Aflion Panda vs. SP-Star Polaris Purple
An in-depth look at the Aflion Panda and the SP-Star Polaris Purple switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Panda and SP-Star Polaris Purple are two options that stand out from the rest. The Aflion Panda is best known for its unparalleled hyper-tactile sensation and profoundly thocky sound profile. For those who value a super responsive tactile force and a full-bodied, sonorous audio feedback, the Panda sets a new gold standard. On the other hand, the Polaris Purple offers a big tactile bump that provides an exhilarating typing experience. The sound profile is described as snappy. While both switches offer a tactile experience, the Panda is categorized as accented, invigorating, and resonant, while the Polaris Purple is categorized as neutral, mild, and polished. However, let's dive a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
67g
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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Single-stage 15mm long spring
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Aflion Panda and the SP-Star Polaris Purple, specifically the top housing, are both made of polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile in switches. It is a relatively stiffer plastic, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. In terms of aesthetics, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it particularly useful for switches that utilize RGB lighting. Therefore, both the Panda and the Polaris Purple can provide similar sound profiles and lighting effects due to their shared polycarbonate top housing.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Panda features a nylon material, while the Polaris Purple utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing. Nylon is considered a classic switch housing material that elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is relatively softer and absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Polaris Purple contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, similar to its top housing. This highlights the contrast between the two switches in terms of the bottom-out sound and feel when the keys are pressed.
In summary, while both the Aflion Panda and the SP-Star Polaris Purple share polycarbonate top housing materials that create a similar sound profile and aesthetic appeal when used with RGB lighting, they differ in terms of the bottom housing. The Panda's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Polaris Purple's polycarbonate bottom housing maintains the sharp and crisp sound characteristics. This divergence implies that the bottom-out sound and feel will differ between the two switches, emphasizing the importance of considering both the top and bottom housings in switch design and selection.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch, there are some notable differences. Firstly, the Panda has an actuation force of 50 grams, while the Polaris Purple's actuation force is unavailable. This means that the exact force required to trigger a keystroke on the Polaris Purple is unknown. However, both switches have a medium actuation force, indicating a relatively lighter feel compared to switches with heavier forces.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Panda has a bottom out force of 60 grams, which is slightly lighter than the Polaris Purple's bottom out force of 67 grams. This suggests that typing with the Panda switch may result in a slightly softer keystroke feel when fully pressed down, while the Polaris Purple will provide a firmer and more substantial typing experience.
Considering weight, some individuals prefer a lighter switch to allow for longer typing periods, especially for use in work or during extended gaming sessions. In this case, the Panda would be a suitable choice due to its lighter actuation and bottom out forces. On the other hand, those who prefer a stronger push feel may opt for heavier forces to enhance the typing experience. The Polaris Purple, with its medium-heavy bottom out force, would be more suitable for individuals seeking a more substantial tactile feedback.
In summary, while the exact actuation force of the Polaris Purple is unknown, the Aflion Panda offers a softer keystroke feel with its lighter actuation and bottom out forces. Meanwhile, the Polaris Purple provides a firmer and more substantial typing experience with its medium-heavy bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for typing pressure and the desired weight of the keyboard for various use cases.
Travel distance
Both the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch have a travel distance of 4 mm. Therefore, when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same 4 mm distance of travel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Panda has an MSRP of $5.20 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Panda for $3.56.
The SP-Star Polaris Purple has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Polaris Purple for $5.00.
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 Aflion Panda switch is best known for its resonant sound profile. Typing on the Panda switch produces a higher-pitched sound with a clean and sharp quality. This switch provides an immersive auditory experience, which can be quite pleasing for those who appreciate a sonorous sound while typing. On the other hand, the SP-Star Polaris Purple switch is described as having a neutral sound profile. It offers a moderate sound that is suitable for various purposes, making it a versatile choice for both beginners and advanced users. Please note that the sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard itself and the keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, the Aflion Panda switch is considered to be an accented switch with invigorating qualities. It falls into the category of a medium tactile switch, providing a noticeable amount of tactility without being overwhelming or too subtle. The feedback from this switch is pronounced, and it offers a moderately firm actuation force for a snappy and reactive typing experience. On the other hand, the SP-Star Polaris Purple switch is described as mild and polished. The Polaris Purple switch offers a gentler typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. It falls within a safe, middle-ground zone, making it approachable for most users. Additionally, the switch has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the Aflion Panda and SP-Star Polaris Purple switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Panda switch is known for its resonant sound profile and medium tactile feel, providing an immersive auditory experience along with a noticeable amount of tactility and an invigorating typing sensation. On the other hand, the Polaris Purple switch has a neutral sound profile and a mild feel with a polished finish, allowing for a more gentle and approachable typing experience. Both switches cater to different preferences, so it ultimately depends on the individual's personal preferences regarding sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you value a super responsive and hyper-tactile typing experience with a deep and thocky sound profile, then the Aflion Panda tactile switch is the way to go. With a medium bottom out force of 60 grams, it offers an accented and invigorating feel, providing a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming. The Panda switch is best suited for those who prefer a resonant sound profile, characterized by a clean and sharp sound, creating an immersive auditory experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a big tactile bump that provides an exhilarating typing experience, then the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch is a great choice. With a medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams, it offers a mild and polished feel, offering a more gentle typing experience with a smooth and refined finish. The Polaris Purple switch has a snappy sound profile and is described as neutral, making it suitable for most intents and purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced, or planning to use it at home or work.
Ultimately, your choice between the Aflion Panda and the SP-Star Polaris Purple switches will depend on your personal preference for typing experience and sound profile. Consider whether you prioritize hyper-tactility and a resonant sound with the Panda switch, or a big tactile bump and a snappy sound with the Polaris Purple switch. Both switches have their unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so make sure to choose the one that aligns with your desired typing experience. In the end, whether you go for the Aflion Panda or the SP-Star Polaris Purple, you can expect a high-quality mechanical keyboard switch that will enhance your typing experience.
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