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Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Bsun Olive

An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Bsun Olive switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Bsun Olive mechanical keyboard switches, it is evident that both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Crystal Violet switch is praised for its light operating force of 45g, providing a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. Its mellow, low-pitched sound profile further enhances the typing experience, making it ideal for those seeking a subtle and non-intrusive auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Bsun Olive switch stands out with its all-POM housings that produce a resonant, deep sound. With medium-weight and pronounced tactile feedback, this switch offers a distinctly satisfying feel during use. While the Crystal Violet is described as 'creamy' and 'mild', the Olive is categorized as 'accented' and 'snappy'. Both switches have their own appeal and advantages, so the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference. 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

45g

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

3.40 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

POM

Bottom housing material

ABS

Bottom housing material

POM

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

Plate (3-pin)

Spring

Gold-plated

Spring

Stainless steel

Housing materials

The Everglide Crystal Violet and the Bsun Olive both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their overall sound profile. The Crystal Violet utilizes ABS for both its top and bottom housing, resulting in a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing. In contrast, the Olive's POM housing material creates a deeper and more muted sound that is described as incredibly pleasing. While both switches offer a distinct sound experience, the ABS material in the Crystal Violet may appeal to those who prefer a lighter sound, while the POM material in the Olive provides a deeper and more muted tone.

Despite the differences in housing materials between the Crystal Violet and the Bsun Olive, both switches offer a unique typing experience. The ABS top and bottom housing of the Crystal Violet contribute to a low-pitched sound profile, while the POM top and bottom housing of the Olive result in a deeper and more muted sound. However, both switches ultimately aim to provide a satisfying typing experience for users. Although the sound profiles may differ, users can expect a quality typing experience from both switches due to the careful selection of housing materials that enhance the overall feel and sound of each key press.

In terms of functionality, the top and bottom housing materials play a crucial role in determining the overall sound and feel of a switch. While the ABS and POM materials offer different sound profiles in the Crystal Violet and the Olive, respectively, they both contribute to the overall typing experience. The bottom housing has more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Whether the preference is for a lower-pitched sound with the Crystal Violet or a deeper and more muted sound with the Olive, both switches showcase the importance of housing materials in enhancing the typing experience.

Weight

In comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Bsun Olive tactile switch, it is evident that the Crystal Violet is the lighter option with a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Olive is the heavier one with a bottom out force of 65 grams. Both switches share the same actuation force of 45 grams, ensuring a consistent typing experience in terms of when the key press registers. Choosing between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference. Those who prefer a lighter touch may opt for the Crystal Violet, as it allows for longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, the Olive's heavier bottom out force provides a more substantial typing feel, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a stronger push when typing. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual typing preferences and desired typing experience.

Travel distance

The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Bsun Olive tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that the Crystal Violet has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Olive. The 4.0mm travel distance of the Crystal Violet is more traditional, offering a deeper keypress feel, which may be preferred by some users looking for a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the 3.4mm travel distance of the Olive provides a shallower keypress, which can be favored by gamers seeking faster response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and keypress feel.

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 Bsun Olive has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Olive for $4.70.

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

In terms of sound, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch offers a low-pitched and neutral auditory experience, providing a mellow and subtle tone that is suitable for various environments. On the other hand, the Bsun Olive tactile switch is known for its resonant and deep sound due to the all-POM housings, creating a unique and satisfying auditory feedback. Depending on the type of keyboard and keycaps used, both switches can offer a pleasant sound experience, albeit with different characteristics.

Moving on to feel, the Crystal Violet switch is described as creamy, mild, and stepped, offering a smooth and gentle typing sensation with a subtle tactile feedback. On the contrary, the Bsun Olive switch is noted for its accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy feel, providing a more pronounced and responsive typing experience with a distinct tactile bump. While the Crystal Violet switch may suit those looking for a softer and more gradual tactile feedback, the Bsun Olive switch is ideal for users seeking a more noticeable and engaging typing feel.

In conclusion, the Everglide Crystal Violet and Bsun Olive tactile switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Crystal Violet provides a gentle and comfortable typing experience with a mellow sound profile, while the Bsun Olive delivers a more pronounced tactile feedback and deep sound resonance. Depending on personal preferences for typing feel and sound, users can choose between these switches to suit their typing style and environment. Ultimately, both switches offer a high-quality tactile experience, with the Crystal Violet leaning towards a softer touch and mellow sound, while the Bsun Olive offers a more pronounced tactile response and resonant sound profile.

Conclusion

In closing, when deciding between the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Bsun Olive tactile switches, consider the following guidelines based on your preferences. If you prefer a lighter operating force and a mellow, low-pitched sound profile for a relaxed typing experience, the Crystal Violet may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a medium-heavy bottom out force and a deep, resonant sound with pronounced tactile feedback for a more invigorating typing sensation, the Olive switches would be the suitable option. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to your desired typing experience and preferences in sound and tactile feedback.

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