Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Outemu Gold
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Gold switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet, a tactile switch, to the Outemu Gold, a clicky switch, there are some key differences to consider. The Crystal Violet is popular for its light operating force of 45g and its gentle tactile typing experience, making it ideal for those looking for a relaxed feel while typing. The sound profile of the Crystal Violet is described as mellow and lower-pitched, creating a subtle auditory experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Gold does not have any specific features highlighted but is known for its clicky feedback. When choosing between these switches, one may prefer the Crystal Violet for its creamy and stepped feel, while the Gold may appeal to those looking for a more pronounced clicky 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
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 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
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
The Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Gold both have unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles and overall typing experience. 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 Gold features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound that is particularly well-suited for showcasing RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Gold's nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Crystal Violet's ABS bottom housing.
Despite their differences, both the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Gold offer distinct benefits based on their housing materials. The ABS material used in the Crystal Violet provides a classic feel with a low-pitched sound profile, while the polycarbonate and nylon materials in the Gold offer a crisper and deeper sound experience, respectively. The choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference and desired typing sound, with the Crystal Violet offering a more traditional typing experience and the Gold showcasing a more modern and vibrant sound.
In terms of aesthetics, the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Gold also differ in appearance due to their housing materials. While the Crystal Violet's ABS housing may not be as visually striking as the Gold's polycarbonate and nylon housings, it still offers a classic look that complements a variety of keyboards. The Gold's clear polycarbonate housing, in particular, enhances the overall aesthetic of a keyboard by allowing RGB lighting to shine through. Ultimately, whether you choose the Crystal Violet or the Gold will depend on your preferences for sound, feel, and visual presentation in your typing experience.
Weight
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a lighter actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Outemu Gold clicky switch. While the Crystal Violet requires 45 grams to actuate and 55 grams to bottom out, the Gold needs the same 45 grams to actuate but 60 grams to bottom out. This makes the Gold switch slightly heavier in terms of bottoming out pressure. The actuation force is the same for both switches, so users can expect similar results in terms of triggering keystrokes. Some users may prefer the lighter forces of the Crystal Violet for extended typing or gaming sessions, while others may prefer the slightly heavier feel of the Gold for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to individual preference for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Gold clicky switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the same amount of travel distance from the top to the bottom. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, both switches offer a similar experience to the user. While the travel distance is the same for both switches, it is important to note that the tactile feel and clickiness of each switch may vary, providing a unique typing experience for the user. Overall, the travel distance of the Crystal Violet and Gold switches is equal, providing a consistent typing experience across both 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 Gold 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
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch is lauded for its low-pitched sound profile, offering a mellow and non-intrusive auditory experience compared to higher-pitched switches. This makes it ideal for those who appreciate a quieter typing environment. On the other hand, the Outemu Gold clicky switch's sound profile is unknown, so it is difficult to make a direct comparison in this aspect.
When it comes to feel, the Crystal Violet switch provides a creamy and mild typing experience, giving users a smooth and gentle sensation as they type. The stepped tactile feel of these switches offers a unique typing experience with a two-stage tactile feedback. Unfortunately, the tactile feel of the Outemu Gold switch is unknown, making it challenging to compare the two switches in this regard.
In conclusion, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switches are praised for their low-pitched sound profile and creamy, mild typing feel, making them a great option for those who prefer a quieter and smoother typing experience. While the subjective qualities of the Outemu Gold clicky switches are unknown, if you enjoy the characteristics of the Crystal Violet switches, you may find similar results in terms of sound and feel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference and the type of typing experience you are looking for.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Gold clicky switch, consider the following guidelines. Opt for the Crystal Violet if you prefer a light operating force of 45g, a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams, a mellow and low-pitched sound profile, and a creamy and stepped tactile typing experience. This switch is perfect for those seeking a relaxed and comfortable typing experience. On the other hand, choose the Outemu Gold if you prefer a medium bottom out force of 60 grams and a clicky typing experience. Overall, the Crystal Violet is ideal for a gentle and non-intrusive typing experience, while the Gold is more suitable for those who enjoy a clicky feedback. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your personal preference for typing feel and sound profile.
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