Outemu Red Panda vs. Aflion Windy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Outemu Red Panda and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Outemu Red Panda, a tactile switch, to the Aflion Windy Shadow, a linear switch, there are distinct differences to consider. The Red Panda is renowned for its light-medium amount of tactility, creating a unique typing experience with a bassier bottom-out sound and a clackier top-out sound. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow from Aflion offers a neutral sound profile with a distinctive bounce from its extended spring mechanism. Additionally, the Windy Shadow boasts a 55g bottom-out, providing a comfortably medium-light press. Each switch offers its own advantages and appeal, with the Red Panda delivering a more tactile typing feel while the Windy Shadow provides a smoother, consistent keystroke. 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
60g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
No
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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
19.7mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Red Panda and the Aflion Windy Shadow, it is evident that both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing. This choice results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for the RGB lighting to shine through, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the switches. While both switches benefit from the qualities of polycarbonate in their top housing, the differences lie in their bottom housing material.
The Red Panda features a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. In contrast, the Windy Shadow also utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, offering a similar typing experience with a deeper and fuller sound. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound for both switches. This commonality in bottom housing material allows for consistency in the typing experience and sound profile across both switches.
Overall, the division of housing materials in switches plays a crucial role in the overall sound profile and typing experience. While the bottom housing affects the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. Despite the differences in their bottom housing materials, the Outemu Red Panda and Aflion Windy Shadow offer similar sound profiles and typing experiences, thanks to their shared use of polycarbonate in the top housing.
Weight
The Outemu Red Panda tactile switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, which has an unknown actuation force. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Red Panda requires 60 grams of force, while the Windy Shadow only needs 55 grams. This means that the Windy Shadow is slightly lighter to press all the way down compared to the Red Panda. Both switches fall into the medium force category, making them suitable for users who prefer a balance between typing comfort and tactile feedback. Ultimately, those who prefer a slightly lighter typing experience may lean towards the Windy Shadow, while those who enjoy a bit more resistance may opt for the Red Panda.
Travel distance
The Outemu Red Panda tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.5 mm. While both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, the Windy Shadow offers a bit more depth compared to the Red Panda. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the Red Panda with its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may lean towards the Windy Shadow. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference and the specific feel that each individual user is looking for in their keyboard switches.
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 Red Panda comes in at $3.40 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 Outemu Red Panda tactile switch offers a thocky typing experience with a bassier bottom-out sound and a clackier top-out sound, providing a pleasing auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch delivers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, making it suitable for a wide range of users and environments. Both switches offer unique sound characteristics to enhance your typing experience, with the Red Panda focusing on a rich, deeper tone while the Windy Shadow provides a more mellow and balanced sound.
In terms of feel, both the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch offer a mild typing experience, ensuring a gentle and approachable feel for most users. With their moderate tactility and actuation force, these switches strike a comfortable balance between providing feedback while remaining easy on the fingers. Whether you prefer a tactile or linear switch, both the Red Panda and Windy Shadow switches offer a pleasant typing experience that caters to a variety of preferences.
Overall, the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch each bring their unique qualities to the table in terms of sound and feel. While the Red Panda focuses on a thocky sound profile and a light-medium amount of tactility, the Windy Shadow offers a neutral sound with a distinctive bounce from its extended spring. Both switches are designed to provide a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience, making them suitable choices for different preferences and typing styles. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, you'll want to consider the bottom-out force, sound profile, and typing feel that best suits your preferences. If you prefer a slightly heavier bottom-out force and enjoy a mix of bassy bottom-out and clacky top-out sounds, the Red Panda might be the choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom-out force and a more neutral, low-pitched sound profile with a distinctive bounce from the extended spring, the Windy Shadow linear switch could be more to your liking. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and what kind of typing experience you are looking for in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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