Outemu Blue Jade vs. SP-Star Polaris Gray
An in-depth look at the Outemu Blue Jade and the SP-Star Polaris Gray switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Outemu Blue Jade, a clicky switch, and the SP-Star Polaris Gray, a linear switch. The Blue Jade switch is best known for its tactile feedback and audible click with each key press, providing a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Polaris Gray switch is favored for its smooth and consistent keystrokes, making it ideal for those who prefer a quieter typing experience. While the Blue Jade offers a more pronounced tactile feel, the Polaris Gray delivers a cleaner and quieter operation. 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
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.20 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
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The main difference between the Outemu Blue Jade and the SP-Star Polaris Gray in terms of housing materials lies in the material used for both the top and bottom housings. The Blue Jade utilizes a nylon material for both the top and bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Polaris Gray employs a polycarbonate material for both the top and bottom housing, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile thanks to the stiffness of polycarbonate. This contrast in housing materials directly impacts the overall sound and feel of the switches.
In terms of aesthetics, the housing materials also play a significant role in the appearance of the switches. The Blue Jade's nylon housing provides a more classic and muted look, while the translucency of the Polaris Gray's polycarbonate housing allows for RGB lighting to shine through, creating a more vibrant and visually appealing switch. This difference in visual appeal can be a decisive factor for users who prioritize the appearance of their keyboard setup along with the performance of the switches.
Despite the differences in housing materials, both the Outemu Blue Jade and the SP-Star Polaris Gray ultimately aim to provide an enhanced typing experience for users. While the nylon and polycarbonate materials offer distinct sound profiles and aesthetics, the overall goal of creating a switch with a satisfying and responsive feel remains the same. Whether you prefer a softer, deeper sound profile of the Blue Jade or the crisper, higher-pitched sound profile of the Polaris Gray, both switches are designed to cater to the preferences of different users in the mechanical keyboard community.
Weight
The Outemu Blue Jade clicky switch and the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch both fall into the medium-heavy category in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Blue Jade requires 50 grams of actuation force and 65 grams of bottom out force, while the Polaris Gray's actuation force is not specified and has a bottom out force of 67 grams. This makes the Polaris Gray slightly heavier when it comes to bottoming out. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Blue Jade may be the better option due to its slightly lower bottom out force. However, for those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel, the Polaris Gray may be the way to go. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Blue Jade clicky switch and the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. When pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the same distance being traveled from the top to the bottom. This means that both switches will provide a consistent typing experience in terms of travel distance. So, whether you choose the Blue Jade clicky switch or the Polaris Gray linear switch, you can expect similar results in terms of how far the switch travels when activated.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Outemu Blue Jade comes in at $3.10 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
When it comes to sound, the Outemu Blue Jade clicky switch is well known for its loud and crisp tactile feedback, making it a favorite among those who enjoy a satisfying click with each keystroke. On the other hand, the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch is praised for its low-pitched and thocky sound profile, offering a more subtle and deep acoustics that are pleasing to the ears. While the Blue Jade provides a sharp and distinctive click, the Polaris Gray delivers a more mellow and bass-heavy tone, creating a different auditory experience for users. Ultimately, the sound preference between the two switches will vary depending on personal taste and the surrounding environment.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Blue Jade switches are known for their tactile bump and precise actuation, offering a tactile typing experience that is preferred by many enthusiasts. Meanwhile, the SP-Star Polaris Gray switches are described as mild and polished, providing a smooth and gentle typing feel that appeals to a wider range of users. The Polaris Gray switches offer a comfortable and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel, while the Blue Jade switches deliver a more pronounced tactile feedback for those who enjoy a more tactile typing experience. The choice between the two switches will ultimately depend on personal preference for typing feel.
In conclusion, the Outemu Blue Jade clicky switch and the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch offer distinct characteristics in terms of sound and feel. The Blue Jade switch is known for its loud click and tactile typing experience, while the Polaris Gray switch provides a more subdued sound profile and a smooth key feel. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, users can choose between the two switches to customize their typing experience to suit their needs. Both switches offer quality construction and performance, ensuring that users will get a satisfying typing experience regardless of their choice.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a clicky switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a satisfyingly tactile typing experience, the Outemu Blue Jade switch is a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a slightly higher bottom out force and a clean, bouncy typing experience, the SP-Star Polaris Gray switch would be a better fit for you. Consider your preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience when selecting between these two switches to ensure you find the perfect match for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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