Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, there are various factors to consider, such as typing experience, auditory feedback, and personal preference. Two switches that provide distinct characteristics are the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile. The Everglide Crystal Violet switches are crafted with a light operating force of 45g, offering a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. With a mellow sound profile leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, these switches provide a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switches have a profound and pronounced tactile bump, providing a satisfying resistance with each keystroke thanks to their 70g tactile force. These switches also offer a captivating sound profile, with Wuque Studios' nylon housings contributing to a "thocky" resonance. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.20 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 single-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile differ in terms of the materials used. The Crystal Violet utilizes ABS for both the top and bottom housing, while the WS Heavy Tactile features nylon for both the top and bottom housing. ABS is a relatively rare plastic to be used in switch housings, whereas nylon is a classic switch housing material.
In terms of sound profile, both switches offer distinct characteristics. Typing on the Crystal Violet, which features ABS housing, produces a relatively low-pitched sound. This is due to ABS being a harder plastic that does not absorb as much sound, resulting in a sharper and crisper sound profile. On the other hand, the WS Heavy Tactile with nylon housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the bottom housing material plays a significant role. With the Crystal Violet, which has ABS bottom housing, the bottom-out sound and feel will be influenced by the properties of ABS. This means that pressing down on the switch will result in a slightly harder and snappier feel. In contrast, the WS Heavy Tactile's nylon bottom housing will contribute to a softer and more cushioned bottom-out feel.
On the other hand, the top housing material has more influence on the sound when releasing a key. With the Crystal Violet's ABS top housing, the sound when letting go of a key will have a sharper and crisper tone. In contrast, the WS Heavy Tactile's nylon top housing will result in a slightly duller and rounder sound upon key release.
Overall, while the materials used in the housing of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile differ, they each bring their own unique qualities to the switches' sound and feel. The Crystal Violet with ABS housing offers a low-pitched sound and a snappier bottom-out feel, while the WS Heavy Tactile with nylon housing provides a deeper sound profile and a softer bottom-out feel. However, it's important to note that both switches aim to provide a satisfying typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile tactile switch, there are notable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Crystal Violet has an actuation force of 45 grams, providing a medium-light touch to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the actuation force for the WS Heavy Tactile switch is unavailable, making it difficult to determine the exact force required to initiate a keystroke. However, the Crystal Violet has a bottom out force of 55 grams, indicating a slightly heavier push required for a complete keystroke compared to the WS Heavy Tactile's 45-gram bottom out force, which is considered light.
Considering weight, the Crystal Violet offers a lighter typing experience with its actuation force and slightly heavier bottom out force. This feature makes it suitable for individuals who prefer longer typing sessions without exerting excessive force. Alternatively, the WS Heavy Tactile switch remains unknown in terms of actuation force, but its lighter bottom out force appeals to those who desire a more substantial typing experience. These individuals may appreciate the tactile feedback and the sensation of pressing keys with a slightly firmer touch. Both switches provide distinct advantages depending on one's preferred typing style, ensuring satisfactory results and a personalized keyboarding experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile tactile switch, it is clear that there is a notable difference. The Crystal Violet has a travel distance of 4 mm, which falls within the more traditional range. On the other hand, the WS Heavy Tactile has a shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm. This means that if you prefer a more responsive typing experience, the WS Heavy Tactile would be the better choice. Gamers, in particular, tend to favor shorter travel distances for faster response times. However, for those who prefer a deeper, more substantial feel when pressing down on a key, the Everglide Crystal Violet with its longer travel distance would be the more suitable option. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
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 Heavy Tactile 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
The sound profile of the Everglide Crystal Violet switches is low-pitched, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum. This creates a mellow and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switches have a clacky and high-pitched sound profile. They produce a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, providing a more engaging and immersive auditory feedback. The Crystal Violet switches offer a gentle and comfortable feel, described as creamy and mild. They provide a smooth and buttery typing experience with a safe middle-ground feel. In contrast, the WS Heavy Tactile switches have an accented and sharp tactile bump. They offer a pronounced feedback and a snappy, reactive feel.
In conclusion, the Everglide Crystal Violet switches are best suited for those seeking a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a mellow sound profile. The Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switches, on the other hand, provide a more engaging and immersive typing journey with a clacky and high-pitched sound profile. Both switches offer unique subjective qualities and can cater to different preferences. However, if you prefer a creamy and mild feel with low-pitched sound, you can achieve similar results with the Crystal Violet switches. If you prefer an accented and sharp tactile feedback with a clacky and high-pitched sound, the WS Heavy Tactile switches would be the better option.
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 switch with a bottom out force of 55 grams would be an excellent choice for you. These switches offer a mellow sound profile 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 more engaging and immersive typing journey with a pronounced tactile bump, the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switch with a bottom out force of 45 grams would be a great fit. These switches offer a familiar and captivating sound profile with a "thocky" resonance, providing satisfying auditory feedback. The WS Heavy Tactile switches have an invigorating and sharp feel, offering a high feedback intensity and a snappy typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Crystal Violet and WS Heavy Tactile switches depends on your preference for typing experience, sound profile, and feel.
Mentioned in this article
