Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Gazzew U4T
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Gazzew U4T switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Gazzew U4T. The Crystal Violet switches are known for their light operating force of 45g, offering a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. These switches provide a gentle and comfortable feel, accompanied by a pleasantly mellow sound profile that leans towards the lower-pitched spectrum. This subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience is partly due to the rare use of ABS in the switches' housings. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4Ts offer a harmonious fusion of thockiness and sharp tactility. With a bassy "thock" sound profile and assertive tactile feedback, every keystroke with the U4Ts provides both auditory and tactile satisfaction. While these general pointers can help guide your decision, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
65g
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
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel 17.5mm Korean spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Gazzew U4T have distinct characteristics that result in different typing experiences. The Crystal Violet features an ABS top housing, which is a relatively rare plastic to be used in switch housings. This ABS material gives the switch a relatively low-pitched sound profile, providing a quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the U4T's proprietary Gazzew blend top housing, also known as "boba plastic," delivers a rich and deep sound profile due to its softness. Typing on the U4T switches will produce a more pronounced and satisfying click sound.
Moving on to the bottom housings, both the Crystal Violet and the U4T have ABS bottom housings. While ABS is commonly used in keycaps, its use in switch housings is relatively rare. Typing on switches featuring ABS bottom housing will result in a relatively low-pitched sound profile. In contrast, the U4T's proprietary Gazzew blend bottom housing, or "boba plastic," offers a different typing experience. This soft plastic blend contributes to a rich and deep sound profile when bottoming out the keys. The bottom housing has a noticeable impact on the sound and feel of the switch when pressed down.
In summary, the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Gazzew U4T have different housing materials that bring unique qualities to the typing experience. The ABS housing of the Crystal Violet provides a relatively low-pitched and quieter sound profile, while the U4T's proprietary Gazzew blend housing delivers a rich and deep click sound due to its softness. While the top and bottom housings have distinct impacts on the overall sound and feel, both switches offer unique typing experiences with their respective housing materials. So, if you're looking for a switch with a softer and deeper sound profile, the U4T would be a great choice, while the Crystal Violet will provide a quieter and lower-pitched typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Gazzew U4T tactile switch, there are some noticeable differences. The Crystal Violet has an actuation force of 45 grams, while the U4T's actuation force is unavailable. Despite this difference, both switches have a medium level of actuation force.
In terms of bottom out force, the Crystal Violet requires 55 grams to bottom out, whereas the U4T tactile switch has a bottom out force of 62 grams. This means that the U4T switch is slightly heavier when it comes to bottoming out.
Considering weight, some individuals prefer a lighter switch, as it allows for longer typing sessions without fatigue. This would make the Crystal Violet a suitable choice for those who value a lighter feel. On the other hand, some users prefer a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience. For these individuals, the slightly heavier bottom out force of the U4T may be a better fit.
Overall, while the actuation force of the Crystal Violet and the unavailable actuation force of the U4T are not directly comparable, both switches offer a medium actuation force. The main distinguishing factor lies in the bottom out force, with the U4T being slightly heavier. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
Both the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Gazzew U4T tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance of travel. Therefore, you can expect similar results in terms of the tactile feedback and overall typing experience with both switches.
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 Gazzew U4T comes in at $6.50 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 pleasantly mellow and low-pitched sound. This creates a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience, thanks in part to the rare use of ABS in their housings. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4T switches offer a bassy 'thock' sound profile. This creates a deeper and richer sound during key presses, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. The U4T switches also produce a satisfying and deep "thud" or soft "knock" when the keys are pressed and released. Both switches offer different sound profiles, with the Crystal Violet leaning towards a softer and lower-pitched sound, while the U4T provides a deeper and more satisfying auditory experience.
When it comes to feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches provide a creamy and mild typing experience. The switches are known for their smooth and buttery feel, offering a silky sensation as the fingers effortlessly glide across the keys with ease. The Crystal Violet switches also fall into the middle ground in terms of their tactile characteristics, offering a safe and approachable typing experience for most users. Additionally, they have a stepped feel, meaning that the switch has two stages where you can feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel, providing a more mild tactile sensation. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4T switches offer a sharp and distinct tactile bump with each keypress. These switches have a high feedback intensity, providing a strong and crisp tactile bump that can be felt distinctly. The U4T switches offer a more pronounced tactile experience compared to the milder and smoother feel of the Crystal Violet switches.
In conclusion, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches excel in providing a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a mellow and low-pitched sound profile. Their creamy and mild feel makes typing smooth and comfortable, and the stepped design adds a touch of tactility to the overall experience. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4T switches offer a unique fusion of thockiness and sharp tactility. Their bassy "thock" sound profile and assertive tactile feedback add an auditory and tactile satisfaction to every keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Crystal Violet and Gazzew U4T switches depends on personal preference for sound and feel. However, if you enjoy a softer and lower-pitched sound with a mild and creamy feel, the Crystal Violet switches would be a great option. If you prefer a deeper and more satisfying sound with a sharp and distinct tactile bump, the U4T switches would be an excellent choice. It's important to note that the overall sound and feel of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a light operating force, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch would be a great choice for you. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, these switches offer a gentle and comfortable feel, making them ideal for those seeking a softer typing experience. The sound profile of the Crystal Violet switches is pleasantly mellow, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. Additionally, the Crystal Violet switches have a creamy and mild feel, providing a smooth and approachable typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a stronger tactile feedback and a deeper, richer sound profile, the Gazzew U4T tactile switch would be more suitable for you. With a bottom out force of 62 grams, these switches embody a harmonious fusion of thockiness and sharp tactility. Each keystroke provides a satisfying auditory and tactile experience, with a bassy 'thock' sound profile that resembles the depth and richness associated with bass tones. The U4T switches have a sharp tactile bump, providing a high feedback intensity that can be distinctly felt with every keypress.
Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Crystal Violet and Gazzew U4T switches depends on your preference for typing experience. If you value a softer and more relaxed feel with a mellow sound, the Crystal Violet switches would be a great fit. However, if you prefer a stronger tactile feedback and a deeper, richer sound, the U4T switches would be the way to go. Consider your personal preferences and typing style to make the decision that best suits your needs. In closing, both switches offer unique and enjoyable typing experiences, so choose the one that aligns with your preferences.
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