Aflion Blue Sky vs. Aflion Windy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blue Sky and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Aflion Blue Sky and Windy Shadow mechanical keyboard switches, there are distinct characteristics that set them apart. The Blue Sky features a long pole stem, offering a crystal clear linear typing experience with a sparkling sound profile and smooth push feel. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow switches from Aflion provide a neutral sound profile with a distinctive bounce from their extended spring, creating a medium-light feel at a 55g bottom-out. While the Blue Sky switch is categorized as high-pitched, neutral, mild, and polished, the Windy Shadow is categorized as low-pitched, mild, and neutral. When choosing between the two, individuals may prefer the Blue Sky for its smooth typing experience, while others may opt for the Windy Shadow for its unique bounce and medium-light feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15mm spring
Spring
19.7mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Blue Sky and Aflion Windy Shadow both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the material's stiffness. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is especially useful for switches that plan to use RGB lighting, as it allows light to shine through easily. Both switches will likely produce similar sound profiles and aesthetics due to their shared polycarbonate top housing material.
In terms of the bottom housing material, both the Blue Sky and Windy Shadow feature nylon, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to harder plastics. Nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound when typing on the switches. This material split between the top and bottom housings will result in a combination of impact and feel from the bottom housing, while the top housing will influence the sound when releasing a key.
Overall, while the Aflion Blue Sky and Aflion Windy Shadow have slightly different housing materials, their overall sound profiles and typing experiences may be more alike than different. Both switches benefit from the unique qualities of polycarbonate in the top housing and nylon in the bottom housing, resulting in a satisfying typing experience with a range of sound profiles to suit different preferences. Whether you choose the Blue Sky or Windy Shadow, you can expect a combination of clear, resonant sounds and deep, full tones when typing on these switches.
Weight
The Aflion Blue Sky linear switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, which has an unknown actuation force. When it comes to bottom out force, the Blue Sky requires 60 grams of force, whereas the Windy Shadow requires 55 grams. Both switches fall into the medium range in terms of force required. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Windy Shadow due to its slightly lighter bottom out force, while those who enjoy a more substantial push feel may opt for the Blue Sky. Overall, while the actuation force may vary slightly between the two switches, the bottom out force is fairly similar, so users can expect comparable results in terms of typing experience.
Travel distance
The Aflion Blue Sky linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is longer than the 3.5 mm travel distance of the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch. The Blue Sky offers a slightly deeper key press compared to the Windy Shadow, making it a better option for those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing. In contrast, the Windy Shadow provides a slightly shorter travel distance, appealing to gamers and individuals looking for faster response times. Both switches offer their own advantages based on the preference of the user, with the Blue Sky being the longer option and the Windy Shadow being the shorter option in terms of travel distance.
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 Aflion Windy Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Windy Shadow for $3.91.
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 is best suited for those who prefer a high-pitched and sharp sound profile when typing. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch offers a low-pitched and more bass-heavy tone, providing a mellow sound experience. Both switches fall under the category of neutral sound profiles, making them suitable for a wide range of users and purposes. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the overall setup of the keyboard.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, both the Aflion Blue Sky and Windy Shadow linear switches provide a mild typing experience. This means that users can expect a gentle and approachable feel when typing, as the switches offer a comfortable middle-ground in terms of tactile feedback. Additionally, the Blue Sky switch is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that enhances the typing experience.
In conclusion, the Aflion Blue Sky and Windy Shadow linear switches offer different sound profiles while providing a similar mild typing experience. The Blue Sky switch is characterized by a high-pitched sound and a polished feel, while the Windy Shadow switch produces a low-pitched sound and a comfortable bounce due to the extended spring. Both switches cater to a wide range of users and preferences, ultimately offering a pleasant typing experience based on individual tastes and needs.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Aflion Blue Sky linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prefer a higher-pitched sound profile and a polished, smooth typing experience with a bottom out force of 60 grams, the Blue Sky switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you lean towards a low-pitched sound profile and a comfortable medium-light bottom-out force of 55 grams, along with a mild typing experience, the Windy Shadow switch would be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing force.
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