SP-Star Polaris Gray vs. TTC Silent Bluish White (V2)
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Polaris Gray and the TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch for your typing preferences, two popular options to consider are the SP-Star Polaris Gray and the TTC Silent Bluish White. The Polaris Gray is known for providing a bouncy typing experience and emits a clean and clacky sound profile. With its low-pitched, neutral, and mild characteristics, this switch offers a thocky feel that many users appreciate. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White offers a medium tactile feel, providing a satisfying level of resistance while typing. These switches are designed to be as quiet as possible, making them ideal for office or shared living space use. Despite their medium tactility, they are far from loud. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The SP-Star Polaris Gray and the TTC Silent Bluish White switches both utilize polycarbonate for their top housings. This material choice creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting to shine through, making it a practical option for those looking to incorporate colorful lighting effects into their keyboard setups. Due to the similarities in their top housing materials, users can expect to achieve similar results in terms of sound quality and aesthetics when using either switch.
However, when it comes to the bottom housings, the Polaris Gray differs from the Silent Bluish White. The Polaris Gray features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which contributes to the overall sound and feel of the switch. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate gives the switch a more clear and resonant sound profile, providing a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White utilizes a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is known for its ability to absorb more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This material choice gives the Silent Bluish White a slightly different sound and tactile feel compared to the Polaris Gray.
In summary, while both the SP-Star Polaris Gray and the TTC Silent Bluish White switches share the benefits of using polycarbonate for their top housings, they differ in their choice of material for the bottom housings. The Polaris Gray's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to a clear and resonant sound profile, while the Silent Bluish White's nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference in terms of sound and tactile feedback.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch, there are noticeable differences. The Polaris Gray has an actuation force that is unavailable in the given information, whereas the Silent Bluish White has an actuation force of 42 grams, indicating a lighter touch required to trigger a keystroke. On the other hand, the Polaris Gray has a bottom out force of 67 grams, suggesting a more substantial typing experience with a medium-heavy force needed for complete depression of the switch. In contrast, the Silent Bluish White has a lower bottom out force of 50 grams, indicating a lighter overall typing experience.
Considering weight, some individuals prefer a lighter switch to enable extended typing sessions, making it suitable for work environments or prolonged gaming sessions. For these individuals, the Silent Bluish White switch with its lower actuation and bottom out force would be an ideal choice. However, others prefer a stronger push feel, seeking a more substantial typing experience. For these individuals, the Polaris Gray switch's heavier bottom out force provides the desired resistance.
In summary, the actuation and bottom out forces of the SP-Star Polaris Gray and TTC Silent Bluish White switches differ in terms of their weights. The Silent Bluish White is lighter in both actuation and bottom out forces, whereas the Polaris Gray offers a stronger push feel with a medium-heavy bottom out force. The choice between the two will depend on the individual's preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch is 4 mm, while the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Polaris Gray falls into the more traditional range of travel distances, providing a solid and satisfying depth when pressing down on the key. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White offers a slightly shallower travel distance, which may be more appealing to gamers seeking faster response times. While both switches offer a different experience in terms of travel distance, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you prioritize a quicker response, the Silent Bluish White's 3.5 mm travel distance may be the better option for you. Alternatively, if you prefer a deeper and more substantial feel, the Polaris Gray with its 4 mm travel distance would be the ideal choice. Regardless of which switch you choose, both options offer their own unique qualities that can enhance your typing or gaming experience.
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 TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Bluish White (V2) for $4.63.
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 sound profile of the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch is described as low-pitched, neutral, and thocky. Low-pitched switches typically have a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. The neutral sound profile makes these switches suitable for most intents and purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use them at home or work. The thocky characteristic of the Polaris Gray switches produces a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch is described as muted, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. This makes the Silent Bluish Whites perfect for office or shared living space use.
In terms of feel, the Polaris Gray offers a mild and polished typing experience. The mild characteristic of these switches provides a gentle typing experience, suitable for most users. The polished finish of the Polaris Gray switches results in reduced friction and smooth key travel, enhancing the overall typing experience. Similarly, the Silent Bluish White switches offer a buttery and mild feel. The buttery characteristic implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. The mild feel of these switches makes them approachable to most users, and the polished aspect contributes to reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch have different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Polaris Gray switches offer a low-pitched, neutral, and thocky sound profile, providing a clean and clacky typing experience. In terms of feel, the Polaris Gray switches offer a mild and polished typing experience, characterized by their smooth and refined finish. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White switches have a muted sound profile, minimizing noise and making them suitable for office or shared living spaces. The Silent Bluish Whites provide a buttery and mild feel, ensuring a smooth and uniform typing sensation. Depending on the user's preferences, either switch can provide a satisfying and comfortable typing experience, with the Polaris Gray offering a bouncy and thocky sound, while the Silent Bluish White prioritizes quietness and seamless keystrokes.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prefer a bouncy typing experience and a clean and clacky sound, the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch would be a great choice for you. With a bottom out force of 67 grams, these medium-heavy switches provide a moderate actuation force that is suitable for most intents and purposes. The sound profile of the Polaris Gray switches is low-pitched and thocky, giving you a satisfying and deep "thud" or soft "knock" when pressing and releasing the keys.
On the other hand, if you value a precise and comfortable typing experience with resistance and a quiet sound, the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch is the way to go. These switches have a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams, making them easier to press. The Silent Bluish Whites offer a medium tactile feel with a satisfying level of resistance and are designed to be as quiet as possible. They have a muted sound profile, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards.
In terms of feel, the Polaris Gray switches provide a mild and polished typing experience, with a smooth and refined finish resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. The Silent Bluish White switches, on the other hand, offer a buttery and mild typing experience, providing a seamless and effortless keystroke sensation. They also have a stepped feel, allowing you to feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel during your typing experience.
Ultimately, the choice between the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch depends on your personal preferences. Consider factors such as the typing experience, sound profile, and bottom out force to determine which switch would be the best fit for you. Both switches have their own unique qualities, so make sure to select the one that aligns with your specific needs and requirements.
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