Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Outemu Crystal Brown
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Crystal Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at tactile mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Crystal Brown stand out as options worth considering. The Crystal Violet is praised for its light operating force of 45g, providing a relaxed and comfortable typing experience with a gentle tactile feedback. It offers a mellow sound profile in the lower-pitched spectrum, thanks to the special use of ABS in its housings. On the other hand, the Crystal Brown is a more mysterious switch with little information available. If you prefer a creamy, low-pitched, mild, neutral, and stepped typing experience, the Crystal Violet may be the switch for you. 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
55g
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
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 Crystal Brown, the main difference lies in the top housing material used. The Crystal Violet features an ABS top housing, which provides a lower-pitched sound profile when typing. On the other hand, the Crystal Brown utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This difference in materials results in distinct auditory experiences for users of each switch, with the ABS offering a softer sound and the polycarbonate delivering a more resonant sound.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the Crystal Violet and the Crystal Brown also diverge in this aspect. The Crystal Violet uses an ABS bottom housing, while the Crystal Brown employs a nylon bottom housing. Typing on the Crystal Violet, with its ABS bottom housing, elicits a relatively low-pitched sound profile. In contrast, the Crystal Brown’s nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon, which absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This contrast in bottom housing materials influences the overall typing experience and sound produced by the switches.
While the Crystal Violet and the Crystal Brown differ in their housing materials, they both offer unique sound profiles based on the materials used. The ABS top and bottom housing of the Crystal Violet provide a consistent, low-pitched sound profile throughout typing sessions. In comparison, the polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing of the Crystal Brown create a dynamic sound experience with sharp, higher-pitched sounds upon keypresses and deeper, fuller sounds upon bottoming out. Despite their differences, both switches offer distinct auditory feedback that caters to the preferences of different users.
Weight
Both the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch have identical actuation and bottom out forces, with both requiring 45 grams for actuation and 55 grams for bottoming out. This means that users can expect a consistent tactile experience and typing feel from both switches. The medium-light weight of these switches is ideal for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions. The actuation force of the switches ensures that keystrokes are registered efficiently, while the bottom out force provides a satisfying tactile feedback. Overall, both switches offer a similar typing experience in terms of force requirements, making them suitable choices for users who prioritize comfort and ease of use during long typing or gaming sessions.
Travel distance
Both the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switches have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. The travel distance of a switch is crucial in determining the feel and responsiveness of a keyboard. The identical travel distances of these switches mean that users can expect similar results in terms of keypress feel and feedback. The 4mm travel distance means that both switches offer a balanced tactile typing experience, providing a satisfying amount of key travel without being too high or too short. Ultimately, whether you choose the Crystal Violet or the Crystal Brown switch, you can expect a consistent typing experience with a comfortable travel distance.
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 Crystal Brown 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 tactile switch offers a low-pitched and mellow tone that provides a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience, thanks to the unique use of ABS in the switch housings. While the sound profile of the Outemu Crystal Brown switch is unknown, keep in mind that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet switch is described as creamy, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience. The switch also provides a mild tactile sensation and features a stepped design, giving a more gentle and approachable feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The feel of the Outemu Crystal Brown switch is unknown, so it's important to consider personal preferences when choosing between the two.
Overall, if you enjoy a light operating force of 45g and a relaxed tactile typing experience with a gentle and comfortable feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet switch may be the right choice for you. The switch offers a pleasant low-pitched sound profile and a creamy feel that allows for effortless typing. However, if you prefer a different sound and feel, exploring other options or trying out the Outemu Crystal Brown switch could also provide a satisfying typing experience. Remember to consider all factors, including sound, feel, and personal preferences, when selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch for your needs.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switches, consider the specific characteristics of each switch. If you prefer a light operating force and a relaxed, stepped tactile typing experience with a mellow and low-pitched sound profile, the Everglide Crystal Violet may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with similar operating force but without specific sound and feel descriptions provided, the Outemu Crystal Brown could be a suitable option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing experience and sound profile.
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