Outemu Silver vs. Aflion Windy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silver and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Outemu Silver and the Aflion Windy Shadow. The Outemu Silver is a linear switch that is best known for its smooth keystrokes and consistent actuation force. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow, also a linear switch, stands out for its neutral sound profile and distinctive bounce from the extended spring, providing a comfortable 55g bottom-out feel. While both switches offer a linear typing experience, the Outemu Silver leans towards a more traditional feel, while the Aflion Windy Shadow brings a unique touch with its extended spring design. 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
65g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
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
Both the Outemu Silver and the Aflion Windy Shadow feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiff nature of polycarbonate. This material is ideal for RGB lighting due to its translucency. However, the Silver and the Windy Shadow differentiate themselves with their bottom housings. The Silver utilizes a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Windy Shadow also incorporates a nylon bottom housing for a similar effect. Despite the similarities in top housing material, the differing bottom housings provide unique typing experiences for users.
While the polycarbonate top housings of the Outemu Silver and the Aflion Windy Shadow produce similar sound profiles, their nylon bottom housings offer distinct qualities. The Silver's nylon bottom housing is known for its ability to create a duller and rounder sound, adding a different depth to the typing experience. Similarly, the Windy Shadow's nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, enhancing the overall feel of the switch. Both switches showcase how the combination of different housing materials can impact the sound and tactile feedback of mechanical keyboards.
In conclusion, the Outemu Silver and the Aflion Windy Shadow demonstrate the importance of housing materials in creating unique typing experiences. While both switches feature polycarbonate top housings for a sharp and crisp sound profile, their nylon bottom housings offer individual characteristics that cater to different preferences. Whether you prefer a deeper, fuller sound or a duller, rounder sound, understanding the impact of housing materials on switch performance is essential for choosing the right mechanical keyboard for your needs.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Silver linear switch to the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, it is evident that there are significant differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Outemu Silver has a higher actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Windy Shadow, which has an unknown actuation force. This means that the Silver switch requires more force to trigger a keystroke. On the other hand, the bottom out force of the Windy Shadow is lighter at 55 grams compared to the Silver's bottom out force of 65 grams. This indicates that the Windy Shadow provides a lighter typing experience when pressing all the way down. Overall, the Outemu Silver is heavier in terms of both actuation and bottom out forces, making it ideal for those who prefer a more substantial typing feel. In contrast, the Aflion Windy Shadow is lighter in both aspects, making it a suitable choice for those who prefer a lighter typing experience for longer periods of time.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Silver switch offers a more traditional feel with a slightly longer press, while the Windy Shadow switch provides a slightly quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance. Gamers who prioritize fast response times may prefer the Windy Shadow switch, while those who enjoy a more traditional key press experience may lean towards the Silver switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired 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 Outemu Silver comes in at $3.10 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
The Outemu Silver linear switch is best known for its smooth actuation and consistency. On the other hand, Aflion's Windy Shadow linear switch is gaining recognition in the market for its unique bounce provided by the extended spring and comfortable 55g bottom-out force. When it comes to sound, the Silver switch is relatively neutral in profile. In contrast, the Windy Shadow switch offers a low-pitched sound, which tends to be more mellow and bass-heavy. As for the feel, the Silver switch's tactile feedback is not specified. The Windy Shadow switch, however, is described as providing a mild typing experience that is gentle and approachable to most users. Overall, while both switches offer linear actuation, the Windy Shadow switch stands out for its distinctive sound profile and bounce effect, making it a solid choice for those seeking a unique typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Outemu Silver linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, consider the bottom out force that best suits your typing preference. If you prefer a slightly heavier key press, the Silver with a 65g bottom out force may be the better option for you. However, if you prefer a lighter touch, the Windy Shadow with a 55g bottom out force would be more suitable. Additionally, if you are looking for a switch with a low-pitched sound profile, the Silver may be preferable, but if you prefer a neutral sound profile, the Windy Shadow would be the way to go. Finally, if you prefer a mild typing experience that is approachable to most users, the Windy Shadow may be more up your alley. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will come down to your personal preferences in terms of typing feel, sound profile, and bottom out force.
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