SP-Star Duck vs. Gazzew U4T
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Duck and the Gazzew U4T switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a tactile mechanical keyboard switch, you may find yourself deciding between the SP-Star Duck and the Gazzew U4T switches. The Duck switches offer a more subtle tactile typing experience with a gentle tactility that provides a clean and crispy sound profile. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4T switches embody a fusion of thockiness and sharp tactility, offering a bassy "thock" sound profile and an assertive tactile feedback for auditory and tactile satisfaction. Both switches have their own unique characteristics that can enhance your typing experience. However, let's dive deeper beyond these generalities to help you make the best decision on which switch is most suitable for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
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
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold plated
Spring
Stainless steel 17.5mm Korean spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the SP-Star Duck and the Gazzew U4T differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Duck utilizes polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housings, leading to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Due to its translucency, polycarbonate is also ideal for RGB lighting. In contrast, the U4T features a proprietary Gazzew blend for both its top and bottom housings, commonly referred to as "boba plastic." This unique plastic blend delivers a rich and deep sound profile, thanks to its softness.
Although the top and bottom housings of both switches have distinct materials, they both contribute to the overall sound experience of the switch. When pressing down on either switch, the bottom housing material plays a more significant role, impacting the bottom-out sound and feel. The stiffer polycarbonate in the Duck's bottom housing results in a clear and resonant sound. Conversely, the softer Gazzew blend in the U4T's bottom housing provides a distinct, deeper tone.
Upon releasing a key, the top housing material becomes more noticeable. The polycarbonate top housing of the Duck enhances the crispness and higher-pitched sound characteristics when a key is released, while the U4T's proprietary Gazzew blend generates a stylish and resonant sound due to its soft composition. Therefore, even though the Duck and the U4T have different housing materials, they both offer unique sound profiles and can provide satisfying results depending on one's preferences.
In summary, the housing materials of the SP-Star Duck and the Gazzew U4T bring about distinctive sound profiles for each switch. The use of polycarbonate in the Duck creates a sharp, higher-pitched, and crisp sound profile, adaptable for those seeking clarity and resonance. Meanwhile, the U4T's proprietary Gazzew blend, known as "boba plastic," delivers a rich and deep sound profile suitable for users desiring a softer and more resonant tone. Despite their differences, both switches offer satisfying experiences, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel while the top housing affects the sound upon key release.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the SP-Star Duck tactile switch and the Gazzew U4T tactile switch, both switches have unavailable gram values for their actuation forces. However, for their bottom out forces, the Duck has a force of 58 grams, which can be considered medium, while the U4T has a slightly heavier force of 62 grams, also falling into the medium category. So, both switches provide a similar typing experience in terms of actuation force, as the specific gram values are unknown, but differ slightly in their bottom out forces.
Considering weight as an important factor, some users may prefer a lighter switch like the SP-Star Duck. This lighter weight allows for longer periods of comfortable typing, making it suitable for work or long gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience may opt for a switch with a heavier actuation force. In this case, the Gazzew U4T would be the better choice, as its bottom out force of 62 grams provides a stronger push feel during typing.
In summary, while the actuation forces of both the SP-Star Duck and the Gazzew U4T tactile switches are unknown, their bottom out forces differ slightly, with the Duck being lighter at 58 grams and the U4T being heavier at 62 grams. Depending on personal preference, users can select the right switch based on their desired typing experience - lighter for prolonged typing or heavier for a more substantial feel.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch is an important factor to consider when choosing a tactile switch for your keyboard. In this case, both the SP-Star Duck and the Gazzew U4T tactile switches have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel a distance of 4 mm from the top to the bottom. Therefore, both switches will provide a similar experience in terms of travel distance.
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 Gazzew U4T comes in at $6.50 per 10 switches.
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 SP-Star Duck tactile switch is best known for providing a more subtle and gentle tactile typing experience, resulting in a clean and crispy sound profile. This switch offers a neutral sound that suits most intents and purposes. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4T tactile switch offers a harmonious fusion of thockiness and sharp tactility. It produces a bassy 'thock' sound profile that is characterized by a deep and rich sound during key presses. The U4T switch also provides an assertive tactile feedback, giving each keystroke an auditory and tactile satisfaction.
When comparing the sound qualities of these switches, the Duck switch offers a neutral sound profile, which means it has a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile suitable for various purposes. On the other hand, the U4T switch is described as having a bassy and thocky sound profile. This implies a deeper and richer sound during key presses, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. The U4T switch also produces a satisfying sound when pressed, characterized by a deep "thud" or a soft "knock" when the key is pressed and released.
In terms of feel, the Duck switch provides a mild and gentle typing experience. It falls within a safe middle-ground zone, making it approachable to most users. The Duck switch is also described as buttery, indicating a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. It offers a seamless and effortless typing sensation. Additionally, the Duck switch is polished, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In contrast, the U4T switch is known for its sharp tactile feedback. It provides a high feedback intensity, with a strong and crisp tactile bump that can be distinctly felt with each keypress.
In conclusion, the SP-Star Duck tactile switch and the Gazzew U4T tactile switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Duck switch provides a more subtle and gentle typing experience with a clean and crispy sound profile, while the U4T switch offers a harmonious fusion of thockiness and sharp tactility, producing a bassy sound with assertive tactile feedback. Both switches have their unique qualities, and the choice between them depends on individual preferences and typing preferences. However, it is important to note that the sound of the switch is also influenced by factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps, so it is recommended to consider these factors as well.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a more subtle tactile typing experience, the SP-Star Duck tactile switches are perfect for you. These switches provide a gentle tactility and produce a clean and crispy sound profile. They have a medium bottom out force of 58 grams, making them suitable for both beginners and advanced typists. The Duck switches offer a mild and buttery feel, providing a smooth and seamless typing sensation.
On the other hand, if you prefer a more assertive tactile feedback and a bassy 'thock' sound profile, the Gazzew U4T tactile switches are the way to go. With a slightly higher bottom out force of 62 grams, these switches deliver a harmonious fusion of thockiness and sharp tactility. They provide a strong and crisp tactile bump that can be distinctly felt with each keypress. The U4T switches offer a bassy and thocky sound, creating a deep and satisfying auditory experience.
In summary, if you prioritize a subtle tactile typing experience with a clean sound profile, the SP-Star Duck switches are a great choice. However, if you prefer a more assertive tactile feedback and a bassy 'thock' sound, the Gazzew U4T switches will satisfy your auditory and tactile preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preference for the level of tactility and sound you desire in your mechanical keyboard switches.
Mentioned in this article
