Aflion Carrot vs. Aflion Windy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Aflion Carrot and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Aflion Carrot is a tactile switch that stands out for its bouncy tactile experience created by a long, two-stage spring. Known for its mid-pitched and firm sound profile, this switch offers a unique typing sensation. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow is a linear switch that boasts a neutral sound profile and a distinctive bounce from its extended spring. With a 55g bottom-out force, the Windy Shadow provides a comfortable typing experience. While the Carrot switch is characterized by being clacky, marbly, high-pitched, and bouncy, the Windy Shadow is described as low-pitched and mild. Choosing between the two switches ultimately depends on your preference for tactile feedback and sound profile. 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
37g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
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
No
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
20mm two-stage spring
Spring
19.7mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Carrot and Aflion Windy Shadow both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which leads to a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it especially useful for switches with RGB lighting. However, while both switches share the same top housing material, they differ in their bottom housings. The Carrot utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Windy Shadow's polycarbonate bottom housing.
In terms of sound profile, the nylon bottom housing of the Aflion Carrot absorbs more sound than the Windy Shadow's polycarbonate bottom housing, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing. This adds a different tactile experience for users pressing down on the Carrot switch compared to the Windy Shadow. While the top housings of both switches contribute to the sound when releasing a key, the difference in bottom housings creates distinct characteristics between the two switches. Therefore, users can expect a unique typing experience based on the combination of housing materials in each switch.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in the Aflion Carrot and Aflion Windy Shadow significantly impacts the sound and feel of typing on these switches. While both switches feature polycarbonate top housings for a sharp and crisp sound profile, the Carrot's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound compared to the Windy Shadow's polycarbonate bottom housing. This difference in bottom housing material creates a distinct typing experience between the two switches, with the Carrot providing a duller and rounder sound while typing. Ultimately, the combination of housing materials in each switch plays a crucial role in shaping the overall typing experience for users.
Weight
The Aflion Carrot tactile switch is lighter in both actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch. The Carrot has an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it a lighter option overall. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow has an actuation force that is unknown and a bottom out force of 55 grams, which is slightly heavier than the Carrot. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for longer durations, the Carrot would be the better choice. However, if a stronger push feel is desired for a more substantial typing experience, the Windy Shadow with its slightly heavier bottom out force may be more suitable. Both switches offer different experiences based on their actuation and bottom out forces, catering to different preferences in typing feel.
Travel distance
The Aflion Carrot tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Carrot offers a bit more depth in terms of travel distance compared to the Windy Shadow, making it a good choice for those who prefer a more traditional feel when typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow's slightly shorter travel distance may appeal to users looking for a faster response time and a more abrupt feedback. Both switches offer their own advantages based on personal preference, with the Carrot providing a longer travel distance and the Windy Shadow offering a slightly shorter one. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your individual typing or gaming style and preferences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Carrot has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Carrot for $3.57.
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 Carrot tactile switch is known for its clacky and marbly sound profile, providing a sharp and resonant tone that is crisp and bright. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound that is more mellow and moderate in comparison. Depending on personal preference, the Carrot switch may be preferred for its distinctive and lively sound, while the Windy Shadow switch may be favored for its more subdued and balanced sound quality.
Moving on to feel, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch is characterized by its bouncy and snappy feedback, providing users with a lively and responsive typing experience. The keys have a spring-like sensation that offers a rebound effect, giving a tactile and engaging feel to each keystroke. In contrast, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch offers a mild typing experience that is more gentle and approachable to most users. With a comfortable 55g bottom-out force, the Windy Shadow switch provides a smooth and consistent typing feel that falls within a safe middle-ground zone.
Considering all the available information, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Carrot switch is known for its bouncy and clacky sound profile with a lively tactile feedback, the Windy Shadow switch provides a neutral and low-pitched sound with a mild and gentle typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference for sound and feel, with both options offering distinct and enjoyable characteristics for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
In closing, when making a decision between the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, consider the following key points. If you are looking for a fun and bouncy tactile switch with a mid-pitched and firm sound profile, the Carrot might be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a neutral sound profile and a distinctive bounce from an extended spring, the Windy Shadow could be more suitable. Additionally, if you enjoy a clacky, marbly, or high-pitched sound profile, the Carrot is the way to go. However, if you prefer a low-pitched or neutral sound, the Windy Shadow is your best bet. In terms of feel, if you prefer a bouncy, snappy, stepped, feathery, or subtle typing experience, the Carrot is worth considering. But if you lean towards a mild and gentle typing experience, the Windy Shadow may be more appealing to you. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.
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