Aflion Cloudy Shadow vs. Durock Dolphin
An in-depth look at the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Durock Dolphin switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Durock Dolphin mechanical keyboard switches, there are several key differences to consider. The Cloudy Shadow, a linear switch, is praised for its neutral sound signature and bouncy feel thanks to its extended springs, offering a balanced typing experience with a 63.5g bottom-out force. On the other hand, the Dolphin, also a linear switch, is known for its silent operation, making it perfect for quiet office environments with its medium-heavy actuation force of 62g. While the Cloudy Shadow is categorized as 'Low-pitched', 'Mild', 'Neutral', the Dolphin is categorized as 'Polished', 'Muted', 'Low-pitched'. Both switches have their strengths and advantages, but ultimately, the best choice will depend on your personal preferences and typing needs. 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
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow and Durock Dolphin both feature polycarbonate top housings, which contribute to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a relatively stiff plastic, leading to a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. As such, both keyboards will likely provide a similar sound experience and aesthetic appeal when using the polycarbonate top housing.
In terms of the bottom housing material, the Cloudy Shadow utilizes nylon, while the Dolphin also features a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile, as it is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches with a nylon bottom housing. Both keyboards will offer a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel due to the shared nylon material used in the bottom housing.
When considering the overall typing experience of the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and Durock Dolphin, it is important to note that the qualities of each housing material are split between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing has more impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. Despite the differences in housing materials between the two keyboards, the overall typing experience may still be similar due to the combination of polycarbonate top housings and nylon bottom housings.
Weight
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Durock Dolphin linear switch have different actuation and bottom out forces. The Cloudy Shadow has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch, while the Dolphin has a bottom out force of 62 grams, placing it in the medium category. Both switches have an unknown actuation force, but their bottom out forces indicate that the Cloudy Shadow is slightly heavier than the Dolphin. Weight is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a switch, as lighter switches are often preferred for longer typing sessions or gaming, while heavier switches provide a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Cloudy Shadow and Dolphin switches will depend on the user's preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Durock Dolphin linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. In this case, the Dolphin switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Cloudy Shadow switch. The Cloudy Shadow switch may provide a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a favorite among gamers. On the other hand, the Dolphin switch offers a bit more depth to the key press, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference, with the Cloudy Shadow offering a shorter travel distance for faster responses and the Dolphin providing a slightly longer travel distance for a more deliberate keystroke.
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 Durock Dolphin has an MSRP of $6.87 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dolphin for $5.41.
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 Cloudy Shadow linear switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone that is suitable for most typing environments. On the other hand, the Durock Dolphin linear switch provides a muted and low-pitched sound, making it ideal for office settings or situations where noise levels need to be kept to a minimum. Both switches offer a quieter typing experience compared to standard mechanical switches, with the Cloudy Shadow leaning towards a more neutral sound and the Dolphin focusing on a softer, more gentle tone.
When it comes to feel, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow switch offers a mild typing experience with a bouncy feel due to the extended springs, providing a balance between comfort and feedback. In contrast, the Durock Dolphin switch is described as polished, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Both switches provide a satisfying press and a substantial feel, with the Cloudy Shadow falling into a safe, middle-ground zone in terms of its tactile feedback, while the Dolphin excels in providing a sleek and polished typing sensation.
Overall, while the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and Durock Dolphin linear switches differ slightly in their sound and feel qualities, both switches offer a high-quality typing experience that caters to different preferences. Whether you prioritize a neutral sound profile and bouncy feel like the Cloudy Shadow or prefer a muted sound and polished feel like the Dolphin, you can expect similar levels of quality and innovation from these switches. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your personal typing style and preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Durock Dolphin linear switch, you should consider your environment and personal preferences. If you are looking for a switch with a bouncy feel and medium-heavy bottom out force, the Cloudy Shadow may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you need a silent switch with a medium actuation force and a polished finish for smooth key travel, the Dolphin could be a better fit. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing preferences, so make sure to prioritize what factors are most important to you when making your decision. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on whether you prioritize sound, feel, or other factors in your mechanical keyboard experience.
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