Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Jerrzi Salt Ice
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Jerrzi Salt Ice switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Jerrzi Salt Ice mechanical keyboard switches, you will find yourself at a crossroads between a tactile and a linear switch. The Crystal Violet offers a tactile typing experience with a light operating force of 45g, perfect for those looking for a relaxed and stepped tactile feel, while the Salt Ice provides a linear typing experience with exceptionally bright and clacky characteristics, ideal for users seeking an energetic and responsive typing experience. The sound profile of the Crystal Violet leans towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a mellow auditory experience, while the Salt Ice switches offer vibrant feedback and effortless actuation. 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
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Jerrzi Salt Ice, it is evident that they both prioritize sound profile characteristics but achieve them through different means. The Crystal Violet utilizes ABS for both its top and bottom housings, resulting in a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing. On the other hand, the Salt Ice opts for polycarbonate in both housing components, leading to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. While both materials offer unique sound profiles, the use of polycarbonate in the Salt Ice gives it a distinctive edge in terms of clarity and resonance, especially when coupled with RGB lighting due to its translucency.
Despite the differences in housing materials, the Crystal Violet and Salt Ice share a commonality in the attention given to sound profiles. Both switches leverage their respective materials to enhance the auditory experience of typing, with ABS providing a softer, more subdued sound in the Crystal Violet and polycarbonate offering a clearer, more pronounced sound in the Salt Ice. This emphasis on sound demonstrates a shared commitment to delivering a satisfying typing experience, albeit through different approaches. Additionally, the use of clear housings in both switches allows for a glimpse into the inner workings of the switches, adding an aesthetic appeal to their functionality.
Ultimately, the choice between the Crystal Violet and Salt Ice housing materials comes down to personal preference in sound profile and aesthetics. While the Crystal Violet's ABS housing may cater to those who prefer a quieter typing experience, the Salt Ice's polycarbonate housing appeals to individuals seeking a more distinct and resonant sound. Additionally, the visual impact of the clear polycarbonate housing in the Salt Ice, particularly when paired with RGB lighting, may be a deciding factor for some users. Regardless of the choice made, both switches showcase the importance of housing materials in defining the overall typing experience and highlight the versatility of ABS and polycarbonate in achieving different sound profiles.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch, it is evident that they both have the same actuation force of 45 grams, making them equally light in terms of the force needed to trigger a keystroke. However, the Crystal Violet has a slightly higher bottom out force of 55 grams compared to the Salt Ice, which has an unknown bottom out force. This means that the Crystal Violet provides a slightly heavier typing experience when fully pressing down on the keys. Weight considerations come into play here, as the Crystal Violet may be more suitable for those who prefer a bit more resistance or feedback in their typing, while the Salt Ice may be more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch, it is clear that the Crystal Violet has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Salt Ice's 3.4 mm. The Crystal Violet offers a more traditional travel distance, providing a deeper and more deliberate keystroke experience, which some users may prefer for its sense of depth. On the other hand, the Salt Ice's shorter travel distance appeals to gamers and those seeking a quicker response time. Both switches have their benefits depending on personal preference, with the Crystal Violet catering to those who value a more pronounced key press, while the Salt Ice caters to those who prioritize speed and agility in their typing or gaming experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to individual preference in terms of travel distance.
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 Jerrzi Salt Ice has an MSRP of $2.79 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Salt Ice for $2.30.
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, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch offers a low-pitched and mellow tone that provides a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch is known for its exceptionally bright and clacky characteristics, creating a vibrant feedback during typing. Both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences; however, the Crystal Violet's lower-pitched sound may appeal more to those seeking a quieter typing experience, while the Salt Ice's bright and clacky sound is perfect for users looking for a more energetic typing feel.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet switch provides a creamy and mild typing experience, offering a smooth and buttery sensation with a gentle tactile feedback. The stepped tactile feel of the Crystal Violet switch adds a layer of complexity to the typing experience, providing a comfortable and satisfying feel with each keystroke. On the other hand, information regarding the feel of the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch is unknown; however, based on its bright and clacky sound profile, it can be inferred that the Salt Ice may offer a crisp and responsive feel during typing.
Overall, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch offer unique subjective qualities that cater to different preferences in terms of sound and feel. While the Crystal Violet provides a more relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile, the Salt Ice offers a bright and clacky typing experience that is energetic and responsive. Depending on your personal preference for sound and feel, both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience with their distinct characteristics.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switches and Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switches, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams, a gentle and comfortable typing experience, and a mellow sound profile leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, then the Crystal Violet switches would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer linear switches with a bright and clacky feel, vibrant feedback, and effortless actuation that doesn't have a specified bottom out force, then the Salt Ice switches may be more suited to your typing preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it's important to consider what qualities are most important to you when making your decision.
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