Everglide Tourmaline Blue vs. Jerrzi Violet
An in-depth look at the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the Jerrzi Violet switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, a linear switch, and the Jerrzi Violet, a tactile switch. The Tourmaline Blue offers a deep and thocky sound profile, providing a satisfying typing experience with its bouncy feel and standard spring weight, making it accessible to a wide range of users. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Violet is known for its smooth actuation and pleasingly poppy tactility, offering a balanced and enjoyable typing experience with a neutral sound signature. Both switches have their own unique characteristics that make them appealing choices for 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
59g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the Jerrzi Violet are quite similar in terms of the top housing being made of polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its relatively stiffer nature, resulting in a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that plan to incorporate RGB lighting for an added aesthetic appeal. This similarity in housing material ensures that both switches will provide a similar sound experience and aesthetic quality when it comes to their top housings.
However, where the two switches differ is in their bottom housings. The Tourmaline Blue features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which, like the top housing, contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile. The Jerrzi Violet, on the other hand, has a nylon bottom housing, known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature. The nylon material absorbs more sound than polycarbonate, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This distinction in bottom housing material will affect the overall sound and feel of the switches when keys are pressed and released.
In essence, the differences in housing materials between the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the Jerrzi Violet translate to variations in sound profile and feel when using the switches. While both switches share the use of polycarbonate in their top housings, the contrasting materials in their bottom housings impact the overall typing experience. The Tourmaline Blue offers a consistent sharp and crisp sound profile throughout, while the Jerrzi Violet provides a deeper and fuller sound thanks to its nylon bottom housing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for sound and feel during typing sessions.
Weight
The Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch has a higher actuation force of 59 grams compared to the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch which has an actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the Tourmaline Blue requires more force to trigger a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the Tourmaline Blue also requires more force at 67 grams compared to the Violet switch where the bottom out force is unknown. This makes the Tourmaline Blue switch heavier overall in both actuation and bottom out forces. Some may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Violet switch for longer typing sessions, while others may prefer the heavier feel of the Tourmaline Blue switch for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference in terms of typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. In this case, the Tourmaline Blue has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Violet. With a 0.3 mm difference, users may feel a slight variation in keypress depth between the two switches. The Tourmaline Blue may provide a bit more actuation depth for those who prefer a more substantial keypress feel, while the Violet offers a slightly quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may depend on individual preference for keypress depth and responsiveness.
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 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, both the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch and the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch are described as having a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for a wide range of users and environments. The Tourmaline Blue offers a deep and thocky sound, immersing users in a satisfying typing experience, while the Violet provides a pleasingly poppy tactility with a balanced sound signature. Ultimately, the sound produced by both switches will also depend on additional factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
When it comes to feel, the Tourmaline Blue is characterized by a buttery, easy-to-press, and mild typing experience, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke with minimal force required for activation. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Violet switch is described as stepped, providing a tactile sensation with distinct pre-travel and/or post-travel stages during the keystroke. While the Tourmaline Blue focuses on a seamless and effortless typing experience, the Violet offers a more nuanced tactile feedback for users who prefer a bit of resistance during typing.
Overall, both the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch and the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in sound and feel. Whether you are looking for a deep thocky sound with a bouncy feel or a gentle tactile experience with smooth actuation, both switches provide satisfying typing experiences. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing style.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch and the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch, consider the following guidelines. Choose the Tourmaline Blue if you enjoy a medium-heavy bottom out force and a deep, thocky sound profile with a bouncy feel. These switches strike a balanced medium with their standard spring weight, providing an enjoyable typing experience accessible to a wide range of users. On the other hand, opt for the Violet if you prefer a switch with no specified bottom out force and a smooth actuation paired with a pleasingly poppy tactility. The Violet switches offer a gentle typing experience with a neutral sound signature, making them suitable for various intents and purposes. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to your preference for bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel.
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