Neo Lavender HE vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Neo Lavender HE and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When exploring the world of mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches is crucial to tailoring your typing experience. The Neo Lavender HE switch, a hall effect switch, is celebrated for its clean, low sound, making it an ideal choice for users who appreciate a quieter workspace while maintaining a responsive feel. These switches are known for their compatibility with Wooting keyboards, offering a unique magnetic actuation that stands out from traditional switches. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch offers a distinctly different experience with its deep, thocky sound profile that immerses users in a satisfying auditory feedback. It features a lengthened single-stage spring that provides a bouncy tactile sensation, allowing for enjoyable and accessible keystrokes across a diverse user base. While the Lavender HE leans towards a sleek and subtle performance, the Tourmaline Blue invites a more pronounced auditory and tactile engagement. 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
40g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
16mm single-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Neo Lavender HE and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, one can discern notable differences that significantly influence the overall typing experience. The Lavender HE utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housings, renowned for its softer texture, which contributes to a more muted and warmer sound profile. The deeper, fuller sounds produced by the nylon housing are a consequence of its ability to absorb sound waves, creating a rounder acoustic experience. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue employs polycarbonate for both top and bottom housings, resulting in a sharper and crisper sound profile. The rigidity of polycarbonate enhances the resonance, leading to a clearer keystroke that is particularly prevalent in its sound output.
The material differences between nylon and polycarbonate also affect sound characteristics upon key release and bottoming out. With the Lavender HE, the nylon bottom housing predominantly shapes the feel and sound when the key is pressed down, resulting in a softer landing and a more subdued acoustic feedback. Conversely, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, benefiting from its polycarbonate construction, delivers a more pronounced and uplifting sound profile during key releases, enhancing the clarity of the typing rhythm. These differences not only affect the auditory experience but can also influence user preference based on tactile feedback and the desired acoustic environment of their typing experience.
However, despite these distinct characteristics, both switches can yield satisfactory and enjoyable typing experiences depending on personal preference. If a user appreciates the deeper sounds and softer feedback typically offered by the Lavender HE, they may still find joy in the more resonant feedback of the Tourmaline Blue if they’re looking for a sharper and clearer contrast. Thus, while the materials create different auditory profiles, achieving a satisfying typing experience is ultimately subjective and can align well with the user’s particular needs and situational contexts.
Weight
When comparing the Neo Lavender HE hall effect switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there is a distinct difference in both actuation force and bottom out force, making them suitable for different typing preferences. The Lavender HE features a light actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it ideal for users who favor a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue has a significantly heavier actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, catering to those who prefer a more substantial tactile experience and the confident feeling of a stronger push. Overall, the Lavender HE is the lighter option, while the Tourmaline Blue leans towards a medium-heavy feel. Users seeking a light approach should gravitate towards the Lavender HE, while those desiring a heavier switch would do well with the Tourmaline Blue.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Neo Lavender HE hall effect switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, the Lavender HE measures 3.8 mm, while the Tourmaline Blue comes in at 4.0 mm. This means that the Lavender HE has a shorter travel distance, making it potentially more responsive for users who favor quicker key presses, such as gamers. In contrast, the longer travel distance of the Tourmaline Blue might appeal to those who prefer a more substantial typing experience, providing a sense of depth and feedback with each keystroke. Consequently, if you're looking for a switch that offers a brisk and snappy feel, the Lavender HE would be the preferable choice, whereas the Tourmaline Blue caters to users who appreciate a more pronounced key travel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Tourmaline Blue has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Tourmaline Blue for $3.89.
The Neo Lavender HE comes in at $4.50 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
In terms of sound, the Neo Lavender HE hall effect switch produces a clean, low sound that is distinct yet unobtrusive, suitable for various environments where typing noise might be a concern. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch delivers a deep and thocky sound profile that creates a richer auditory experience, making typing feel more immersive. While the Lavender HE's sound is characterized by its cleanliness and low volume, the Tourmaline Blues emphasize a more robust acoustic signature, which may cater to users seeking a satisfying auditory feedback during their typing.
When it comes to feel, the Neo Lavender HE switch offers a unique experience due to its magnetic actuation mechanism, which provides a distinctively smooth feel, although specific details about its tactile feedback aren't specified. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue is designed for an easy-to-press experience, requiring minimal force to activate and thereby enhancing comfort during extended typing sessions. This switch also features a more gentle and mild typing experience, making it accessible to a broad range of users, especially those who may be new to mechanical keyboards. The combination of a lower force requirement and a pleasant mildness helps to create a comfortable typing experience.
In conclusion, while the Neo Lavender HE and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches offer different sound profiles, the feel of the Tourmaline Blue is characterized by its easy-to-press and mild attributes, which contribute to a more forgiving experience during long typing sessions. Ultimately, your choice between these switches may come down to personal preference regarding auditory feedback and the desired typing experience; both can yield satisfying results depending on your specific needs and keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, your choice between the Neo Lavender HE hall effect switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and intended usage. If you prioritize a light bottom-out force and enjoy a clean, low sound profile, the Lavender HE could be an excellent fit, especially for gaming or fast-paced typing sessions where reduced finger fatigue is critical. The compatibility with Wooting keyboards adds to its appeal for gamers looking for a responsive and smooth experience. Conversely, if you prefer a more tactile and satisfying sound with a deeper auditory feedback, the Tourmaline Blue's medium-heavy actuation and thocky sound might resonate better with you. Its bouncy feel, combined with easy-to-press characteristics, delivers a comfortable typing experience that suits both casual and professional settings alike. In essence, choose the Neo Lavender HE for a lightweight, minimalistic feel and sound, while opting for the Everglide Tourmaline Blue for a fuller, robust typing sensation that strikes a balance across a variety of uses.
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