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Outemu Lime vs. SP-Star Polaris Purple

An in-depth look at the Outemu Lime and the SP-Star Polaris Purple switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that often come up for discussion are the Outemu Lime and the SP-Star Polaris Purple. The Lime switches are highly regarded for their unique qualities, being lightweight, tactile, and silenced. These switches offer a feathery light typing experience with just the right amount of tactility, making them a fantastic choice for tactile enthusiasts. On the other hand, the Polaris Purple switches are known for their pronounced tactile bump, providing an exhilarating typing experience. Additionally, they have a snappy and satisfying sound profile. While these general pointers give an overview of the two switches, it's important to delve deeper to make an informed decision on the best switch for your needs.

By the numbers

Technical specifications

Actuation force

35g

Actuation force

N/A

Bottom-out force

45g

Bottom-out force

67g

Pre-travel

1.80 mm

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Total travel

3.30 mm

Total travel

4.00 mm

Factory lubed

Yes

Factory lubed

Yes

Stem construction

Partial box

Stem construction

Standard

Stem material

POM

Stem material

POM

Top housing material

Nylon

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 Outemu Lime and the SP-Star Polaris Purple differ in their choice of housing materials, with the Lime featuring a nylon top and bottom housing and the Polaris Purple using polycarbonate for both. This difference in materials results in distinct sound profiles and aesthetics for each switch. The Lime's nylon housing absorbs more sound due to its softer nature, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. In contrast, the Polaris Purple's polycarbonate housing is stiffer, creating a sharper and crisper sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for RGB lighting, adding to the switch's aesthetic appeal.

While the top and bottom housings of the Lime and the Polaris Purple differ, their respective housing materials contribute to similar overall effects. Whether it's the nylon or polycarbonate used, both materials have the ability to affect the sound produced by the switch. The bottom housing, which has more impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, will showcase the qualities of the chosen material. For the Lime, this means a dullest and rounder sound due to the sound-absorbing properties of nylon, while the Polaris Purple will have a clearer and more resonant sound attributed to the stiffness of polycarbonate. On the other hand, the top housing will influence the sound when releasing a key, with the Lime providing a deeper and fuller sound and the Polaris Purple creating a sharper, higher-pitched profile.

In terms of functionality, both the Lime and the Polaris Purple offer unique advantages based on their housing materials. The use of nylon in the Lime's top and bottom housing allows for a softer keystroke, resulting in a more cushioned typing experience. On the other hand, the Polaris Purple's polycarbonate housing provides a stiffer platform, offering a snappier and more responsive keystroke. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for RGB lighting enthusiasts, as it allows for vibrant and stunning lighting effects. Whether the focus is on sound profile, typing experience, or aesthetics, both the Outemu Lime and the SP-Star Polaris Purple make use of their housing materials to deliver distinct characteristics to meet the preferences of different keyboard users.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Lime tactile switch and the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch, there are noticeable differences. The Lime switch has a relatively light actuation force of 35 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes with minimal effort. Additionally, it has a bottom out force of 45 grams, providing a satisfying but not overly heavy typing experience. On the other hand, the Polaris Purple switch's actuation force is currently unavailable, making it difficult to determine its specific requirement for triggering keystrokes. However, its bottom out force is significantly heavier at 67 grams, which indicates a more substantial typing feel.

The difference in weight between these switches may be crucial for user preference. Those who prefer a lighter switch, whether for longer typing sessions or extended gaming sessions, may find the Outemu Lime more suitable due to its lower actuation and bottom out forces. This lighter force requirement allows for effortless typing and less fatigue over time. Conversely, individuals seeking a more robust and tactile typing experience may favor the SP-Star Polaris Purple switch, with its higher bottom out force. Although the actuation force for the Polaris Purple switch is currently unknown, its heavier bottom out force suggests a more substantial push feel during typing.

In summary, the Outemu Lime tactile switch offers a lighter typing experience with an actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. In contrast, the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch provides a potentially heavier typing experience with an unknown actuation force and a bottom out force of 67 grams. Depending on individual preference and desired typing feel, users can select the switch that best suits their needs.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Lime tactile switch and the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch, it is clear that they have different distances. The Lime has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Polaris Purple has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of traditional standards, the Lime falls on the shallower side, while the Polaris Purple falls within the more common range. Gamers, who value quick response times, may find the Lime's shorter travel distance more appealing. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial key press may gravitate towards the Polaris Purple with its longer travel distance. However, if both switches provide similar results in terms of feel, then the choice of travel distance becomes less significant.

Price comparison

Which switch is more bang for your buck?

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.

The Outemu Lime comes in at $3.40 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

In terms of sound, the Outemu Lime tactile switch is best described as having a neutral and muted sound profile. This means that the sound produced by these switches is moderate in volume and has less of the typical loud, clacky sound associated with mechanical keyboards. The muted characteristic of the Lime switches makes them suitable for those who prefer a quieter typing experience, making them a good choice for both beginners and advanced users, whether for home or work purposes. However, it is important to note that the sound of the switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.

On the other hand, the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch also has a neutral sound profile. Similar to the Lime switches, the Polaris Purple switches produce a moderate sound, making them suitable for most users, regardless of their level of experience or intended usage. However, no specific information is provided regarding the sound signature or any unique characteristics associated with the Polaris Purple in terms of sound.

Moving on to feel, the Outemu Lime tactile switch offers a mild, feathery, subtle, and polished typing experience. The mild characteristic of these switches means that they provide a gentler and less pronounced tactile sensation compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. This makes them suitable for users who prefer a gentler typing experience. Additionally, the feathery nature of the Lime switches makes them exceptionally light to press, reducing finger fatigue and making them comfortable for extended typing sessions. The subtle resistance of the switches adds to the overall light typing feel, and the polished finish of the switches ensures a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.

Similarly, the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch offers a mild and polished typing experience. This means that the Polaris Purple switches provide a gentle tactile sensation and have a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience. They offer reduced friction and smooth key travel, enhancing the overall typing feel.

To conclude, both the Outemu Lime tactile switch and the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch have a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for most users. In terms of feel, they both offer a mild and polished typing experience, with the Lime switches additionally providing a feathery and subtle typing feel. While the Lime switches are known for their lightweight and silenced nature, and the Polaris Purple switches are known for their big tactile bump, both switches offer a unique tactile experience for those who prefer a lighter, gentler typing feel. However, it is important to consider personal preferences and other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen, as they can also affect the overall sound and feel of the switches.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a lightweight switch with a feathery light typing experience, the Outemu Lime tactile switch would be a fantastic choice. These switches are not only light, but they also offer a subtle tactility and are silenced, making them perfect for tactile fans who want a comfortable typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy switch with a big tactile bump for an exhilarating typing experience, the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch would be a great option. These switches provide a snappy sound profile and offer a polished typing experience. Ultimately, both switches have a neutral sound profile and a mild typing feel, making them suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, or if you plan to use them at home or work. It ultimately comes down to your personal preferences in terms of weight, tactility, and sound.

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