Gateron Mountain Top vs. Aflion Windy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Gateron Mountain Top and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Gateron Mountain Top and the Aflion Windy Shadow mechanical keyboard switches, it's evident that both offer unique features catering to different preferences. The Gateron Mountain Top is ideal for office environments, offering a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience with a comfortably light actuation. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow provides a neutral sound profile with a distinctive bounce from its extended spring and a comfortable 55g bottom-out. While the Mountain Top is characterized as bouncy, easy-to-press, and subtle, the Windy Shadow is known for being low-pitched and mild. 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
40g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
1.40 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
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Spring
19.7mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The main difference between the housing materials of the Gateron Mountain Top and the Aflion Windy Shadow lies in their top housings. The Mountain Top features a nylon top housing, known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Windy Shadow boasts a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. While nylon offers a rounder sound, polycarbonate's stiffness contributes to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal.
On the other hand, both switches share the same nylon bottom housing, resulting in a similar typing experience with a deeper and fuller sound profile. The use of nylon in the bottom housing of both the Mountain Top and the Windy Shadow contributes to a duller and rounder sound due to its softer plastic composition. This consistency in bottom housing material ensures that the typing experience remains consistent across both switches, allowing for a familiar feel and sound when engaging with the keys.
Overall, the choice of housing material in switches plays a crucial role in defining the sound profile and typing experience. While the Gateron Mountain Top utilizes a combination of nylon and polycarbonate for its top and bottom housings respectively, the Aflion Windy Shadow opts for polycarbonate in both top and bottom housings. These differences result in nuanced variations in sound profiles, with the Mountain Top offering a deeper and fuller sound with nylon, while the Windy Shadow provides a sharper and crisper sound with polycarbonate. Both switches deliver a unique typing experience based on their housing materials, catering to different preferences in sound and feel.
Weight
The Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, which has an unknown actuation force. However, the bottom out force of the Mountain Top switch is 50 grams, while the Windy Shadow switch has a bottom out force of 55 grams. This means that the Windy Shadow switch requires a slightly heavier force to bottom out. For those who prefer a lighter touch when typing or gaming, the Mountain Top switch would be the better option due to its lower actuation and bottom out forces. On the other hand, those who prefer a slightly more substantial typing experience may prefer the Windy Shadow switch with its slightly heavier bottom out force. Overall, the choice between the two switches would depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
Comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, we find that the Mountain Top has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Windy Shadow has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them suitable for those looking for faster response times, such as gamers. The difference of 0.1 mm between the two may not be noticeable to most users, but for those who are more sensitive to travel distance, the Windy Shadow would provide a slightly longer keystroke. Overall, both switches offer a relatively short travel distance compared to traditional options, catering to those seeking a more responsive typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Gateron Mountain Top comes in at $6.00 per 10 switches.
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 Gateron Mountain Top switch offers a neutral sound profile suitable for various settings, while the Aflion Windy Shadow switch provides a low-pitched tone with a more bass-heavy and mellow quality. Both switches have a moderate actuation force requirement, making them versatile choices for users of all levels and environments.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Mountain Top switch is described as bouncy, easy-to-press, mild, snappy, and subtle, providing a lively and comfortable typing experience with a gentle resistance. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow switch offers a mild typing experience that is approachable to most users, falling within a safe middle-ground zone of tactile feedback.
Considering the overall available information, both the Gateron Mountain Top and Aflion Windy Shadow linear switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Gateron switch leans towards a more neutral sound and bouncy typing experience, the Aflion switch provides a low-pitched sound profile with a mild feel. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches would depend on personal preferences for sound, typing feel, and the specific requirements of the user's environment. Overall, both switches offer quality options for a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, consider your specific needs and preferences. If you prioritize a quiet yet tactile typing experience for office use, the Mountain Top may be the ideal choice due to its discreet sound profile and light actuation force. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a slightly heavier bottom-out force and a distinctive bounce, the Windy Shadow could be more suitable, especially if you enjoy a more neutral and low-pitched sound. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what feels most comfortable and efficient for your typing style and environment.
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