Bsun Dragon Fruit vs. Aflion Windy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Bsun Dragon Fruit and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the BSUN Dragon Fruit tactile switch to the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, it is evident that both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Dragon Fruit stands out with its sharp and definitive bottom-out, providing a satisfying tactile bump at each press. Paired with a clacky sound signature, it offers a lively and engaging typing experience, making it ideal for those who enjoy a more pronounced tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow linear switch from Aflion boasts a neutral sound profile and a distinctive bounce from its extended spring. With a comfortable 55g bottom-out weight, it offers a smoother keystroke experience, perfect for those who prefer a more subtle and consistent typing feel. 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
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
19.7mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Bsun Dragon Fruit and the Aflion Windy Shadow are quite similar in terms of their polycarbonate top housing. Both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housings, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiff plastic, providing a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is particularly useful for switches that plan to incorporate RGB lighting. While both switches share this common feature, the differences lie in their bottom housing materials.
In contrast to their similar top housings, the Dragon Fruit and the Windy Shadow differ in their bottom housing materials. The Dragon Fruit features a nylon bottom housing, known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. This results in a duller and rounder sound that enhances the typing experience. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow also utilizes a nylon bottom housing, offering similar sound characteristics to the Dragon Fruit. Both switches benefit from the qualities of nylon for their bottom housings, ensuring a comfortable and satisfying typing experience.
It is worth noting that the top and bottom housing materials of a switch play a significant role in determining the overall sound and feel of the switch. While the top housing impacts the sound when a key is released, the bottom housing affects the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed. In the case of the Dragon Fruit and the Windy Shadow, the use of polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing ensures a balanced and enjoyable typing experience with distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences.
Weight
Comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, we can see that the Dragon Fruit is the heavier of the two with an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow is lighter with a bottom out force of 55 grams, while its actuation force is unknown. The Dragon Fruit provides a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier forces, which some users may prefer for a more tactile feel. In contrast, the Windy Shadow offers a lighter typing experience, making it more suitable for longer typing sessions or gaming. Overall, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, which is slightly shorter than the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch's travel distance of 3.5 mm. While the difference in travel distance between the two switches is minimal, it may still impact the typing or gaming experience for some users. The Dragon Fruit switch may provide a slightly more responsive feel, making it a popular choice for gamers seeking faster response times. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow switch offers a slightly deeper actuation, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a more pronounced keystroke. Ultimately, both switches offer relatively similar travel distances, so users can expect comparable results in terms of key feel and actuation depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Dragon Fruit has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dragon Fruit for $3.83.
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
The Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch stands out with its sharp and definitive bottom-out, providing a satisfying bump at each press. This switch offers a clacky sound signature that adds to the lively and engaging typing experience. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch presents a neutral sound profile with a distinctive bounce from its extended spring. The Windy Shadow provides a comfortable medium-light feel at a 55g bottom-out. While the Dragon Fruit offers an accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy feel, the Windy Shadow is described as mild, providing a gentle typing experience.
In terms of sound, the Dragon Fruit switch offers a clacky sound signature, while the Windy Shadow produces a low-pitched and neutral sound. The sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. When it comes to feel, the Dragon Fruit switch is characterized by its sharp, invigorating, and snappy tactile feedback, providing an immersive typing sensation. In contrast, the Windy Shadow switch offers a mild feel, making it approachable to most users with its safe middle-ground qualities.
Overall, the Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch excels in providing a sharp and lively typing experience with its pronounced tactile feedback and clacky sound profile. In comparison, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch offers a more neutral sound profile and a comfortable medium-light feel, making it a versatile choice for a variety of users. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so choosing between them ultimately depends on individual typing preferences and priorities in sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a mechanical keyboard switch with a sharp and prominent tactile feedback, along with a clacky sound signature that provides an engaging typing experience, the BSUN Dragon Fruit tactile switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a more neutral sound profile with a distinctive bounce from an extended spring, and a lighter bottom-out force for a gentle typing experience, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch would be more suitable for your needs. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so ultimately, the decision between the Dragon Fruit and Windy Shadow switches will depend on your specific typing style and preferences.
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