Durock Black Lotus vs. Aflion Windy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Black Lotus and the Aflion Windy Shadow mechanical keyboard switches, both offering a 55g actuation weight, we see distinct differences in their characteristics and features. The Black Lotus stands out for its silky smooth feel, reduced wobble, and unique in-switch lighting provided by a removable light column. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow offers a neutral sound profile and a distinctive bounce from its extended spring, making it comfortably medium-light. While the Black Lotus exudes a vibe of 'Silky', 'Buttery', and 'Polished', the Windy Shadow is characterized as 'Low-pitched' and 'Neutral'. Each switch has its own strengths and appeal, but diving deeper into their specifics will help you make the best choice for your typing needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
19.7mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
Both the Durock Black Lotus and the Aflion Windy Shadow feature unique housing materials that contribute to their overall sound and feel. The Black Lotus utilizes a modified PC & UPE Blend for its top housing, which offers a premium feel and potentially a unique typing experience. In contrast, the Windy Shadow utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. While both materials are durable and provide a distinct typing experience, the Black Lotus may offer a more luxurious feel compared to the Windy Shadow's potentially crisper sound.
On the bottom housing side, both switches feature nylon material. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This means that typing on switches with nylon bottom housings, such as the Black Lotus and the Windy Shadow, may result in a duller and rounder sound compared to other materials. Despite both switches utilizing nylon for their bottom housing, they each may offer a slightly different typing experience due to the overall design and construction of the switches.
It's important to note that the housing materials used in a switch can greatly impact the overall typing experience. While the Black Lotus and the Windy Shadow both feature premium materials in their housing, such as UPE Blend, Polycarbonate, and Nylon, the specific qualities of each material may result in different typing experiences. The split between top and bottom housing materials can also affect how the switch feels and sounds during typing. Ultimately, whether you prefer a more luxurious feel like that of the Black Lotus or a crisper sound profile like the Windy Shadow, both switches offer unique characteristics based on their housing materials.
Weight
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch has a higher actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, which has an unknown actuation force. However, the Black Lotus also has a higher bottom out force of 63.5 grams, whereas the Windy Shadow has a bottom out force of 55 grams. This makes the Black Lotus a heavier switch overall, while the Windy Shadow falls on the lighter side. The actuation force of the Windy Shadow is unknown, so it is hard to directly compare them in terms of actuation force. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Windy Shadow, while those who prefer a more substantial push feel may opt for the Black Lotus for a heavier typing experience. Both switches offer different weight options, catering to different preferences for typing or gaming needs.
Travel distance
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. This makes the Windy Shadow the shorter option compared to the Black Lotus. The shorter travel distance of the Windy Shadow may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the Black Lotus may be preferred by those who enjoy a deeper key press sensation. Both switches offer a different typing experience based on their respective travel distances, so deciding between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of key feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Black Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Black Lotus for $4.57.
The Aflion Windy Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Windy Shadow for $3.91.
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
When it comes to sound, the Black Lotus linear switch's sound profile is not explicitly mentioned in the information provided. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch is described as having a low-pitched and neutral sound profile. Low-pitched switches tend to have a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, while a neutral sound profile indicates a moderate actuation force requirement suitable for various typing environments. Ultimately, the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as keycaps and keyboard construction.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Black Lotus is praised for its silky, buttery, mild, and polished typing experience. These descriptors indicate an exceptionally smooth and fluid keystroke, gentle typing experience, and a refined finish for reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow is described as providing a mild typing experience, which suggests a gentle and approachable feel without pronounced characteristics. Both switches aim to offer a comfortable typing experience, albeit with slightly different qualities highlighted.
In conclusion, both the Durock Black Lotus and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Black Lotus focuses on smoothness and precision with a 55g actuation weight and in-switch lighting, the Windy Shadow emphasizes a neutral sound profile and a comfortable medium-light bottom-out feel with an extended spring bounce. Depending on your personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, trying out both switches on a keyboard setup with your preferred keycaps will give you the best insight into which one suits your typing style the most.
Conclusion
Overall, when choosing between the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, consider your preference for bottom out force and typing experience. If you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force and a switch known for its smooth feel and precision, the Black Lotus may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a switch with a neutral sound profile and comfortable typing experience, the Windy Shadow could be the more suitable choice. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the typing experience you are looking to achieve.
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