SP-Star Polaris Purple vs. Dareu Snow
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Dareu Snow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch to the Dareu Snow linear switch, one can notice distinct differences in their characteristics. The Polaris Purple is renowned for its tactile bump, providing a satisfying and tactile typing experience with a snappy sound profile. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow switch stands out for its use of innovative POK material in both the top housing and stem, resulting in a smooth linear switch with a deeper sound signature. While the Polaris Purple offers a more polished and mild typing experience, the Snow switch presents a thocky and bouncy feel. When choosing between the two, one may opt for the Polaris Purple for its tactile feedback or the Dareu Snow for its smooth linear action. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
POK
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
Both the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Dareu Snow utilize different housing materials for their top and bottom housings. The Polaris Purple features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, especially beneficial for RGB lighting. In contrast, the Snow uses POK material for its top housing, known for its smoothness, durability, and clacky sound. While both materials offer unique qualities, the Polaris Purple leans towards a sharper sound profile, while the Snow provides a smoother and more robust typing experience.
When it comes to the bottom housing, the Polaris Purple again utilizes polycarbonate, which contributes to its clear and resonant sound profile, particularly when releasing a key. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow uses nylon for its bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. The choice of materials for the bottom housing plays a significant role in the overall sound and feel of the switches, with polycarbonate emphasizing clarity and resonance, while nylon enhances the depth and fullness of the typing experience.
Overall, both the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Dareu Snow offer unique sound profiles and typing experiences due to their choice of housing materials. While the Polaris Purple focuses on sharper and crisper sounds with its polycarbonate top and bottom housings, the Snow emphasizes smoothness and durability with its POK top housing and nylon bottom housing. Despite their differences, both switches provide high-quality performance and cater to different preferences in terms of sound and typing feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Polaris Purple has a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it slightly heavier than the Snow which has a bottom out force of 60 grams. However, the actuation force of the Snow is 50 grams, while the actuation force of the Polaris Purple is not listed, making it difficult to directly compare the two in this aspect. In terms of weight, some may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Snow for longer typing sessions, while others may enjoy the heavier bottom out force of the Polaris Purple for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation force and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The comparison between the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch reveals a difference in their travel distances. The Polaris Purple has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Snow has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. This means that the Snow switch offers a shorter travel distance compared to the Polaris Purple. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Snow switch. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial keypress may opt for the Polaris Purple with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for key feel and responsiveness.
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 Snow has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Snow for $5.76.
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 profile that is suitable for a variety of typing environments, whether at home or in the office. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow linear switch provides a thocky and low-pitched sound that delivers a deep and satisfying typing experience. The choice between the two switches will ultimately depend on personal preference for sound profile and the overall typing experience desired.
In terms of feel, the Polaris Purple switch offers a mild and polished typing experience, with a gentle tactile bump that is approachable for most users. On the contrary, the Dareu Snow linear switch provides a bouncy and lively feel, giving users a spring-like feedback when typing. Both switches offer unique tactile and typing experiences that cater to different preferences for keyboard feel.
Considering all the available information, the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Dareu Snow switches offer distinct sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences in typing experience. While the Polaris Purple switch provides a neutral sound and mild, polished feel, the Snow switch offers a thocky, low-pitched sound and bouncy typing feel. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound profile and typing feel, with both switches delivering a unique and satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch, consider your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a tactile typing experience with a satisfying bump and snappy sound profile, the Polaris Purple may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth linear typing experience with a deeper sound signature and innovative POK material, the Dareu Snow switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so weigh these factors carefully before making your decision.
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