Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Sarokeys Purple Sakura
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura mechanical keyboard switches, both offer a tactile typing experience that is gentle and comfortable. The Crystal Violet features a light operating force of 45g, providing a relaxed and stepped tactile feel, with a mellow and low-pitched sound profile thanks to the rare use of ABS in its housings. On the other hand, the Purple Sakuras deliver a snappy response with a buttery downstroke, striking a delicate balance between pronounced tactility and mild sound signature. While the Crystal Violet is noted for its creamy and stepped feel, the Purple Sakura stands out for its buttery and snappy tactility. 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
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.20 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm lengthened single-staged spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Crystal Violet and Sarokeys Purple Sakura differ in their housing materials, with the Crystal Violet featuring an ABS top and bottom housing while the Purple Sakura has a polycarbonate top and nylon bottom housing. The ABS housing of the Crystal Violet offers a low-pitched sound profile, whereas the polycarbonate housing of the Purple Sakura provides a sharper and higher-pitched sound. Additionally, the Crystal Violet's ABS housing is considered relatively rare for switch housings, while polycarbonate is known for its stiffness and translucency, making it ideal for RGB lighting.
In terms of sound profiles, the Crystal Violet's ABS housing creates a relatively low-pitched sound when typing, while the Purple Sakura's polycarbonate housing produces a sharper and crisper sound. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of the Purple Sakura elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, absorbing more sound and creating a duller and rounder sound. The use of different housing materials in the two switches results in distinct auditory experiences for users, with the Crystal Violet emphasizing a lower pitch and the Purple Sakura emphasizing a sharper, crisper sound.
The split housing materials in the Everglide Crystal Violet and Sarokeys Purple Sakura impact the overall sound profile and feel of the switches. The qualities of the bottom housing material, whether it be ABS in the Crystal Violet or nylon in the Purple Sakura, play a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. Conversely, the top housing material, whether it be polycarbonate in the Purple Sakura or ABS in the Crystal Violet, has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. While both switches offer unique sound profiles based on their housing materials, users can expect differences in pitch and resonance between the two based on the material used.
Weight
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Sarokeys Purple Sakura tactile switch, which has an actuation force of 50 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Crystal Violet requires 55 grams, while the Purple Sakura needs 60 grams. Both switches fall in the medium to medium-light range of force. The Crystal Violet is lighter in terms of actuation force, making it suitable for longer typing sessions or extended gaming periods. On the other hand, the Purple Sakura provides a slightly heavier feel, which some users may prefer for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on the user's preference for typing feel and the amount of force they are comfortable with.
Travel distance
In comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura tactile switch, it is clear that there is a difference in travel distance. The Crystal Violet has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Purple Sakura has a shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm. The Crystal Violet offers a slightly longer travel distance, providing a deeper key press experience compared to the Purple Sakura. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may lean towards the Purple Sakura with its shorter travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for key press depth and response speed.
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 Sarokeys Purple Sakura has an MSRP of $4.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Purple Sakura for $3.15.
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
When it comes to sound, both the Everglide Crystal Violet and Sarokeys Purple Sakura switches offer a neutral profile, making them suitable for a wide range of users and environments. The Crystal Violet switches lean towards a low-pitched spectrum, providing a mellow and subtle auditory experience, while the Purple Sakura switches have a mild and neutral sound signature. Your choice of keyboard and keycaps will also play a role in the final sound produced by these switches.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches are described as creamy and stepped, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience with a gentle tactile feel. On the other hand, the Sarokeys Purple Sakura switches are characterized as buttery and snappy, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation with a responsive tactility. Both switches offer a mild typing experience that should be comfortable for most users.
Overall, if you prefer a switch with a low-pitched sound and a stepped tactile feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a buttery downstroke and a snappy response, the Sarokeys Purple Sakura switches would be the way to go. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so choosing between them would depend on your personal typing style and preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a relaxed and gentle tactile typing experience with a mellow and neutral sound profile, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a snappy response with a decadently buttery downstroke and a balance of pronounced tactility without being overpowering, the Sarokeys Purple Sakura switches would be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your choice between the two switches will depend on whether you prioritize a creamy and stepped feel or a buttery and snappy feel, as well as your preference for a low-pitched sound profile in the Crystal Violet or a neutral sound profile in the Purple Sakura. Both switches offer quality tactile experiences, so consider your typing style and preferences carefully before making your decision.
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