SP-Star Duck vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Duck and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a mechanical keyboard switch, the SP-Star Duck and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue are two fantastic options to consider. The Duck switch is perfect if you prefer a more subtle tactile typing experience. Typing on these switches provides a gentle tactility and a clean, crispy sound profile. Categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Buttery', and 'Polished', the Duck switches offer a satisfying and refined typing experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switches are known for their deep and thocky sound profile, immersing you in a satisfying typing experience. With a lengthened single-stage spring, these switches provide a bouncy feel with every keystroke. Categorized as 'Buttery', 'Easy-to-press', 'Mild', and 'Neutral', the Tourmaline Blues strike a balance with their standard spring weight, catering 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
58g
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 Duck and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches share many similarities. Both switches have polycarbonate top and bottom housings, which contribute to creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate, known for its stiffness, enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound produced. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting.
While both switches use polycarbonate for their top and bottom housings with similar effects on sound, there may be slight variations between the two. The qualities offered by the top and bottom housings are split between the two components, influencing different aspects of the switch's operation. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing come into play, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel. In contrast, the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, while both switches may offer a similar sound profile, the specific nuances in sound and feel may differ based on the distribution of housing qualities.
In terms of aesthetics, both the SP-Star Duck and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches feature clear polycarbonate housings. Clear housings are commonly associated with polycarbonate materials, making it easier to identify if a switch utilizes this specific plastic. The transparent nature of the housing allows for greater visibility of the internal components, adding to the visual appeal, particularly when coupled with RGB lighting.
In summary, the housing materials of the SP-Star Duck and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches, consisting of polycarbonate for both top and bottom housings, create similar results. Both switches offer a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiff nature of polycarbonate, providing clarity and resonance. The translucency of polycarbonate is advantageous for switches that incorporate RGB lighting, enhancing their aesthetic appeal. However, slight variations may exist in the distribution of housing qualities, with the top housing influencing the release sound, and the bottom housing affecting the bottom-out sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the SP-Star Duck and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches, there are noticeable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The actuation force of the Duck switch is unknown, making it difficult to directly compare with the 59 grams actuation force of the Tourmaline Blue. However, in terms of bottom out force, the Duck requires 58 grams of force, while the Tourmaline Blue requires a slightly heavier 67 grams. Therefore, if one prefers a lighter typing experience, the Duck switch might be more suitable, as it has a lower bottom out force. Conversely, if a more substantial typing experience is desired, the Tourmaline Blue offers a heavier bottom out force. It is worth noting that the actuation force of the Duck is not available, so it cannot be directly compared to the Tourmaline Blue in that regard. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and whether a lighter or heavier typing experience is desired.
Travel distance
The SP-Star Duck tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either switch, you will experience the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. Therefore, both switches offer a similar tactile experience in terms of travel distance. However, it is worth noting that while their travel distances are equal, the Duck and the Tourmaline Blue switches differ in terms of their switch type, with the Duck being tactile and the Tourmaline Blue being linear.
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 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
When it comes to sound, both the SP-Star Duck tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch have a neutral profile. This means that they have a moderate sound profile, making them suitable for most purposes whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use them at home or work. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Duck switch offers a more mild and buttery typing experience. These switches have a more gentle tactility and provide a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. The typing sensation is seamless, effortless, and uniform. The Duck switch can be described as polished, offering a refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switch also provides a buttery typing experience and is easy to press. These switches have a light actuation force, requiring minimal force to activate. They enhance the typing experience by offering a responsive and low-impact feel, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Similar to the Duck switch, the Tourmaline Blue switch is categorized as mild, providing a gentle typing experience with approachable qualities.
In conclusion, both the SP-Star Duck tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offer enjoyable typing experiences with their unique qualities. The Duck switch provides a more subtle and polished tactile experience, while the Tourmaline Blue switch offers a bouncy and easy-to-press feel. Although they have different characteristics, both switches are suitable for a wide range of users and can deliver satisfying results. The choice between the two will ultimately depend on personal preferences in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a more subtle tactile typing experience, the SP-Star Duck tactile switch is perfect for you. These switches have a medium bottom out force of 58 grams and offer a gentle tactility when typing. The sound profile is clean and crispy, providing a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a deep and thocky sound profile, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is a great choice. With a medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams, these switches offer a bouncy feel with each keystroke. They strike a balance with their standard spring weight, making them enjoyable for a wide range of users. Both switches have a moderate sound profile and are suitable for most intents and purposes. Additionally, both switches offer a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, with the Duck switch being described as mild, buttery, and polished, and the Tourmaline Blue switch being described as buttery, easy-to-press, and mild. Overall, these switches provide a comfortable and immersive typing experience, allowing you to find the perfect fit for your preferences.
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