Aflion Blue Sky vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blue Sky and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Blue Sky and the Gateron Mountain Top offer two distinct typing experiences. 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 Mountain Top linear switch from Gateron is designed for office environments, offering a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience ideal for professional settings. The Blue Sky is characterized as 'High-pitched', 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Polished', while the Mountain Top is described as 'Bouncy', 'Easy-to-press', 'Mild', 'Neutral', 'Snappy', and 'Subtle'. Each switch has its unique advantages, but ultimately, the best choice depends on individual 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
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
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
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the Aflion Blue Sky and the Gateron Mountain Top, the key difference lies in their housing materials. The Blue Sky features a polycarbonate top housing which offers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiff nature. On the other hand, the Mountain Top comes with a nylon top housing that provides a deeper and fuller sound profile as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. Despite these differences, both switches offer a unique typing experience with distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Blue Sky and the Mountain Top utilize nylon for its softer nature that creates a deeper and fuller sound profile. This similarity means that when typing on either switch, users can expect a certain level of sound consistency and overall feel. While the bottom housing may have a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, the top housing will still play a role in determining the sound when releasing a key. Understanding how the housing materials interact with typing dynamics can help users make an informed decision based on their preferences for switch sound and feel.
Ultimately, the choice between the Aflion Blue Sky and the Gateron Mountain Top will come down to personal preference in sound profile. The Blue Sky's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper and crisper sound, ideal for those who prefer a more distinct typing experience. In contrast, the Mountain Top's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound, appealing to users who enjoy a more muted and rounded typing sound. Both switches showcase the impact of housing materials on sound profiles, catering to a variety of typing preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, it is evident that the Mountain Top is the lighter option of the two. The Blue Sky has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a medium level of resistance. On the other hand, the Mountain Top boasts a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it a more gentle option. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Mountain Top would be the preferred choice, allowing for longer typing sessions with less fatigue. However, for users who enjoy a more substantial keystroke feel, the Blue Sky may be the better option with its slightly higher actuation and bottom out forces. Despite their differences, both switches offer a smooth linear typing experience, so users can expect similar results in terms of performance, regardless of the force variances.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, it is clear that the Blue Sky has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Mountain Top's 3.4 mm. The Blue Sky's 4.0mm travel distance provides a slightly deeper key press feel, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Mountain Top's 3.4 mm travel distance offers a slightly shorter key press, making it potentially more appealing to individuals looking for faster response times, such as gamers. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Blue Sky being the longer option and the Mountain Top being the shorter option. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for key press depth and responsiveness.
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 Mountain Top comes in at $6.00 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
When it comes to sound, the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch offers a high-pitched sound profile, giving a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch provides a more neutral sound profile, striking a balance between actuation force requirement and sound level. Both switches cater to different preferences, with the Blue Sky offering a brighter sound and the Mountain Top providing a more subdued typing experience, ideal for professional settings.
In terms of feel, the Blue Sky switch is described as mild and polished, ensuring a gentle typing experience with smooth key travel. In contrast, the Gateron Mountain Top switch is labeled as bouncy and easy-to-press, offering a spring-like feedback and requiring minimal force to activate. While the Blue Sky switch emphasizes a refined and approachable typing feel, the Mountain Top switch prioritizes ease of typing and responsiveness, making it suitable for extended typing sessions in office environments.
In conclusion, while the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch offer different sound and feel profiles, both switches are designed to cater to specific preferences and environments. The Blue Sky switch excels in providing a sparkling sound and a polished typing experience, ideal for those who enjoy a crisper sound profile. On the other hand, the Mountain Top switch focuses on a quiet and easy-to-press typing experience, perfect for professional settings where discretion and comfort are key. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on your individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing environment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when considering whether to choose the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch or the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, you should take into account your preferences and typing environment. If you prefer a medium actuation force and enjoy a high-pitched sound with a polished and mild feel, the Blue Sky switch might be the right fit for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter actuation force and a neutral sound profile with a bouncy, easy-to-press feel, the Gateron Mountain Top switch could be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to personal preference and the specific requirements of your typing experience.
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