Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Kailh Plum
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Kailh Plum switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a tactile mechanical keyboard switch, two options worth considering are the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Kailh Plum. The Crystal Violet switches are known for their light operating force of 45g, providing a relaxed and comfortable typing experience. These switches offer a gentle tactile bump and emit a pleasantly mellow sound profile, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum. On the other hand, the Plum switches feel hefty but lack a significant tactile bump, making them unique among tactile switches. The sound profile of the Plums is neutral and enjoyable. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on your personal preferences. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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 housing materials of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Kailh Plum switches differ significantly in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Crystal Violet features an ABS top housing, which is rare for switch housings but commonly used in keycaps. This ABS housing produces a relatively low-pitched sound when typing, offering a more subdued and mellow typing experience. On the other hand, the Plum switch utilizes a polycarbonate top housing known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which results in a more resonant sound and a visually appealing translucent housing suitable for RGB lighting.
Moving to the bottom housing, the Crystal Violet employs an ABS material similar to its top housing. This consistency ensures a homogenous typing experience with a cohesive sound profile. Conversely, the Kailh Plum utilizes a nylon bottom housing, a classic material choice for switch housings. Nylon is known for absorbing more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon creates a duller and rounder sound, providing a unique acoustic experience when typing on the Plum switch.
It is important to note that if a switch features different top and bottom housings, the qualities of each housing material are distributed across the switch. When pressing down on the switch, the impact on the bottom-out sound and feel is primarily influenced by the bottom housing. On the other hand, the sound emitted when releasing a key is more influenced by the characteristics of the top housing. This distinction highlights how the choice of housing materials can directly impact the overall sound profile and typing experience of a switch, offering users various options to match their preferences.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch to the Kailh Plum tactile switch, there is a noticeable difference in actuation force and bottom out force. The Crystal Violet has an actuation force of 45 grams, providing a medium-light touch that allows for swift and effortless typing. In contrast, the actuation force of the Plum switch is unknown, making it difficult to determine its specific sensitivity. However, the Crystal Violet's bottom out force is 55 grams, indicating that there is a slight increase in resistance when fully pressing down the keys. On the other hand, the Plum switch has a bottom out force of 70 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch that requires more force to fully depress the keys.
Considering the weight of the switches, some individuals may prefer a lighter actuation force for extended typing sessions or prolonged gaming sessions. The Crystal Violet switch provides a lighter touch, ensuring comfort and less finger fatigue during prolonged usage. However, those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may prefer the Plum switch's heavier bottom out force, as it offers a stronger push feel, providing a sense of satisfaction while typing.
In summary, the Crystal Violet switch is lighter in terms of both actuation force and bottom out force, offering a comfortable typing experience with minimal effort. On the other hand, the Plum switch is heavier, allowing for a more substantial and weighted feel while typing. Depending on personal preferences and the intended use, individuals can choose between the lighter Crystal Violet or the heavier Plum switch to cater to their typing style and desired typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Kailh Plum tactile switch, there are subtle differences that may affect the user's preference. The Crystal Violet has a travel distance of 4 mm, which falls into the more traditional range, offering a standard depth that many are accustomed to. On the other hand, the Plum has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This shorter distance may appeal to gamers seeking faster response times, as it allows for quicker key presses. However, for those who prefer a more substantial feel and deeper keystrokes, the Crystal Violet's longer travel distance may be the preferred choice. It is worth noting that both switches provide tactile feedback, so while the distances differ, the overall tactile experience will be similar. Ultimately, the decision between the two will depend on individual preferences and the desired typing or gaming experience.
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 Kailh Plum comes in at $6.25 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 Crystal Violet switches have a low-pitched profile, creating a mellow and bass-heavy tone. This gives an auditory experience that is subtle and pleasing to the ear. On the other hand, the Plum switches have a neutral sound profile, providing a pleasant and balanced sound. Both switches offer enjoyable sound profiles that should satisfy most users, whether they are beginners or experienced typists. It is worth noting that the sound of the switches can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Crystal Violet switches are described as creamy, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience. This can be attributed to either lubrication applied at the factory or the choice of specific materials. Typing on these switches feels like gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys, with each keystroke melting into the switch. The Crystal Violet switches are also considered mild, providing a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. Additionally, they have a stepped feel, meaning there is some pre-travel and/or post-travel, giving a more subdued tactile sensation.
Similarly, the Plum switches also have a mild feel, resulting in a gentle typing experience that most users will find comfortable. Like the Crystal Violet switches, the Plum switches are also classified as stepped, providing a more subdued tactile feedback. This means that users will feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel during the keystroke. Overall, both switches offer a comfortable typing feel with a mild tactility that strikes a balance between being too pronounced and too subtle.
In conclusion, the Crystal Violet and Plum tactile switches have some similarities in terms of sound and feel. Both switches have a neutral sound profile that is enjoyable and suitable for various purposes. They also offer a mild typing experience with a stepped feel that provides a gentle tactile feedback. Although there may be slight differences in the specifics of their sound and feel, overall, users can expect comparable results from both switches. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience, along with a pleasant and mellow sound profile, 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 medium-light actuation force that is comfortable for most users. The Crystal Violet switches are known for their creamy and mild feel, providing a smooth and gentle typing experience. Additionally, the use of ABS in their housings contributes to their unique sound profile, which leans towards the lower-pitched spectrum. On the other hand, if you prefer a more neutral switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams, the Kailh Plum tactile switch would be suitable for you. These switches feel hefty and feature a moderate tactile bump, offering a satisfying typing experience. The sound profile of Plum switches is described as neutral and enjoyable. Regardless of your preference, both switches provide a moderate actuation force requirement and a pleasant typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Kailh Plum tactile switches depends on whether you prioritize a relaxed and stepped tactile feel with a mellow sound profile (Crystal Violet) or a moderate tactility with a heavier feel (Plum).
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