Everglide Crystal Violet vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Crystal Violet and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream offer unique typing experiences for different preferences. The Crystal Violet's light operating force of 45g provides a relaxed and tactile typing experience, with a mellow and lower-pitched sound profile thanks to the use of ABS in its housings. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch stands out for its smooth and creamy feel, achieved through the innovative use of POK material in both the stem and bottom housing, and its high-pitched and clacky sound signature. If you're looking for a gentle and comfortable typing experience, the Crystal Violet may be the switch for you. However, if you prefer a smooth and creamy feel with a distinctive sound profile, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch could be the better choice. 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
43g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
ABS
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
POK
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
In terms of housing materials, the Everglide Crystal Violet and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches both feature ABS top housings. ABS is known for producing a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing, providing a smooth and satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch utilizes a proprietary KTT blend for its top housing, resulting in a high-pitched and clacky sound signature when typing. While both switches share a similar ABS top housing material, the different proprietary blends in the Vanilla Ice Cream switch offer a unique typing experience compared to the Crystal Violet.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Everglide Crystal Violet and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches feature different materials. The Crystal Violet utilizes ABS for its bottom housing, similar to its top housing, resulting in a consistent low-pitched sound profile when typing. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch incorporates a POK bottom housing, which is known for its smoothness, durability, and clacky sound profile. The POK material in the Vanilla Ice Cream switch offers a unique typing experience with its exceptional smoothness and durability compared to the ABS bottom housing of the Crystal Violet.
Considering both the top and bottom housings, the Everglide Crystal Violet and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches offer distinct characteristics in terms of sound profile and typing experience. While the Crystal Violet switch provides a consistent low-pitched sound profile with its ABS housing materials, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch stands out with its proprietary KTT blend and POK materials, resulting in a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preferences for sound profile, typing feel, and durability.
Weight
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams compared to the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, which has an actuation force of 43 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Crystal Violet requires 55 grams while the Vanilla Ice Cream only needs 48 grams. This makes the Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch lighter in both actuation and bottom out force compared to the Crystal Violet tactile switch, which is medium-light in terms of force. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch may be the better option, allowing for longer periods of typing without fatigue. However, for individuals who enjoy a more substantial typing feel with a stronger push, the Crystal Violet switch would be the preferred choice. Both switches provide different typing experiences based on their actuation and bottom out forces, catering to the preferences of different users.
Travel distance
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Crystal Violet has a slightly longer travel distance, making it ideal for those who prefer a deeper press when typing. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream has a slightly shorter travel distance, which is favored by gamers looking for a quicker response time. Both switches offer a different typing experience, with the Crystal Violet providing a more substantial feel and the Vanilla Ice Cream offering a more immediate response. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on personal preference and typing style.
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 KTT Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
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 tactile switch offers a pleasant and mellow experience with a low-pitched profile, making it subtle and non-intrusive. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch delivers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature that sets it apart from competitors, giving a sharp and crisp auditory feedback. Both switches provide distinct sound profiles catering to different preferences - the Crystal Violet for a more relaxed tone and the Vanilla Ice Cream for a more intense and dynamic sound.
Moving on to feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet switch is described as offering a creamy and mild typing experience, featuring a smooth and buttery feel that is gentle and approachable. It also has a stepped tactile sensation, providing a more subtle and nuanced keypress experience. In contrast, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch also boasts a buttery and creamy typing experience, reminiscent of its dessert namesake, and provides a seamless and effortless keystroke sensation. Both switches present a smooth and comfortable feel, with the Crystal Violet offering a slightly more stepped tactile experience compared to the Vanilla Ice Cream's linear action.
In conclusion, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch offer unique and distinctive qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Crystal Violet provides a mellow and stepped tactile experience with a low-pitched sound profile, the Vanilla Ice Cream delivers a high-pitched and clacky sound paired with a buttery and smooth typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and typing sensation, with both options guaranteeing a premium mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, consider the following factors. If you prefer a medium-light bottom out force and a relaxed, stepped tactile typing experience with a mellow, low-pitched sound profile, the Crystal Violet may be the ideal choice for you. Conversely, if you lean towards a lighter bottom out force and enjoy a smooth, creamy feel with a high-pitched, clacky sound signature, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch could be the perfect fit. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing experience, sound profile, and bottom out force to ensure a comfortable and satisfying typing session.
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