SP-Star Duck vs. Haimu Viola Tricolor
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Duck and the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, you want to consider your typing preferences and desired sound profile. For a more subtle tactile typing experience, the SP-Star Duck switches are a great option. These switches provide a gentle tactility that creates a smooth and satisfying typing experience. They have a clean and crispy sound profile, making them perfect for those who prefer a quieter keyboard. On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches deliver a thuddy and punchy sound profile that adds a touch of character to your typing experience. These switches offer a pronounced tactility, providing satisfying feedback without being overly tactile. The Viola Tricolor strikes a perfect balance, offering a sharp sensation without overwhelming the user. 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
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
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
Dual-staged gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the SP-Star Duck and the Haimu Viola Tricolor share many similarities. Both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housings. This material offers advantages such as creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. It is also known for its translucency, making it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. When it comes to aesthetics, the clear housing of both switches is likely to be made of polycarbonate. Therefore, users can expect similar sound and visual experiences with the polycarbonate top housing of either switch.
However, the materials used for the bottom housings differ between the two switches. The Duck features a polycarbonate bottom housing while the Viola Tricolor adopts a nylon bottom housing. The polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to a clear and resonant sound profile, consistent with the qualities of the top housing. It also plays a significant role in determining the sound and feel when the key is pressed, known as the bottom-out sound. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor's nylon bottom housing offers a contrasting experience. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile with a rounder and duller tone. Hence, the bottom housing of each switch influences the overall sound and feel in different ways.
In summary, both the SP-Star Duck and the Haimu Viola Tricolor share the advantage of utilizing polycarbonate for their top housings, resulting in sharper and crisper sound profiles. Furthermore, the visual appeal is enhanced by the translucency of polycarbonate. However, the switches diverge when it comes to the bottom housing material. The Duck employs a polycarbonate bottom housing, contributing to the overall sound and feel when the key is pressed, while the Viola Tricolor incorporates a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Hence, users can expect similar results in terms of the top housing but different sound experiences due to the distinct bottom housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the SP-Star Duck tactile switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, it is important to consider their actuation force and bottom out force. The actuation force of both switches is unavailable, which means we do not have direct information for comparison. However, we can analyze their bottom out force to get an idea of their weight. The Duck has a bottom out force of 58 grams, which can be considered medium, while the Viola Tricolor has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which is slightly heavier, falling in the medium-heavy range.
Considering weight, some users prefer a lighter switch to type for extended periods without fatigue, which is ideal for work or long gaming sessions. In this aspect, the Duck may be a suitable choice due to its lighter bottom out force. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial typing experience may opt for a switch with a heavier force. In this case, the Viola Tricolor with its slightly heavier bottom out force may be more appealing.
Although the actuation force of both switches is unknown, it is likely that they are in a similar range since they both have similar bottom out forces. Therefore, users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of triggering a keystroke. Ultimately, the decision between the Duck and the Viola Tricolor will depend on individual preferences for typing weight and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the SP-Star Duck tactile switch is 4 mm, while the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Duck being slightly longer and the Viola Tricolor being slightly shallower.
For gamers or individuals who prioritize faster response times, the Viola Tricolor may be the preferred option due to its shorter travel distance. The shorter distance allows for quicker key presses and potentially faster reaction times during gaming or other high-speed activities. On the other hand, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt or lacking in depth. For those who prefer a more substantial tactile experience, the Duck with its longer travel distance could be the better choice.
In summary, the SP-Star Duck tactile switch offers a travel distance of 4 mm, providing a deeper and more satisfying key press, while the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm, making it ideal for those who prioritize speed and responsiveness. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming 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 Haimu Viola Tricolor has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Viola Tricolor for $3.09.
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 its subtle tactile typing experience. When typing on these switches, users will experience a gentle tactility and a clean and crispy sound profile. The sound produced by the Duck switch is described as neutral, meaning it has a moderate sound profile that is suitable for most purposes. Additionally, the Duck switch provides a mild typing experience that is approachable to most users. It offers a buttery and polished feel, with smooth and refined key travel.
On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch is designed to deliver a thuddy and punchy sound profile. It adds a touch of character to the typing experience with its pronounced tactility. The Viola Tricolor switch offers a sharp sensation without being overly tactile, striking a perfect balance. Its sound profile is described as bassy and low-pitched, offering a deeper and richer sound during key presses.
In terms of feel, the Duck switch provides a mild and gentle typing experience. It falls in the safe and middle-ground zone, making it approachable to most users. The buttery and polished feel of the switch ensures a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor switch is described as accented, providing a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or scratchy. It offers an invigorating typing sensation with pronounced feedback and a snappy, reactive feel.
In conclusion, both the SP-Star Duck and Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switches offer unique qualities. The Duck switch provides a more subtle tactile typing experience with a clean and crispy sound profile. It offers a mild and approachable feel with smooth and polished key travel. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor switch delivers a thuddy and punchy sound profile with pronounced tactility. It strikes a balance between sharp sensation and user-friendly experience. Whether you prefer a more subtle and gentle typing experience or a punchy and pronounced one, both switches provide satisfying feedback.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a more subtle tactile typing experience, the SP-Star Duck tactile switch would be the ideal choice for you. These switches offer a gentle tactility when typing, resulting in a clean and crispy sound profile. The Duck switches have a bottom out force of 58 grams, which falls within the medium range, making them suitable for most purposes. On the other hand, if you prefer a more pronounced tactile feedback without it becoming overly tactile, the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch would be a great option. These switches strike a perfect balance, providing a thuddy and punchy sound profile that adds character to your typing experience. With a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, the Viola Tricolor switches are medium-heavy, offering a satisfying feedback without overwhelming the user. Additionally, the Viola Tricolor switches have a bassy and low-pitched sound profile, adding depth and richness to your typing, while the Duck switches offer a neutral sound profile suitable for various settings. In terms of feel, the Duck switches provide a mild, buttery, and polished typing experience, with smooth and refined key travel. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor switches offer an accented and invigorating feel, providing a prominent amount of tactility without being scratchy. Ultimately, the choice between the SP-Star Duck tactile switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch depends on your preference for the level of tactility and sound profile you desire in your mechanical keyboard.
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