Everglide Crystal Violet vs. KTT Pine
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the KTT Pine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Everglide Crystal Violet and the KTT Pine, two mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinct typing experiences. If you are someone who values a tactile feedback and a relaxed typing experience, the Everglide Crystal Violet is the switch for you. These switches are meticulously crafted with a light operating force of 45g, providing a gentle and comfortable feel. The sound profile of the Crystal Violet switches is also quite unique, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, the KTT Pine offers a different experience with its medium-heavy linear switch design. Known for being buttery smooth and effortless to type on, these switches are perfect for those seeking a smooth key travel with minimal friction. While the Crystal Violet is categorized as 'Creamy', 'Low-pitched', 'Mild', 'Neutral', and 'Stepped', the Pine is categorized as 'Bassy', 'Buttery', 'Creamy', and 'Low-pitched'. Both switches have their own advantages, 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
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
15.5mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Crystal Violet and the KTT Pine differ in their choice of housing materials, with the former utilizing an ABS top and bottom housing while the latter opts for a polycarbonate top and bottom housing. This distinction in housing materials leads to variations in the sound profiles produced by the switches. The Crystal Violet, featuring ABS housing, results in a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing. On the other hand, the Pine, with polycarbonate housing, produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which creates a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the use of polycarbonate in the top housing of the Pine switch offers the advantage of enhancing RGB lighting effects due to its translucency.
While the top and bottom housings of the Crystal Violet and Pine switches differ, they share the commonality of the same ABS and polycarbonate materials, respectively, in their top and bottom housings. This means that the qualities brought by the housing materials are distributed between the top and bottom of the switch. When pressing down on either switch, you will feel the impact and experience the bottom-out sound and feel, which is influenced by the bottom housing material. Conversely, the sound produced when releasing a key is more affected by the characteristics of the top housing material. Therefore, despite the difference in housing materials, both switches offer a similar experience in terms of bottom-out and key release sounds, albeit with variations due to the differing nature of ABS and polycarbonate plastics.
In terms of aesthetics, the Everglide Crystal Violet and the KTT Pine manifest distinct visual characteristics due to their housing materials. The Crystal Violet's ABS housing does not offer the translucency of polycarbonate, resulting in a more opaque appearance. In contrast, the Pine's polycarbonate housing allows for a clear or partially transparent look, making it particularly suitable for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. The translucency of polycarbonate enhances the illumination effect, allowing the lighting to shine through the switch. Therefore, those seeking a visually appealing switch with RGB lighting capabilities may lean towards the Pine due to its polycarbonate housing, while those who prioritize a more solid and opaque appearance may find the Crystal Violet more appealing.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the KTT Pine linear switch, we can see some similarities and differences. Both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams, meaning that the force required to trigger a keystroke is identical. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, there is a distinction. The Crystal Violet has a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Pine has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 58 grams. This makes the Crystal Violet lighter in terms of the force needed to fully press the switch, while the Pine is slightly heavier.
Considering the weight aspect, the Crystal Violet with its medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams may be more suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. This lighter actuation force allows for prolonged typing sessions without causing excessive fatigue. It is an ideal choice for individuals using a keyboard for work or engaging in long gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Pine with its medium bottom out force of 58 grams provides a more substantial push feel, offering a satisfactory typing experience for those who prefer a slightly heavier switch. These individuals can appreciate the tactile feedback and added resistance provided by the heavier force.
In summary, the actuation forces of the Crystal Violet and Pine switches are the same, resulting in similar results in terms of triggering keystrokes. However, the bottom out forces differ, with the Crystal Violet being lighter at 55 grams and the Pine being slightly heavier at 58 grams. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on an individual's personal preference for typing experiences - whether they prefer a lighter touch or a more substantial push.
Travel distance
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the KTT Pine linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key, you will feel the same distance of switch travel for both switches. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, you can expect similar results from both switches. They are equal in this aspect and offer a consistent and satisfying tactile experience for users.
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 KTT Pine has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Pine for $4.15.
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 sound profile of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch is best described as pleasantly mellow, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum. This creates a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. In contrast, the KTT Pine linear switch has a bassy sound profile, offering a deeper and richer tone during key presses. Both switches exhibit a low-pitched sound characteristic, which contributes to a bass-heavy and mellow tone. However, the Crystal Violet switch's sound tends to be more neutral, while the Pine switch has a stronger bass emphasis. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch provides a gentle and comfortable typing experience. It is often described as creamy, offering a smooth and buttery sensation when typing. The switch's mild characteristics make it approachable to most users, as it stands in a safe middle-ground zone between more pronounced switches. Additionally, the Crystal Violet switch is considered a stepped switch, meaning it has two stages of tactile feedback with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. On the other hand, the KTT Pine linear switch is also described as buttery and creamy, providing a seamless and effortless typing experience. It shares similarities with the Crystal Violet switch in terms of being creamy, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke. Overall, both switches offer a comfortable and enjoyable typing feel.
In conclusion, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the KTT Pine linear switch differ in their sound profiles, with the Crystal Violet switch being more neutral and mellow, and the Pine switch having a stronger emphasis on bass. However, both switches provide a smooth and buttery typing experience, with the Crystal Violet switch being gentle and stepped, while the Pine switch is medium-heavy and buttery. It is important to consider personal preference when choosing between these switches, as well as factors such as keycaps and keyboard board used, which can influence the overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a light operating force, then the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch would be a great choice for you. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, these switches offer a gentle and comfortable feel. The sound profile of the Crystal Violet switches is pleasantly mellow and leans towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. Additionally, the use of ABS in these switches' housings contributes to their unique sound.
On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy linear switch that provides a buttery smooth and effortless typing experience, then the KTT Pine linear switch would be ideal for you. With a bottom out force of 58 grams, these switches minimize friction for smooth key travel. The Pine switches have a bassy sound profile, offering a deeper and richer tonality during key presses.
Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the KTT Pine linear switch depends on your preference for typing experience and sound profile. If you prioritize a light operating force, stepped tactile feedback, and a pleasant mellow sound, go for the Crystal Violet. If you lean towards a medium-heavy linear switch with buttery smoothness and a bassy sound, the Pine is the way to go. Consider your personal typing style and preferences to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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