Aflion Blue Sky vs. Gateron Glory Red
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blue Sky and the Gateron Glory Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Blue Sky and the Gateron Glory Red both stand out as appealing linear options, each offering distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Aflion Blue Sky is celebrated for its long pole stem, ensuring a crystal-clear linear typing experience that comes with a sparkling sound profile and an exquisitely smooth push feel. This switch is categorized as high-pitched, neutral, mild, and polished, making it an enticing choice for those who appreciate both auditory feedback and smoothness in their keystrokes. In contrast, the Gateron Glory Red switches are the lighter variant within the Glory lineup, which provides a unique smoothness in keystroke while delivering a satisfying travel distance, resulting in an overall enjoyable typing experience. Choosing between these two switches largely depends on your personal preferences for sound and tactile feedback. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15mm spring
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Blue Sky and Gateron Glory Red switches diverge significantly in their choice of materials for the top housing. The Blue Sky utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for producing a sharper and crisper sound profile. This is mainly due to polycarbonate's stiffer nature, which allows for a more resonant audio response when a key is pressed. In contrast, the Glory Red features a nylon top housing, which is softer and results in a deeper, fuller sound. This key difference in materials indicates that while the Blue Sky is intended for users who prefer a bright and clear auditory feedback, the Glory Red caters to those who appreciate a softer, muted sound.
When examining the bottom housing of both switches, there is an interesting similarity. Both the Aflion Blue Sky and the Gateron Glory Red utilize nylon for their bottom housing. This means that both switches will share the same deeper and more rounded sound profile when bottoming out. Since nylon is adept at absorbing sound, both switches will offer a consistent experience in terms of the bottom-out sound characteristic. This commonality can help bridge the auditory experience between two fundamentally different top housings, giving users a similar sensation as they actuate their keys.
Overall, the contrasting top housings of the Aflion Blue Sky and Gateron Glory Red deliver unique auditory results, while their nylon bottom housings align their performance in terms of bottom-out sound. Users can expect a distinct difference in the overall sound profile when pressing down and releasing the keys; the Blue Sky will provide a brighter and clearer release, whereas the Glory Red will yield a warmer and softer sound as the key is lifted. Ultimately, those looking for a tailored auditory experience may find that switching between these keyboards can lead to surprisingly complementary results, as the defining features of each material play their respective roles in the typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Gateron Glory Red linear switch, we can observe notable differences in their actuation force. The Blue Sky requires a 50-gram actuation force, which is considered medium, while the Glory Red is lighter at 45 grams. This means that typists and gamers who prefer a lighter switch might gravitate towards the Glory Red for less finger fatigue during extended use. However, the Blue Sky has a bottom out force of 60 grams, indicating a firmer feel when pressing the key all the way down. In contrast, the bottom out force for the Gateron Glory Red is unavailable, leaving a gap in its comparison for full key presses. Although both switches offer distinct tactile experiences, the Blue Sky provides a heftier overall feel with its specified bottom out force, while the Glory Red's lighter actuation force caters to those who favor less resistance. Therefore, those seeking a more substantial typing experience might opt for the Aflion Blue Sky, whereas users likely to engage in longer sessions without discomfort might prefer the Gateron Glory Red.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Gateron Glory Red linear switch, there is a clear distinction. The Blue Sky switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Glory Red switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This makes the Aflion Blue Sky the longer of the two options, offering a more substantial key press that some users may find more satisfying. In contrast, the Gateron Glory Red's shorter travel distance caters to gamers and those who prefer quicker responses, making it a better fit for fast-paced scenarios. Therefore, if you prioritize a deeper key feel, the Blue Sky is the preferred choice, whereas the Glory Red is ideal for those who value responsiveness and speed. Both switches serve different preferences in typing experience, making the choice dependent on individual user needs.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Blue Sky has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Blue Sky for $4.07.
The Gateron Glory Red has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Glory Red for $4.19.
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 comparing the sound profiles of the Aflion Blue Sky and the Gateron Glory Red switches, the Blue Sky is distinguished by its high-pitched and neutral sound characteristics. The high-pitched nature gives it a sharp and crisp sound that can be particularly satisfying for users who prefer clearer auditory feedback without the richer bass tones found in some other switches. The neutral sound profile, on the other hand, makes it versatile enough for practical uses, whether in a home or office environment. In contrast, the sound characteristics of the Gateron Glory Red switches remain unspecified, leaving it ambiguous how their auditory feedback compares to the detailed profiles offered by the Blue Sky switches.
In terms of tactile feel, the Blue Sky switches are designed to provide a mild and polished experience. The mildness means that these switches are approachable for everyone, creating a gentle typing experience that won't overwhelm users. The polished nature of the Blue Sky stems from high-quality materials and possibly factory lubrication, resulting in smooth key travel and reduced friction, enhancing the comfort during extended typing sessions. The tactile qualities of the Gateron Glory Red switches lack specific descriptors in the given information, which makes it difficult to draw a comprehensive comparison regarding their feel.
In conclusion, while the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch is characterized by its crisp sound and smoothly polished feel, the Gateron Glory Red lacks a defined profile for both aspects. If you value a distinctly sharp auditory feedback with a gentle yet refined typing experience, the Blue Sky would be the preferable option. In contrast, with the Glory Red switches, you might find a more generic but still satisfying typing experience, though more information would be needed to clarify their specific qualities. Ultimately, both switches can provide an enjoyable linear typing experience, but the Blue Sky offers defined advantages in sound and feel that may appeal more to certain users.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Gateron Glory Red linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you lean towards a medium bottom-out force and enjoy a typing experience that is both smooth and provides a delightful auditory feedback, the Blue Sky might be your best bet. Its high-pitched sound profile and polished feel cater to those who appreciate a crispy and clear keystroke, making it ideal for both home and work environments. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch with a focus on a seamless keystroke that minimizes fatigue during long typing sessions, the Glory Red could be suitable, even though specific tonal properties are less described. However, keep in mind that the Glory line is known to deliver a pleasant typing experience without the excessive sound or feedback that some users might find distracting. Ultimately, your decision should reflect what you feel comfortable with in terms of force and sound when typing, so consider trying both switches if possible to see which one resonates with you the most.
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