SP-Star Polaris Gray vs. TTC Silent Red
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Polaris Gray and the TTC Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The SP-Star Polaris Gray and TTC Silent Red are both linear mechanical keyboard switches that offer their own unique advantages. The Polaris Gray is ideal for those who prefer a bouncy typing experience and appreciate a clean and clacky sound profile. Categorized as low-pitched, neutral, mild, thocky, and polished, these switches provide a satisfying tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Silent Red switch is perfect for individuals seeking a smooth and seamless typing experience without the noise. With a muted sound profile, it's ideal for office or shared living spaces. These switches offer a consistent and smooth feel from top to bottom, ensuring maximum comfort with a padded bottom-out feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities to help you decide on the best switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 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 housing materials used in the SP-Star Polaris Gray and the TTC Silent Red keyboards are quite similar. Both keyboards utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which allows for a more clear and resonant sound experience. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for the top housing if you plan to use RGB lighting. Therefore, users can expect a similar sound quality and aesthetic appeal when using either keyboard.
However, the bottom housings of these keyboards differ. The Polaris Gray features a polycarbonate bottom housing, while the Silent Red utilizes a nylon bottom housing. Typing on the switches with a polycarbonate bottom housing will result in a sharper and more resonant sound profile, matching the characteristics of the top housing. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of the Silent Red contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic, absorbing more sound and creating a duller and rounder sound compared to the stiffer polycarbonate. Therefore, users will experience a slightly different typing sound and feel when bottoming out the keys on these keyboards.
Overall, both the SP-Star Polaris Gray and the TTC Silent Red exhibit similar sound profiles due to their utilization of polycarbonate for the top housing. While the top housing has a larger impact on the sound when releasing a key, the bottom housing affects the bottom-out sound and feel. Therefore, users can expect a consistent and resonant typing experience on both keyboards. However, the Silent Red's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound compared to the Polaris Gray's polycarbonate bottom housing, giving it a slightly different acoustic characteristic.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The Polaris Gray, unfortunately, does not have a specified actuation force, making it challenging to evaluate. However, it does have a bottom out force of 67 grams, indicating a medium-heavy resistance. In contrast, the Silent Red has an actuation force of 45 grams, which is lighter, and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, also classified as medium-heavy.
Weight is an essential factor to consider when choosing a switch, as it affects the typing experience. Those who prefer a lighter touch may opt for the Silent Red, as its lower actuation force allows them to type for extended periods comfortably. This makes it ideal for use at work or during lengthy gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals seeking a more robust and substantial typing experience might prefer the Polaris Gray or switches with heavier forces.
Although the actuation force for the Polaris Gray is unknown, its bottom out force is slightly heavier than that of the Silent Red. Therefore, if the actuation forces are similar, one can expect comparable results between these two switches regarding typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preferences and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch is 4.0 mm, while the TTC Silent Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. Both switches have a relatively short travel distance compared to traditional switches. However, the Silent Red switch has a slightly shorter travel distance, making it more suitable for gamers who prioritize faster response times. On the other hand, the Polaris Gray switch offers a bit more depth in its travel distance, which may be preferred by individuals who prefer a more substantial feel when pressing down on a key. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on individual preferences and the level of responsiveness desired.
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 Red has an MSRP of $5.28 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Red for $4.38.
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 SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch is known for its low-pitched and thocky sound profile. These switches produce a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed that can be compared to a soft "thud" or a gentle "knock". On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red linear switch is designed to provide a muted sound experience. It produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. This makes it an excellent choice for environments like offices or shared living spaces where minimizing noise is important. It is worth noting that the sound produced by both switches can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board itself and the choice of keycaps.
When it comes to feel, both the SP-Star Polaris Gray and the TTC Silent Red switches offer a mild and polished typing experience. The Polaris Gray switch is known for its mild characteristics, offering a gentle typing experience that stands in a safe middle-ground zone. These switches provide a comfortable and bouncy feel, making them ideal for those who prefer a more forgiving switch. The switch is also described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Similarly, the TTC Silent Red switch offers a buttery and mild typing experience. A buttery switch implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. This switch also falls into the mild category, offering a gentler typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. Like the Polaris Gray, the Silent Red switch is also described as polished, ensuring reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch offer distinct qualities when it comes to sound and feel. The Polaris Gray provides a low-pitched and thocky sound profile, along with a mild and polished typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Red offers a muted sound profile and a buttery, mild, and polished typing experience. Both switches are suitable for those who prefer a smoother and quieter typing experience, and they provide a comfortable feel during use. While the sound and feel may differ, both switches offer a similar level of approachability and quality, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for newcomers.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prefer a bouncy typing experience with a clean and clacky sound profile, then the SP-Star Polaris Gray linear switch is the way to go. It offers a low-pitched, neutral, and thocky sound, creating a deep and satisfying typing sound. In terms of feel, the Polaris Gray switch is described as mild and polished, providing a gentle and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, if you prioritize a smooth and seamless typing experience without the noise, the TTC Silent Red linear switch is the perfect choice. It offers a muted sound profile, making it ideal for office or shared living spaces. The Silent Red switch provides a buttery and mild typing experience, delivering a smooth and fluid keystroke sensation. Additionally, it is also described as polished, ensuring reduced friction and a sleek typing experience.
Ultimately, the choice between the SP-Star Polaris Gray and TTC Silent Red switches depends on your personal preferences. If you enjoy a bouncy typing experience with a clean and clacky sound, the Polaris Gray is for you. However, if you prefer a smooth and quiet typing experience, the Silent Red is the better option. Consider the sound and feel characteristics described for each switch to determine which will best suit your needs.
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