Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Silent Grey mechanical keyboard switches, two notable tactile options stand out. The Crystal Violet, known for its light operating force of 45g, provides a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. Its mellow sound profile and use of ABS in the housing create a gentle and comfortable feel, making it suitable for those looking for a subtle auditory experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey offers a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, perfect for those seeking a satisfying and silent switch. Both switches have their own unique characteristics and benefits, making them suitable for different preferences and needs. 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
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 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
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Silent Grey, the difference in housing materials is quite distinct. The Crystal Violet features an ABS top housing, which results in a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing. In contrast, the Silent Grey utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. The use of ABS in the Crystal Violet provides a more muted typing experience, while the polycarbonate in the Silent Grey offers a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is ideal for RGB lighting, adding an aesthetic appeal to the switch.
Moving on to the bottom housings of these switches, the contrast continues. The Crystal Violet's ABS bottom housing contributes to a low-pitched sound profile, similar to its top housing. On the other hand, the Silent Grey incorporates a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound when typing. The nylon material is softer and absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile compared to the ABS bottom housing of the Crystal Violet. This difference in bottom housing material contributes to the overall sound and feel of each switch.
Although the housing materials of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Silent Grey are different, they both play important roles in the overall sound profile of the switches. The split between the top and bottom housing qualities affects the typing experience differently for each switch. The bottom housing has a significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Whether it's the ABS and polycarbonate combination of the Crystal Violet or the nylon housing of the Silent Grey, the housing materials of these switches ultimately contribute to the unique typing experience and sound profile of each.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, it is evident that the actuation force and bottom out force play a significant role in determining the typing experience. The Crystal Violet has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Silent Grey's 50 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes. However, the Crystal Violet also has a lighter bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Silent Grey has a heavier bottom out force of 65 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience. Those who prefer a more gentle typing feel may lean towards the Crystal Violet for its lighter forces, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a stronger push feel may opt for the Silent Grey for a more pronounced typing experience. In this comparison, the Crystal Violet is lighter in both actuation and bottom out forces, while the Silent Grey is heavier, offering users a choice based on their preference for typing feedback.
Travel distance
Both the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switches have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, the distance traveled from the top to the bottom will be equal. This similarity in travel distance ensures that users will get a consistent experience regardless of which switch they choose to use. The travel distance of both switches allows for a satisfying tactile feedback while typing or gaming, making them both excellent choices for those looking for a comfortable typing experience. So, in terms of travel distance, the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Silent Grey switches offer a similar level of performance.
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 Silent Grey 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 comparing the sound profiles of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Silent Grey switches, the Crystal Violet offers a low-pitched and mellow tone, while the Silent Grey is known for being quiet. The Crystal Violet provides a gentle auditory experience with its ABS housing, creating a relaxed typing atmosphere. On the other hand, the Silent Grey offers a satisfying and silent typing experience, perfect for those who prefer minimal noise during use. Ultimately, the sound preference between the two switches may come down to personal preference and the overall setup of the keyboard.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Crystal Violet is described as creamy and mild, offering a smooth and gentle typing experience. The switch provides a buttery sensation, allowing users to effortlessly glide their fingers across the keys with ease. Additionally, the stepped tactile feel of the Crystal Violet adds a unique touch to the typing experience, providing a subtle two-stage feedback. While information about the feel of the Silent Grey switch is not available, it is likely to offer a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, as well as being quiet.
In conclusion, the Everglide Crystal Violet and Outemu Silent Grey switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Crystal Violet provides a mellow sound profile and a creamy, mild typing experience with a stepped tactile feel, making it ideal for those seeking a relaxed and comfortable typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey switch is known for its quiet operation and highly tactile feedback, catering to users who prefer a satisfying yet silent typing experience. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, either switch can offer a unique and enjoyable typing experience for newcomers to the mechanical keyboard world.
Conclusion
Overall, when deciding between the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, consider your preference for operating force and typing experience. If you prefer a lighter operating force and a relaxed, stepped tactile typing experience with a mellow, low-pitched sound profile, the Crystal Violet may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy operating force with a highly tactile and silent typing experience, the Silent Grey switch may be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so it ultimately comes down to your personal typing preferences and needs. Consider these factors carefully to determine which switch aligns best with your typing style and preferences.
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