Aflion Blue Sky vs. TTC Light Cloud V2
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blue Sky and the TTC Light Cloud V2 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Blue Sky and the TTC Light Cloud V2 offer unique typing experiences worth exploring. The Blue Sky is a linear switch known for its long pole stem, providing a crystal clear typing experience with a sparkling sound profile and smooth push feel. On the other hand, the Light Cloud V2 is another linear switch, but stands out for its silent operation and lightweight nature, offering a refined and nuanced typing feel. While the Blue Sky is categorized as 'High-pitched', 'Neutral', and 'Polished', the Light Cloud V2 is categorized as 'Mild', 'Muted', and 'Easy-to-press'. Each switch has its own strengths, with the Blue Sky excelling in smoothness and sound while the Light Cloud V2 offers a silent and gentle typing experience. 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
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 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
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
Gold-plated double-staged spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Blue Sky features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. In contrast, the TTC Light Cloud V2 has a nylon top housing that elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. Both materials are effective in enhancing sound quality, but they achieve different results - polycarbonate for a clear and resonant sound, and nylon for a duller and rounder sound.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Blue Sky and the Light Cloud V2 utilize nylon. This material also contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound compared to harder plastics. In this aspect, the two switches are similar in their choice of housing material, resulting in a consistent sound experience across the entire switch. The qualities of the nylon bottom housing impact the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, providing a tactile experience that is influenced by the material's softness.
Ultimately, while the Aflion Blue Sky and the TTC Light Cloud V2 feature different top housing materials, their nylon bottom housings provide similar qualities in terms of sound profile. The impact of the housing materials on the overall sound experience is divided between the top and bottom of the switch, with polycarbonate offering a sharper sound when pressing down on a key, and nylon providing a deeper sound when releasing the key. Both switches have carefully selected housing materials to enhance the typing experience, catering to different preferences in sound profile.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the TTC Light Cloud V2 linear switch, one can see that the Blue Sky requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Light Cloud V2's 45 grams. However, both switches have a similar medium bottom out force, with the Blue Sky at 60 grams and the Light Cloud V2 at 58 grams. This means that while the Blue Sky may require a bit more force to initially actuate, both switches will provide a similar typing experience once the keys are fully pressed. Some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Light Cloud V2 for longer typing sessions, while others may enjoy the slightly heavier feel of the Blue Sky for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Aflion Blue Sky linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, making it slightly longer than the TTC Light Cloud V2 linear switch which has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. The difference may seem minimal, but it can have a noticeable impact on the typing or gaming experience. Those who prefer a quicker response time may lean towards the Light Cloud V2 with its shorter travel distance, while those who enjoy a more substantial keypress may opt for the Blue Sky. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and typing style. Both switches offer reliable performance, so regardless of which one you choose, you can expect similar results in terms of durability and overall feel.
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 TTC Light Cloud V2 has an MSRP of $6.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Light Cloud V2 for $5.49.
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 Blue Sky linear switch offers a high-pitched and crystal-clear typing experience, ideal for those who prefer a sharp and crisp sound profile. On the other hand, the TTC Light Cloud V2 linear switch provides a muted and quiet typing experience, making it a great choice for those who prefer a softer sound when typing. Both switches have a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for various environments, whether at home or in the office. Ultimately, the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, both the Aflion Blue Sky and the TTC Light Cloud V2 switches offer a mild and approachable typing experience. The Blue Sky switch provides a polished and refined typing feel, while the Light Cloud V2 switch is described as easy-to-press and feathery, offering low resistance during key presses and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Both switches provide a smooth key travel experience, enhancing the overall typing feel and comfort for users.
In conclusion, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the TTC Light Cloud V2 linear switch both offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Blue Sky switch excels in providing a high-pitched and polished typing experience, the Light Cloud V2 switch stands out for its muted and easy-to-press characteristics. Depending on individual preferences and typing needs, users can choose between these two switches to achieve a satisfying typing experience. However, if a user prefers a neutral sound profile and a mild typing feel, they can expect similar results from both the Aflion Blue Sky and the TTC Light Cloud V2 linear switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the TTC Light Cloud V2 linear switch, consider the following factors. If you prefer a crystal clear linear typing experience with a sparkling sound profile and smooth push feel, then the Blue Sky switch may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a silent switch with a refined typing feel and lightweight nature, the Light Cloud V2 could be more suitable. Additionally, if you prefer a high-pitched sound profile and a mild typing experience, the Blue Sky switch might be the better option for you. However, if you are looking for a muted sound profile and an easy-to-press, feathery typing experience, the Light Cloud V2 switch could be more appealing. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences and typing style to ensure the best fit for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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