Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) vs. SP-Star Polaris Gray
An in-depth look at the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the SP-Star Polaris Gray switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the SP-Star Polaris Gray each offer their own unique qualities. The Moyu Black is known for its sharp tactile feel, thanks to its strong downstroke and even sharper upstroke bump. With a medium-heavy feel and an accentuated bottom-out, typing on these switches provides a distinctive and impactful experience. On the other hand, the Polaris Gray is preferred by those who enjoy a bouncy typing sensation, with a clean and clacky sound profile. While the Moyu Black is categorized as accented, resonant, and sharp, the Polaris Gray is low-pitched, neutral, mild, thocky, and polished. Both switches have their own merits, but let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make the best decision for your own typing preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
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
PBT
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the SP-Star Polaris Gray feature different housing materials for their top and bottom housings. The Moyu Black (Dark Jade) utilizes PBT for both its top and bottom housing, while the Polaris Gray uses polycarbonate for both. This difference in housing materials results in distinct sound profiles. The PBT housing of the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) offers a neutral sound with neither very crisp nor dull characteristics. In contrast, the polycarbonate housing of the Polaris Gray creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is attributed to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it particularly beneficial for RGB lighting effects. However, it is important to note that if a switch features clear housing, it is more likely to be polycarbonate, as stated in the description of the Polaris Gray.
When it comes to the bottom housings, the PBT and polycarbonate materials also contribute to different sound profiles. The PBT bottom housing of the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) offers a neutral sound profile similar to its top housing. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Polaris Gray creates a sharper and crisper sound. As the bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, the difference in materials will affect the overall typing experience.
Regarding the impact on the sound when releasing a key, the top housing plays a more significant role. Therefore, when using the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade), the PBT top housing will influence the sound when letting go of a key, resulting in a neutral sound profile. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the SP-Star Polaris Gray will produce a sharper and crisper sound when keys are released.
In summary, the choice of housing materials in the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the SP-Star Polaris Gray greatly impacts their sound profiles. While the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) features PBT in both its top and bottom housings, resulting in a neutral sound, the Polaris Gray utilizes polycarbonate for both housings, creating a sharper and crisper sound. Additionally, polycarbonate is advantageous for RGB lighting effects due to its translucency. The difference in materials affects both the bottom-out sound and feel, with the bottom housing having a greater impact, as well as the sound when releasing a key, with the top housing playing a more significant role.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch, there are noticeable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Moyu Black has an actuation force of 50 grams, providing a moderate resistance that falls on the lighter side of the spectrum. In contrast, the actuation force of the Polaris Gray switch is unavailable, making it difficult to compare directly. However, both switches share the same bottom out force of 67 grams, which means that regardless of their actuation force, users can expect a similar typing experience when fully pressing the keys.
Considerations of weight are important when it comes to switch preference. Those seeking longer typing sessions or extended gaming periods may prefer a lighter actuation force, as it requires less exertion and leads to less fatigue. The Moyu Black switch would be a suitable choice in this scenario. However, individuals who prefer a more substantial typing experience, with a stronger push feel, may opt for a switch with a heavier actuation force. Although the actual actuation force of the Polaris Gray switch is unknown, its shared bottom out force suggests it may provide a similar heaviness to the Moyu Black.
In summary, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch features a lighter actuation force but a medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams. While the actuation force for the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch is unknown, it shares the same bottom out force as the Moyu Black, allowing for a potentially similar typing experience in terms of force required for fully pressing the keys.
Travel distance
Both the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will feel a consistent 4 mm of travel. Therefore, both switches will provide similar results in terms of the travel distance felt when typing.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) has an MSRP of $12.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) for $7.59.
The SP-Star Polaris Gray 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 Gray 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
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch is known for its sharp and distinct tactile feel. It features a strong downstroke tactile bump and an even sharper and stronger upstroke bump, creating a hypertactile sensation. When typing, the downstroke bump produces a satisfyingly sharp, short, snappy, and punchy sound. With medium-heavy weighting and an abrupt bottom-out, these switches offer a distinctive and impactful typing experience. The Moyu Blacks are best suited for those who enjoy a tactile switch with a noticeable and satisfying tactility in both sound and feel.
On the other hand, the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch provides a different typing experience. These switches are described as having a clean and clacky sound profile. The Polaris Gray switches are low-pitched, offering a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. They are categorized as neutral switches, suitable for various purposes and experience levels. Additionally, the Polaris Gray switches are considered thocky, providing a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed. This creates a pleasant auditory experience during typing.
Comparing the two switches, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) provides a tactile typing experience with a sharp and impactful sound profile. It is accented and sharp in feel, offering a noticeable tactile bump with each keypress. On the other hand, the SP-Star Polaris Gray is a linear switch that produces a clean and clacky sound. It has a mild and polished feel, providing a smoother and more gentle typing experience. While they have different characteristics, both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance the typing experience.
In conclusion, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities in sound and feel. The Moyu Black provides a sharp and impactful tactile feel with a unique sound profile, while the Polaris Gray offers a clean and clacky sound with a mild and polished feel. Both switches have their own strengths and can provide a satisfying typing experience depending on the user's preferences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you value a sharp and intense tactile feedback, a distinct and impactful typing experience, and a clean and resonant sound profile, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch would be the best choice for you. The Moyu Blacks offer a unique blend of PBT top and bottom housing, creating a premium typing experience. The strong downstroke and even stronger upstroke bump create a hypertactile sensation that is satisfying and punchy. Additionally, the medium-heavy bottom-out force adds to the distinct feel of these switches.
On the other hand, if you prefer a bouncy typing experience with a clean and clacky sound profile, the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch is a great option. With its low-pitched sound profile and neutral switch characteristics, the Polaris Gray offers a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. The Polaris Gray switches have a moderate actuation force requirement, making them suitable for both beginners and advanced users in various settings.
Overall, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and the typing experience you are looking for. Whether you prefer a sharp and intense tactile feel with a resonant sound profile or a bouncy and more gentle typing experience with a low-pitched sound, both the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the SP-Star Polaris Gray switches have their own unique qualities to offer.
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