Everglide Crystal Violet vs. TKC Tangerine
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the TKC Tangerine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Everglide Crystal Violet and the TKC Tangerine, two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique typing experiences. The Crystal Violet is a tactile switch, designed with a light operating force of 45g, making it ideal for individuals seeking a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. With a gentle and comfortable feel, these switches provide a pleasant mellow sound profile, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, thanks to the rare use of ABS in their housings. On the other hand, the Tangerine is a linear switch that takes typing to the next level. With an incredibly smooth feel, every keystroke is a pleasure. The UHWMPE housings contribute to this seamless typing experience, which is a rarity in the world of bespoke mechanical switches. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities, so you can decide on the best switch for your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
UHWMPE
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold coated spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Crystal Violet and the TKC Tangerine differ in their housing materials, which affect the sound profile and overall typing experience. The Crystal Violet's ABS top housing is a relatively rare plastic used in switch housings, commonly found in keycaps. Typing on switches featuring ABS top housing results in a relatively low-pitched sound profile. In contrast, the Tangerine utilizes a newer material called UHWMPE for its top housing. This material creates a very bright sound signature, offering resonant clacks when typing on switches with such housings. Therefore, the Crystal Violet provides a quieter and lower-pitched typing experience compared to the Tangerine with its more vibrant and resonant sound.
Similarly, the ABS bottom housing of the Crystal Violet is relatively rare but commonly used in keycaps. This material contributes to a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing on switches. On the other hand, the Tangerine employs UHWMPE for its bottom housing, which again is a newer material for switch housings. The UHWMPE material imparts a very bright sound signature, resulting in resonant clacks when typing on Tangerine switches. Thus, the Crystal Violet's ABS bottom housing delivers a similar low-pitched sound experience, while the Tangerine's UHWMPE bottom housing provides a more vibrant and resonant typing sound.
When the top and bottom housings of a switch differ, the qualities of each housing material will contribute to different aspects of the typing experience. Pressing down on a switch predominantly reveals the qualities of the bottom housing, which impacts the bottom-out sound and feel. Therefore, the choice of housing material for the bottom housing is crucial in determining the overall typing experience. On the other hand, the top housing material primarily affects the sound produced when releasing a key. The combination of different top and bottom housing materials allows for a more nuanced and customizable typing experience, where the user can choose the desired sound and feel according to their preference.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Crystal Violet has an actuation force of 45 grams, which is considered medium-light, while its bottom out force is slightly heavier at 55 grams. On the other hand, the Tangerine's actuation force is unknown, but its bottom out force is measured at 62 grams, placing it in the medium range.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Crystal Violet would be the preferable choice due to its lower actuation and bottom out forces. This lighter weight allows for longer periods of comfortable typing, making it ideal for extended work or gaming sessions. On the contrary, for individuals who enjoy a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience, the Tangerine switch with its higher bottom out force would be the better option. It provides a more pronounced resistance when pressing down, offering a satisfying tactile feedback.
Although the actuation force of the Tangerine switch remains unknown, it is important to note that both switches fall within the medium range of bottom out force. This means that they provide a similar level of resistance when fully pressed down, resulting in a comparable typing experience in that regard.
Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Crystal Violet and the TKC Tangerine switches depends on personal preference. Those seeking a lighter and more effortless typing experience may gravitate towards the Crystal Violet, while individuals desiring a more tactile and solid feel may lean towards the Tangerine.
Travel distance
Both the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will feel the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Therefore, both switches will provide a similar tactile and responsive typing experience, with no difference in the distance traveled by the switch.
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 TKC Tangerine comes in at $6.30 per 10 switches.
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 switches produce a pleasant and mellow tone, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum. This creates a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience, making them suitable for those who prefer a more bass-heavy and mellow sound profile. On the other hand, the TKC Tangerine switches have a higher-pitched clack when typing on them, producing a sharp and crisp sound. If you prefer a more rich and bassy sound profile, the Tangerine switches might not be the ideal choice.
When it comes to feel, the Crystal Violet switches offer a creamy and mild typing experience. They provide a smooth and buttery sensation, similar to gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. These switches also have a stepped tactile feel, which means you can feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel during typing. On the other hand, the Tangerine switches have a frictionless and buttery feel. They offer an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. The Tangerine switches are also described as polished, meaning they have a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches have a low-pitched sound profile, a creamy and mild feel, and a stepped tactile experience. On the other hand, the TKC Tangerine switches have a high-pitched sound profile, a frictionless and buttery feel, and a polished typing experience. If you are looking for a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a mellow sound, the Crystal Violet switches would be a great choice. If you prefer an incredibly smooth and frictionless typing experience with a higher-pitched sound, the Tangerine switches would be more suitable. Both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience, but it ultimately depends on personal preference.
Conclusion
In closing, if you prioritize a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a gentle and comfortable feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch would be the best choice for you. The Crystal Violet switch has a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams, making it suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch. Additionally, its low-pitched sound profile creates a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience, perfect for those who prefer a mellow tone. The Crystal Violet switch's creamy and mild feel provides a smooth and approachable typing experience, while its stepped design adds a touch of tactility without being overpowering.
On the other hand, if you value an incredibly smooth typing experience and prefer linear switches, the TKC Tangerine linear switch is the way to go. With a medium bottom out force of 62 grams, the Tangerine switch provides a balanced typing feel. Its high-pitched sound profile produces a sharp and crisp sound, ideal for those who enjoy a more distinctive auditory feedback. The Tangerine switch's frictionless, buttery, and polished feel ensures a seamless and effortless typing experience, as each keystroke glides smoothly and uniformly.
Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch depends on your personal preferences. Consider factors such as key force, sound profile, and typing feel to determine which switch will best suit your typing style and preferences.
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