Gateron Luciola vs. Jerrzi Violet
An in-depth look at the Gateron Luciola and the Jerrzi Violet switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Gateron Luciola and Jerrzi Violet mechanical keyboard switches, you are presented with two distinct options. The Luciola is a linear switch known for its eye-catching glow-in-the-dark feature, medium heft, smooth and bouncy typing feel, and unique sound profile. On the other hand, the Violet is a tactile switch renowned for its gentle tactility, smooth actuation, and balanced typing experience. While the Luciola offers a snappy and clacky typing experience, the Violet provides a more neutral and stepped feel. Each switch has its own set of characteristics that cater to different preferences and typing styles. 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
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-staged long spring; black-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Luciola and the Jerrzi Violet, it is evident that they differ in terms of composition and resulting sound profiles. The Luciola utilizes a proprietary INK blend for both its top and bottom housing, which produces a relatively higher-pitched and clacky sound. In contrast, the Violet features a polycarbonate top housing that creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, while its nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound. This highlights how the choice of housing material can significantly impact the overall sound and feel of a switch.
Despite their differences, both the Luciola and the Violet emphasize the importance of housing material in determining the acoustics of a mechanical keyboard switch. While the Luciola's INK blend and the Violet's polycarbonate offer distinct sound profiles, they both prioritize creating a satisfying typing experience. Additionally, the use of polycarbonate in the Violet's top housing for enhanced RGB lighting showcases how housing material can also impact the aesthetics of a switch. Overall, the similarities and differences in housing materials between these two switches underscore the various factors to consider when selecting a mechanical keyboard for optimal performance and sound quality.
When considering the sound characteristics of the Gateron Luciola and the Jerrzi Violet, it is important to recognize how the top and bottom housing materials play a role in shaping the overall typing experience. While the Luciola's INK blend creates a pointy and clacky sound, the Violet's combination of polycarbonate and nylon results in a sharper top-out sound and a deeper bottom-out sound. This distinction highlights how each housing material contributes differently to the sound profile of a switch, with the bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, and the top housing influencing the sound upon key release. Ultimately, the choice between the Luciola and the Violet will depend on personal preference for sound, feel, and aesthetic considerations.
Weight
The Gateron Luciola linear switch has a higher actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch, which has an actuation force of 45 grams. Both switches have a bottom out force, with the Luciola requiring 60 grams and the Violet having an unknown force. This makes the Luciola switch slightly heavier in terms of actuation and bottom out forces compared to the Violet switch. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Violet switch may be more suitable, while those who prefer a more substantial typing feel may lean towards the Luciola switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Gateron Luciola linear switch and the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch have slightly different travel distances. The Luciola has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Violet has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. Though the difference is minimal, it can still impact the feel of typing or gaming on the keyboard. In this case, the Violet has a slightly longer travel distance, which may appeal to those who prefer a little more depth in their key presses. On the other hand, the Luciola's slightly shorter travel distance could be preferred by gamers looking for faster response times. Ultimately, both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them fairly similar in terms of key feel. It all comes down to personal preference and what feels most comfortable to the individual user.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Luciola has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Luciola for $6.50.
The Jerrzi Violet has an MSRP of $2.79 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Violet for $2.30.
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 Gateron Luciola linear switch is known for its clacky and chirpy sound profile, which gives it a distinct sharp and snappy sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch is described as having a neutral sound signature, offering a balanced and pleasant typing experience without any specific defining characteristics. Both switches provide different auditory experiences, with the Luciola being more vibrant and attention-grabbing, while the Violet is more subtle and versatile depending on the user's preference and context of use.
Moving on to feel, the Gateron Luciola linear switch is praised for its snappy and buttery typing feel, providing a responsive and smooth keystroke experience that feels alive and effortless. In contrast, the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch is characterized by its stepped tactile sensation, offering a more mild and nuanced tactile feedback compared to other more pronounced tactile switches. Despite the difference in tactile feedback, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience that caters to various preferences and typing styles.
In conclusion, the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Luciola excels in providing a clacky and vibrant sound profile along with a snappy and buttery typing feel, perfect for those who enjoy a more pronounced auditory and tactile experience. On the other hand, the Violet switch offers a neutral sound signature and a stepped tactile feel, appealing to users looking for a more balanced and subtle typing sensation. Ultimately, both switches provide reliable and enjoyable typing experiences, catering to different preferences and needs in the mechanical keyboard community.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when choosing between the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch, consider your preferences for typing experience. If you prefer a smooth and bouncy typing feel with a medium heft and a unique glowing feature, the Luciola switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you appreciate a gentle tactile feedback with a smooth actuation and pleasing poppy tactility, the Violet switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prefer a linear switch with a medium bottom out force or a tactile switch with a bottom out force that is unavailable. Both switches offer distinct characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so choose the one that aligns with your typing style and sound preference.