Dareu Holly vs. Aflion Windy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Dareu Holly and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Holly and the Aflion Windy Shadow are two popular options to consider. The Dareu Holly, a tactile switch, stands out with its medium 50g actuation force and a unique sound signature that blends chirpy and clacky elements, offering a balanced and distinctive typing experience. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow, a linear switch, boasts a neutral sound profile with a distinctive bounce from its extended spring and a 55g bottom-out that is comfortably medium-light. While the Holly is categorized as chirpy, clacky, neutral, the Windy Shadow is labeled as low-pitched, mild, neutral. Each switch has its own strengths and appeal, catering to different preferences and typing styles. 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
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
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
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
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
Stainless steel
Spring
19.7mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Dareu Holly and the Aflion Windy Shadow both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the material's stiffness. This results in a more clear and resonant sound, making them both ideal choices for those who prioritize sound quality in their switches. The translucency of polycarbonate is also beneficial for those looking to use RGB lighting, as it allows the light to shine through the housing effectively. In terms of aesthetics and sound performance, both switches offer similar benefits with their polycarbonate top housings.
On the other hand, the Holly and the Windy Shadow differ in their bottom housings, with the Holly featuring a nylon bottom housing and the Windy Shadow also having a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, which absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches with nylon bottom housings. Both switches provide a unique typing experience with their nylon bottom housings, offering a different sound profile compared to switches with different bottom housing materials.
Overall, the Dareu Holly and the Aflion Windy Shadow showcase how different housing materials can impact the sound profile and feel of mechanical switches. While they both share the benefits of polycarbonate top housings for sharper and crisper sound, their nylon bottom housings provide a distinct typing experience with deeper and fuller sound profiles. Whether you prefer a more resonant sound with polycarbonate or a deeper sound with nylon, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
The Dareu Holly tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, whose actuation force is unknown. However, the Windy Shadow has a heavier bottom out force of 55 grams, while the bottom out force of the Holly switch is unavailable. This means that the Holly switch requires a lighter touch to activate a keystroke but may not offer as much resistance when fully pressed compared to the Windy Shadow. Depending on personal preference, some may favor the Holly switch for its lighter actuation force, allowing for longer typing or gaming sessions, while others may prefer the Windy Shadow for a more substantial typing experience with its heavier bottom out force. In either case, the actuation and bottom out forces of the two switches provide different tactile experiences to cater to varying preferences.
Travel distance
The Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch have different travel distances. The Holly has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Windy Shadow has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In this case, the Windy Shadow has a shorter travel distance compared to the Holly. A shorter travel distance is often preferred by gamers for faster response times, whereas a longer travel distance can provide a more substantial feel when typing. Both switches offer a different experience in terms of key travel, with the Holly being slightly longer than the Windy Shadow. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for key feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Holly has an MSRP of $6.59 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Holly for $3.76.
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 it comes to sound, the Dareu Holly tactile switch is definitely more on the unique side with its chirpy and clacky elements, providing a distinct typing experience. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch offers a neutral sound profile with a low-pitched tone, giving a more mellow and bass-heavy sound. Depending on personal preference, users may prefer the sharpness of the Holly or the mellowness of the Windy Shadow.
Moving on to feel, the information provided does not specify the tactile characteristics of the Holly switch. However, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch is known for offering a mild typing experience, falling in the safe middle-ground zone. This suggests that the Windy Shadow switch may provide a softer and more approachable feel compared to the potentially more pronounced tactile feedback of the Holly switch.
In conclusion, the Dareu Holly tactile switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch offer different sound profiles, with the Holly being more distinctive and the Windy Shadow having a milder tone. While the typing feel of the Holly switch is not specified, the Windy Shadow switch is known for a gentle typing experience. Ultimately, your preference between these two switches will depend on whether you prioritize a unique sound signature like the Holly or a more neutral and mild typing experience like the Windy Shadow. With similar actuation forces and both falling into the mid-range category of mechanical switches, you can expect comparable results in terms of performance.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a unique sound signature with a balance of chirpy and clacky elements, the Dareu Holly tactile switch with its medium 50g actuation force would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a neutral sound profile and a distinctive bounce, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch with its 55g bottom-out force would be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for sound and feel when typing, so consider these factors carefully before making your choice between the two switches.
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