Everglide Tourmaline Blue vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the HMX Vintage Citrus each offer distinct benefits tailored toward different preferences. The Tourmaline Blue is celebrated for its immersive typing experience, characterized by a deep and thocky sound profile, coupled with a bouncy feel thanks to its lengthened single-stage spring. This switch strikes a balance in spring weight, making it a versatile option that's both enjoyable and accessible for a broad audience, ideal for both typists and gamers alike. On the other hand, the HMX Vintage Citrus is specifically designed with gamers in mind, featuring a remarkably low actuation force of just 1mm. This allows for rapid-fire inputs, making it an excellent choice for fast-paced gaming scenarios, complemented by a bright and clacky sound that adds to the excitement of gameplay. While both switches offer unique advantages, the choice ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits you the most.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
59g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Tourmaline Blue and HMX Vintage Citrus switch housings present a fascinating study in contrasting materials, with the Tourmaline Blue featuring a polycarbonate construction while the Vintage Citrus opts for nylon. The use of polycarbonate in the Tourmaline Blue allows for a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, largely due to its stiffer composition. This quality enhances the switch's clarity and resonance, making it an excellent option for users who prioritize a pronounced auditory feedback while typing. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is particularly advantageous for those who enjoy custom lighting features, such as RGB, allowing light to diffuse beautifully through the housing.
Conversely, the nylon housing of the HMX Vintage Citrus offers a significantly different auditory experience. Known for its classic application in keyboard switches, nylon produces a deeper and fuller sound profile attributed to its softer makeup, which absorbs sound rather than reflecting it. This results in a duller and rounder tone, appealing to users who prefer a more muted auditory feedback during typing. The difference in materials between the two switches means that the Vintage Citrus may appeal to those who enjoy a warmer typing experience, while the Tourmaline Blue caters to enthusiasts seeking sharper sounds and a visually striking setup enhanced by its translucent properties.
Ultimately, while both switches employ differing materials in their construction, they each create distinctive sonic characteristics influenced by their respective top and bottom housings. In the case of the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, the polycarbonate components dominate both the sound profile when keys are released and the bottoming out feel, creating a consonant auditory experience that leans toward clarity. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus’s combination of nylon enhances the deeper tones and softens the auditory feedback upon both pressing and releasing the keys. For users keen on achieving similar typing experiences across both switches, being mindful of how each housing material interacts can help in selecting which auditory composition best suits their preferences.
Weight
The Everglide Tourmaline Blue and HMX Vintage Citrus linear switches present distinct actuation and bottom out forces, catering to different preferences among users. The Tourmaline Blue has a heavier actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, positioning it as a medium-heavy option ideal for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus offers a lighter actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, making it a medium-light choice that is generally more suitable for extended typing sessions or gaming, as it requires less effort to actuate. Consequently, users who favor a lighter touch would likely find the Vintage Citrus more appealing, while those who appreciate a stronger push feel would be better served by the Tourmaline Blue. Overall, the significant difference in actuation and bottom out forces leads to different tactile experiences, allowing users to select based on their specific typing preferences.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, it is evident that they cater to different preferences in typing experience. The Tourmaline Blue has a traditional travel distance of 4 mm, which provides a more substantial tactile response and can be preferred by users who enjoy a deeper keystroke. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus features a shallower travel distance of 3 mm, catering to those who favor quicker actuation and faster response times, commonly appreciated by gamers. While the Tourmaline Blue offers a more robust feel, the Vintage Citrus allows for a more responsive typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches hinges on personal preference—if you favor a deeper, more deliberate keystroke, the Tourmaline Blue is the ideal option; whereas if speed and quick actions are your priority, the Vintage Citrus is the superior choice.
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 HMX Vintage Citrus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vintage Citrus for $2.79.
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
The sound profiles of the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and HMX Vintage Citrus switches are distinct and cater to different preferences. The Tourmaline Blue features a deep and thocky sound, creating an immersive auditory experience that many find satisfying during typing sessions. This balance makes it suitable for both novice and seasoned typists who appreciate a fuller sound while they work. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus is characterized by a bright and clacky sound profile, making it particularly appealing to gamers who prioritize rapid feedback and an energetic auditory cue during intense gameplay. While both provide enjoyable acoustic experiences, the Tourmaline Blue leans toward a deeper resonance, while the Vintage Citrus offers a snappy and lively sound.
When it comes to feel, the Tourmaline Blue excels with its buttery smooth transition and standard weight that is accessible to a broad spectrum of users. The longer single-stage spring contributes to a bouncy sensation, making each keystroke feel both responsive and comfortable, minimizing finger fatigue, especially during extended use. This makes the Tourmaline Blue particularly pleasant for typing. The Vintage Citrus, on the other hand, emphasizes a remarkably low actuation force of only 1mm, which is ideal for gamers seeking quick reaction times. While specific descriptors for feel regarding the Vintage Citrus aren’t mentioned, its lighter resistance implies a focus on speed and smooth actuation, catering specifically to fast-paced gaming scenarios.
In summary, while both switches provide unique experiences tailored to different types of users, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue focuses on a satisfying balance of sound and feel that is more aligned with a general typing experience, featuring a deeper sound and a comfortable feel. Contrarily, the HMX Vintage Citrus targets gamers with its bright sound and lighter actuation for rapid inputs. Choosing between them would ultimately depend on your primary use case—whether you're looking for an engaging typing experience or a fast-paced, responsiveness-driven gaming switch. If you prefer auditory feedback and typing comfort, the Tourmaline Blue is ideal, whereas the Vintage Citrus will serve those who thrive on speed and efficiency in gaming.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switches ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you appreciate a deeper, thocky sound profile and a slightly heavier typing feel, the Tourmaline Blue is likely the better option for you. With its medium-heavy actuation force of 67 grams, coupled with a bouncy and buttery feel, this switch caters well to both typists and casual gamers who want a satisfying feedback on each keystroke. On the other hand, if you are more inclined towards gaming or rapid-fire typing, the Vintage Citrus is designed explicitly for that purpose. With a notably low actuation force of just 1mm and a bright, clacky sound profile, it allows for quicker responses and less finger fatigue during intense gaming sessions. In summary, choose the Tourmaline Blue for an engaging typing experience that balances sound and feel, while the Vintage Citrus caters to those who prioritize speed and responsiveness.
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