Crystal Violet utilizes ABS, similar to its top housing. This choice results in a low-pitched sound profile while typing. Conversely, the Medium Tactile employs a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is a classic switch housing material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. Its softer composition absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound in comparison to the harder plastics.
It's important to note that the qualities brought by each housing material are split between the top and bottom of the switch. When pressing down on a switch, the bottom housing affects the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing primarily impacts the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, while the Crystal Violet and the Medium Tactile differ in their materials, their respective housing materials contribute to the overall sound profiles and typing experience of the switches.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch to the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch, there are notable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Crystal Violet has an actuation force of 45 grams, providing a medium-light push feel, while the Medium Tactile's actuation force is unspecified. However, both switches have a bottom out force, with the Crystal Violet requiring 55 grams and the Medium Tactile demanding 65 grams, making it medium-heavy in comparison.
Considering weight, some individuals prefer lighter switches as they allow for longer typing sessions or extended gaming sessions. These individuals would benefit from the Crystal Violet switch due to its medium-light actuation force. On the other hand, there are users who prefer a more substantial typing experience and a stronger push. For these individuals, the Medium Tactile switch with its medium-heavy bottom out force would be a suitable choice.
In instances where the actuation force is unknown for the Medium Tactile switch, it is difficult to directly compare it to the Crystal Violet. However, based on the bottom out force, it can be inferred that the Medium Tactile switch provides a heavier typing experience compared to the Crystal Violet switch.
In summary, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch offers a medium-light actuation force and a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch is characterized by an unspecified actuation force and a medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams. The Crystal Violet is lighter in terms of actuation force, making it suitable for longer typing or gaming sessions, while the Medium Tactile provides a heavier push feel for those seeking a more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch, it is clear that both switches have an identical travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key equipped with either switch, the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom will be the same. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of the tactile feedback and typing experience provided by these switches.
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 Medium 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 Medium 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
When it comes to sound, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches are known for their low-pitched profile. This means that they produce a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, which creates a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Durock Medium Tactile switches have a jelly-like sound signature, but further information about the specific qualities of this sound is unknown. It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches offer a creamy and mild typing experience. The creamy sensation is often achieved through lubrication applied at the factory or specific materials used, resulting in a smooth and buttery feel. This allows for effortless keystrokes, as if gliding your fingers across the keys. Additionally, the Crystal Violet switches are described as being stepped, meaning they have two stages of tactility. This results in a more mild tactile feedback, with noticeable pre-travel and/or post-travel.
Similarly, the Durock Medium Tactile switches also have a stepped feel, providing a mild tactile experience with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. These switches are described as having an accented tactility, which means they offer a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming. Additionally, the Medium Tactile switches are also described as mild, ensuring a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. Furthermore, the switches are polished, which means they have a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and a sleek typing experience.
From the available information, it can be concluded that both the Everglide Crystal Violet and Durock Medium Tactile switches offer a tactile typing experience. While the Crystal Violet switches have a low-pitched sound profile and a creamy feel, the Durock Medium Tactile switches have a jelly-like sound signature and an accented tactility. Both switches feature a mild typing experience and a stepped feel. While there are some differences in their sound and feel, they share similar qualities in terms of being gentle and approachable to most users. It is also important to consider that the choice of keyboard board and keycaps can influence the subjective experience with these switches.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are seeking a light and relaxed typing experience with a subtle and non-intrusive sound profile, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch would be the ideal choice for you. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, these switches offer a gentle and comfortable feel, making them suitable for both beginners and advanced users. The Crystal Violet switches have a low-pitched sound profile, which provides a pleasant and mellow auditory experience. Additionally, the creamy feel of these switches enhances the overall typing sensation, providing a smooth and buttery experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a more pronounced yet balanced tactility and a mild typing experience, the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch would be a great option. With a bottom out force of 65 grams, these switches offer a safe middle-ground experience suitable for most users. The stepped feel of the Medium Tactile switches adds a unique touch to the typing experience, and the polished finish ensures smooth key travel. Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Durock Medium Tactile comes down to personal preference and the type of typing experience you desire.
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