Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Gateron Oil King
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Gateron Oil King switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Everglide Crystal Violet and the Gateron Oil King are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer different typing experiences. The Crystal Violet is a tactile switch, known for its light operating force of 45g and relaxed typing experience. It provides a gentle and comfortable feel, perfect for those seeking a stepped tactile sensation. Additionally, the switches have a pleasantly mellow sound profile leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, thanks to the rare use of ABS in their housings. On the other hand, the Gateron Oil King is a linear switch that offers a buttery smooth typing experience. With a sound profile reminiscent of a dark chocolate bar snapping, these switches provide a silky and polished feeling. They are categorized as low-pitched, creamy, silky, bassy, buttery, and polished. However, let's dive deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
ABS
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The Everglide Crystal Violet and the Gateron Oil King differ in the materials used for their top and bottom housings. The Crystal Violet features an ABS top housing, which is a relatively rare plastic to be used in switch housings. This results in a low-pitched sound profile when typing on switches featuring ABS. In contrast, the Oil King utilizes a nylon top housing, a classic switch housing material. Typing on switches with nylon produces a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer plastic's ability to absorb more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. These differences in material contribute to distinct auditory experiences when using the two switches.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Crystal Violet and the Oil King also employ different materials. The Crystal Violet's bottom housing is made of ABS, similar to its top housing. This results in a relatively low-pitched sound profile, consistent with the overall typing experience of the switch. On the other hand, the Oil King uses Gateron's proprietary INK blend for its bottom housing. This unique blend creates a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile that is often described as clacky. Thus, the bottom housing significantly impacts the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, providing a distinguishing characteristic between the Crystal Violet and the Oil King.
It is important to note that if a switch has different materials for its top and bottom housings, the qualities brought by each housing material will be split between the top and bottom of the switch. When pressing down on the switch, the impact on the bottom-out sound and feel will be more influenced by the bottom housing material. Conversely, the sound when releasing a key will be more affected by the top housing material. Therefore, the combination of material choices for the top and bottom housings plays a crucial role in the overall sound and typing experience of a switch.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch, it is evident that they differ in terms of their actuation force and bottom out force. The Crystal Violet has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, while the Oil King requires a slightly heavier 55 grams to trigger a keystroke. This means that the Crystal Violet is more responsive and requires less force to register a keystroke. On the other hand, the Crystal Violet has a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Oil King has a higher bottom out force of 65 grams. This indicates that the Oil King provides a more substantial typing experience as it requires more force to fully press down the keys. Overall, the Crystal Violet offers a lighter and more responsive typing experience, while the Oil King provides a heavier and more substantial feel. Depending on personal preference, individuals can choose the switch that aligns with their typing style and desired level of actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in terms of how deep the key will go when pressed. Both switches offer a satisfying tactile experience with a consistent travel distance, ensuring a reliable typing or gaming experience. Whether you choose the Crystal Violet or the Oil King, you can expect a similar feel when using the switches.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Gateron Oil King comes in at $6.50 per 10 switches.
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
When it comes to sound, both the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch have a low-pitched profile. The Crystal Violet is described as having a pleasantly mellow sound leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum. This creates a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience, partially due to the rare use of ABS in the switch housings. The Oil King, on the other hand, is described as having a sound profile reminiscent of a snapping dark chocolate bar, with a rich and bassy tone. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used. However, based on the information provided, both switches offer a low-pitched sound, though the Oil King may have a deeper and richer tone.
In terms of feel, both the Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Oil King linear switch are described as having a creamy and smooth typing experience. Both switches offer a silky sensation, allowing your fingers to glide effortlessly across the keys with ease. They provide a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing experience, with a gentle and comfortable feel. The Crystal Violet is also described as offering a mild typing experience, while the Oil King is described as silky and polished, enhancing the overall smoothness and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Both switches offer a similar buttery and polished typing experience, making them suitable for those seeking a smooth and refined feel.
Based on the available information, both the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch offer desirable qualities for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Crystal Violet provides a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience, with a mellow and non-intrusive sound profile. It offers a creamy and mild feel, allowing for comfortable and effortless typing. The Oil King, on the other hand, is known for its buttery smoothness, rich and bassy sound, and silky typing experience. While they have slightly different sound profiles, both switches offer a low-pitched tone. Additionally, both switches provide a similar creamy, smooth, and polished feel, making them suitable options for those seeking a premium typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a gentle and comfortable feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch would be the ideal choice for you. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, these switches offer a medium-light operating force that won't strain your fingers during extended typing sessions. The sound profile of the Crystal Violet switches is pleasantly mellow and leans towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. Additionally, the rare use of ABS in these switches' housings contributes to their unique sound and feel.
On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and buttery linear switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams, the Gateron Oil King linear switch is the way to go. These switches are known for their buttery smoothness and a sound profile reminiscent of a dark chocolate bar snapping. With a low-pitched and bassy sound, the Oil King switches offer a deeper and richer auditory experience during key presses. The silky and polished feel of these switches enhances the overall smoothness of your typing, minimizing resistance and providing a seamless and effortless keystroke experience.
Ultimately, your choice between the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch will depend on your preference for typing experience. If you prioritize a tactile feel and a relaxed typing experience, go for the Crystal Violet switches. However, if you prefer a smooth and satisfying linear switch with an emphasis on buttery smoothness, the Oil King switches are the way to go.
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