Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Outemu Blue
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Crystal Violet is a tactile switch, and the Outemu Blue is a clicky switch, offering unique typing experiences. The Crystal Violet is praised for its light operating force of 45g, creating a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. Its sound profile is mellow and lower-pitched, providing a subtle auditory experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Blue switch offers a distinct clicky typing feel without the use of ABS in its housing. While the Crystal Violet is categorized as creamy, low-pitched, mild, neutral, stepped, the Blue switch does not have any specific categorizations. Each switch caters to different preferences, with the Crystal Violet ideal for those seeking a gentle and comfortable typing experience, and the Blue offering a more pronounced tactile and audible feedback. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Blue, we see a clear distinction between ABS and polycarbonate. The Crystal Violet features an ABS top housing, creating a lower-pitched sound profile when typing, while the Blue's polycarbonate top housing results in a sharper and crisper sound. In terms of aesthetics, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, adding a visually appealing element. On the other hand, the Crystal Violet's ABS bottom housing offers a similar low-pitched sound profile as the top housing, while the Blue's nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer material that absorbs more sound.
While the top and bottom housings of the Crystal Violet and Blue switches differ in material, each brings unique qualities to the overall sound profile. The ABS top housing of the Crystal Violet provides a low-pitched typing experience, while the nylon bottom housing of the Blue offers a deeper and fuller sound. This split in housing materials impacts both the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch when pressed, as well as the sound when a key is released. It is clear that the choice of housing material plays a significant role in the overall typing experience and sound quality of a switch.
Overall, the differences between the Everglide Crystal Violet and Outemu Blue housing materials highlight the importance of material choice in creating distinct sound profiles. While ABS and polycarbonate offer contrasting sound profiles in the top housing, nylon and ABS provide unique qualities in the bottom housing. The use of different materials in the top and bottom housings allows for a balance of characteristics that impact both the feel and sound of the switch. Whether you prefer a sharper and crisper sound or a deeper and fuller sound, the housing materials significantly influence the overall typing experience.
Weight
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Outemu Blue clicky switch, which requires 50 grams of force to actuate. The Crystal Violet also has a lighter bottom out force of 55 grams, while the bottom out force for the Blue switch is unknown. The Crystal Violet switch would be more suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience, making it ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming. On the other hand, the Outemu Blue switch would provide a more substantial typing feel due to its heavier actuation force. Both switches offer different experiences in terms of weight, catering to individuals with varying preferences for typing feedback.
Travel distance
Both the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Blue clicky switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either switch, users can expect similar results in terms of the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom. While some switches may have varying travel distances, the Crystal Violet and Blue switches offer consistent tactile feedback with their 4 mm travel distance. This allows for a comfortable typing experience with a familiar key press depth, making them convenient choices for those who prefer a specific travel distance in their mechanical keyboard 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 Outemu Blue comes in at $3.10 per 10 switches.
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 offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone that is not overpowering. On the other hand, the Outemu Blue switch's sound qualities are unknown, making it difficult to directly compare to the Crystal Violet. When considering how the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used, it is important to note that different setups can alter the overall auditory experience.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Everglide Crystal Violet switch is described as creamy, mild, and stepped, offering a smooth, gentle, and multi-stage tactile typing experience. This results in a silky sensation when typing, where each keystroke feels effortless and satisfying. In contrast, the feel qualities of the Outemu Blue switch are unknown, leaving a gap in the comparison between the two switches. While the Crystal Violet switch provides a specific tactile experience, the absence of information on the feel of the Outemu Blue switch makes direct comparisons challenging.
Overall, based on the available information, the Everglide Crystal Violet switch stands out for its light operating force, relaxed tactile typing experience, and mellow sound profile. The unique use of ABS in its housings contributes to a pleasant auditory experience. In contrast, the specific qualities of the Outemu Blue switch remain unknown, making it challenging to directly compare to the Crystal Violet. As a newcomer exploring mechanical keyboard switches, choosing between the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Blue would ultimately depend on personal preferences for sound and feel, as well as additional research or hands-on experience with both switches to make an informed decision.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when choosing between the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Blue clicky switch, consider your preferences for typing experience and sound profile. If you prefer a light operating force and a gentle, stepped tactile typing experience with a mellow and low-pitched sound, the Crystal Violet switch may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a clicky switch with a more pronounced tactile feedback and a louder typing sound, the Outemu Blue switch could be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the environment in which you will be using the keyboard. It's important to thoroughly consider these factors to ensure a satisfying typing experience with the switch that best suits your needs.
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