Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Outemu Maple Leaf
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Maple Leaf switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Maple Leaf both offer unique characteristics to consider. The Crystal Violet is a tactile switch known for its light operating force of 45g, providing a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. With a mellow sound profile leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, these switches offer a gentle and comfortable feel for users. On the other hand, the Maple Leaf switch lacks specific detailed information but is also a tactile switch. While the Crystal Violet is ideal for those looking for a creamy and mild typing experience, the Maple Leaf switch's qualities remain a mystery. 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
55g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
Nylon
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 features an ABS top housing, which is a relatively rare material to be used in switch housings. Typing on switches with ABS top housing results in a low-pitched sound profile. In contrast, the Outemu Maple Leaf has a nylon top housing, a classic switch housing material that produces a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. While both switches provide a unique sound experience, the difference lies in the pitch and depth of the sound produced.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Crystal Violet and the Maple Leaf utilize ABS and nylon materials respectively. Like the top housing, the ABS bottom housing of the Crystal Violet results in a low-pitched sound profile while the nylon bottom housing of the Maple Leaf contributes to a deeper and fuller sound experience. The difference in sound profiles can be attributed to the varying properties of ABS and nylon materials, with the softer nylon absorbing more sound compared to the harder ABS material.
Overall, the combination of materials used in the top and bottom housings of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Maple Leaf switches contribute to their unique sound profiles. While the sound produced by the Crystal Violet may be slightly lower in pitch due to its ABS housing, the Maple Leaf's nylon housing provides a deeper and fuller sound experience. However, both switches offer a tactile and satisfying typing experience, showcasing how different housing materials can impact the overall sound and feel of a switch.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch, we can see differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Crystal Violet has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it a medium-light switch. In comparison, the Maple Leaf has an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, categorizing it as a medium-heavy switch. This means that the Crystal Violet requires a lighter touch to register a keystroke compared to the Maple Leaf, which provides a heavier and more substantial typing experience. Some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Crystal Violet for extended typing sessions or gaming, while others might appreciate the heavier feel of the Maple Leaf for a more deliberate keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is considered a more traditional distance. On the other hand, the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. Gamers often prefer shorter travel distances for faster response times, making the Maple Leaf a potentially better option for gaming. However, some may find the shorter distance too abrupt and prefer the deeper feel of the Crystal Violet switch. 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 Outemu Maple Leaf 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
When it comes to sound, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch offers a low-pitched and mellow tone that leans towards the bass-heavy spectrum, providing a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. This is attributed to the special use of ABS in the switch housings. On the other hand, information regarding the sound profile of the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch is unknown. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard's construction and the keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Crystal Violet switch is described as offering a creamy and smooth typing experience, attributed to either factory-applied lubricant or specific materials used. It provides a gentle and mild typing experience, falling in a safe middle-ground zone in terms of sound and feel. Additionally, the stepped tactile sensation of the Crystal Violet switch gives users a two-stage keystroke experience, allowing them to feel some pre-travel and post-travel during typing. Unfortunately, there is no available information on the feel of the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch.
In conclusion, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch offers a light operating force of 45g, making it suitable for those looking for a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. With a low-pitched sound profile and creamy, mild feel, the Crystal Violet switch provides a comfortable typing experience. While information on the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch is lacking, it is likely that users can expect similar results in terms of sound and feel should they choose this switch. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preferences and typing style.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch, it is important to consider your preference for bottom out force. If you prefer a lighter operating force and a more relaxed typing experience, the Crystal Violet with a bottom out force of 55 grams may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force and a more pronounced tactile feel, the Maple Leaf with a bottom out force of 65 grams may be the right choice. Additionally, if you value a low-pitched sound profile and a creamy, stepped typing experience, the Crystal Violet may be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your individual typing style and desired typing experience.
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