SP-Star Polaris Purple vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The world of mechanical keyboards is vast and filled with options, making it challenging to choose the perfect switch for your typing needs. Today, we will compare and contrast two popular mechanical keyboard switches: the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue. The Polaris Purple is a tactile switch that is best known for its exhilarating tactile typing experience and snappy sound profile. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue is a linear switch that boasts a deep and thocky sound profile, immersing you in a satisfying typing experience. With a lengthened single-stage spring, the Tourmaline Blues provide a bouncy feel with each keystroke. While the Polaris Purple offers a tactile bump, the Tourmaline Blue strikes a balance with its standard spring weight, making it enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of 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
59g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold plated
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches are both made of polycarbonate, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiff plastic that produces a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, both switches feature a clear housing, making them optimal choices for those planning to use RGB lighting due to the translucency of polycarbonate.
While both switches share similarities in terms of housing materials, they may differ in the impact of each housing on the overall switch experience. The Polaris Purple has a polycarbonate top housing, which means that the sound and feel of the switch when a key is released will be influenced by the properties of the top housing. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue has a polycarbonate bottom housing, meaning that the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch will be more influenced by the qualities of the bottom housing.
In summary, both the Polaris Purple and Tourmaline Blue switches utilize polycarbonate as their housing material, resulting in a sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound profile. The clear housing of polycarbonate also makes these switches suitable for RGB lighting. However, there may be differences in the impact of each housing material on the switch experience, with the Polaris Purple focusing more on the release sound and feel, and the Tourmaline Blue emphasizing the bottom-out sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there are some similarities and differences to consider. The Polaris Purple has an unknown actuation force, while the Tourmaline Blue requires 59 grams of force to trigger a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, both switches have a medium-heavy 67 grams, providing a similar typing experience in this aspect.
Considering weight as a factor, the lighter actuation force of the Tourmaline Blue may appeal to those who prefer a more effortless typing experience, allowing them to type for longer durations without strain. This makes it suitable for scenarios like using a keyboard at work or engaging in extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals who desire a stronger and more pronounced push when typing may prefer the Polaris Purple, even though the specific actuation force is unavailable.
In terms of bottom out force, both switches have the same medium-heavy weight of 67 grams. This means that the keys will require a similar level of force to fully press down, providing a substantial typing experience for those who prefer a more tactile sensation.
Overall, while the actuation force of the Polaris Purple is unknown, its heavier bottom out force may indicate a slightly more robust typing experience compared to the Tourmaline Blue. However, if one desires a lighter and more effortless feel when typing, the Tourmaline Blue may be the better choice.
Travel distance
The travel distances of the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch are both equal, with each switch having a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either switch, you will feel the same distance being traveled from the top to the bottom. Therefore, regardless of whether you choose the Polaris Purple or the Tourmaline Blue, you can expect similar results in terms of the travel distance experienced while typing.
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 Everglide Tourmaline Blue has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Tourmaline Blue for $3.89.
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
The Polaris Purple and Tourmaline Blue switches both offer enjoyable sound profiles, although they have slightly different characteristics. The Polaris Purple produces a snappy sound profile, providing an exhilarating typing experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue offers a deep and thocky sound profile, immersing you in a satisfying typing experience. Both switches fall under the "neutral" sound profile category, which means they have a moderate sound profile suitable for most users and purposes. It's worth noting that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
When it comes to feel, the Polaris Purple switch offers a mild and polished typing experience. Being a mild switch, it provides a gentle typing experience without pronounced characteristics. Additionally, the switch has a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. This contributes to a sleek and refined typing experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switch is described as buttery and easy-to-press. The buttery characteristic indicates a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, ensuring seamless and effortless typing. Furthermore, the easy-to-press attribute means the switch requires minimal force to activate, making typing comfortable and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Similar to the Polaris Purple, the Tourmaline Blue also falls under the mild category.
In conclusion, both the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offer their own unique qualities. The Polaris Purple stands out with its snappy sound profile and polished feel, providing an exhilarating but approachable typing experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue offers a deep and thocky sound profile, along with a buttery and easy-to-press feel, ensuring a satisfying and effortless typing experience. If you prefer a tactile typing experience, the Polaris Purple would be a suitable choice, while the Tourmaline Blue is recommended for those seeking a linear switch. Overall, both switches offer pleasant sound profiles and comfortable typing experiences, making them excellent options that cater to different preferences.
Conclusion
In summary, if you prioritize a satisfying tactile typing experience with a snappy sound profile and a medium-heavy bottom out force, the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a deep and thocky sound profile, along with a bouncy feel and a standard spring weight for an enjoyable and accessible typing experience, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch would be more suitable. Both switches offer a neutral sound and actuation force requirement, making them versatile options for any user, whether beginner or advanced. However, if you prefer a more mild and polished feel with reduced friction and smooth key travel, the Polaris Purple would be a better fit. On the other hand, if you prefer a buttery and easy-to-press switch that offers a low-impact and effortless typing experience, the Tourmaline Blue would be the way to go. Ultimately, the choice between the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue depends on your preference for a tactile or linear switch, along with your desired sound and feel characteristics.
Mentioned in this article
