Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Wuque Studio WS Brown
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Wuque Studio WS Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Wuque Studio WS Brown, both highly regarded tactile mechanical keyboard switches. The Crystal Violet, with its light operating force of 45g, provides a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience perfect for those seeking a comfortable feel. The switches have a pleasantly mellow sound profile, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, offering a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, the WS Brown switches strike a balance between responsiveness and comfort with their medium-light actuation force, ensuring fatigue-free typing during long sessions. Enthusiasts particularly appreciate the delightful auditory experience provided by the WS Brown switches, attributed to their familiar nylon housing and POM stem combination. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Wuque Studio WS Brown differ in terms of their composition and the resulting sound profile. The Crystal Violet uses ABS for both its top and bottom housing, while the WS Brown utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housing. ABS is a relatively rare plastic to be used in switch housings, but it produces a low-pitched sound profile when typing. On the other hand, nylon is a classic switch housing material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer composition and ability to absorb more sound. Therefore, while the Crystal Violet and WS Brown have different housing materials, they both offer unique sound characteristics when typing.
One distinction between the two switches lies in the impact of their bottom housings. The Crystal Violet's ABS bottom housing contributes to its low-pitched sound profile, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed down. In contrast, the WS Brown's nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound due to its softer plastic composition, creating a duller and rounder sound upon bottoming out. This difference highlights how the bottom housing material can significantly influence the overall typing experience and resulting sound produced by the switch.
Another difference can be found in the impact of the top housing on the sound produced when releasing a key. Although both the Crystal Violet and WS Brown have distinct top housing materials, their composition affects the sound profiles differently. The ABS top housing of the Crystal Violet contributes to its low-pitched sound profile upon key release. In contrast, the nylon top housing of the WS Brown produces a deeper and fuller sound when letting go of a key. This contrast demonstrates the influence of the top housing material in generating the sound profile perceived when releasing a key.
In summary, the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Wuque Studio WS Brown differ in their housing materials and the resulting sound profiles. The Crystal Violet's ABS housing materials provide a relatively low-pitched sound profile, while the WS Brown's nylon housing materials produce a deeper and fuller sound. However, both switches showcase the impact of housing materials on the overall typing experience, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, and the top housing affecting the sound when releasing a key. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preferences for sound and typing feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch, it is evident that they have similar bottom out forces of 55 grams, which falls within the medium-light range. However, the actuation force of the Crystal Violet is specified at 45 grams, while the actuation force of the WS Brown is unknown.
Weight plays an important role in switch selection, as it can greatly impact typing comfort and user preference. Those who prefer a lighter actuation force may find the Crystal Violet more suitable, as it allows for longer typing sessions and is well-suited for work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience may opt for a switch with a heavier actuation force.
Since the bottom out forces of both switches are the same, users can expect a similar resistance when pressing the keys all the way down, regardless of the actuation force. However, it is important to note that without knowing the exact actuation force of the WS Brown switch, it is difficult to provide a precise comparison. Overall, the Crystal Violet can be considered the lighter option in terms of actuation force, while the actuation force of the WS Brown remains unknown.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch to the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch, there is a slight difference between the two. The Crystal Violet has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the WS Brown has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. While both switches offer a decent amount of depth, the Crystal Violet provides a slightly longer keypress experience. This can be beneficial for those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing or gaming. On the other hand, the WS Brown's shorter travel distance can be advantageous for gamers seeking quicker response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and whether one prioritizes a longer travel distance for a deeper press or a shorter travel distance for a faster response time.
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 Wuque Studio WS Brown comes in at $3.50 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
When it comes to sound, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch is known for its pleasantly mellow and low-pitched profile. This creates a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience, thanks to the special use of ABS in the switches' housings. On the other hand, there is no specific information available about the sound profile of the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used. Therefore, it is advisable to consider these factors when choosing between the two switches.
In terms of feel, the Crystal Violet tactile switch offers a creamy and mild typing experience. The creamy sensation is achieved through the application of lubricant at the factory or specific materials used in the switch. This results in a smooth and buttery feel, akin to gliding your fingers across the keys effortlessly. Additionally, the switch is described as stepped, meaning it has two stages of tactile feedback with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. On the other hand, information about the feel of the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch is not available.
Based on the available information, it can be concluded that the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch offers a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a pleasantly mellow and low-pitched sound profile. It provides a creamy and mild feel, making it approachable for most users. While there is no specific information about the sound and feel of the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch, it offers a medium-light actuation force and claims to strike a harmonious balance between responsiveness and comfort. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches should be based on personal preference and considering factors such as sound profile, feel, actuation force, and any other features that may be important to the individual user.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are seeking a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a gentle and comfortable feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch would be an excellent choice for you. With a light operating force of 45g, these switches offer a pleasant and non-intrusive auditory experience with their low-pitched sound profile. The Crystal Violet switches are also crafted with ABS housings, adding to their unique and special qualities.
On the other hand, if you value a harmonious balance between responsiveness and comfort during extended typing sessions, the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch would be a great option. With a medium-light actuation force of 55g, these switches provide a familiar and delightful auditory experience. The WS Brown switches feature a nylon housing and POM stem combination that enthusiasts cherish.
Both switches offer their own unique qualities and advantages, so ultimately, your choice would depend on your personal preferences and typing needs. Whether you prioritize a relaxed and stepped tactile experience or a harmonious balance of responsiveness and comfort, these switches can cater to your specific requirements.
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