HMX Deep Navy vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue

Overview

When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the choice often boils down to personal preference, but two intriguing options to consider are the HMX Deep Navy and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, both linear switches. The Deep Navy is renowned for its rich, sharp sound profile, crafted with a full nylon construction that ensures durability, while the Ly stem provides a silky smooth keystroke experience that can elevate your typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue stands out for its unique thocky sound profile, immersing users in a satisfying auditory experience. Its lengthened single-stage spring delivers a bouncy feel, complemented by a standard spring weight that makes it enjoyable and accessible to a broad array of typists. While the Deep Navy offers a smooth and sharp auditory experience, the Tourmaline Blue provides a softer, more cushioned feedback with its thocky sound. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

HMX Deep Navy Linear

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$3.50

$2.79 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

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Housing materials

The HMX Deep Navy and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches prominently feature distinct top housing materials that significantly influence their sound profiles. The Deep Navy utilizes a nylon top housing, which is known for delivering a deeper, fuller sound. This is largely attributed to nylon's softer characteristics, which absorb more sound and contribute to a more rounded auditory experience. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue is constructed with a polycarbonate top housing, which tends to produce a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate. This difference in materials means that while the Deep Navy may appeal to users who prefer a warmer and more muted sound, the Tourmaline Blue may attract those seeking clarity and resonance, especially in environments with RGB lighting.

The bottom housings of both switches reinforce the contrasting acoustic characteristics established by the top housings. The Deep Navy's nylon bottom housing echoes the warmer sound profile of its top counterpart, further deepening the auditory experience with its ability to absorb sound and produce a duller thud when the key is pressed. Meanwhile, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing complements its top housing's crispness, creating a sound that is both clear and resonant when the key bottoms out. Consequently, users who choose the Deep Navy are likely to enjoy a cohesive and unified auditory experience, whereas those selecting the Everglide might experience a punchy and distinct sound with each key press.

When examining the overall impact of the different housing materials, it is essential to note how they work in conjunction to produce the final auditory and tactile experience. In switches where each housing material diverges—like the Deep Navy and Tourmaline Blue—the sound characteristics from the top and bottom housing effectively merge upon actuation. In the case of a press, the bottom housing will primarily influence the bottom-out feel and sound, offering a fuller sound for the Deep Navy and a sharper note for the Tourmaline Blue. Conversely, the sound when releasing the key will reflect more of the top housing's attributes, linking the unique sonic contributions of each material. Thus, despite their individual differences, both switches can provide satisfying auditory responses by synthesizing the qualities inherent to each housing material.

Weight

The HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch differ significantly in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Deep Navy features a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it ideal for users who prefer a softer touch for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue possesses a heavier actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, catering to those who appreciate a more substantial, tactile feel when typing. Ultimately, while the Deep Navy's forces allow for quicker and less strenuous keystrokes, its lighter nature may lead to fatigue over long periods for some users. On the other hand, the Everglide option, with its medium-heavy resistance, may provide a more grounded typing experience for users seeking more feedback with each keystroke. Thus, while both switches serve different preferences, the choice between them largely hinges on individual typing style and comfort needs.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, we find that the Deep Navy has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Tourmaline Blue offers a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This makes the HMX Deep Navy the shorter option, favoring users who seek a more responsive experience, particularly useful for gamers who benefit from faster key actuation. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, with its longer travel distance, may appeal to those who prefer more pronounced feedback and a hearty depth in their keystrokes, potentially leading to a more deliberate typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will come down to personal preference regarding responsiveness versus tactile feedback.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the HMX Deep Navy switch delivers a rich, sharp auditory experience, and is characterized by a full nylon construction that enhances acoustic properties. Users can expect a distinct sound that adds a layer of satisfaction with each keystroke. Conversely, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch offers a deeper, thocky sound profile that is immersive and invites engagement in the typing experience. This sound is often described as neutral, making it appropriate for various environments and user preferences, as it strikes a balance that remains non-intrusive. Both switches will produce different auditory experiences, yet each can easily suit personal whims depending on the setup and preferred typing context.

When discussing feel, the Deep Navy switch shines with its silky smooth operation, ensuring that each key press is unimpeded and fluid. This translates to a comfortable typing experience, but more specific details about the switch's actuation force and overall resistance are not given. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch is noted for its "buttery" feel, making key presses effortless. With a lightweight spring that requires minimal force, these switches enhance comfort, especially during extended typing sessions. The feel of the Tourmaline Blue is further described as mild and easy-to-press, greatly reducing finger fatigue while maintaining an approachable experience even for newcomers. While details on the Deep Navy's feel are less specific, it can be inferred that its smoothness is comparable to the effortless and comfortable typing sensation provided by the Tourmaline Blue.

In conclusion, both the HMX Deep Navy and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches offer unique and enjoyable experiences rooted in their sound and feel. The Deep Navy provides a sharp and engaging sound profile paired with a smooth keystroke, whereas the Tourmaline Blue excels in its thocky sound and buttery feel, made even more accessible by its gentle resistance. While they embody different characteristics, both switches can cater to a range of typing preferences effectively, giving users the versatility to choose based on their specific desires and typing environments.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch should ultimately reflect your personal typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you prefer a lighter switch for long typing sessions with minimal fatigue, the Deep Navy’s 45-gram actuation force provides a silky smooth and effortless experience. This makes it perfectly suited for those who prioritize speed and comfort, especially in environments where noise can be an issue. On the other hand, if you enjoy a more tactile and responsive feel with an audible thock, the Tourmaline Blue’s medium-heavy 67-gram actuation force delivers a delightful bouncy sensation that many find satisfying. Its balanced sound profile and buttery smoothness cater well to users looking for an engaging typing experience whether at home or in a shared workspace. In essence, choose the Deep Navy for a quieter, effortless experience, and opt for the Tourmaline Blue when you desire a bit more feedback and personality in your keystrokes.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Deep Navy Linear

$3.50

$2.79 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more