Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Outemu Cream Blue
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Cream Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Crystal Violet and Outemu Cream Blue offer unique experiences for users. The Crystal Violet is a tactile switch that boasts a light operating force of 45g and provides a relaxed and stepped typing experience. With a mellow and low-pitched sound profile, thanks to the rare use of ABS in its housing, this switch is ideal for those who prefer a gentle and comfortable feel while typing. On the other hand, the Outemu Cream Blue is a clicky switch with characteristics that have not been specified. While the Crystal Violet offers a creamy and mild typing experience, the Cream Blue's attributes remain unknown. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preferences and typing needs. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
ABS
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Cream Blue, we can see that both switches utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings. The Crystal Violet features an ABS top housing, which results in a relatively low-pitched sound profile while typing. In contrast, the Cream Blue utilizes a nylon top housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon. This difference in materials leads to distinct auditory experiences when typing on the switches.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Crystal Violet and the Cream Blue once again differ in their materials. The Crystal Violet's ABS bottom housing contributes to a low-pitched sound profile, similar to its top housing. Conversely, the Cream Blue's nylon bottom housing enhances the overall sound experience with a deeper and fuller sound profile. The impact of the bottom housing on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch is more pronounced, highlighting the importance of housing materials in overall switch performance.
While the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Outemu Cream Blue offer unique sound profiles due to their housing materials, the utilization of ABS and nylon respectively showcases the importance of material selection in switch design. Despite their differences, both switches aim to provide an enjoyable typing experience with their distinct sound profiles. Whether it be the deeper and fuller tone of the Cream Blue or the low-pitched sound of the Crystal Violet, the housing materials play a crucial role in shaping the overall typing experience for users.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch, it is clear that the Crystal Violet is lighter in both aspects. The Crystal Violet has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it medium-light overall. In contrast, the Cream Blue has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it medium-heavy. These differences in weight may lead to varied typing experiences for users. Those who prefer a lighter touch may opt for the Crystal Violet for longer typing or gaming sessions, while others seeking a more substantial typing experience may choose the Cream Blue with its heavier forces. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch both have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. This can result in a similar typing experience in terms of the amount of keypress travel required for each switch. Ultimately, whether you prefer a tactile switch like the Crystal Violet or a clicky switch like the Cream Blue will come down to personal preference rather than differences in travel distance.
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 Outemu Cream Blue comes in at $3.10 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 comparing the subjective qualities of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch, there are some notable differences. In terms of sound, the Crystal Violet is known for its low-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a mellow and non-intrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, information regarding the sound profile of the Cream Blue switch is unavailable, so it is difficult to make a direct comparison in this aspect. Moving on to feel, the Crystal Violet switch is praised for its creamy, mild, and stepped tactile feel, offering a smooth and gentle typing experience with a subtle tactile feedback. Conversely, details about the feel of the Cream Blue switch are not provided, making it challenging to assess its tactile characteristics. Overall, if the Cream Blue switch offers a similar operating force and actuation feel to the Crystal Violet, users can expect a tactile and comfortable typing experience with both switches, while the sound profiles may vary depending on other factors such as keyboard construction and keycaps.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Outemu Cream Blue clicky switch, consider your preference for a light operating force and a gentle, stepped tactile typing experience. If you prioritize a relaxed and comfortable feel, with a mellow sound profile leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum, then the Crystal Violet switches are the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a clicky typing experience, the Cream Blue switches may be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences for feel, sound, and typing experience.
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