Bsun Olive vs. Aflion Windy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Bsun Olive and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the BSUN Olive tactile switch to the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, some key distinctions emerge. The Olive switches are renowned for their resonant, deep sound produced by the all-POM housings, offering a satisfying auditory experience. With medium weight and pronounced tactile feedback, the Olive switches are accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow linear switches from Aflion provide a neutral sound profile and a distinctive bounce due to their extended spring, delivering a mild, low-pitched, and neutral typing experience. The Windy Shadows feature a 55g bottom-out, making them comfortably medium-light. While considering these general pointers may help you make a decision, diving deeper into the specific characteristics of each switch will ultimately guide you in choosing the best option for your typing preferences.
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
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
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 Bsun Olive and Aflion Windy Shadow both offer unique housing materials that contribute to their overall sound profiles. The Olive's POM top housing provides a deeper and more muted sound, creating a pleasing typing experience. In contrast, the Windy Shadow's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper, higher-pitched sound with a crisper tone. This difference in sound profile can greatly impact the typing experience for users looking for specific sound qualities in their keyboards.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Olive's POM housing once again creates a deeper and more muted sound profile, while the Windy Shadow's nylon bottom housing produces a fuller and rounder sound. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound than POM, resulting in a duller and more resonant typing experience. These differences in sound qualities can cater to individuals with specific preferences for the tone and feel of their keyboard switches.
Overall, the Bsun Olive and Aflion Windy Shadow each offer distinct sound profiles based on their housing materials. While the Olive features POM top and bottom housings for a consistent sound profile, the Windy Shadow combines polycarbonate top housing with nylon bottom housing for a unique typing experience. Whether you prefer a deeper, muted sound or a sharper, crisper tone, both keyboards provide options for users to customize their typing experience based on their sound preferences.
Weight
The Bsun Olive tactile switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch have different actuation and bottom out forces. The Olive has a medium-heavy actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, while the Windy Shadow has a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams, with the actuation force being unknown. The Olive switch requires a slightly lighter touch to actuate but a heavier force to fully bottom out. In contrast, the Windy Shadow switch offers a lighter bottom out force but potentially a heavier actuation force. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods, the Windy Shadow may be the better choice. On the other hand, for those who enjoy a more significant tactile feedback, the Bsun Olive switch might be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer a unique typing experience, with the Olive being heavier overall in terms of force required compared to the Windy Shadow.
Travel distance
The Bsun Olive tactile 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 Olive switch. A difference of 0.1 mm may not seem significant, but it can affect the feel and response of the switch. For those who prefer a shorter travel distance for quicker actuation and response times, the Olive switch would be the better choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a bit more depth and feedback, the Windy Shadow with its longer travel distance would be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Olive has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Olive for $4.70.
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 it comes to sound, the Bsun Olive tactile switch offers a deep, resonant tone that is distinct and satisfying, while the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch presents a low-pitched and neutral sound profile that is more mellow and suitable for a variety of settings. Both switches provide unique auditory experiences that can be further influenced by the keyboard and keycap choices.
In terms of feel, the Bsun Olive tactile switch is characterized by its accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy tactile feedback, providing a tactile sensation that is not overwhelming yet distinctly felt with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch offers a more mild typing experience, which is gentle and approachable to most users due to its moderate characteristics. Both switches offer a different typing experience that caters to individual preferences and typing styles.
Overall, the Bsun Olive tactile switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch provide unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Olive switch offers a more pronounced tactile feedback and deeper sound profile, the Windy Shadow switch offers a more neutral sound and a milder typing experience. Choosing between these switches will ultimately depend on personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing style, but both switches offer a high-quality typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Bsun Olive tactile switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams, a deep and resonant sound profile, pronounced tactile feedback with a sharp bottom-out, and a tactile switch that provides an invigorating and sharp typing experience, then the Olive switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you lean towards a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams, a neutral sound profile, a bounce from an extended spring, and a linear switch that offers a mild and gentle typing experience, then the Windy Shadow switch would be more suitable for you. Ultimately, your choice should be based on your preferences for bottom out force, sound profile, tactile feedback, and typing experience.
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