Everglide Crystal Violet vs. KTT Miaowu
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the KTT Miaowu switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet, a tactile switch, with the KTT Miaowu, a linear switch, one can see distinct differences in their design and performance. The Crystal Violet provides a gentle and comfortable tactile typing experience with a light operating force of 45g, perfect for those who value a relaxed and stepped feel while typing. On the other hand, the Miaowu offers a smoother keystroke action and enhanced stem stability, making it ideal for those who prefer a bouncy and clacky typing sensation. The sound profile of the Crystal Violet leans towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a mellow auditory experience, while the Miaowu provides a more traditional clacky sound. 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
43g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POK
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
Housing materials
The Everglide Crystal Violet and the KTT Miaowu both have unique characteristics in their housing materials. The Crystal Violet features an ABS top housing, which is known for its relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing. On the other hand, the Miaowu comes with a polycarbonate top housing, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. While the Crystal Violet's ABS bottom housing also provides a low-pitched sound profile, the Miaowu's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer nature.
In terms of aesthetics, the Everglide Crystal Violet's ABS top housing may not be as visually appealing as the KTT Miaowu's polycarbonate top housing, which allows for RGB lighting to shine through due to its translucency. The Crystal Violet's ABS bottom housing, similar to its top housing, does not offer the same visual appeal as the Miaowu's nylon bottom housing. However, both switches bring unique sound profiles to the table, with the Crystal Violet offering a low-pitched sound and the Miaowu providing a sharper and crisper tone.
Overall, the choice between the Everglide Crystal Violet and the KTT Miaowu may come down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and aesthetics. If you prefer a switch with a low-pitched sound, the Crystal Violet with its ABS housing may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a sharper and crisper sound, as well as the option for RGB lighting, the Miaowu's polycarbonate and nylon housing materials may be more appealing. Both switches have their own unique qualities that can cater to different preferences in typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the KTT Miaowu linear switch, it is clear that the Crystal Violet is slightly heavier in both aspects. The Crystal Violet has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Miaowu has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. The Crystal Violet provides a medium-light typing experience, while the Miaowu offers a lighter touch. The weight of a switch is essential as it can impact typing comfort and endurance. Those who prefer lighter switches may opt for the Miaowu for extended use, while those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel might lean towards the Crystal Violet. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the KTT Miaowu linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that the Crystal Violet has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Miaowu. A 4.0mm travel distance is more traditional and provides a deeper key press feel, which may be preferred by those who like a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, a 3.5mm travel distance is slightly shorter and may be preferred by gamers or those looking for a faster response time. Both switches offer different travel distances that cater to different preferences, with the Crystal Violet offering a longer distance and the Miaowu offering a shorter one. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual typing preferences and needs.
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 Miaowu has an MSRP of $4.32 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Miaowu for $3.71.
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 switch provides a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, offering a mellow and unobtrusive auditory experience ideal for various users. On the other hand, the KTT Miaowu switch is described as clacky, producing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, providing a more pronounced and percussive sound. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches in terms of sound would depend on individual preference and the overall setup of the keyboard.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Crystal Violet switch is characterized as creamy, mild, and stepped, offering a smooth, gentle, two-stage tactile typing experience that is comfortable and approachable for most users. Conversely, the Miaowu switch is described as bouncy, providing a spring-like and elastic feedback sensation that gives the keys a lively feel with a noticeable rebound when pressed. The decision between the two switches in terms of feel would depend on whether the user prefers a more cushioned and gradual keystroke or a livelier and more elastic typing experience.
Overall, both the Everglide Crystal Violet and KTT Miaowu switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel that cater to different preferences and typing styles. While the Crystal Violet switch provides a mellow and stepped tactile experience with a low-pitched sound, the Miaowu switch offers a more clacky sound profile with a bouncy and elastic typing feel. Choosing between the two switches would depend on whether the user prioritizes a specific sound profile or prefers a particular typing experience, as both switches have their own distinct characteristics that can enhance the overall keyboarding experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a subtle and comfortable typing experience with a light operating force, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch would be the ideal choice for you. The creamy and mild feel of the Crystal Violet switch, coupled with its low-pitched and neutral sound profile, creates a relaxed and smooth typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a sharper and snappier sound with a bouncy and lively feel, the KTT Miaowu linear switch would be more suited to your preference. The Miaowu switch's POK stem and clacky sound profile offer a different typing experience compared to the Crystal Violet switch. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on whether you prioritize a gentle tactile typing experience or a more dynamic and lively one.
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