Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro. The Crystal Violet is highly sought after for its light operating force of 45g, providing a relaxed and gentle tactile typing experience. Its mellow sound profile, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, further enhances the overall typing sensation. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro offers a medium tactility with a light touch and a neutral sound signature, making it a well-balanced option for those looking for a comfortable typing experience. While both switches excel in offering a tactile feel, the Crystal Violet leans towards a creamier and mildly tactile experience, while the Violet Gold Pro provides a more neutral and balanced typing sensation. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
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
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Crystal Violet and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles and overall typing experience. The Crystal Violet utilizes ABS for both the top and bottom housing, resulting in a relatively low-pitched sound when typing. In contrast, the Violet Gold Pro uses polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing. The polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, while the nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound. This difference in housing materials leads to distinct typing experiences for each switch.
While the Crystal Violet and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro both offer unique sound profiles due to their housing materials, they also share similarities in terms of their construction. Both switches feature ABS in their top housing, although the Dareu utilizes polycarbonate for this component. This similarity may result in similar sound profiles when typing on the switches, as ABS is known to provide a relatively low-pitched sound. Additionally, both switches showcase innovation in their use of different materials for the top and bottom housing, allowing for a diverse typing experience that combines the qualities of each material.
Overall, the choice between the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro will come down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and typing feel. The ABS housing of the Crystal Violet offers a unique typing experience with a low-pitched sound, while the combination of polycarbonate and nylon in the Violet Gold Pro results in a more dynamic sound profile with both sharp and deep tones. Whether you prefer a softer or stiffer typing experience, these switches offer options to cater to different preferences, showcasing the importance of housing materials in creating a distinct typing feel.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, it is evident that they have a similar actuation force of 45 grams. However, the Crystal Violet has a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the bottom out force for the Violet Gold Pro is unknown. The Crystal Violet is considered to be on the medium-light side in terms of weight, providing a comfortable typing experience for longer durations. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro's weight is unclear, making it difficult to determine if it aligns more with a lighter or heavier preference. Actuation force is important for triggering keystrokes efficiently, while bottom out force affects the overall typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches may come down to personal preference, with some users favoring a lighter touch for extended typing sessions, while others may prefer a heavier force for a more substantial feel.
Travel distance
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. In this case, the Crystal Violet has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Violet Gold Pro. Both switches fall within the traditional range of travel distances, with the Crystal Violet being on the higher end. Gamers who prefer faster response times may lean towards the Violet Gold Pro due to its slightly shorter travel distance. On the other hand, those who enjoy a deeper key press may find the Crystal Violet more satisfying. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and key press feel.
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 Dareu Violet Gold Pro has an MSRP of $7.73 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Violet Gold Pro for $4.76.
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 that provides a soothing auditory experience during typing. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switch also provides a neutral sound profile, making it a versatile option suitable for various environments. Both switches offer a non-intrusive sound, allowing for a more peaceful typing experience. However, the specific sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet switch is praised for its creamy and mild tactile experience, offering a smooth and gentle typing sensation that is comfortable for extended use. Additionally, the stepped tactile feel of the Crystal Violet switch provides a two-stage typing experience with noticeable pre-travel and post-travel. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switch also features a stepped tactile feel, offering a mild typing experience that is approachable to most users. Both switches provide a balanced and comfortable tactile feel, making them suitable for long typing sessions without causing fatigue.
Overall, both the Everglide Crystal Violet and Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in sound and feel. While the Crystal Violet may lean towards a mellow sound profile and creamy tactile feel, the Violet Gold Pro provides a more neutral sound and a mild tactile experience. Depending on personal preference for sound and typing sensation, either switch can provide a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on individual preferences and the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, you should consider your preferences for typing experience. If you prefer a light operating force and a relaxed, creamy typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile, then the Crystal Violet would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a balanced tactile option with a fairly light touch and a neutral sound signature, the Violet Gold Pro would be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer a unique typing experience, so it ultimately comes down to your personal preference and typing style.
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