SP-Star Polaris Purple vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, choosing the right switch can greatly enhance your typing or gaming experience. Two popular options to consider are the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Outemu Yellow Silver. The Polaris Purple is a tactile switch that is best known for its exhilarating tactile typing experience, thanks to its pronounced tactile bump. The sound profile of the Polaris Purple is described as snappy, providing a satisfying feedback for each keystroke. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switch from Outemu offers a different experience. This linear switch is favored by gamers and typists who value speediness and responsiveness. With a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, it allows for faster keystrokes without the tactile bump. Both switches have their unique qualities and advantages, but let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
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 SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches both share a polycarbonate top housing. This material choice contributes to a similar sound profile for both switches, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The clear nature of polycarbonate is also beneficial for those who plan to use RGB lighting, as it allows the light to shine through and enhance the visual experience. Overall, the top housing material provides a consistent aesthetic and sound quality for both switches.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, there is a significant difference between the Polaris Purple and the Yellow Silver. The Polaris Purple features a polycarbonate bottom housing, while the Yellow Silver utilizes a nylon bottom housing. The polycarbonate bottom housing of the Polaris Purple contributes to a clear and resonant sound profile, similar to its top housing. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of the Yellow Silver elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to the relatively softer nature of nylon, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder tone. Therefore, the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches will differ based on their respective bottom housing materials.
In summary, the top housing material of both switches, polycarbonate, ensures a consistent and desirable sound profile, providing sharp and crisp tones with the added benefit of compatibility with RGB lighting. However, the bottom housing materials, polycarbonate for the Polaris Purple and nylon for the Yellow Silver, contribute to different sound characteristics. While the polycarbonate bottom housing maintains a clear and resonant sound, the nylon bottom housing of the Yellow Silver creates a deeper and fuller tone. Hence, the switch's feel and sound upon bottoming out will vary depending on the housing material used.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, there are clear differences between them. The Polaris Purple's actuation force is unavailable, meaning that the exact force required to trigger a keystroke is unknown. However, it has a bottom out force of 67 grams, which falls into the medium-heavy range. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver has an actuation force of 45 grams, making it significantly lighter than the Polaris Purple. The Yellow Silver's bottom out force is 55 grams, placing it in the medium-light category.
Considering weight is important for different reasons. Some users prefer a lighter switch like the Yellow Silver, as it allows for longer periods of typing without experiencing fatigue. This makes it suitable for keyboards used in work environments or during extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals who desire a more substantial typing experience might lean towards the Polaris Purple or other switches with heavier forces. This preference is due to the stronger push feel that can enhance typing feedback.
While the specific actuation force of the Polaris Purple is unknown, it can still be compared to the Yellow Silver based on their respective bottom out forces. Overall, the Yellow Silver is lighter in both actuation force and bottom out force when compared to the Polaris Purple. However, it is worth noting that individuals seeking similar results in terms of lighter keystrokes may find satisfaction in both switches, as they deliver within the medium range.
Travel distance
Both the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch 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 similar distance that the switch travels from top to bottom. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, you can expect to get similar results from both of these switches. Neither one is shorter or longer than the other, as they both have the same travel distance of 4 mm.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Polaris Purple has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Polaris Purple for $5.00.
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
The Polaris Purple switch has a big tactile bump, providing an exhilarating tactile typing experience. The sound profile of this switch is described as snappy. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switch from Outemu is known for its light actuation force and neutral sound profile, making it suitable for gamers and typists who prefer speediness and responsiveness.
When it comes to sound, both the Polaris Purple and Yellow Silver switches are described as having a neutral sound profile. This means that the sound produced by these switches is moderate, making them suitable for most situations, 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 chosen.
In terms of feel, the Polaris Purple is described as having a mild and polished feel. A mild switch offers a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics, making it approachable for most users. The polished finish of the Polaris Purple switch ensures a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, there is no specific information available about the feel of the Yellow Silver switch.
In conclusion, the Polaris Purple and Yellow Silver switches have different subjective qualities. The Polaris Purple offers a big tactile bump and a snappy sound profile, providing an exhilarating typing experience. It also has a mild and polished feel, ensuring a gentle and smooth typing experience. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switch is known for its light actuation force and neutral sound profile, making it suitable for gamers and typists who prioritize speed and responsiveness. Overall, while both switches have their unique qualities, they can provide similar results in terms of sound and actuation force, but the Polaris Purple may offer a more refined typing experience with its polished feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, choosing the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch would be ideal if you are looking for a medium-heavy switch with a big tactile bump, providing an exhilarating typing experience. The sound profile of the Polaris Purple is described as snappy. On the other hand, if you prefer a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch would be a great choice. Outemu switches are known for their quality, and the Yellow Silver switch offers speediness and responsiveness favored by gamers and typists. The sound profile of both switches is described as neutral, making them suitable for various purposes. However, if you value a more gentle typing experience and a polished finish resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel, the Polaris Purple would be the better option. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on your preference for actuation force, tactile feedback, and sound profile. Consider your typing style, whether you prioritize gaming or typing, and the level of tactile feedback you desire in order to make the best choice for your mechanical keyboard.
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