Aflion Panda vs. Outemu Crystal
An in-depth look at the Aflion Panda and the Outemu Crystal switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Panda and the Outemu Crystal offer distinct and unique features that cater to different preferences. The Aflion Panda is widely renowned for its unparalleled, hyper-tactile sensation and deep "thocky" sound profile. It takes tactile feedback to a whole new level, making it the go-to choice for those who value hypertactility and a full-bodied, sonorous audio feedback. On the other hand, the Outemu Crystal switches provide a more elastic and medium-light typing experience, creating a unique linear feel. These switches offer a neutral sound profile, making them ideal for those who prefer a chirpy, high-pitched, and polished typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Single-stage 15mm long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Aflion Panda and the Outemu Crystal both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, which creates a similar sound profile characterized by sharpness, higher pitch, and crispness. This is due to the relatively stiff nature of polycarbonate, which leads to a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that plan to use RGB lighting, as it allows for vibrant light effects. In terms of aesthetics, both switches feature a clear housing, indicating the use of polycarbonate.
Where the two switches differ is in their choice of bottom housing material. The Panda opts for a nylon bottom housing, which offers a different typing experience. Nylon is softer compared to polycarbonate, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This softer plastic also absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Crystal utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, bringing the same qualities of sharpness, higher pitch, and crispness to the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch.
In summary, while the top housing of both the Aflion Panda and the Outemu Crystal is made of polycarbonate and offers a similar sound profile, the choice of material for the bottom housing sets them apart. The Panda's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound, while the Crystal's polycarbonate bottom housing ensures consistency with the top housing's characteristics. Ultimately, the two switches provide different typing experiences, allowing users to choose based on their preferred sound profile.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Outemu Crystal linear switch, some noticeable differences can be observed. The Aflion Panda has an actuation force of 50 grams, slightly heavier than the Crystal's actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the Panda requires a slightly stronger push to trigger a keystroke. Similarly, the Panda also has a heavier bottom out force of 60 grams compared to the Crystal's 55 grams. This indicates that the Panda provides a more substantial typing experience, as it requires more force to press the keys all the way down. On the other hand, the Crystal switch offers a slightly lighter feel with its lower actuation and bottom out forces. However, it is worth mentioning that both switches fall within the medium or medium-light range, ensuring a comfortable typing experience for most users. Overall, the decision of whether to prioritize a lighter or heavier switch will depend on individual preferences and specific use cases. Those looking for extended typing sessions or intense gaming sessions might lean towards the lighter Crystal switch, while those seeking a more robust and tactile typing experience might prefer the slightly heavier Aflion Panda.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch plays a crucial role in determining the tactile feedback and typing experience. In the case of the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Outemu Crystal linear switch, both of them have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that whether you choose the Panda or the Crystal switch, you can expect a similar key travel experience.
Having equal travel distances, the Panda and Crystal switches provide a consistent distance for users to feel when pressing down on a key. This ensures a reliable and familiar tactile feedback, giving typists a sense of consistency and comfort. Whether you prefer the tactile response of the Panda or the smooth linear action of the Crystal, you can be confident that the travel distance of both switches remains constant, allowing for a reliable typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Panda has an MSRP of $5.20 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Panda for $3.56.
The Outemu Crystal 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, the Aflion Panda tactile switch is best known for its "thocky" sound profile, which is characterized by a deep and resonant echo. Typing on these switches will provide an immersive auditory experience, with a clean and sharp sound. On the other hand, the Outemu Crystal linear switch offers a neutral sound profile. These switches have a chirpy quality to them, with a little squeak, and produce a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. If you prefer a more rich and bassy sound, the higher-pitched Outemu Crystal switches would be a good choice. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Aflion Panda tactile switch offers a hyper-tactile sensation, making it highly responsive. It falls into the category of accented switches, providing a "medium tactile" experience that is prominent without being overwhelming or subtle. These switches have an invigorating feel, offering pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive sensation. On the other hand, the Outemu Crystal linear switch has a fairly elastic type feel and a medium-light weight. This unique combination results in a linear typing experience that sets it apart from other switches. The Crystal switches have a polished finish, leading to reduced friction and smooth key travel.
From the available information, it is clear that the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Outemu Crystal linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities. The Panda switch excels in providing a hyper-tactile feel, with a responsive and invigorating typing experience. It is accompanied by a thocky sound profile that creates a sonorous audio feedback. On the other hand, the Crystal switch offers a linear typing experience with a medium-light weight and a polished finish for smooth key travel. Its sound profile is neutral, although it is noted for having a chirpy quality and the option for higher-pitched switches.
Although the Panda and Crystal switches have different characteristics, it is important to note that individual preferences play a significant role in determining the ultimate typing experience. If you are looking for a keyboard with a super tactile feel and a resonant sound, the Aflion Panda switches would be ideal. Conversely, if you prefer a linear typing experience with a polished feel and a neutral sound, the Outemu Crystal switches would be a great choice. By considering your personal preferences and combining these switches with suitable keyboards and keycaps, you can achieve similar results in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering the choice between the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Outemu Crystal linear switch, there are a few key factors to consider. If you prioritize a super responsive tactile force and a deep thocky sound profile, the Panda switch would be the ideal choice. Its medium bottom out force of 60 grams provides an accented and invigorating typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a unique linear typing experience with a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams, the Crystal switch is the way to go. These switches offer a fairly elastic feel and a neutral sound profile. The Panda switch is known for its resonant sound, which produces a clean and sharp sound profile, while the Crystal switch has a chirpy and high-pitched sound when pressed. When it comes to feel, the Panda switch offers an accented and invigorating typing sensation, while the Crystal switch provides a polished and smooth key travel experience. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.
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