SP-Star Polaris Purple vs. HMX Twilight
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the HMX Twilight 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 HMX Twilight each offer distinct experiences that cater to different typing preferences. The Polaris Purple is celebrated for its pronounced tactile bump, delivering an exhilarating typing experience characterized by a snappy sound profile. This switch, categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Polished', appeals to users who appreciate tactile feedback and enjoy a slight auditory cue with each keystroke. Conversely, the HMX Twilight is a linear switch known for its extended 3.85mm travel distance, offering a smoother and slightly quieter typing experience while still maintaining the signature clacky characteristics of HMX switches. This switch is ideal for those who prefer a seamless keypress without the interruption of tactile feedback. While both switches have their unique advantages, with the Polaris Purple focusing on tactile engagement and the Twilight emphasizing smoothness and subdued noise, 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
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
3.85 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold plated
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The SP-Star Polaris Purple and HMX Twilight switches exhibit a fundamental distinction in their housing materials, which significantly influences their acoustic profiles. The Polaris Purple features a polycarbonate top housing, known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is primarily due to polycarbonate's rigidity, which enhances resonance, making it particularly effective for achieving clarity in sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it an ideal choice for RGB lighting applications, as it allows for vibrant illumination to pass through, ensuring a visually striking effect. In contrast, the HMX Twilight switch uses a nylon top housing, a well-established material in the keyboard switch market. Nylon's softer properties contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing sound waves more effectively and creating a rounder acoustic experience.
The bottom housings further amplify the differences between these two switches. The Polaris Purple also utilizes polycarbonate for its bottom housing, mirroring the acoustic attributes of its top housing and reinforcing the crisp sound profile throughout. This consistency in material helps create a cohesive auditory experience, especially noticeable upon bottoming out the switch. Conversely, the HMX Twilight employs a nylon bottom housing, which complements its top material by producing a softer, more muted sound that emphasizes warmth over sharpness. This combination makes the Twilight a choice for those who prefer a subtler and richer typing sound, showcasing how the materials work in tandem to define the switch's overall audio characteristics.
When comparing the SP-Star Polaris Purple and HMX Twilight, it's essential to consider the impact of the various materials on the user's typing experience. With the Polaris Purple boasting matching polycarbonate for both top and bottom housings, users can expect a uniform crispness whether pressing down or releasing a key. The HMX Twilight, with its dual nylon construction, may deliver a more nuanced sound profile, where the muted characteristics of the bottom housing complement the softer top housing's sound. This meld of material properties leads to a split auditory experience, demonstrating how the individual attributes of housing materials can profoundly affect the overall performance of mechanical switches. Ultimately, while both switches serve distinct preferences in sound and feel, their choice of materials showcases the intricate balance between clarity and warmth in keyboard acoustics.
Weight
When comparing the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Polaris Purple has an unknown actuation force but a bottom out force of 67 grams, classifying it as medium-heavy. In contrast, the HMX Twilight boasts a lighter actuation force of only 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This difference results in the Polaris Purple switch requiring more effort to press down fully, making it preferable for users who enjoy a firmer, more substantial feel during typing or gaming. Conversely, the Twilight’s lower actuation force appeals to those who seek a lighter option for prolonged use, especially beneficial for extended work or gaming sessions. Ultimately, if you prefer a switch that feels lighter and more responsive, the HMX Twilight is the better option, while the Polaris Purple serves those who appreciate a heavier tactile experience.
Travel distance
The SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the HMX Twilight linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.85 mm. This makes the Polaris Purple the longer option, appealing to those who enjoy a more pronounced tactile sensation and a deeper key press. In contrast, the HMX Twilight, with its shorter travel distance, caters to gamers and users who prefer quicker response times and a more immediate feedback when typing or gaming. While both switches provide unique tactile experiences—one offering a more substantial depth and the other prioritizing speed—the difference in travel distance reflects distinct preferences: the Polaris Purple for those who value depth and tactile feedback, and the HMX Twilight for those who favor swift, responsive keystrokes.
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 HMX Twilight has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Twilight for $3.29.
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 comparing the sound profiles of the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch, the Polaris Purple is recognized for its snappy sound, which complements its tactile bump, making it an engaging option for typists. Its sound can be categorized as neutral, striking a balance that makes it versatile for both home and office environments. In contrast, the HMX Twilight has a slightly quieter operation due to its extended 3.85mm travel distance while still retaining a clacky character typical of HMX switches. The quieter nature of the Twilight makes it a better fit for users seeking a more subdued auditory experience without compromising on the expressive sounds associated with mechanical keyboards.
In terms of feel, the Polaris Purple excels with its pronounced tactile feedback, delivering an exhilarating typing experience characterized by a significant tactile bump. It also boasts mild and polished attributes that enhance the overall typing experience; the smooth and refined finish reduces friction and provides a sleek key travel, appealing to typists looking for assurance and comfort. On the other hand, the HMX Twilight, being a linear switch, generally offers a different tactile experience, which is uniformly smooth and devoid of the pronounced tactility found in the Polaris Purple. The feel of the Twilight remains unknown, but it is assumed to provide a consistent linear response devoid of tactile feedback.
In conclusion, both the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the HMX Twilight present distinct sound and feel qualities catered to different preferences. The Polaris Purple offers a tactile and engaging experience with a snappy sound, making it ideal for those who enjoy feedback and auditory engagement while typing. Meanwhile, the HMX Twilight appeals to users looking for a quieter, smooth typing experience without the tactile bump. Depending on your typing style and auditory preferences, either switch may provide a satisfying experience, albeit through different mechanisms and traits.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch, consider your personal preferences and typing habits. If you enjoy feeling a pronounced tactile bump and the feedback that comes with it, the Polaris Purple would be your ideal choice, especially with its medium-heavy force of 67 grams—perfect for those who like to feel the actuation more distinctly while typing. This switch is also great if you appreciate a sound profile that balances snappiness and neutrality, making it versatile for various environments, whether it’s at home or in an office setting. On the other hand, if you favor a lighter touch and prefer a smoother, quieter typing experience, the HMX Twilight would suit you better with its 50 grams bottom out force and extended travel distance of 3.85mm. This switch offers a polished feel, making it ideal for long typing sessions where you might want to minimize fatigue. Ultimately, your choice should reflect the kind of tactile feedback, sound profile, and typing comfort you seek in your mechanical keyboard experience.
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