Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Gateron New North Pole V2
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Gateron New North Pole V2 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, there are a plethora of options available to suit every typing preference. Two popular choices that stand out are the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Gateron New North Pole V2. The Crystal Violet switch is a tactile switch, designed to provide users with a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. With a light operating force of 45g, it offers a gentle and comfortable feel. Additionally, the sound profile of the Crystal Violet switches leans towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a calming auditory experience. On the other hand, the New North Pole V2 is a linear switch known for its crisp typing experience. Unlike its predecessor, it no longer has a rubber dampener, allowing for a more precise and tactile typing feel. However, let's dive deeper beyond these generalities to help you decide which switch is the best fit for your typing needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
62.5g
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
Ink Housing Material
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
Gold-plated 15.4mm
Housing materials
The Everglide Crystal Violet and the Gateron New North Pole V2 differ in their housing materials, resulting in distinct sound profiles and aesthetic qualities. The Crystal Violet features an ABS top housing, a relatively rare choice for switch housings, which gives it a low-pitched sound profile when typing. In contrast, the New North Pole V2 has a polycarbonate top housing that creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, adding to its aesthetic appeal.
In terms of bottom housing, both the Crystal Violet and the New North Pole V2 utilize ABS, resulting in a similar low-pitched sound profile when typing. However, the New North Pole V2 stands out with its polycarbonate bottom housing, contributing to the sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which produces a clear and resonant sound. Like the top housing, the clear nature of polycarbonate makes it visually appealing, especially when paired with RGB lighting.
When comparing the overall impact of the housing materials on the switch, it is important to consider their distribution between the top and bottom housings. The unique qualities of each housing material are split between the bottom and top of the switch. Pressing down on a switch will primarily reflect the qualities of the bottom housing, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the sound when releasing the key is more influenced by the top housing. This division allows for a nuanced tactile and auditory experience when using the switches.
In summary, while both the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Gateron New North Pole V2 feature ABS and polycarbonate housing materials, they offer distinct sound profiles and aesthetic qualities. The Crystal Violet's ABS housing results in a low-pitched sound, while the New North Pole V2's polycarbonate housing brings a sharper and crisper sound. The translucency of polycarbonate enhances the visual appeal, especially when paired with RGB lighting. Furthermore, the distribution of housing materials between the top and bottom components allows for a differentiated tactile and auditory experience.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch, we can observe some similarities and differences in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Crystal Violet has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the New North Pole V2's slightly heavier force of 50 grams. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the Crystal Violet requires 55 grams of force, while the New North Pole V2 demands 62.5 grams.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Crystal Violet would be a suitable choice as its actuation force is lower. This can be beneficial for extended typing sessions or gaming sessions where a lighter touch is desired. On the other hand, if a more substantial and satisfying keystroke is preferred, the New North Pole V2 with its slightly heavier actuation force may provide that additional push feel. It is worth noting that both switches fall into the medium range, but with varying degrees of force required.
In terms of bottoming out, both switches require different forces. The Crystal Violet has a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams, while the New North Pole V2 has a medium bottom out force of 62.5 grams. If both switches are used with the intention of pressing keys all the way down, users can expect similar results in terms of the force required.
In conclusion, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch offer different experiences in terms of actuation force and bottom out force. The Crystal Violet provides a lighter actuation force and bottom out force, making it suitable for those who prefer a softer typing experience. Conversely, the New North Pole V2 offers slightly heavier forces, providing a more substantial and satisfying keystroke.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch refers to the distance it travels from the top to the bottom when pressed. In the case of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch, both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, the results obtained from using both the Crystal Violet and the New North Pole V2 switches would 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 Gateron New North Pole V2 has an MSRP of $6.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the New North Pole V2 for $5.70.
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 offers a pleasant and mellow sound profile. With a leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, these switches create a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. This can be attributed in part to the rare and special use of ABS in the switch housings. On the other hand, the sound profile of the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch is unknown. However, it is important to note that the actual sound of a switch is also dependent on other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Crystal Violet switch provides a creamy and mild typing experience. The smooth and buttery sensation offered by these switches can be compared to effortlessly gliding your fingers across the keys. Additionally, the mild characteristics of the Crystal Violet switch make it approachable to most users. It is worth mentioning that the Crystal Violet switch is also described as stepped, meaning it provides a two-stage tactile experience with pre-travel and/or post-travel. On the other hand, the New North Pole V2 switch is described as polished, creamy, and frictionless. This indicates a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The frictionless characteristic of the New North Pole V2 switch offers an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience.
In conclusion, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Crystal Violet switch has a pleasantly mellow sound profile, while the sound profile of the New North Pole V2 is unknown. The Crystal Violet switch provides a creamy and mild typing experience with a stepped tactile sensation. On the other hand, the New North Pole V2 switch offers a polished, creamy, and frictionless typing experience. It is important to consider personal preferences and the other factors that may impact sound and feel when choosing between these switches.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you prioritize a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience, along with a mellow and non-intrusive auditory experience, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches would be the ideal choice for you. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, these medium-light switches offer a gentle and comfortable feel. On the other hand, if you prefer a crisper typing experience without a rubber dampener, while still maintaining a frictionless typing feel, the Gateron New North Pole V2 switches would be a great option. With a bottom out force of 62.5 grams, these medium switches provide a seamless glide and smoothness that many users appreciate. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences and typing style.
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