Everglide Lightning Silver V3 vs. Aflion Windy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Aflion Windy Shadow both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Lightning Silver V3, known for its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, provides a seamless typing experience with its silky feel. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow from Aflion boasts a neutral sound profile and a distinctive bounce from its extended spring, making it comfortable to type on with a 55g bottom-out. While the Lightning Silver V3 offers a vibrant touch with its light diffuser and enhanced RGB illumination, the Windy Shadow focuses on a more mild and neutral typing experience. 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
48g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
19.7mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and Aflion Windy Shadow both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which enhances the resonance of the sound produced by the switches. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, adding a visually appealing element to the overall design. In contrast, the Windy Shadow's bottom housing is made of nylon, providing a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Lightning Silver V3. Nylon's softer composition absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound that can be experienced while typing on the switches.
While the top housing material of both switches is polycarbonate, the difference lies in the bottom housing material. The split between the use of polycarbonate in the top housing and nylon in the bottom housing allows for a combination of qualities in each switch. When pressing down on the switch, the impact on the bottom-out sound and feel is influenced by the qualities of the bottom housing material. Conversely, the sound produced when releasing a key is more impacted by the top housing material. This differentiation in housing materials provides a unique typing experience for users of both the Lightning Silver V3 and the Windy Shadow.
In conclusion, the choice of housing materials in mechanical switches plays a significant role in the overall sound profile and tactile feedback experienced by users. Both the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and Aflion Windy Shadow showcase the advantages of polycarbonate in the top housing for creating a sharp and resonant sound profile with the added benefit of translucency for RGB lighting. The Windy Shadow's use of nylon in the bottom housing offers a different sound experience, with a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Lightning Silver V3's polycarbonate bottom housing. Overall, the housing materials of these switches highlight the importance of material selection in creating a unique typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, there are some noticeable differences. The Lightning Silver V3 has an actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, giving it a slightly heavier feel compared to the Windy Shadow. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow has an actuation force of None grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it lighter in terms of actuation force. Some may prefer the Lightning Silver V3 for a more substantial typing experience due to its higher bottom out force, while others may lean towards the Windy Shadow for its lighter actuation force, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In this case, the Windy Shadow has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Lightning Silver V3. The difference between the two switches may be minimal, but it could impact the overall typing or gaming experience depending on personal preference. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are preferred by gamers for faster response times. However, individuals who prefer a more substantial key press may find the slightly longer travel distance of the Windy Shadow more satisfying. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of key feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lightning Silver V3 for $4.10.
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
In terms of sound, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 offers a clacky and high-pitched sound profile, which provides a sharp and crisp auditory feedback when typing. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow switches feature a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, giving a more bass-heavy and mellow tone that is suitable for a variety of settings. The choice between the two will depend on personal preference for sound, with the Lightning Silver V3 offering a more vibrant and energetic typing experience, while the Windy Shadow providing a more subtle and calming auditory feedback.
When it comes to feel, the Lightning Silver V3 switch is described as offering a silky smooth typing experience, which minimizes resistance and enhances overall typing comfort. In contrast, the Aflion Windy Shadow switch provides a mild and gentle typing experience, making it approachable to most users with its middle-ground characteristics. Both switches offer a comfortable typing experience, with the Lightning Silver V3 focusing more on smoothness and the Windy Shadow providing a gentle and easy typing feel.
In conclusion, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches offer different sound profiles and typing feels, catering to a range of preferences. If you prefer a clacky and high-pitched sound with a silky smooth typing experience, the Lightning Silver V3 would be the ideal choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a low-pitched and neutral sound with a mild and gentle typing feel, the Aflion Windy Shadow switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches provide quality performance and choosing between them would come down to personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you value a clacky and high-pitched sound with a silky smooth typing experience, then the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch would 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 mild typing experience, then the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch would be the better option. Consider your preferences in sound and feel when deciding between these two switches to ensure that you select the one that best suits your typing style and preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that can enhance your typing experience, so choose the one that aligns best with your preferences and needs.
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