Invyr Holy Panda vs. SP-Star Duck
An in-depth look at the Invyr Holy Panda and the SP-Star Duck switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Invyr Holy Panda and the SP-Star Duck are two popular mechanical keyboard switches, each offering a unique typing experience. The Holy Panda is celebrated for its sharp tactility and satisfyingly bright "clack" with each keystroke, making it a top choice for those who crave pronounced feedback and acoustic resonance. On the other hand, the SP-Star Duck provides a more subtle tactile typing experience, with a gentle tactility and a clean, crispy sound profile. While the Holy Panda is categorized as 'Accented', 'Invigorating', 'Sharp', 'Snappy', the Duck is categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Buttery', 'Polished'. Both switches have their own strengths and appeal to different preferences. 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
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
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
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Invyr Holy Panda and the SP-Star Duck both feature polycarbonate for the top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a relatively stiffer plastic, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically, the translucency of polycarbonate is beneficial for switches that plan to use RGB lighting. However, the Holy Panda's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Duck's polycarbonate bottom housing, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller, rounder tone.
While both switches share the use of polycarbonate for the top housing, the Holy Panda's nylon bottom housing provides a contrasting sound profile to the Duck's polycarbonate bottom housing. Typing on the Holy Panda will elicit a mixture of the sharper sound from the top housing and the fuller sound from the nylon bottom housing, resulting in a unique typing experience. In contrast, the Duck's polycarbonate bottom housing will absorb more sound and provide a different feel when typing.
The split between the top and bottom housing materials of the Invyr Holy Panda and the SP-Star Duck allows for a nuanced typing experience. The bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, whereas the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. This means that the housing materials of each switch play a crucial role in determining the overall sound profile and typing feel. Despite their differences, both switches offer a blend of characteristics that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Weight
The Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch and the SP-Star Duck tactile switch have differing actuation and bottom out forces. The Holy Panda has a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch, while the Duck has a bottom out force of 58 grams, which is a medium force. The actuation force for both switches is not specified, so it is unclear how they compare in that aspect. When considering weight, those who prefer lighter switches may lean towards the Duck for longer typing or gaming sessions, while those who like a stronger push feel may opt for the Holy Panda for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch and the SP-Star Duck tactile switch, it is clear that both switches have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key equipped with either switch, users will experience a consistent travel distance of 4 mm from the top to the bottom. As a result, the typing experience will be similar on both switches, providing users with a consistent and comfortable feel. Overall, the Invyr Holy Panda and the SP-Star Duck offer the same travel distance, ensuring users will get similar results regardless of which switch they choose.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Invyr Holy Panda has an MSRP of $12.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Holy Panda for $7.17.
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
When it comes to sound, the Invyr Holy Panda is known for its satisfyingly bright "clack" with each keystroke, creating a pronounced feedback and acoustic resonance that is unmatched. On the other hand, the SP-Star Duck offers a more subtle typing experience with a clean and crispy sound profile. The neutral sound profile of the Duck switch makes it suitable for a variety of environments, whether you're a beginner or advanced user. Both switches provide unique auditory experiences that can be enhanced further depending on the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Holy Panda is described as sharp, invigorating, and snappy, providing a tactile sensation that is both prominent and responsive. The Duck switch, on the other hand, offers a mild and buttery typing experience that is approachable to most users. The polished finish of the Duck switch results in a smooth and refined feel that reduces friction and provides a sleek typing experience. While the Holy Panda excels in providing a sharp and immersive typing sensation, the Duck switch offers a more gentle and effortless feel that is still highly enjoyable.
Overall, the Invyr Holy Panda and SP-Star Duck switches offer distinct tactile and auditory qualities that cater to different preferences. If you prefer a highly tactile and sharp typing experience with a bright "clack" sound, the Holy Panda is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a more subtle and buttery typing experience with a clean and crispy sound profile, the SP-Star Duck switch would be a great choice. Whichever switch you choose, both will provide a unique and enjoyable typing experience that will enhance your overall keyboarding experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch and the SP-Star Duck tactile switch, you should consider the level of tactility and feedback you prefer. If you enjoy a sharp and pronounced tactile experience with a bright "clack" sound, the Holy Panda may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a more subtle and gentle tactile typing experience with a clean and crispy sound profile, the Duck switch might be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to personal preference and the typing experience you are looking for.
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