Gateron Melodic vs. SP-Star Duck
An in-depth look at the Gateron Melodic and the SP-Star Duck switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the SP-Star Duck tactile switch, there are several key differences to consider. The Gateron Melodic is renowned for its classic clicky sound and tactile feedback, enhanced by features such as smooth factory lubing and dual-railed stems. On the other hand, the SP-Star Duck offers a more subtle tactile typing experience with a gentle tactility and clean, crispy sound profile. If you prefer a more invigorating and crunchy typing experience, the Gateron Melodic may be the way to go. However, if you lean towards a neutral and polished typing experience, the SP-Star Duck could be the better choice. To truly determine the best switch for your needs, it's essential to delve deeper into the specifics of each switch beyond just their general characteristics.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
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
In comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Melodic and the SP-Star Duck, it is evident that both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing. This material provides a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness, making it ideal for RGB lighting setups. However, the Melodic features a nylon bottom housing, which offers a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound than polycarbonate. This contrast highlights the impact of housing materials on the overall sound and feel of a switch.
The use of polycarbonate in both the top housing of the Melodic and the Duck results in similar sound profiles, with a sharp and clear tone. This consistency in material choice ensures that users can expect comparable acoustics when typing on either switch. However, the difference in bottom housing material between the Melodic's nylon and the Duck's polycarbonate leads to variations in sound and feel. While the Melodic offers a deeper and rounder sound due to nylon’s softer properties, the Duck maintains a crisper and more resonant sound thanks to polycarbonate’s stiffness.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in mechanical switches plays a significant role in determining the sound and feel of typing. The Gateron Melodic and SP-Star Duck showcase how different materials, such as polycarbonate and nylon, can influence the overall typing experience. Whether it's a sharper and crisper sound profile from polycarbonate or a fuller and deeper sound from nylon, the balance between top and bottom housing materials can create a unique typing sensation for users to enjoy.
Weight
The Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the SP-Star Duck tactile switch both have a medium bottom out force, with the Melodic being slightly heavier at 60 grams compared to the Duck's 58 grams. However, both switches have an unknown actuation force. This means that while the actuation force needed to trigger a keystroke may vary between the two switches, the overall typing experience in terms of bottom out force will be quite similar. The Melodic may be more suitable for those who prefer a slightly heavier keypress, while the Duck is a good option for those who prefer a slightly lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and weight.
Travel distance
The Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the SP-Star Duck tactile switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that users will experience a consistent key travel distance regardless of which switch they choose. Having the same travel distance contributes to a similar typing experience between the two switches, allowing for similar results in terms of feedback and keypress feel. Despite any other differences between the switches, their equal travel distances make them comparable in this regard.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Melodic has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Melodic for $6.00.
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 Gateron Melodic clicky switch offers a resonant and crunchy typing experience, with a higher-pitched sound profile and a crisp, crunchy click reminiscent of autumn leaves. On the other hand, the SP-Star Duck tactile switch provides a neutral sound profile with a clean and crispy tone, perfect for those seeking a more subtle tactile typing experience. Both switches offer distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences, with the Melodic providing a more lively and resonant sound, while the Duck offers a cleaner and more neutral auditory experience.
Moving on to feel, the Gateron Melodic switch is described as offering a buttery and invigorating typing sensation, with smooth and fluid keystrokes and pronounced tactile feedback. In contrast, the SP-Star Duck switch provides a mild and approachable typing experience, suitable for those who prefer a more gentle keypress. The Duck switch also features a buttery and polished feel, with smooth and refined key travel, enhancing the overall typing experience. While both switches offer smooth key travel, the Melodic provides a more invigorating and firm typing feel, while the Duck offers a gentler and more polished sensation.
In conclusion, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the SP-Star Duck tactile switch offer unique sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. While the Melodic provides a lively and resonant sound with a buttery and invigorating feel, the Duck offers a cleaner and more neutral sound with a mild and polished typing sensation. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience. However, both switches are sure to deliver a high-quality and enjoyable mechanical keyboard experience for newcomers and experienced users alike.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose between the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the SP-Star Duck tactile switch, you should take into account your preference for sound and feel. If you enjoy a higher-pitched and immersive auditory experience with a crunchy sound profile, the Melodic switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a more subtle tactile typing experience with a clean and crispy sound profile, the Duck switch would be a better fit. Ultimately, both switches offer differing characteristics in terms of sound and feel, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style when deciding which switch to choose.
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