Aflion Blue Sky vs. HMX Deep Navy

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Blue Sky and the HMX Deep Navy offer unique experiences tailored to different preferences, despite both being linear switches. The Blue Sky is celebrated for its long pole stem, which provides a crystal clear typing experience characterized by a sparkling sound profile and an exquisitely smooth push feel. This switch's high-pitched, polished tone makes it ideal for those who desire a vibrant auditory feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Deep Navy switch immerses users in a rich, sharp sound profile, constructed with full nylon for added durability. Its Ly stem ensures silky smoothness with each keystroke, catering to enthusiasts who prefer a more subdued yet refined acoustic experience. Both switches provide smooth actuation without tactile bumps, but they diverge in their sound and feel, appealing to diverse user preferences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Aflion Blue Sky Linear

HMX Deep Navy Linear

$6.00

$4.07 per 10

$3.50

$2.79 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Blue Sky and the HMX Deep Navy, a clear distinction emerges in the materials used for their top housings. The Blue Sky switch employs a polycarbonate top housing, renowned for its stiffer structure that contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. This characteristic means that users will experience a crisper announcement of each keystroke, amplified by the material's translucency, which also enhances RGB lighting effects. In contrast, the Deep Navy's top housing is crafted from nylon, a material celebrated for its ability to absorb sound. This softer plastic results in a deeper, fuller audio experience with a rounder, more subdued keystroke sound. Essentially, while the Blue Sky's polycarbonate delivers clarity and brightness, the Deep Navy's nylon fosters a warmer, more muted auditory experience.

Turning to the bottom housings, both the Aflion Blue Sky and the HMX Deep Navy utilize nylon, which is a traditional choice among switch manufacturers. The similarity here means that users can expect a consistent deep and full sound profile when bottoming out the keys on either switch. This is because nylon's sound-absorbing properties mean that both switches will produce a similar, plush auditory signature upon bottoming out. Consequently, this shared material in the bottom housing helps in preserving a sense of uniformity between the two switches regarding how they feel when pressed down, regardless of the contrasting qualities of their top housings.

In summary, the combination of different materials in the top housings of the Aflion Blue Sky and the HMX Deep Navy illustrates how the characteristics of these materials can influence the overall typing experience. The Blue Sky benefits from a sharper and more defined audio signature thanks to its polycarbonate top, while the Deep Navy leans towards a deeper sound thanks to its nylon top. Nonetheless, the identical nylon bottom housing in both switches provides a common ground in auditory experience, ensuring that the foundation of how the switches feel upon bottoming out remains consistent. This interplay of contrasting and shared materials presents a unique opportunity for users to choose a switch that best fits their sound preferences while still enjoying a uniformity in feel.

Weight

When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the HMX Deep Navy linear switch, distinct differences emerge. The Blue Sky features a heavier actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, while the Deep Navy offers a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. This means that the Aflion Blue Sky is better suited for users who prefer a more substantial typing experience, as the increased force can provide a satisfying tactile feedback. In contrast, the HMX Deep Navy, being lighter, allows for quicker keystrokes and potentially less fatigue during extended typing or gaming sessions. Therefore, users seeking a balance of force and comfort might lean towards the lighter Deep Navy switch, while those who enjoy a firmer push may opt for the heavier Blue Sky switch. Overall, their differing actuation forces highlight how each switch caters to specific user preferences in terms of typing feel and endurance.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the HMX Deep Navy linear switch, a clear difference emerges. The Blue Sky has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is on the longer side, providing a more pronounced tactile experience that some users may find satisfying. In contrast, the Deep Navy has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, making it the shorter option. This reduced distance can offer quicker response times, appealing particularly to gamers who prefer a more rapid key actuation. While both switches cater to different preferences in key feel and responsiveness, if you favor a deeper and more deliberate press, the Blue Sky would be the preferable choice, whereas the Deep Navy might suit those who opt for a more immediate and snappy action.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch offers a unique profile characterized as high-pitched and neutral. The high-pitched quality produces a sharp and crisp sound upon activation, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a more pronounced auditory response from their keyboard. This feature caters well to users who aren't fans of deep, bassy tones. The neutral aspect adds versatility, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced typists in varied environments, whether at home or in a professional setting. In contrast, while the sound profile of the HMX Deep Navy switch is not detailed, the construction of the switch suggests that it likely provides a rich auditory experience. The full nylon build typically enhances the sound quality, potentially enriching the typing experience with a unique auditory depth.

When it comes to feel, the Aflion Blue Sky switch excels with its mild and polished characteristics. The mild nature of the switch gives a gentle typing experience that will appeal to most users, creating an approachable feel without overwhelming typists with extremes. Coupled with its polished finish, the Blue Sky switch ensures smooth and refined key travel, reduced friction, and an overall elegant typing experience. Unfortunately, the specific feel characteristics of the HMX Deep Navy switch are not provided, making it difficult to draw a direct comparison in this aspect. However, the silkiness attributed to the Ly stem suggests that it may also provide a comfortable and smooth typing sensation.

In summary, both the Aflion Blue Sky and HMX Deep Navy linear switches have distinct qualities that cater to different user preferences. The Blue Sky's high-pitched and neutral sound offers versatility, while its mild and polished feel provides an enjoyable and refined typing experience. Although specific details about the Deep Navy’s sound and feel are unknown, its construction hints at a rich auditory experience and potential smoothness. For users looking for a specific sound profile and typing feel, the Aflion Blue Sky offers clear advantages, while the HMX Deep Navy remains an intriguing option whose qualities might appeal to those seeking something different.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the HMX Deep Navy linear switch, the choice largely depends on your personal preferences for sound and feel, as well as the typing experience you seek. If you prefer a slightly firmer keystroke with a bottom-out force of 60 grams, along with a high-pitched, sparkling sound profile that elevates your typing experience, then the Blue Sky switch would be ideal for you. Its mild and polished feel ensures a smooth, enjoyable typing experience, catering well to both work and leisure settings. On the other hand, if you lean towards a lighter touch with a bottom-out force of only 45 grams and appreciate a richer, sharper sound, then the Deep Navy switch should be your go-to option. Crafted from full nylon and featuring a Ly stem, this switch offers silky smoothness that enhances your overall typing rhythm. Ultimately, your choice should reflect how you want your keyboard to sound and feel, ensuring that it aligns with your typing style and environment.

Mentioned in this article

Aflion Blue Sky Linear

$6.00

$4.07 per 10

Learn more

HMX Deep Navy Linear

$3.50

$2.79 per 10

Learn more