Aflion Blue Sky vs. TTC Neptune
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blue Sky and the TTC Neptune switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Aflion Blue Sky and the TTC Neptune mechanical keyboard switches, both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Blue Sky switch is praised for its crystal clear linear typing experience, with a high-pitched and polished profile that delivers a smooth push feel. On the other hand, the TTC Neptune stands out for its innovative internal structure, providing a smooth, frictionless glide with a springy resistance reminiscent of chewy treats like mochi. Its buttery and gummy feel, along with a low-pitched and subdued sound signature, ensures a textured pleasure with every keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on your preference for a sparkling, high-pitched typing experience with the Blue Sky, or a matte, buttery feel with the Neptune. 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
41g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15mm spring
Spring
Lengthened 21.5mm spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Blue Sky and TTC Neptune differ in their choice of housing materials, with the Blue Sky featuring a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing, while the Neptune has a POM top housing and a polycarbonate bottom housing. The Blue Sky's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, ideal for RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the Neptune's POM top housing produces a deeper and more muted sound, offering a unique auditory experience. Similarly, the Blue Sky's nylon bottom housing results in a fuller and deeper sound profile, thanks to its softer nature that absorbs more sound, while the Neptune's polycarbonate bottom housing delivers a sharper and clearer sound.
While both switches utilize polycarbonate in their housings, the Aflion Blue Sky and TTC Neptune showcase distinct characteristics due to their different housing combinations. The Blue Sky's use of polycarbonate in the top housing contributes to a clear and resonant sound profile, while its nylon bottom housing adds a deeper and fuller sound experience. On the other hand, the Neptune's POM top housing offers a pleasing and unique deep sound, complemented by the polycarbonate bottom housing that enhances clarity and sharpness. Despite these differences, both switches demonstrate the impact that housing materials have on sound quality and overall typing experience.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in switches like the Aflion Blue Sky and TTC Neptune plays a crucial role in determining the sound profile and tactile feel of the keyboard. The split between top and bottom housings allows for a balanced combination of qualities in the typing experience, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. Whether it be the stiffer polycarbonate or softer nylon, each housing material brings its unique characteristics to the switch, resulting in a varied auditory and tactile response for users to enjoy.
Weight
The Aflion Blue Sky linear switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the TTC Neptune linear switch, which has an actuation force of 41 grams. This means that the Blue Sky may require a slightly firmer touch to register a keypress. In terms of bottom out force, the Blue Sky also has a higher force of 60 grams compared to the Neptune's 50 grams, indicating that the Blue Sky offers a more substantial typing experience when fully pressed. If you prefer a lighter touch for typing for extended periods, the Neptune may be the better option due to its lighter actuation and bottom out forces. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a heavier feel for more tactile feedback, the Blue Sky may be the preferable choice. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on your personal preference for typing experience.
Travel distance
The Aflion Blue Sky linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the TTC Neptune linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. The Blue Sky's 4.0mm travel distance falls on the more traditional side, providing a more substantial feel when pressing down on the key. On the other hand, the Neptune's 3.8 mm travel distance leans towards the shallower end, appealing to those seeking faster response times, such as gamers. While both switches offer a relatively short travel distance compared to older models, the Neptune provides a slightly quicker key press compared to the Blue Sky. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for either a more responsive feel with the shorter travel distance of the Neptune or a more substantial feel with the longer travel distance of the Blue Sky.
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 Neptune has an MSRP of $7.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Neptune for $5.09.
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 qualities of the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the TTC Neptune linear switch, the Blue Sky offers a high-pitched sound profile, providing a sharp and crisp noise when pressed. In contrast, the Neptune produces a low-pitched and muted sound, leaning towards a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. The Blue Sky's sound is more neutral, while the Neptune's sound is described as subdued and thocky. Both switches cater to different preferences in sound, with the Blue Sky being more high-pitched and the Neptune offering a softer, quieter experience.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Blue Sky is characterized as providing a mild and polished typing experience. This means that the switch offers a gentle and refined typing sensation, with smooth key travel and reduced friction. On the other hand, the Neptune offers a buttery and frictionless feel, providing a seamless and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance. Both switches aim to provide a comfortable typing experience, with the Blue Sky leaning towards a more polished feel, while the Neptune offers a smooth and fluid keystroke sensation.
In conclusion, the Aflion Blue Sky and TTC Neptune linear switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Blue Sky provides a high-pitched and polished sound profile with a mild and refined typing experience. In contrast, the Neptune offers a low-pitched and muted sound with a buttery and frictionless feel, promoting a smooth and effortless typing sensation. While the two switches differ in their subjective qualities, both are designed to enhance the typing experience for users seeking a specific sound profile and typing feel. Ultimately, choosing between the Blue Sky and Neptune will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the TTC Neptune linear switch, you should consider a few key factors. If you prefer a medium bottom out force, a high-pitched sound profile, and a mild and polished typing experience, the Blue Sky may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force, a low-pitched and muted sound profile, and a buttery or frictionless typing experience, the Neptune might be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of typing feel, sound profile, and actuation force. Consider what qualities are most important to you in a keyboard switch before making your selection.
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