Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Yellow Silver are both mechanical keyboard switches with their own unique characteristics. The Crystal Violet is a tactile switch, offering a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a light operating force of 45g. This switch provides a gentle and comfortable feel, making it ideal for those who enjoy a softer touch while typing. Additionally, the Crystal Violet switch has a mellow and non-intrusive sound profile, thanks to the special use of ABS in its housing. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver is a linear switch that is favored by gamers and typists who value speed and responsiveness. It features a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile. While the Crystal Violet offers a creamy and low-pitched typing experience, the Yellow Silver prides itself on its neutral characteristics. 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
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Yellow Silver differ in terms of their housing materials. The Crystal Violet features an ABS top housing, which is a relatively rare plastic to be used in switch housings. When typing on switches with ABS, a relatively low-pitched sound profile can be experienced. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a stiffer plastic, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound profile. Additionally, the polycarbonate top housing of the Yellow Silver is especially useful for RGB lighting due to its translucency.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Crystal Violet is also made of ABS, resulting in a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing. In contrast, the Yellow Silver features a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is a classic switch housing material and typing on switches with nylon elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics.
When a switch has different top and bottom housings, the qualities of each housing material are split between the bottom and top of the switch. The bottom housing has more influence on the bottom-out sound and feel when the switch is pressed down, while the top housing primarily impacts the sound when a key is released. Therefore, the choice of housing materials in both the top and bottom play a significant role in determining the overall sound profile and feel of a switch.
In summary, the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Yellow Silver showcase differences in housing materials. The Crystal Violet utilizes ABS for both the top and bottom housing, resulting in a relatively low-pitched sound profile. In contrast, the Yellow Silver features a polycarbonate top housing, creating a sharper and crisper sound, while its nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound. However, both switches highlight the impact of housing materials on the overall sound profile and feel, whether it be ABS or polycarbonate for the top housing or ABS and nylon for the bottom housing.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, it is evident that both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams and bottom out force of 55 grams, making them equally medium-light in terms of weight. This means that regardless of which switch is chosen, users can expect similar results in terms of force required to trigger a keystroke and the feeling of bottoming out. This similarity in weight might appeal to individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience, as it allows them to type for longer periods of time without fatigue. However, for those who desire a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, they may opt for options with heavier forces. Overall, both the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch offer a medium-light actuation and bottom out force, providing a comfortable typing experience for a variety of users.
Travel distance
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, meaning that you will experience a similar feeling when pressing down on the keys. Both switches offer a satisfactory travel distance, ensuring a comfortable typing experience. While one may have expected a distinction between the two switches in terms of their travel distance, it appears that they are equal in this regard. Therefore, users can expect comparable results from both the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch.
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 Outemu Yellow Silver comes in at $3.40 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
In terms of sound, the Crystal Violet switches have a low-pitched sound profile. This means that they produce a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. The sound of these switches is described as pleasantly mellow, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switches have a neutral sound profile. This means that they have a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile. Overall, both switches offer a non-intrusive auditory experience, but the Crystal Violet switches lean towards a lower-pitched sound while the Yellow Silver switches have a more neutral sound.
In terms of feel, the Crystal Violet switches are described as creamy, mild, and stepped. Creamy switches offer a smooth and buttery typing experience, reminiscent of gliding your fingers across the keys with ease. Mild switches provide a gentle typing experience without any pronounced characteristics. Stepped switches have two stages of tactile feedback, with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. This combination of qualities in the Crystal Violet switches creates a relaxed and comfortable feel for those seeking a tactile typing experience. On the other hand, there is no specific description of the feel of the Yellow Silver switches available. However, based on the information provided, it can be inferred that they offer a light actuation force and a comfortable typing experience favored by gamers and typists who prefer speed and responsiveness.
Taking into account all the available information, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switches and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switches have some similarities and differences. In terms of sound, both switches have a neutral sound profile, but the Crystal Violet switches lean towards a lower-pitched tone. In terms of feel, the Crystal Violet switches offer a creamy, mild, and stepped typing experience, while there is no specific description of the feel of the Yellow Silver switches. Overall, if you prefer a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a mellow sound, the Crystal Violet switches would be a suitable choice. If you prefer a linear switch with a neutral sound profile and a light actuation force, the Yellow Silver switches would be a good option.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience, the Everglide Crystal Violet switch with its light operating force of 45g is a great choice. It offers a gentle and comfortable feel, making it ideal for those who prioritize comfort during long typing sessions. Additionally, its sound profile leans towards the lower-pitched spectrum, providing a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a speediness and responsiveness, the Outemu Yellow Silver switch is perfect for you. It features a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, making it favorable for both gamers and typists. With its moderate actuation force requirement and sound profile, it is suitable for most intents and purposes. Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Yellow Silver switch depends on your personal preferences and typing style.
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