Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Outemu Red Panda

Overview

The Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Red Panda are both tactile switches that offer unique typing experiences for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Crystal Violet is best known for its light operating force of 45g, providing a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. It offers a gentle and comfortable feel, ideal for those who prefer a more subtle tactile feedback while typing. The sound profile of the Crystal Violet switches is pleasantly mellow, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, thanks to the rare use of ABS in the switch's housings. On the other hand, the Red Panda provides a light-medium amount of tactility, accompanied by a bassier bottom-out sound and a clackier top-out sound. It offers a thocky typing experience, appealing to individuals who prefer a more distinct tactile feedback and sound. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities, so you can best decide on the switch that suits your typing preferences and needs.

By the numbers

Everglide Crystal Violet Tactile

Outemu Red Panda Tactile

$7.08

$4.19 per 10

$3.40 per 10

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Housing materials

The Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Red Panda differ in their housing materials, resulting in distinct sound profiles when typing on the switches. The Crystal Violet features ABS top and bottom housings, which is a relatively rare plastic to be used in switch housings. This choice of material creates a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing on the switches. In contrast, the Red Panda uses a polycarbonate top housing, which offers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a more clear and resonant sound quality. Aesthetically, the Crystal Violet's ABS top housing does not provide the translucency necessary for RGB lighting, while the Red Panda's polycarbonate top housing is ideal for showcasing vibrant lighting effects.

Moving on to the bottom housings, the Crystal Violet retains its ABS material, leading to a similar low-pitched sound profile as the top housing. On the other hand, the Red Panda incorporates a nylon bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is known for being a relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. Consequently, typing on switches with nylon bottom housings produces a duller and rounder sound. This variation in materials between the Crystal Violet and the Red Panda's bottom housings contributes to the overall sound experience when pressing down on the switches.

Considering the impact of the top and bottom housings on typing sounds, it can be noted that the bottom housing material has a greater influence on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. When pressing down a key, the qualities of the bottom housing become more apparent. Meanwhile, the top housing has a more pronounced effect on the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, while the Crystal Violet and the Red Panda may have different top and bottom housing materials, their combinations still deliver similar results in terms of key-press sound profiles and experiences.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch, we can observe some similarities and differences. In terms of actuation force, the Crystal Violet requires 45 grams, while the Red Panda requires slightly more at 50 grams. Both switches fall under the category of medium actuation force. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, the Crystal Violet has a lighter requirement of 55 grams, whereas the Red Panda requires a slightly heavier force of 60 grams.

For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Crystal Violet would be a suitable choice, as it offers a lower actuation and bottom out force. This lighter weight allows for longer typing periods, making it suitable for work or extensive gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Red Panda. With its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out force, it provides a more tactile and robust typing sensation.

Overall, both switches offer a tactile feedback with similar actuation forces, providing satisfying keystrokes. The nuanced difference lies in the bottom out force, with the Crystal Violet being lighter and the Red Panda being slightly heavier. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch, we can see that the Crystal Violet has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Red Panda has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. The Crystal Violet has a slightly longer travel distance, making it more suitable for those who prefer a deeper key press. On the other hand, the Red Panda offers a shorter travel distance, which is often favored by gamers looking for quick response times. The choice between the two ultimately depends on personal preference - if you value a more responsive feel, the Red Panda would be the better option. However, if you prefer a more substantial and deeper key press, the Crystal Violet would be the more suitable choice. Regardless of the variation in travel distance, both switches offer tactile feedback and are reliable options for different typing or gaming needs.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches have a pleasant and mellow tone that leans towards the lower-pitched spectrum. This creates a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience, which is enhanced by the special use of ABS in the switch housing. On the other hand, the Outemu Red Panda switches produce a bassier, raindrop-like bottom-out sound and a clackier, higher-pitched top-out sound. The Red Panda switches are described as thocky, meaning they have a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Overall, if you prefer a low-pitched and mellow sound, the Crystal Violet switches would be a great choice. If you prefer a thocky sound with a mix of bassier and clackier tones, the Red Panda switches would be a better fit.

In terms of feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches offer a creamy and mild typing experience. The creamy feel is achieved through the application of lubricant at the factory and possibly the use of specific materials. Typing on these switches provides a smooth and buttery sensation, like gliding your fingers across the keys effortlessly. The mild characteristic of the Crystal Violet switches means that they offer a gentle and approachable typing experience, standing in a safe middle-ground zone. On the other hand, the Outemu Red Panda switches are also described as mild, offering a gentle typing experience without any pronounced characteristics. Both switches provide a comfortable and easy-to-use feel. If you enjoy a creamy, stepped typing experience with a mild feel, the Crystal Violet switches would be a suitable choice. If you simply prefer a mild and approachable typing experience, the Red Panda switches would also provide a comfortable feel.

In conclusion, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches and the Outemu Red Panda switches have distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. Whereas the Crystal Violet switches have a low-pitched and mellow sound with a creamy and mild typing feel, the Red Panda switches offer a thocky sound with a mix of bassier and clackier tones and a mild typing feel. Both switches provide a comfortable and pleasant typing experience, but the choice ultimately depends on personal preference. If you prefer a low-pitched, mellow sound and a creamy, stepped typing feel, the Crystal Violet switches would be a great option. However, if you prefer a thocky sound and a simple, mild typing feel, the Red Panda switches would also provide a satisfying experience.

Conclusion

In closing, choosing between the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch depends on your personal preferences. If you prioritize a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a gentle and comfortable feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet switch is ideal for you. These switches offer a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams and produce a pleasantly mellow and lower-pitched sound, thanks to the special use of ABS in their housings. On the other hand, if you prefer a light-medium amount of tactility with a bassier bottom-out sound and a clackier top-out sound, the Outemu Red Panda switch is a better choice. These switches have a medium bottom out force of 60 grams and provide a mild typing experience. Ultimately, you should consider the sound and feel you desire in a switch and make your decision accordingly.

Mentioned in this article

Everglide Crystal Violet Tactile

$7.08

$4.19 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Red Panda Tactile

$3.40 per 10

Learn more