Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Dareu Snow
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Dareu Snow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Dareu Snow offer distinct typing experiences to suit different preferences. The Crystal Violet is a tactile switch loved for its light operating force of 45g, providing a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience ideal for those seeking a gentle and comfortable feel. With a pleasantly mellow sound profile leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, these switches offer a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow is a linear switch known for its innovative use of POK material for both the top housing and stem, resulting in a smooth typing experience with a deeper sound signature. While the Crystal Violet excels in being creamy and mild, the Snow offers a thocky and bouncy feel. Both switches have their own unique characteristics, making them suitable for different typing 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
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
POK
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Nylon
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 Dareu Snow, it is clear that they differ significantly in their composition and properties. The Crystal Violet utilizes ABS for both the top and bottom housing, resulting in a low-pitched sound profile when typing. In contrast, the Snow features a POK top housing, known for its smoothness and durability, and a nylon bottom housing that produces a deeper and fuller sound. This means that the Crystal Violet offers a more consistent sound profile, while the Snow provides a blend of smoothness and depth in sound.
The use of ABS in the Crystal Violet's housing material may make it more prone to wear and tear compared to the POK material used in the Snow. While ABS is a common plastic in keycaps, its rarity in switch housings may indicate a potential weakness in terms of durability. On the other hand, the POK material in the Snow is incredibly strong and wear-resistant, making it a top choice for ensuring the longevity of the switches. This key difference in material composition highlights the importance of considering the overall quality and lifespan of the switches when making a decision between the two.
Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Dareu Snow will depend on individual preferences for sound profile and durability. The Crystal Violet's ABS housing may offer a familiar typing experience with a low-pitched sound, while the Snow's combination of POK and nylon provides a smooth and clacky typing experience with a deeper sound profile. Both switches have their unique strengths and weaknesses, making it important for users to consider their priorities when selecting a switch for their keyboard setup.
Weight
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Dareu Snow linear switch, which has an actuation force of 50 grams. However, the Crystal Violet has a heavier bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Snow has a bottom out force of 60 grams. This means that the Crystal Violet offers a lighter initial push but requires slightly more force to fully press down, providing a different typing experience compared to the Snow which has a more consistent force requirement throughout. Both switches fall within the medium-light to medium range, making them suitable for users who prefer a moderate amount of resistance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and keypress resistance. Whether you choose the Crystal Violet or the Snow, you can expect a satisfying typing experience with similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch, it is evident that the Crystal Violet has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Snow's 3.3 mm. The Crystal Violet offers a more traditional travel distance, which may provide a more satisfying and substantial feel when pressing down on the key. On the other hand, the Snow's shorter travel distance may be preferred by gamers looking for quicker response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference regarding the feel and responsiveness desired during typing or gaming sessions.
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 Dareu Snow has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Snow for $5.76.
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 is known for its low-pitched and neutral sound profile, offering a soothing auditory experience that is not too intrusive. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow switch provides a thocky and low-pitched sound, creating a deep and satisfying tone when typing. Depending on personal preference, the Crystal Violet may be preferred for its mellow sound, while the Snow may be favored for its rich and deep sound signature. Both switches offer different sound profiles, catering to varying preferences in keyboard sound.
When it comes to feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet switch is described as creamy, mild, and stepped. Offering a smooth and buttery typing experience, these switches provide a gentle sensation with a two-stage tactile feel. In contrast, the Dareu Snow switch is described as bouncy, providing a spring-like and elastic feedback sensation when typing. The Crystal Violet switch may appeal to those looking for a softer and more gradual tactile response, while the Snow switch may be preferred by users seeking a livelier and more responsive typing experience. Both switches offer unique tactile feels, allowing users to choose based on their individual preferences.
Overall, the Everglide Crystal Violet switch and the Dareu Snow switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Crystal Violet switch provides a relaxing and mild typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile, the Snow switch offers a deeper and more lively feel with a thocky sound signature. Both switches cater to different preferences, allowing users to select the switch that best suits their typing style and preferences. Whether you prefer a gentle and creamy feel with a neutral sound or a bouncy and spring-like feedback with a thocky sound, both switches provide unique typing experiences in the world of mechanical keyboard switches.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when deciding between the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch, consider your preference for typing experience. If you prefer a light operating force and a relaxed tactile typing experience with a mellow sound profile, the Crystal Violet switch may be ideal for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth linear switch with a deeper sound signature and a moderate bottom out force, the Dareu Snow switch could be a better fit. Ultimately, your choice should be based on whether you prioritize a gentle and comfortable feel (Crystal Violet) or a deep and satisfying sound (Snow) in your mechanical keyboard setup.
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