SP-Star Polaris Purple vs. Dareu Sky POM
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Dareu Sky POM switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Dareu Sky POM offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Polaris Purple stands out for its tactile feedback, providing a satisfying bump during typing and a snappy sound profile. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky POM switch is celebrated for its smoothness and clacky sound, thanks to its POM material construction. While the Polaris Purple offers a more tactile and polished typing experience, the Sky POM provides a buttery and creamy feel with a low-pitched sound. Each switch has its own strengths and characteristics that make them appealing choices for different users. 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
N/A
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold plated
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The SP-Star Polaris Purple and Dareu Sky POM both utilize different housing materials for their top and bottom components, resulting in unique sound profiles. The Polaris Purple features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The Dareu Sky POM, on the other hand, uses a POM top housing that produces a deeper and more muted sound. While the Polaris Purple's polycarbonate top housing enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound, the Sky POM's POM top housing offers a distinctive and pleasing sound that is on the deeper side.
In terms of bottom housing, the Polaris Purple utilizes polycarbonate to create a clear and resonant sound profile, similar to its top housing qualities. The Dareu Sky POM, however, features a nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound compared to polycarbonate. Nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. This contrast between the stiffer polycarbonate and softer nylon showcases the different characteristics each material brings to the overall typing experience of the switches.
While the housing materials of the SP-Star Polaris Purple and Dareu Sky POM result in different sound profiles, both switches offer unique qualities based on their top and bottom housing materials. The split between the top and bottom housing ensures that users can feel the impact of each material when pressing down on the switch and releasing a key. Whether it's the sharp and crisp sound of polycarbonate in the Polaris Purple or the deeper and fuller sound of nylon in the Sky POM, both switches provide a diverse typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
The SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch has a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch in terms of resistance. In contrast, the actuation force for the Polaris Purple is unknown, while the Dareu Sky POM linear switch has an actuation force of 40 grams, making it a lighter option. This means that the Sky POM would require less force to trigger a keystroke compared to the Polaris Purple. The difference in actuation force may result in a lighter typing experience with the Sky POM, which could be more comfortable for extended typing sessions. However, some users may prefer the heavier bottom out force of the Polaris Purple for a more substantial typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing force and overall typing experience.
Travel distance
The SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Dareu Sky POM linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. The Polaris Purple has a slightly longer travel distance, which may provide a slightly deeper key press experience compared to the Sky POM. However, both switches fall within a traditional range of travel distances, with the Polaris Purple being on the longer side and the Sky POM being slightly shorter. For those who prioritize faster response times, the Sky POM may be the preferred choice due to its shorter travel distance. On the other hand, if a more substantial key press is desired, the Polaris Purple may be the better option. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and 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 Dareu Sky POM has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sky POM for $4.98.
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 suitable for various environments and users, while the Dareu Sky POM linear switch provides a low-pitched, bass-heavy tone for a more mellow typing experience. The choice of keycaps and keyboard board can also influence the overall sound produced by the switches.
In terms of feel, the Polaris Purple switch offers a mild and polished typing experience, providing a gentle tactile bump without being too overwhelming. On the other hand, the Sky POM switch is described as buttery, creamy, and silky, offering an exceptionally smooth and fluid typing sensation that allows for effortless keystrokes.
Taking into account all the available information, it is evident that the Polaris Purple and the Sky POM switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Polaris Purple excels in providing a moderate and polished typing experience with a snappy sound profile, the Sky POM stands out with its premium smoothness and clacky, low-pitched sound. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches can deliver a satisfying typing experience, albeit in different ways. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing style.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when choosing between the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the Dareu Sky POM linear switch, it really comes down to personal preference and what you prioritize in a switch. If you are looking for a tactile typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a snappy sound profile, the Polaris Purple would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you value a smooth and buttery typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile and are willing to forgo a bottom out force specification, the Sky POM switch may be the better option. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so it ultimately depends on what you are looking for in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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