Aflion Cloudy Shadow vs. Everglide Crystal Violet
An in-depth look at the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Everglide Crystal Violet switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two options stand out: the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch. The Cloudy Shadow linear switch from Aflion is praised for its rapid rise in the industry, offering a balanced typing experience with a 63.5g bottom-out force and a bouncy feel due to extended springs. On the other hand, the Crystal Violet tactile switch from Everglide boasts a light operating force of 45g, providing a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience with a mellow sound profile. While the Cloudy Shadow is characterized as low-pitched, mild, and neutral, the Crystal Violet is described as creamy, low-pitched, mild, neutral, and stepped. Each switch offers unique benefits, but diving deeper into their specifics will help you make the best decision for your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
ABS
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow's housing materials of polycarbonate for the top and nylon for the bottom offer a unique combination for a switch. The polycarbonate top housing provides a sharp, high-pitched sound profile, ideal for those looking for a crisper typing experience, especially when paired with RGB lighting. In contrast, the nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its softer properties that absorb more sound. On the other hand, the Everglide Crystal Violet utilizes ABS for both the top and bottom housing, resulting in a consistent low-pitched sound profile when typing. While ABS is more commonly found in keycaps, its use in switch housings offers a different typing experience compared to the Cloudy Shadow.
Despite their differences in housing materials, both the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Everglide Crystal Violet provide unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences. The Cloudy Shadow's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharp and resonant sound, while the Crystal Violet's ABS top housing generates a lower-pitched sound. On the other hand, the Cloudy Shadow's nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper sound profile, contrasting with the Crystal Violet's ABS bottom housing that also offers a low-pitched typing experience. Whether opting for the stiffer polycarbonate or softer nylon, or the more common ABS material, users can choose the switch that best suits their sound preferences.
In terms of impact on typing experience, the choice of housing materials in switches plays a significant role in the overall sound profile and feel. The Aflion Cloudy Shadow's division of polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing provides a balance between a sharp, high-pitched sound on keystrokes and a deeper, fuller sound upon bottoming out. Conversely, the Everglide Crystal Violet's use of ABS for both the top and bottom housing results in a consistent low-pitched sound during typing. Whether the focus is on the impact of the bottom housing on bottom-out sound and feel, or the sound produced when releasing a key from the top housing, both switches offer distinct typing experiences based on their housing materials.
Weight
In comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch, we can see that they both offer different experiences. The Cloudy Shadow switch does not have a specified actuation force, making it unknown in this aspect. However, it has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which falls on the medium-heavy side. On the other hand, the Crystal Violet switch has an actuation force of 45 grams, indicating a lighter touch needed to trigger a keystroke. Its bottom out force is 55 grams, making it medium-light in comparison. The Cloudy Shadow switch provides a more substantial typing experience with a heavier bottom out force, while the Crystal Violet switch offers a lighter actuation force for a smoother typing experience. Depending on individual preferences, some may find the Cloudy Shadow switch to be more suitable for longer typing sessions or intense gaming, while others may prefer the lighter touch of the Crystal Violet switch for a more effortless typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Crystal Violet has a longer travel distance compared to the Cloudy Shadow. A 0.5 mm difference may not seem significant, but it can impact the overall feel and responsiveness of the switch. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Cloudy Shadow, while those who prefer a more substantial keypress may opt for the longer travel distance of the Crystal Violet. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of keypress feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Cloudy 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 Cloudy Shadow for $3.91.
The Everglide Crystal Violet has an MSRP of $7.08 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Crystal Violet for $4.19.
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, both the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch offer a low-pitched and neutral sound profile. This means that they produce a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, making them suitable for various environments and preferences. The sound of a switch can also be affected by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used, so it's essential to consider the overall setup when evaluating sound quality.
In terms of feel, the Cloudy Shadow switch is described as providing a mild typing experience, offering a gentle feel that sits comfortably in the middle-ground zone. On the other hand, the Crystal Violet switch is noted for its creamy and mild feel, providing a smooth and buttery typing experience that glides effortlessly with each keystroke. Additionally, the Crystal Violet switch offers a stepped tactile sensation, providing a more nuanced typing experience with distinct pre-travel and/or post-travel stages.
Overall, both the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Cloudy Shadow switch provides a bouncy and balanced typing experience with a neutral sound profile, the Crystal Violet switch offers a relaxed and stepped tactile feel with a mellow sound signature. Depending on your personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches can offer a satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two will come down to individual preferences and typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch, consider your preference for typing force and feel. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a bouncy typing experience with a neutral sound profile, the Cloudy Shadow may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a gentle, creamy typing experience with a stepped tactile feel, the Crystal Violet could be the ideal switch for your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the kind of typing experience you desire.
Mentioned in this article
