Bsun Pine vs. Everglide Crystal Violet
An in-depth look at the Bsun Pine and the Everglide Crystal Violet switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the BSUN Pine and Everglide Crystal Violet switches offer unique and appealing qualities. The BSUN Pine switch is known for its sharp tactile bump and fast action, providing a direct and no-nonsense typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Crystal Violet switch features a light operating force and a gentle tactile feel, making it ideal for those seeking a relaxed typing experience. The Crystal Violet switch also offers a mellow sound profile, adding to its appeal. Both switches have their strengths and cater to different preferences, making them suitable choices for various users. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
ABS
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Bsun Pine and the Everglide Crystal Violet switches are quite different in terms of both their top and bottom housings. The Pine features a polycarbonate top housing, which provides a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a relatively stiffer plastic that creates a clear and resonant sound. On the other hand, the Crystal Violet has an ABS top housing, resulting in a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing. While the Pine's top housing is clear and ideal for RGB lighting, the Crystal Violet's ABS top housing is less common in switch housings.
In contrast, the bottom housings of these switches also differ significantly. The Pine utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound, leading to a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches. On the other hand, the Crystal Violet incorporates an ABS bottom housing, similar to its top housing. This ABS material contributes to a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing on the switches, offering a different typing experience compared to the Pine's nylon bottom housing.
Despite the differences in housing materials between the Bsun Pine and the Everglide Crystal Violet switches, they both showcase unique qualities that impact the overall typing experience. The split between the top and bottom housings of a switch allows for a balance of characteristics when typing. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. Whether it's the stiffer polycarbonate top housing of the Pine or the softer nylon bottom housing of the same switch, each material contributes to the distinct sound and feel of these mechanical switches.
Weight
The Bsun Pine tactile switch and the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch have similar actuation forces at 45 grams, making them light to press. However, the Bsun Pine has a heavier bottom out force of 65 grams compared to the Crystal Violet's 55 grams, making the former a bit heavier to type on overall. This means that the Bsun Pine will offer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, while the Crystal Violet will provide a lighter touch for longer typing sessions. Both switches offer a different typing experience based on their unique actuation and bottom out forces, allowing users to choose the one that best fits their preferences for typing or gaming.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Bsun Pine tactile switch is 3.4 mm, which is shorter than the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch's travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Pine being slightly on the shorter side and the Crystal Violet being on the longer side. Gamers may lean towards the Pine for its faster response time due to the shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more deliberate key press may opt for the Crystal Violet with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Pine has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Pine for $3.70.
The Everglide Crystal Violet has an MSRP of $7.08 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Crystal Violet for $4.19.
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 Bsun Pine tactile switch is known for its sharp and distinct sound profile, creating a direct and no-nonsense auditory experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch offers a mellow and low-pitched tone, providing a more relaxed typing atmosphere. The sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used, so it is important to consider these aspects when selecting a switch based on sound preference.
Moving on to the feel, the Bsun Pine tactile switch is praised for its invigorating and sharp tactile feedback, offering a snappy and responsive typing sensation. The switch provides a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming, creating an immersive typing experience. In contrast, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch is described as creamy and mild, offering a smooth and gentle typing experience with a subtle tactility. The switch is crafted to provide a comfortable and silky sensation while typing, making it suitable for a wide range of users.
Considering all the available information, it is evident that the Bsun Pine and Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Pine switch provides a sharp and direct typing experience with strong tactility, the Crystal Violet switch offers a more relaxed and comfortable feel with a mellow sound profile. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and sound, as both switches cater to different typing atmospheres. It is important to consider factors such as typing style, environment, and preference for tactility when selecting the most suitable switch for your mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
In summary, when choosing between the BSUN Pine tactile switch and the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you are looking for a switch with a sharp tactile bump, fast action, and a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Pine switch would be an excellent choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a light operating force, a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience, and a mellow sound profile, the Crystal Violet switch may be more suitable for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound, and bottom out force.
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