Keygeek Keygeek Raw vs. Everglide Lightning Silver V3
An in-depth look at the Keygeek Keygeek Raw and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Keygeek Raw and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 both offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Keygeek Raw stands out for its blend of materials, combining nylon, UMPE, and silicon to create a creamy and lightweight switch with a slightly textured feel right out of the box. This switch is perfect for enthusiasts who prefer to hand-lube their switches and is categorized as textured, mild, neutral, subtle. On the other hand, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3, produced by Haimu, offers a clacky and high-pitched sound signature along with a silky typing experience. Its light diffuser enhances RGB illumination for a vibrant touch to any keyboard setup, categorized as clacky, high-pitched, silky. While these general pointers provide an overview of each switch, diving deeper into their specific characteristics will help you make the best decision for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
57.5g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon & UPE blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
UMPE & Si blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Keygeek Raw and Everglide Lightning Silver V3 both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their overall sound profiles. The Keygeek Raw utilizes a Nylon & UPE blend for its top housing, providing a softer and more subdued sound when compared to the Lightning Silver V3's polycarbonate top housing. The polycarbonate material used in the Lightning Silver V3 creates a crisper and sharper sound profile, making it ideal for those who prefer a more distinct typing experience. Furthermore, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting to shine through, adding a visual element to the switch that the Keygeek Raw may not offer.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Keygeek Raw and Everglide Lightning Silver V3 feature unique blends of materials that contribute to their overall feel and sound. The Keygeek Raw's UMPE & Si blend bottom housing offers a different typing experience compared to the Lightning Silver V3's polycarbonate bottom housing. The choice of material in the bottom housing can impact the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, with the Keygeek Raw potentially providing a softer bottom-out feel compared to the stiffer polycarbonate of the Lightning Silver V3.
Overall, while the Keygeek Raw and Everglide Lightning Silver V3 may have different housing materials for their top and bottom housings, they both offer unique sound profiles and typing experiences. The Keygeek Raw's use of Nylon & UPE blends may provide a softer and more muffled sound, while the polycarbonate material in the Lightning Silver V3 creates a sharper and more resonant sound. Whether you prefer a softer typing experience or a crisper sound profile, both switches offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences.
Weight
In comparing the Keygeek Raw linear switch and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch, the Keygeek Raw has a bottom out force of 57.5 grams, while the Lightning Silver V3 has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 60 grams. However, the actuation force of the Keygeek Raw is not specified, while the actuation force of the Lightning Silver V3 is 48 grams. This means that the Lightning Silver V3 requires a lighter force to register a keystroke compared to the Keygeek Raw. The lighter actuation force of the Lightning Silver V3 may be favored by those looking for a smoother typing experience, while the heavier bottom out force of the Keygeek Raw may appeal to those seeking a more substantial tactile feedback. In terms of weight, both switches can be considered medium, with the Keygeek Raw leaning slightly towards the lighter side. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Keygeek Raw linear switch and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch, it is evident that both switches have the same travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that users can expect similar results in terms of the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom when pressing down on a key. The Keygeek Raw and Lightning Silver V3 switches offer consistent feedback and actuation due to their identical travel distances. Therefore, whether using the Keygeek Raw or the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switch, users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Keygeek Keygeek Raw has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Keygeek Raw for $3.51.
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lightning Silver V3 for $4.10.
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 Keygeek Raw switch offers a neutral profile, which means it has a moderate sound level that is suitable for a variety of settings and users. On the other hand, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switch is known for its clacky and high-pitched sound, providing a sharp and crisp typing experience that may be preferred by those who enjoy a more percussive sound. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
In terms of feel, the Keygeek Raw switch has a textured and mild typing experience, offering a subtle resistance that is not too heavy but still provides a tactile feel. This switch is suitable for those who prefer a smoother yet slightly frictional typing experience. Conversely, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switch is described as silky, providing an exceptionally smooth typing feel with minimized resistance when pressing and releasing keys, which can enhance the overall typing experience for users looking for a more seamless feel.
Overall, both the Keygeek Raw and Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Keygeek Raw switch provides a neutral sound profile and a textured, mild typing feel, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switch offers a clacky, high-pitched sound and a silky-smooth typing experience. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, either switch could be a great choice for your mechanical keyboard setup. In general, both switches promise a satisfying typing experience with their distinctive characteristics.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a slightly textured feel and a medium bottom out force, the Keygeek Keygeek Raw linear switch would be a great choice for you. These switches are perfect for enthusiasts who prefer hand-lubing their switches and enjoy a creamy yet lightweight typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a clacky and high-pitched sound with a silky smooth typing experience, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch would be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize a unique material blend and slightly textured feel (Keygeek Raw) or a clacky sound signature and enhanced RGB illumination (Everglide Lightning Silver V3). Both switches offer different qualities that cater to different preferences, so choose the one that aligns best with your typing needs and preferences.
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