SP-Star Duck vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Duck and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you are looking for a mechanical keyboard switch that provides a more subtle tactile typing experience, the SP-Star Duck switch is an ideal choice. It is known for its gentle tactility and clean, crispy sound profile, making typing on these switches a delight. Categorized as neutral, mild, buttery, and polished, the Duck switch offers a smooth and polished feel while typing.
On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver switch by Outemu is favored by gamers and typists who prioritize speediness and responsiveness. This switch features a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for those seeking a swift and silent typing experience. Categorized as neutral, the Yellow Silver switch delivers satisfying responsiveness.
However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you make the best decision when choosing the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the SP-Star Duck and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches share many similarities. Both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housings, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound produced by the switches. Moreover, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of sound and aesthetics from both the Duck and the Yellow Silver switches when it comes to their polycarbonate top housings.
However, when it comes to the bottom housings, there is a notable difference between the two switches. The Duck's bottom housing is also made of polycarbonate, while the Yellow Silver's bottom housing is constructed from nylon. The use of polycarbonate in the Duck's bottom housing maintains the same sound profile as the top housing, contributing to a sharper and crisper bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of the Yellow Silver creates a different typing experience. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This makes the Yellow Silver switch produce a duller and rounder sound when bottoming out.
In summary, while both the SP-Star Duck and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches share the benefits of using polycarbonate for their top housings, the choice of material for their bottom housings creates a distinction between the two switches. The Duck maintains its sharp and crisp sound profile with a polycarbonate bottom housing, while the Yellow Silver provides a deeper and fuller sound experience due to its nylon bottom housing. Nevertheless, it is important to note that both switches deliver satisfying results depending on the desired sound and typing preference.
Weight
When comparing the SP-Star Duck tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The actuation force of the Duck switch is unavailable in grams, while the Yellow Silver requires 45 grams of force to trigger a keystroke. This indicates that the Duck switch may have a slightly lighter touch for actuation. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the Duck switch has a force of 58 grams, whereas the Yellow Silver requires 55 grams. This suggests that the Duck may provide a slightly heavier and more substantial typing experience when fully pressed.
Considering the weight aspect, the Duck switch is likely to be heavier overall due to its higher bottom out force compared to the Yellow Silver. This might appeal to individuals who prefer a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver's lower actuation and bottom out forces may make it lighter and more suitable for extended typing sessions or long gaming sessions.
Ultimately, if someone desires a lighter touch for longer periods of typing, the Yellow Silver switch would be a suitable choice. Meanwhile, those who prefer a stronger and more substantial typing experience may prefer the slightly heavier actuation and bottom out forces of the Duck switch.
Travel distance
The SP-Star Duck tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either switch, you will feel a similar level of travel distance, as they both go from the top to the bottom in a 4 mm distance. In terms of travel distance, there is no significant difference between the two switches.
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 Outemu Yellow Silver comes in at $3.40 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
In terms of sound, both the SP-Star Duck tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch have a neutral sound profile. This means that they have a moderate sound level and actuation force requirement, making them suitable for various purposes and users, whether beginner or advanced, and for use at home or work. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch is also affected by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Duck switch offers a more mild and gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. It is described as having a gentle tactility, providing a subtle tactile feedback while typing. The overall feel of the Duck switch can be described as mild, buttery, and polished. These qualities result in a smooth, fluid, and effortless keystroke experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, information about the feel of the Outemu Yellow Silver switch is unknown. Without further details, it is difficult to make a direct comparison to the Duck switch. However, as a linear switch, the Yellow Silver is likely to provide a smooth and linear keystroke without any tactile feedback. This can be favorable for gamers and typists who prefer a faster and more responsive typing experience.
In conclusion, both the SP-Star Duck tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch offer their own unique qualities. The Duck switch provides a more subtle and gentle tactile experience with a clean and crispy sound profile. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switch offers a lighter actuation force and a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for those who prioritize speediness and responsiveness. Overall, while the specifics of the Yellow Silver switch's sound and feel are unknown, it is reasonable to expect similar results to the Duck switch in terms of sound neutrality, but with a linear and non-tactile typing experience.
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. With a bottom out force of 58 grams, it provides a medium tactile feel that is gentle and comfortable when typing. The sound profile is clean and crispy, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced users in various settings such as home or work. Additionally, the Duck switch offers a mild, buttery, and polished feel, ensuring a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and effortless key travel.
On the other hand, if you prioritize speediness and responsiveness, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch would be a great choice. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, it offers a medium-light actuation force, resulting in a light and quick keystroke. This switch is favored by gamers and typists who prefer a neutral sound profile, allowing for focus and concentration during intense gaming sessions or typing tasks.
Overall, the Duck switch is ideal for those seeking a more tactile and subtle typing experience, while the Yellow Silver switch suits users looking for speed and responsiveness in their keystrokes. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on your personal preferences and typing style.
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