SP-Star Duck vs. Jwick Taro
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Duck and the Jwick Taro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a mechanical keyboard with a tactile typing experience, both the SP-Star Duck and the Jwick Taro switches offer unique options. The Duck switches are known for providing a more subtle tactile experience, with a gentle tactility that allows for a clean and crispy sound profile. Categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Buttery', and 'Polished', these switches are perfect for those who prefer a softer typing sensation. On the other hand, the Taro switches offer a cozy typing experience with a snappy, medium-level of tactility. These switches produce acute and crisp clacks, allowing for an enjoyable typing session. Categorized as 'Neutral', 'Buttery', and 'Stepped', the Taro switches cater to those who desire a slightly more pronounced tactile response. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the SP-Star Duck and Jwick Taro switches differ in the bottom housing. While the Duck utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, the Taro employs a nylon bottom housing. Polycarbonate, being a stiffer plastic, creates a clearer and more resonant sound profile. This results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound when typing on the Duck switch. On the other hand, the Taro's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound, leading to a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, the choice between the two housing materials depends on the desired sound profile for typing.
In terms of the top housing material, both the Duck and Taro switches feature polycarbonate top housings. This material is chosen for its ability to create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting to be easily displayed, making it especially useful for those planning to use RGB lighting on their keyboards. Therefore, both switches will provide similar sound profiles and compatibility with RGB lighting due to their choice of polycarbonate top housing.
When considering the overall sound profile of a switch, the housing materials of the top and bottom housings play a significant role. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed down, while the top housing has more influence on the sound when releasing a key. Thus, the Duck's polycarbonate bottom housing would contribute to a crisper and resonant bottom-out sound, while the Taro's nylon bottom housing would result in a deeper and fuller sound when pressing the keys. However, both switches would have a similar impact on the sound when a key is released, as they both use polycarbonate top housings.
Weight
When comparing the SP-Star Duck tactile switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch, it is important to consider the actuation force and bottom out force. However, the specific actuation forces for these switches are unavailable. On the other hand, the Duck has a bottom out force of 58 grams, which can be considered medium, while the Taro has a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it slightly heavier at a medium-heavy rating.
Weight plays a significant role in switch selection, as it affects the typing experience. For individuals who prefer a lighter feel, the Duck switch might be the better option as it allows for longer typing periods, making it suitable for work or extended gaming sessions. Conversely, those who desire a more substantial typing experience may prefer the Taro switch, which offers a heavier push feel.
In terms of actuation, which measures the required force to trigger a keystroke, the specific grams for both switches are unknown. However, it can be inferred that these forces are in the range of the bottom out forces mentioned earlier. Therefore, users can anticipate similar results in terms of actuation for both the SP-Star Duck and Jwick Taro tactile switches.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the SP-Star Duck tactile switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch, we can see that the Duck has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Taro has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. Both of these distances fall within the traditional range of switch travel distances, with the Duck being slightly longer and the Taro being slightly shorter. If you prefer a more responsive typing experience, the Taro with its shorter travel distance may be more suitable, especially for gamers looking for faster response times. However, if you prefer a deeper and more substantial feel when pressing down on keys, the Duck's longer travel distance may be preferred. Ultimately, it depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Duck has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Duck for $5.40.
The Jwick Taro has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Taro for $4.25.
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, both the SP-Star Duck tactile switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch are described as having a neutral sound profile. This means that they have a moderate level of actuation force requirement and produce a moderate sound, making them suitable for various typing purposes, whether you're a beginner or advanced user, or using them at home or work. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used, so results may vary.
In terms of feel, the Duck switch is described as offering a mild typing experience. It provides a gentle tactile feedback that is approachable to most users. Additionally, it is referred to as "buttery," indicating a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. This switch has a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, the Taro switch is also described as "buttery," suggesting a similarly smooth and effortless typing sensation. However, it differs from the Duck switch in that it's referred to as "stepped." This means that it has a more mild tactile feedback compared to switches with a more pronounced bump. You can feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel when typing on these switches.
In conclusion, both the SP-Star Duck tactile switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch provide a cozy typing experience with their mild tactility. While the Duck switch offers a polished and buttery feel, the Taro switch has a stepped sensation. In terms of sound, both switches have a neutral profile. However, keep in mind that the actual sound and feel can also be influenced by other factors. Overall, if you're looking for a subtle tactile typing experience, either switch will provide similar results with slight differences in feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a more subtle tactile typing experience with a medium bottom out force, the SP-Star Duck tactile switch would be a great choice. These switches offer a gentle tactility and a clean, crispy sound profile. They provide a mild, buttery, and polished typing experience, ensuring a smooth and refined feel with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier tactile experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Jwick Taro tactile switch would be a better fit. These switches have a snappy, medium-level of tactility and produce acute and crisp clacks. They offer a buttery typing sensation, giving you a seamless, effortless, and uniform keystroke experience.
In terms of sound, both switches have a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement, making them suitable for most intents and purposes, whether you're a beginner or advanced user, or if you plan to use them at home or work.
Ultimately, the choice between the SP-Star Duck and Jwick Taro tactile switches depends on your personal preference for the level of tactility and bottom out force. Consider your typing style, desired sound profile, and preferred typing experience to make an informed decision.
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