SP-Star Polaris Purple vs. Jwick Semi-Silent Linear
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear are two distinct mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique typing experiences. The Polaris Purple is a tactile switch, renowned for its large tactile bump that provides an exhilarating and satisfying typing sensation. This switch has a snappy sound profile and falls under the categories of 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Polished'. On the other hand, the Semi-Silent Linear switch stands out for its innovation, offering a whisper-quiet topping-out sound and a clacky bottom-out sound. This linear switch has a silky smooth typing feel without being excessively polished. It is categorized as 'Subdued', 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Snappy', 'Buttery', and 'Polished'. Both switches have their merits, providing unique tactile and audio experiences. However, let's dive deeper beyond these generalities to help you decide on the best switch for your specific needs and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials used in the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. Both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is due to polycarbonate's relatively stiff nature, which promotes clear and resonant sound production. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for enhanced lighting effects when RGB lighting is used. Therefore, the Polaris Purple and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear would provide similar results in terms of sound and aesthetics through their shared polycarbonate top housing material.
However, the differences arise when examining the bottom housing of these switches. The Polaris Purple features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which contributes to its overall sound profile. Similarly to the top housing, the polycarbonate bottom housing imparts a sharper sound when bottoming out the key. On the other hand, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear incorporates a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is characterized by its softer composition, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound when bottoming out the key. Therefore, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear offers a different typing experience than the Polaris Purple due to its nylon bottom housing.
In summary, while the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear share a polycarbonate top housing that provides sharp and crisp sound, their bottom housings differ in material composition and resulting sound profiles. The Polaris Purple's polycarbonate bottom housing complements the overall sound profile, while the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound. Despite these variations, the impact of the bottom housing is felt when bottoming out a key, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key.
Weight
When comparing the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch, it is important to consider their actuation and bottom out forces. The actuation force of both switches is listed as unavailable grams, indicating that the specific force required to trigger a keystroke is unknown for both switches. However, the Polaris Purple has a bottom out force of 67 grams, which is considered medium-heavy, while the Semi-Silent Linear has a bottom out force of 62 grams, which is categorized as medium.
For those who prefer lighter switches, allowing for extended typing sessions or prolonged gaming, the weight of the switch becomes a significant factor. Unfortunately, without the specific actuation force, it is difficult to determine if one switch is lighter than the other in this regard. However, if the actuation forces are similar, it can be assumed that both switches would yield comparable results in terms of a light typing experience.
On the other hand, individuals who prefer a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience may opt for switches with heavier forces. In this case, the Polaris Purple, with its medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams, would be the more suitable choice compared to the Semi-Silent Linear, which has a medium bottom out force of 62 grams.
In summary, although the actuation forces of both the SP-Star Polaris Purple and Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches are unavailable, the Polaris Purple proves to be heavier with its medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams, while the Semi-Silent Linear has a medium bottom out force of 62 grams. The weight of the switches becomes an essential consideration for users aiming for extended typing periods or a more substantial typing experience, with lighter switches being preferred for longer usage, and heavier switches providing a stronger push feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch, there is a noticeable difference. The Polaris Purple has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Semi-Silent Linear has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. The Polaris Purple falls into the category of a more traditional travel distance, providing a deeper press when typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Semi-Silent Linear offers a slightly shallower press, which can be beneficial for those seeking faster response times, particularly in gaming scenarios. Both options have their advantages, as shorter travel distances are preferred by gamers for increased responsiveness, while longer travel distances offer a more substantial and satisfying keypress for some individuals. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Polaris Purple 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 Purple for $5.00.
The Jwick Semi-Silent Linear has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Semi-Silent Linear for $5.27.
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 Purple tactile switch offers a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement. This means that the switch produces a satisfying and snappy sound when pressed, making it suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use it at home or work. On the other hand, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch has a subdued sound profile. While it is not completely silent, it offers a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. The topping-out sound is whisper-quiet, but it still maintains a clacky bottom-out sound. The choice of board and keycaps can also influence the sound produced by the switches.
In terms of feel, both the Polaris Purple and Semi-Silent Linear switches provide a mild typing experience, making them approachable to most users. They fall into a safe middle-ground zone, offering a gentle typing sensation without any pronounced characteristics. Additionally, both switches are described as polished, meaning they have a smooth and refined finish. This results in reduced friction, smooth key travel, and a sleek typing experience. The Polaris Purple switch provides a exhilarating tactile typing experience with a big tactile bump, while the Semi-Silent Linear switch offers a silky smooth feel without being over-polished. The Semi-Silent Linear switch also incorporates snappy characteristics due to longer or dual-staged springs, making the typing experience feel more alive and responsive.
Overall, both switches offer desirable qualities depending on personal preferences. The Polaris Purple switch excels in providing a satisfying tactile typing experience with a snappy sound profile, while the Semi-Silent Linear switch offers a more subdued sound with a silky smooth feel and snappy response. They both fall into the neutral category, making them suitable for various purposes and user levels. It's important to note that the subjective experience may vary based on factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a satisfying tactile typing experience with a snappy sound profile, the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch would be the ideal choice for you. With a bottom out force of 67 grams, this switch offers a medium-heavy feel that provides an exhilarating typing experience. On the other hand, if you value a whisper-quiet topping-out sound coupled with a clacky bottom-out sound, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch would be more suitable for your needs. With a bottom out force of 62 grams, this switch offers a medium feel that delivers a silky smooth typing experience. In terms of sound, the Polaris Purple provides a neutral profile, making it suitable for a variety of settings and skill levels. The Semi-Silent Linear, on the other hand, offers a more subdued sound signature compared to most switches. Both switches offer a mild feel that is approachable to most users, but the Semi-Silent Linear also incorporates snappy and buttery characteristics, resulting in a more responsive and fluid typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear will depend on your preference for tactile feedback, sound profile, and typing feel. By considering these factors, you can select the switch that best aligns with your individual needs and preferences.
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