Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Durock Sea Glass, two mechanical keyboard switches offering distinct typing experiences. If you prefer a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience, the Crystal Violet switches are ideal for you. With a light operating force of 45g, these switches provide a gentle and comfortable feel. Additionally, the Crystal Violet switches emit a pleasantly mellow sound profile, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, making for a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switches showcase a captivating selection of five pastel colors, instantly standing out as favorites by Durock. These linear switches offer a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness in their typing experience, thanks to their proprietary material blend. Despite their 62g bottom-out force, these switches possess a weightlessness that defies expectations and remain smooth to the touch. Furthermore, typing on the Sea Glass switches produces a uniquely hollow sound signature. 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
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
P3+
Top housing material
ABS
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Everglide Crystal Violet and the Durock Sea Glass differ in their housing materials, with the Crystal Violet featuring ABS top and bottom housings, while the Sea Glass utilizes a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for both its top and bottom housing. ABS is commonly used in keycaps but rarely found in switch housings, resulting in a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing on the Crystal Violet switches. On the other hand, the Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend of the Sea Glass provides a pleasant sound profile that is bright but not particularly sharp.
The difference in housing materials between the two switches also impacts the overall typing experience. With the Crystal Violet, the ABS bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. This means that the bottom housing's characteristics will be more pronounced during keystrokes. In contrast, the top housing, which is also made of ABS, has a greater influence on the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, the Crystal Violet's sound profile is a combination of the bottom and top housing characteristics.
In the case of the Durock Sea Glass, its unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE is consistent in both the top and bottom housings. This blend creates a desired sound profile that is enjoyable, not overly sharp, and slightly on the brighter side. As a result, the Sea Glass offers a more unified sound experience throughout keystrokes, with both the bottom-out and key release producing similar tones. While the Crystal Violet relies on the contrast between its ABS top and bottom housings for sound variation, the Sea Glass achieves a more consistent sound profile due to the similarity in its housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, some similarities and differences arise. Both switches have an actuation force of 45 grams, indicating a light to medium-light touch is required to trigger a keystroke. This means that users who prefer a lighter typing experience will find similar results with both switches. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, the Crystal Violet requires 55 grams of force, while the Sea Glass requires 62 grams. This makes the Crystal Violet slightly lighter in terms of bottoming out. For those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel, the Sea Glass may be the preferred choice due to its heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on the user's preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Durock Sea Glass linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Crystal Violet being slightly longer.
If you are a gamer looking for a faster response time, the shorter travel distance of the Sea Glass may be more suitable for you. This allows for quick and precise keystrokes, perfect for competitive gaming. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper and more substantial feeling when typing, the Crystal Violet's longer travel distance may be more to your liking. The additional depth can provide a sense of stability and satisfaction, especially for those who appreciate a more tactile typing experience.
Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the specific needs of the user. Whether opting for a shorter or longer travel distance, both the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Durock Sea Glass are capable of delivering a reliable typing experience, albeit with slightly different sensations.
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 Durock Sea Glass has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Glass for $4.87.
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 Everglide Crystal Violet switch has a low-pitched sound profile. This means that the switch produces a bass-heavy and mellow tone, which is generally more pleasant to the ears compared to higher-pitched switches. On the other hand, information about the sound profile of the Durock Sea Glass switch is not provided. To achieve similar results in sound, it is important to consider other factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps, as these can also contribute to the overall sound produced by the switches.
When it comes to feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet switch offers a creamy and mild typing experience. The switch has a smooth and buttery feel, akin to gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. It also features a stepped tactile feel, which means that it has two stages in its keystroke, providing a more subdued tactile feedback compared to hypertactile switches. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass switch is described as frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press. This means that the switch offers an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance or friction. It also has a light actuation force, reducing finger fatigue and making it comfortable for extended typing sessions. Both switches offer a comfortable and approachable typing feel, but with slightly different characteristics.
Taking all the available information into account, the Everglide Crystal Violet switch is best known for its relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. It has a pleasant and mellow sound profile due to its use of ABS in the switch housing. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass switch series stands out with its captivating pastel colors and distinct dry, wispiness, and airy typing experience. It offers a frictionless and weightless feel, along with a uniquely hollow sound signature. While they may have different qualities, both switches provide comfortable and enjoyable typing experiences. Factors such as personal preference, typing style, and the keyboard setup should be considered when choosing between these switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a comfortable feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch would be a great choice for you. With a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams, these switches offer a gentle and effortless typing experience. The Crystal Violet switches also have a pleasantly mellow and low-pitched sound profile, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. Moreover, their creamy and mild feel adds to the overall smoothness and comfort of typing on these switches. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a medium bottom out force of 62 grams, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch would be a suitable option. These switches are known for their distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness, which create a unique typing experience. Despite their slightly higher bottom out force, the Sea Glass switches offer a weightlessness and frictionless nature that defies expectations. This, coupled with their hollow sound signature, adds to the overall character and appeal of these switches. Ultimately, your choice between the Everglide Crystal Violet and Durock Sea Glass switches would depend on whether you prefer a tactile or linear switch, as well as the specific qualities and characteristics that best align with your typing preferences.
Mentioned in this article
