Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Outemu Silent Yellow Jade
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade both stand out as popular choices for tactile typing experiences. The Crystal Violet boasts a light operating force of 45g, providing a relaxed and comfortable typing feel with a stepped tactile response. Its sound profile is described as pleasantly mellow and lower-pitched, creating a non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade offers a quiet typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound, thanks to its factory-lubed switches and unique translucent jade yellow housing. While the Crystal Violet leans towards a creamy and mild typing experience, the Silent Yellow Jade provides a punchy tactile bump. Both switches have their own unique characteristics that cater to 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
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade both use ABS for their top housing material, resulting in a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing. However, the Crystal Violet's ABS top housing is considered rare for switch housings, while the Silent Yellow Jade's nylon top housing is a more classic material known for producing a deeper and fuller sound. The nylon material in the Silent Yellow Jade absorbs more sound than ABS, creating a duller and rounder sound overall.
In terms of the bottom housing material, the Crystal Violet and Silent Yellow Jade differ once again. The Crystal Violet utilizes ABS for its bottom housing, while the Silent Yellow Jade features a nylon bottom housing. Both materials contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches, with the ABS in the Crystal Violet maintaining a low-pitched sound and the nylon in the Silent Yellow Jade producing a deeper and fuller sound. The softer nature of nylon allows for more sound absorption compared to the harder ABS material.
When considering the impact of the housing materials on the overall typing experience, it's important to note that the qualities of the top and bottom housings may differ. The bottom housing of the switch will have more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing will affect the sound when releasing a key. Despite the differences in housing materials between the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade, both switches aim to provide a unique sound profile that enhances the overall typing experience for users seeking a specific sound and feel in their mechanical keyboards.
Weight
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a lighter actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch. The Crystal Violet requires 45 grams to actuate and 55 grams to bottom out, making it a medium-light switch. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow Jade needs 50 grams to actuate and 65 grams to bottom out, putting it in the medium-heavy category. This means that the Crystal Violet will provide a lighter typing experience, ideal for extended typing or gaming sessions where fatigue may be a concern. In contrast, the Silent Yellow Jade offers a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel. Both switches have their own advantages depending on the user's preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. The Crystal Violet offers a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Silent Yellow Jade, which may provide a more satisfying keypress for those who prefer a deeper press. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow Jade's shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers or individuals looking for quicker response times. Both switches offer their own advantages based on the user's preference for travel distance, with the Crystal Violet being slightly longer and the Silent Yellow Jade being slightly shorter. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on individual preference for keypress depth and responsiveness.
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 Yellow Jade 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 neutral sound profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone that is suitable for a wide range of users and environments. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch is known for its quiet "thocky" sound, creating a satisfying auditory experience with a punchy tactile bump. While the Crystal Violet leans towards a softer and more subtle sound, the Silent Yellow Jade offers a more pronounced and tactile typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences and the desired typing sound.
When it comes to feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch is described as creamy and mild, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience with a gentle tactile feel. The stepped design of the switches provides a comfortable and relaxed typing experience, making them suitable for users seeking a more subtle tactile feedback. On the other hand, information about the feel of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch is unavailable, so it is recommended to try them out personally to determine if they offer a similar or different typing feel compared to the Crystal Violet.
In conclusion, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch is known for its low-pitched sound profile and creamy, mild typing feel, making it a great choice for those looking for a relaxed and comfortable typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch offers a quiet and satisfying "thocky" sound with a punchy tactile bump, providing a unique typing experience that may appeal to users looking for a more pronounced tactile feedback. Ultimately, both switches have their own distinctive qualities, and choosing between them will come down to personal preference in sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, consider the level of operating force you prefer. If you are looking for a lighter operating force and a relaxed, stepped tactile typing experience with a mellow sound profile, the Crystal Violet may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier operating force and a quiet, tactile typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound, the Silent Yellow Jade could be the more suitable option. Both switches have their unique characteristics, so ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and typing style.
Mentioned in this article
