Everglide Sakura Pink vs. Haimu Viola Tricolor
An in-depth look at the Everglide Sakura Pink and the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a mechanical keyboard switch, you may be considering the Everglide Sakura Pink or the Haimu Viola Tricolor. The Sakura Pink is a linear switch and is best known for its feather-light 35g actuation force, making it ideal for delicate typists. Its gliding type feel and frictionless operation provide a smooth and effortless typing experience. Additionally, the Sakura Pinks produce a delightfully poppy sound, reminiscent of popping bubble wrap, adding a playful touch to your keyboarding sessions. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor is a tactile switch that offers a pronounced tactility without being overly tactile. With a thuddy and punchy sound profile, it adds a touch of character to your typing experience. The Viola Tricolor strikes a perfect balance, providing a sharp sensation without overwhelming the user. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
35g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Dual-staged gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Sakura Pink and the Haimu Viola Tricolor both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing material. This choice of material creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound produced. In terms of aesthetics, the translucent nature of polycarbonate lends itself well to switches with RGB lighting. Therefore, if you plan to use RGB lighting, both the Sakura Pink and the Viola Tricolor would provide similar results in terms of sound and visual appeal.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing material, the Sakura Pink differs from the Viola Tricolor. The Sakura Pink features a polycarbonate bottom housing, while the Viola Tricolor utilizes nylon. The use of polycarbonate in the bottom housing of the Sakura Pink contributes to the overall sound and feel when pressing down on a key. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of the Viola Tricolor elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, if you prefer a slightly softer and more muted sound when typing, the Viola Tricolor might be the better option for you.
It is important to note that the top housing of a switch has more impact on the sound when you release a key, while the bottom housing has more impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when you press down on a key. With that said, the use of polycarbonate in both the top and bottom housings of the Sakura Pink would create a consistent sound and feel throughout the typing experience. Similarly, the Viola Tricolor's combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing would provide a consistent sound profile, although with a slightly softer and rounded tone compared to the Sakura Pink. In terms of overall performance, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, there are noticeable differences. The Sakura Pink has a relatively light actuation force of 35 grams, making it easier to trigger a keystroke. Additionally, it has a bottom out force of 45 grams, which means it requires a slightly heavier push to fully press the key. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor's actuation force is not available, but its bottom out force is 63.5 grams, which falls into the medium-heavy range.
In terms of weight considerations, the Sakura Pink's lighter actuation force makes it ideal for those who prefer a more effortless typing experience, allowing them to type for longer periods of time without fatigue. This lighter weight is particularly advantageous for individuals who use their keyboards extensively for work or engage in prolonged gaming sessions. On the contrary, the Viola Tricolor provides a slightly more substantial typing experience with its medium-heavy bottom out force. This option appeals to users who prefer a stronger push feel, as it provides a satisfying tactile feedback during each keystroke.
Although the actuation force for the Viola Tricolor is not specified, it is evident that it is heavier than the Sakura Pink's 35 grams. Therefore, individuals seeking a switch with a heavier actuation force may find the Viola Tricolor more suitable. In terms of bottom out force, the Viola Tricolor is notably heavier at 63.5 grams compared to the Sakura Pink's 45 grams, making it the heavier option.
In conclusion, the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch offers a lighter actuation force and bottom out force, while the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch provides a slightly heavier and more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch is 4 mm, while the travel distance of the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch is slightly shorter at 3.8 mm. Both switches provide a noticeable distance that can be felt when pressing down on a key. The Sakura Pink's 4 mm travel distance falls on the more traditional side, offering a balance between depth and responsiveness. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor's slightly shorter travel distance may appeal more to gamers who prioritize quick response times. The shorter distance allows for faster key presses and potentially improved gaming performance. However, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to be abrupt or less satisfying. For those who prefer a deeper key press, the Sakura Pink's longer travel distance would be a more suitable option. Overall, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preferences for responsiveness and key press depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Sakura Pink has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura Pink for $3.89.
The Haimu Viola Tricolor has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Viola Tricolor for $3.09.
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 Everglide Sakura Pink switches are best described as having a delightfully poppy sound, reminiscent of bubble wrap being popped. They offer a playful touch to your keyboarding sessions. On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches provide a thuddy and punchy sound profile that adds a touch of character to your typing experience. These switches offer a deeper and richer sound, with a lower frequency range resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. Both switches offer unique sound profiles that can enhance your typing experience. Ultimately, the sound produced by a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used, so it's important to consider those as well.
Moving on to feel, the Everglide Sakura Pink switches are known for their buttery and creamy typing experience. They provide a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, as if your fingers are effortlessly gliding across the keys. These switches offer a seamless and uniform typing sensation. Additionally, they have an easy-to-press design, requiring minimal force to activate. This makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. The Sakura Pink switches also have a frictionless operation, ensuring a smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys.
On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches offer a different tactile experience. They are described as accented, providing a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. This means that the Viola Tricolor switches have a noticeable level of feedback, offering a satisfying tactile sensation during typing. They also provide moderate to firm actuation force, resulting in a snappy and reactive feel. These qualities make the Viola Tricolor switches invigorating, providing an immersive typing sensation.
In conclusion, the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switches offer a smooth and effortless typing experience with a playful and poppy sound. They are best suited for delicate typists who prefer a light and easy keystroke. On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switches provide a thuddy and punchy sound with a pronounced level of tactility. They strike a balance between a satisfying tactile sensation and a smooth keystroke. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. It is important to consider your personal typing style and preferences when choosing between these switches. However, if you are looking for a similar overall typing experience, both switches provide smooth and effortless keystrokes, albeit with different sound and tactile profiles.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are a delicate typist or prefer a light and effortless typing experience, the Sakura Pink switch would be the ideal choice for you. With a bottom out force of 45 grams, these switches provide a smooth and frictionless operation, giving you a buttery and easy-to-press typing feel. The Sakura Pinks also produce a delightful poppy sound, adding a playful touch to your keyboarding sessions. On the other hand, if you enjoy a medium-heavy switch with a pronounced tactile feedback and a thuddy and punchy sound profile, the Viola Tricolor switch is the way to go. With a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, these switches strike a perfect balance between tactility and user comfort. The Viola Tricolor switches offer an invigorating typing sensation without being overwhelming. Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Sakura Pink and Haimu Viola Tricolor switches depends on your personal preference for actuation force, sound profile, and typing feel.
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