Everglide Aqua King (V3) vs. SP-Star Duck
An in-depth look at the Everglide Aqua King (V3) and the SP-Star Duck switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Everglide Aqua King, a linear switch, and the SP-Star Duck, a tactile switch, two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique typing experiences. The Aqua King is best known for its frictionless feel, reminiscent of ice skating on a freshly resurfaced rink. With a typing experience that feels magical, your fingers will effortlessly glide across the keys. On the other hand, the Duck switch offers a more subtle tactile typing experience. The gentle tactility of these switches provides a satisfying feedback without being too pronounced. Additionally, the Duck switch boasts a clean and crispy sound profile. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your typing preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
58g
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
Nylon
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The Everglide Aqua King and the SP-Star Duck share the use of polycarbonate for both their top and bottom housings. This choice of material results in a shared characteristic in terms of sound profile - a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate adds to the clarity and resonance of the sound produced. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for the incorporation of RGB lighting, making it an ideal choice for those interested in dynamic lighting effects.
While both keyboards utilize polycarbonate for their top and bottom housing, the Aqua King and Duck keyboards may still have subtle differences in terms of sound and feel. The allocation of the housing materials, where the top housing influences the sound upon key release and the bottom housing affects the feel upon bottom-out, may vary between the two keyboards. Therefore, users may experience slight variations in the specific characteristics of each keyboard, giving them a unique typing or gaming experience based on their preferences.
Overall, the similarities between the Everglide Aqua King and the SP-Star Duck in terms of their housing materials result in comparable sound profiles and aesthetic benefits. The use of polycarbonate in both the top and bottom housing ensures a consistent, sharp, and resonant sound quality. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for vibrant RGB lighting effects to enhance the visual appeal of the keyboards. Whether it be for typing or gaming, users can expect similar results from the Aqua King and Duck keyboards due to their shared housing materials and the inherent qualities those materials bring to the overall keyboard experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the SP-Star Duck tactile switch, we can see both similarities and differences. In terms of weight, the Aqua King is slightly lighter with an actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, both of which fall into the medium range. On the other hand, the exact actuation force of the Duck switch is not specified. However, the bottom out force for the Duck switch is 58 grams, also falling into the medium category.
Considering the preferences of typists, those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods of time may lean towards the Aqua King switch due to its slightly lighter actuation and bottom out forces. This is beneficial for those who require a keyboard for work or engage in long gaming sessions. Conversely, individuals who seek a more substantial and pronounced key press may opt for options with heavier forces. Although the actuation force is unknown for the Duck switch, its bottom out force of 58 grams provides a medium weight feel, similar to the Aqua King.
Overall, while the Aqua King is slightly lighter, both switches offer a similar medium weight typing experience, making them suitable for individuals with different preferences and typing needs.
Travel distance
The Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the SP-Star Duck tactile switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with these switches, you will feel the same distance of travel. Both switches provide a satisfying tactile feedback and a smooth typing experience. Whether you choose the Aqua King or the Duck, you can expect a consistent and comfortable keystroke with a travel distance of 4 mm.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Aqua King (V3) has an MSRP of $7.18 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Aqua King (V3) for $5.44.
The SP-Star Duck has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Duck for $5.40.
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
The Everglide Aqua King linear switch is best known for its frictionless typing experience, reminiscent of gliding on a freshly resurfaced ice skating rink. The typing feel is smooth and effortless, creating a magical sensation for the user. On the other hand, the SP-Star Duck tactile switch offers a more subtle tactile typing experience. It provides a gentle tactility, resulting in a clean and crispy sound profile.
In terms of sound, the Aqua King switch has a subdued sound when pressed. It is not completely silent but offers a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Duck switch has a neutral sound profile. It falls in the middle ground when it comes to actuation force requirement and sound intensity, making it suitable for various purposes.
When it comes to the feel, the Aqua King switch has various descriptors such as creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished. These descriptors indicate a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The Duck switch, on the other hand, is described as mild, buttery, and polished. These qualities provide a gentle and uniform typing sensation.
Considering the available information, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch and the SP-Star Duck tactile switch offer different subjective qualities. The Aqua King provides a frictionless and magical typing experience, while the Duck offers a more subtle tactile typing experience with a clean and crispy sound profile. Both switches have descriptors that indicate a smooth and polished feel, reducing friction and enhancing the overall typing experience. However, it's important to note that actual results may vary depending on factors such as the choice of keyboard board and keycaps. Nonetheless, if you are looking for similar results in terms of smoothness and polish in your typing experience, both switches could be suitable options.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a truly smooth and frictionless typing experience, the Everglide Aqua King linear switch is the way to go. With its medium bottom out force of 62 grams, these switches offer a magical feel reminiscent of ice skating on a freshly resurfaced rink. Your fingers effortlessly glide across the keys, creating a truly immersive typing experience. The Aqua King switches are also described as creamy, frictionless, silky, and polished, further enhancing the smooth and refined sensation when typing.
On the other hand, if you prefer a more subtle tactile typing experience, the SP-Star Duck tactile switch is the better choice. With a bottom out force of 58 grams, these switches provide a gentler tactility that is perfect for those seeking a quieter and more nuanced typing experience. The sound profile is clean and crispy, making it ideal for environments where noise may be a consideration. The Duck switches are described as mild, buttery, and polished, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience.
Ultimately, the decision between the two switches depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you value a frictionless and almost effortless typing experience, go for the Aqua King linear switch. If you prefer a more subtle tactile feel with a clean and crispy sound profile, the SP-Star Duck tactile switch is the way to go. Both switches offer their unique advantages and can provide a satisfying typing experience.
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