Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Aflion Thunder Shadow
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Aflion Thunder Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Aflion Thunder Shadow mechanical keyboard switches, both offer tactile feedback but cater to slightly different preferences. The Crystal Violet boasts a light operating force of 45g, providing a relaxed and gentle tactile typing experience with a mellow and low-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, the Thunder Shadow from Aflion features a pronounced tactile bump and a medium weight feel with a 63.5g bottom-out, offering a more invigorating typing experience with a neutral 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
Both the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Aflion Thunder Shadow use different materials for their top and bottom housing, resulting in distinct sound profiles. The Crystal Violet features ABS for both its top and bottom housing, giving it a relatively low-pitched sound when typing. In contrast, the Thunder Shadow utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, creating a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. The translucent nature of polycarbonate also makes it ideal for RGB lighting, adding an aesthetic appeal to the switch.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Crystal Violet and the Thunder Shadow diverge once again. The Crystal Violet's ABS bottom housing contributes to its low-pitched sound profile, while the Thunder Shadow's nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound. Nylon's softer composition absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to ABS. These differences in material composition impact the overall typing experience and sound produced by each switch.
Overall, while the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Aflion Thunder Shadow may have contrasting housing materials, they both offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences. Whether you prefer the low-pitched sound of ABS or the sharper sound of polycarbonate, both switches provide a satisfying typing experience. Additionally, the use of different materials for the top and bottom housing of each switch allows for a nuanced sound profile that enhances the overall typing feel.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Aflion Thunder Shadow tactile switch, it is evident that the actuation and bottom out forces differ between the two. The Crystal Violet has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it a medium-light switch. In contrast, the Thunder Shadow has an unknown actuation force and a heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. This means that the Crystal Violet requires less force to register a keypress compared to the Thunder Shadow, providing a smoother typing experience for those who prefer a lighter touch. On the other hand, the Thunder Shadow offers a more substantial typing experience with its heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference, with the Crystal Violet being lighter and the Thunder Shadow being heavier in terms of force requirements.
Travel distance
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Aflion Thunder Shadow tactile switch both offer distinct travel distances that may appeal to different preferences. The Crystal Violet boasts a travel distance of 4 mm, making it a more traditional option, while the Thunder Shadow offers a slightly shorter distance of 3.5 mm. Gamers looking for quicker response times may lean towards the Thunder Shadow with its shorter travel distance, while those who enjoy a deeper key press may prefer the Crystal Violet. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for key press depth and responsiveness.
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 Aflion Thunder Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Thunder Shadow for $3.91.
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 switch offers a low-pitched and mellow tone, providing a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Aflion Thunder Shadow switch also boasts a neutral sound profile, ensuring a harmonious balance suitable for various typing environments. Both switches aim to deliver a pleasing sound experience that enhances the overall typing feel, although the individual preferences for sound may vary depending on the user's choice of keyboard and keycaps.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet switch is described as offering a creamy and mild typing experience with a stepped tactile sensation. This results in a smooth and buttery keystroke, providing a gentle and comfortable feel to the user. On the other hand, the Aflion Thunder Shadow switch is described as invigorating, offering pronounced feedback and a snappy, reactive feel for an immersive typing sensation. While the Crystal Violet switch focuses on a softer and more gradual tactile experience, the Thunder Shadow switch provides a more intense and stimulating typing feel, catering to users who prefer a firmer actuation force.
Overall, both the Everglide Crystal Violet and Aflion Thunder Shadow switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel, catering to different preferences and typing styles. The Crystal Violet excels in providing a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a mellow sound profile, while the Thunder Shadow delivers a more invigorating and pronounced tactile feedback with a neutral sound signature. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on the user's personal preference for sound, feel, and typing experience, ensuring that they will achieve a satisfactory result regardless of their decision.
Conclusion
In summary, when choosing between the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Aflion Thunder Shadow tactile switch, you should consider your preference for bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel. If you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a gentle, stepped tactile typing experience with a mellow, low-pitched sound profile, the Crystal Violet switch may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force with a pronounced tactile bump and a neutral sound signature, the Thunder Shadow switch might suit your preferences better. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing style and the overall typing experience you are looking for in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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