Bsun Guyu vs. Aflion Windy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Bsun Guyu and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Bsun Guyu linear switches are renowned for their unique auditory experience, featuring all-POM housings that deepen the acoustics and a long pole stem for a bright, crisp bottom-out sound. With a medium weight and super-smooth keystrokes from the high-grade UPE stem, typing on the Guyu switches is effortless and resonant. In contrast, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switches offer a neutral sound profile and a distinctive bounce from their extended spring, providing a comfortable medium-light 55g bottom-out experience. While the Guyu is characterized as 'Clacky', 'Creamy', 'Frictionless', 'Polished', 'Silky', 'Snappy', the Windy Shadow is categorized as 'Low-pitched', 'Mild', 'Neutral'. Both switches have their strengths, 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
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
UPE
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
21mm spring
Spring
19.7mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Bsun Guyu and the Aflion Windy Shadow both utilize different materials for their top and bottom housing, resulting in distinct sound profiles. The Guyu's POM top housing offers a deeper and more muted sound, while the Windy Shadow's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound. In terms of aesthetics, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, giving it a visual appeal. On the other hand, the Guyu's POM bottom housing contributes to a deeper sound profile, contrasting with the Windy Shadow's nylon bottom housing, known for creating a fuller and rounder sound due to its softer nature.
Despite their differences, the POM top housing of the Guyu and the nylon bottom housing of the Windy Shadow both aim to enhance the overall typing experience by offering unique sound profiles. While the POM top housing provides a more subdued and pleasing sound, the nylon bottom housing brings out a deeper and fuller sound quality. These contrasting qualities demonstrate how different materials can impact the overall typing experience and cater to different preferences. Additionally, the use of different materials in the top and bottom housing of these switches allows for a division of sound characteristics, with the bottom housing affecting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key.
Ultimately, the choice between the Bsun Guyu and the Aflion Windy Shadow will depend on individual preferences for sound profiles and typing feel. The POM top and bottom housings of the Guyu create a cohesive, deep sound profile, while the polycarbonate and nylon housings of the Windy Shadow offer a sharper and fuller sound experience. Regardless of the choice, both switches showcase the importance of material selection in switch housings, highlighting how different plastics can impact the sound and feel of a typing experience. Whether seeking a muted and deep sound or a crisp and resonant sound, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to various typing preferences.
Weight
When comparing the Bsun Guyu linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, it is clear that there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Guyu has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it a lighter option. In contrast, the Windy Shadow's actuation force is unknown, but it has a bottom out force of 55 grams, placing it in the medium-light category. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Guyu for longer typing sessions or gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals seeking a more substantial typing feel may opt for the Windy Shadow with its slightly heavier bottom out force. Overall, both switches offer unique characteristics in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, catering to different preferences and typing styles.
Travel distance
The Bsun Guyu linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall on the shorter side of the spectrum, with the Guyu being slightly longer than the Windy Shadow. A difference of 0.1 mm may not be noticeable to all users, but for those who are sensitive to keypress depth, it could make a difference. Gamers looking for a faster response time may prefer the Windy Shadow due to its slightly shorter travel distance, while those who appreciate a bit more depth in their keypresses may lean towards the Guyu. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and the specific feel that each individual user is looking for.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Guyu has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Guyu for $3.70.
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
When comparing the sound of the Bsun Guyu linear switch to the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, the Guyu switch offers a clacky and bright sound profile, emphasizing a sharp and percussive tone thanks to its POM housing and unique stem design. In contrast, the Windy Shadow switch provides a low-pitched and neutral sound, offering a more mellow tone with a moderate actuation force requirement suitable for various typing preferences. Both switches offer distinct sound qualities that cater to different preferences, ensuring users can find the perfect auditory experience for their typing needs.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Guyu switch is known for its creamy, frictionless, and polished typing experience, showcasing smooth and buttery keystrokes with minimal resistance or friction. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow switch offers a mild typing experience that is gentle and approachable, providing a comfortable feel that falls within a safe, middle-ground zone. While the Guyu switch focuses on providing a luxurious and silky sensation during typing sessions, the Windy Shadow switch prioritizes a balanced and mild tactile feedback for a satisfying typing experience.
In conclusion, the Bsun Guyu linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch offer unique subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Guyu switch excels in providing a clacky and bright sound with a creamy and frictionless typing experience, the Windy Shadow switch delivers a low-pitched and neutral sound paired with a mild typing sensation. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, both switches can provide a remarkable typing experience, ensuring users can choose the switch that best suits their typing style and preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Bsun Guyu linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, consider the unique characteristics of each. If you prioritize a distinctive auditory experience with a bright, crisp bottom-out sound and super-smooth keystrokes, the Guyu switch with its medium weight and high-grade UPE stem may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a neutral sound profile with a comfortable medium-light bottom-out force and a gentle typing experience, the Windy Shadow switch with its extended spring and 55g bottom-out force could be the perfect fit. Whether you lean towards a clacky, creamy feel of the Guyu or the low-pitched, mild feel of the Windy Shadow, both switches offer their own unique sound and feel characteristics to enhance your typing experience. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preferences and typing style.
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