Durock Sea Glass vs. Aflion Windy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Durock Sea Glass and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, it's clear that both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Sea Glass stands out with its captivating pastel colors and proprietary material blend, providing a distinct typing experience with a dry, wispy, and airy feel while remaining smooth. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow from Aflion offers a neutral sound profile with a distinctive bounce from its extended spring, creating a comfortable medium-light typing experience. Both switches have their strengths, with the Sea Glass being categorized as 'Frictionless', 'Mild', 'Feathery', 'Easy-to-press', and the Windy Shadow as 'Low-pitched', 'Mild', 'Neutral'. 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
62g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
P3+
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
19.7mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Sea Glass and the Aflion Windy Shadow offer different sound profiles in terms of sharpness and brightness. The Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top and bottom housings provide a pleasant and bright sound profile, while the Windy Shadow's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound. The Sea Glass's blend is unique in offering a sound that is not particularly sharp but leans towards the brighter side, while the Windy Shadow's polycarbonate material provides a more resonant and clear sound. Despite these differences, both switches utilize unique materials that contribute to their overall sound profiles.
The choice of housing material for the bottom portion of the switches also varies between the Sea Glass and the Windy Shadow. The Sea Glass utilizes the same Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for its bottom housing as its top, resulting in a consistent sound profile throughout. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow's bottom housing is made of nylon, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is known for its softer composition, which absorbs more sound and results in a duller and rounder sound compared to stiffer plastics like polycarbonate. This difference in bottom housing material further contributes to the distinct sound profiles of the two switches.
While the top and bottom housings of the Sea Glass and the Windy Shadow offer contrasting sound profiles, the impact of each housing material on the overall sound experience is crucial. The bottom housing of a switch plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. Despite the differences in material composition, both switches are designed to enhance the typing experience by utilizing unique housing materials that contribute to their individual sound profiles. Whether it be the Polymer nylon blend of the Sea Glass or the polycarbonate housing of the Windy Shadow, both switches offer a unique sound experience tailored to the preferences of keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, it is evident that the Sea Glass has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the unspecified force of the Windy Shadow. However, the Sea Glass has a heavier bottom out force of 62 grams compared to the Windy Shadow's 55 grams, making the Windy Shadow the lighter option between the two. This means that the Sea Glass provides a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, while the Windy Shadow offers a lighter typing experience that may be preferred for longer typing sessions. Both switches fall into the medium weight category, making them suitable for a variety of typing preferences. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the individual's preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Durock Sea Glass linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In this case, the Windy Shadow has a shorter travel distance compared to the Sea Glass. The 0.3 mm difference may not seem significant, but it can impact the overall feel and responsiveness of the switch. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Windy Shadow, while those who enjoy a more substantial key press may opt for the Sea Glass with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for key feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Sea Glass has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Glass for $4.87.
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 Durock Sea Glass switch is known for its uniquely hollow sound signature, providing a distinct auditory experience during typing. On the other hand, the Aflion Windy Shadow switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, which may appeal to those looking for a more mellow and versatile typing sound. The sound produced by each switch is influenced by various factors such as the keyboard layout and keycaps used, so personal preference plays a significant role in the overall sound experience.
In terms of feel, the Durock Sea Glass switch is described as frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press, offering users a smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance. Similarly, the Aflion Windy Shadow switch is characterized as mild, providing a gentle and approachable typing feel for a wide range of users. Both switches aim to deliver a comfortable typing experience without causing finger fatigue, making them suitable for extended use in various typing scenarios.
Considering all available information, both the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in sound and feel. While the Sea Glass switch provides a distinct hollow sound and a frictionless typing experience, the Windy Shadow switch delivers a low-pitched sound and a mild typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound profile, typing feel, and overall typing experience. Whether opting for the Sea Glass or Windy Shadow switch, users can expect a high-quality typing experience that meets their specific needs and preferences.
Conclusion
In summary, when deciding between the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prioritize a unique typing experience with a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness, and enjoy a weightless feel with a hollow sound signature, the Sea Glass switch may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a neutral sound profile and a comfortable medium-light bottom-out force, the Windy Shadow switch might be more suitable. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your preferences for typing feel, sound, and bottom-out force. Both switches offer different qualities that cater to different preferences, so choose the one that aligns best with your typing style and preferences.
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