SP-Star Polaris Purple vs. TTC Silent Bluish White (V2)
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the TTC Silent Bluish White (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the TTC Silent Bluish White, both of which are tactile switches. The Polaris Purple is renowned for its exhilarating typing experience, thanks to its big tactile bump. This switch offers a satisfying snappy sound profile and falls into the category of 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Polished'. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White switch provides a medium tactile feel, offering a precise and comfortable typing experience. What sets it apart is its focus on silence, making it ideal for office or shared living space use. With its 'Buttery', 'Mild', 'Stepped', 'Muted', 'Subtle', and 'Polished' categorizations, this switch aims to deliver a quiet typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences.
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 housing materials of the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the TTC Silent Bluish White keyboards share the use of polycarbonate in their top housings. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Its relatively stiffer plastic composition leads to a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for RGB lighting purposes. Thus, both keyboards offer similar sound qualities, with a focus on clarity and resonance, enhancing the overall typing experience.
However, the difference lies in the bottom housing material. The Polaris Purple features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which contributes to the overall sound, including the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White utilizes a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is well-known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. Its softer plastic composition absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, the Silent Bluish White offers a distinct typing experience with a heavier and more muffled sound compared to the Polaris Purple.
Despite the differences in bottom housings, both keyboards prioritize sound quality and aim to create unique typing experiences. While the Polaris Purple emphasizes clear and resonant sound with its polycarbonate top and bottom housings, the Silent Bluish White focuses on a deeper and fuller sound with its nylon bottom housing. Both materials bring their own advantages, and the choice between the two ultimately depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch, there are notable differences. The Polaris Purple's actuation force is unavailable, making it difficult to directly compare to the Silent Bluish White's 42 grams actuation force. However, it is worth noting that the Silent Bluish White has a lighter actuation force, allowing for a quicker keystroke activation. On the other hand, the Polaris Purple has a bottom out force of 67 grams, which is considered medium-heavy, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. In contrast, the Silent Bluish White has a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams.
Considering the weight aspect, those who favor a lighter switch would appreciate the Silent Bluish White's lower actuation and bottom out forces, as it allows for extended typing periods without causing fatigue. This makes it suitable for scenarios such as using a keyboard in a professional environment or engaging in long gaming sessions. Conversely, individuals seeking a more robust typing experience may opt for the Polaris Purple, with its heavier bottom out force, as it provides a more satisfying tactile response.
In summary, while the actuation force of the Polaris Purple remains unknown, the Silent Bluish White offers a lighter actuation force yet may still provide similar results for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. However, the Polaris Purple's heavier bottom out force caters to those seeking a more substantial and responsive keystroke.
Travel distance
The SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch have different travel distances. The Polaris Purple has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Silent Bluish White has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. These differences in travel distance may not seem significant, but they can have an impact on the overall typing or gaming experience. A travel distance of 4 mm is considered more traditional, providing a deeper key press and a satisfying tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White with its 3.5 mm travel distance offers a slightly shallower typing experience, which can be preferred by gamers seeking faster response times. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on personal preference and whether one prefers a shorter travel distance for quick keystrokes or a longer travel distance for a more substantial typing feel.
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 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
When it comes to sound, the Polaris Purple switch is known for its neutral profile, which means it has a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile. This makes it suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use them at home or at work. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White switch has a muted sound profile. It produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. Muted switches are designed to minimize the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, making them an excellent choice for office or shared living spaces. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as your choice of keyboard and keycaps.
In terms of feel, the Polaris Purple switch offers a mild and polished typing experience. With a more gentle tactile feel, it provides a safe middle-ground zone that appeals to most users. The switch has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. This creates a sleek and comfortable typing experience. Similarly, the Silent Bluish White switch is described as buttery, which means it offers a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. It provides a seamless and effortless typing sensation. Additionally, the Silent Bluish White switch falls under the mild and polished categories, offering a gentle resistance and a sound signature that is suitable for shared spaces. It is a stepped switch, meaning it has a two-stage tactile feel, with some pre-travel and/or post-travel.
In conclusion, the Polaris Purple and Silent Bluish White switches offer different subjective qualities. The Polaris Purple switch provides a big tactile bump, giving you an exhilarating tactile typing experience. It has a snappy sound profile and offers a mild and polished feel. On the other hand, the Silent Bluish White switch offers a medium tactile feel with a satisfying level of resistance. It is designed to be as quiet as possible, making it suitable for office and shared living spaces. It has a buttery feel and falls under the mild, stepped, and polished categories. Overall, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, and each switch will provide a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a mechanical keyboard switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a snappy sound profile, the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch would be ideal for you. It is best known for its exhilarating tactile bump and is suitable for those who enjoy a more pronounced typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a precise and comfortable typing experience with minimal noise, the TTC Silent Bluish White tactile switch would be a great choice. It is best known for its satisfying level of resistance and quiet operation, making it perfect for office or shared living space use. In terms of sound, the Polaris Purple has a neutral profile, while the Silent Bluish White has a muted sound profile, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. In terms of feel, the Polaris Purple offers a mild and polished typing experience, while the Silent Bluish White offers a buttery, mild, stepped, subtle, and polished feel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences for bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel.
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