Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Haimu Viola Tricolor
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Everglide Crystal Violet and the Haimu Viola Tricolor are both tactile switches that offer unique typing experiences. The Crystal Violet is known for its light operating force of 45g, making it ideal for those seeking a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. Its sound profile is pleasantly mellow and leans towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. Additionally, the rare use of ABS in the Crystal Violet switches' housings adds to their overall smoothness. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor switches are designed to deliver a thuddy and punchy sound profile, adding character to your typing experience. They offer a pronounced tactility, providing satisfying feedback without being overly tactile. The Viola Tricolor strikes a perfect balance, offering a sharp sensation without overwhelming the user. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these 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
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
Dual-staged gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Haimu Viola Tricolor differ significantly. The Crystal Violet features an ABS top housing, which is a relatively rare plastic to be used in switch housings. This ABS housing creates a low-pitched sound profile when typing, offering a softer and more muted typing experience. In contrast, the Viola Tricolor utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The polycarbonate material brings a more clear and resonant sound, making it particularly desirable if RGB lighting is used.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Crystal Violet also incorporates an ABS material. Like the top housing, this ABS bottom housing leads to a low-pitched sound profile, yielding a consistent typing experience throughout the switch. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor employs a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is a classic switch housing material that offers a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. Its relatively softer nature allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This creates a unique and satisfying typing experience for users.
When it comes to the overall feel and sound of the switches, the materials used in the top and bottom housings play a significant role. The bottom housing, whether ABS or nylon, has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when the switch is pressed down. In contrast, the top housing, whether ABS or polycarbonate, affects the sound when the key is released. Therefore, users can expect different tactile feedback and sound characteristics depending on which switch they choose.
In conclusion, the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Haimu Viola Tricolor have distinct housing materials that significantly impact their sound profiles and typing experiences. The Crystal Violet's ABS housing delivers a softer and more muted typing sound, whereas the Viola Tricolor's polycarbonate and nylon housings provide sharper and fuller sound profiles, respectively. Despite these differences, both switches offer satisfying typing experiences, with the bottom and top housings influencing the bottom-out and key-release sounds, respectively.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch differ in terms of weight. The Crystal Violet has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it a medium-light switch. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor's actuation force is unavailable, and its bottom out force is 63.5 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy.
Considering weight preferences, those who prefer lighter switches might opt for the Crystal Violet. Its lighter actuation force allows for longer periods of typing or extended gaming sessions, making it ideal for use at work or during gaming marathons. However, for individuals who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the heavier Viola Tricolor might be a better option. The Viola Tricolor's higher bottom out force provides a more pronounced sensation with each keystroke.
It is important to note that the actuation force of the Viola Tricolor is unavailable, which makes it difficult to directly compare it to the Crystal Violet. However, based on the known bottom out forces, it can be deduced that the Viola Tricolor is comparatively heavier than the Crystal Violet.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, one can see that the Crystal Violet has a slightly longer travel distance at 4 mm compared to the Viola Tricolor's 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Crystal Violet being more towards the deeper end and the Viola Tricolor slightly shallower. Gamers who prioritize fast response times may lean towards the Viola Tricolor with its shorter travel distance. On the other hand, those seeking a more substantial key travel experience may prefer the Crystal Violet's longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences for responsiveness and depth.
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 Haimu Viola Tricolor has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Viola Tricolor for $3.09.
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 offers a pleasantly mellow experience that leans towards the lower-pitched spectrum. The use of ABS in the switch housings contributes to this subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor provides a thuddy and punchy sound profile, adding a touch of character to your typing. It offers a deeper and richer sound with a lower frequency range resembling bass tones. Both switches have a low-pitched characteristic, which means they feature a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. However, it's important to note that the sound of the switches can also be influenced by factors like the keyboard and keycaps being used.
When it comes to feel, the Crystal Violet offers a creamy and mild typing experience. With a smooth and buttery sensation, typing on these switches feels like effortlessly gliding your fingers across the keys. It falls into the category of mild switches, providing a gentle typing experience that most users will find approachable. Additionally, the Crystal Violet is described as having a stepped feel, meaning it has a two-stage tactile response with noticeable pre-travel and/or post-travel. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor is described as accented and invigorating. It provides a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming, offering pronounced feedback and a snappy, reactive feel.
Based on the available information, the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Haimu Viola Tricolor have distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Crystal Violet offers a mellow and gentle typing experience, with a creamy and stepped tactile response. It provides a relaxed and comfortable feel without being overly tactile. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor offers a thuddy and punchy sound profile, with a pronounced tactility that strikes a balance between being satisfying and not overwhelming. Its invigorating and accented feel provides an immersive typing sensation. While both switches have low-pitched sound profiles, they provide different experiences overall. It's important to consider personal preferences and requirements when choosing between these two switches.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, you should consider your preference for bottom out force and sound profile. The Crystal Violet has a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Viola Tricolor has a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams. If you prefer a lighter typing experience, the Crystal Violet may be the better choice for you.
Sound-wise, the Crystal Violet offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile. These switches produce a mellow and non-intrusive auditory experience, thanks to the use of ABS in their housings. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor provides a bassy and low-pitched sound profile, adding a touch of character to your typing experience.
When it comes to feel, the Crystal Violet offers a creamy, mild, and stepped typing experience. These switches provide a smooth and buttery feel, with a gentle and approachable tactility. The Viola Tricolor, on the other hand, offers an accented and invigorating typing experience. These switches provide a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming, creating a snappy and reactive feel.
Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Crystal Violet and Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switches depends on your personal preferences for bottom out force, sound profile, and feel. Consider the characteristics of each switch and choose the one that aligns with your desired typing experience.
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