Aflion Thunder Shadow vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the Aflion Thunder Shadow and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Thunder Shadow and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro both offer unique tactile experiences for users to enjoy. The Aflion Thunder Shadow, with its pronounced tactile bump and medium weight feel of 63.5g bottom-out, provides a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro offers a medium tactility with a light touch, making it a great option for those who prefer a balanced typing experience. Both switches have a neutral sound signature, adding to their appeal. 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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Thunder Shadow and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro both feature polycarbonate top housings, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is attributed to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which enhances sound clarity and resonance. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. However, while both switches share this material in their top housings, the Thunder Shadow's nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound compared to the Violet Gold Pro's nylon bottom housing. This is because nylon is softer and absorbs more sound, resulting in a rounder and duller sound profile.
Despite the similarities in their top housing material, the Aflion Thunder Shadow and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro differ in the sound produced by their nylon bottom housings. The Thunder Shadow's nylon bottom housing contributes to a more impactful bottom-out sound and feel, while the Violet Gold Pro's nylon bottom housing creates a rounder and duller sound profile. This highlights how the choice of bottom housing material can significantly impact the overall sound experience of a switch. Additionally, the qualities of each housing material are split between the top and bottom of the switch, with the bottom housing affecting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key.
In conclusion, both the Aflion Thunder Shadow and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro utilize polycarbonate top housings for a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. However, the differentiation lies in their nylon bottom housings, with the Thunder Shadow offering a deeper and fuller sound experience compared to the rounder and duller sound produced by the Violet Gold Pro. This showcases how the choice of housing materials can greatly impact the sound profile of mechanical switches, with each material contributing unique characteristics to the overall typing experience.
Weight
The Aflion Thunder Shadow tactile switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch have different characteristics when it comes to actuation and bottom out forces. The Thunder Shadow has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it medium-heavy, while its actuation force is unspecified. In contrast, the Violet Gold Pro has an actuation force of 45 grams, but the bottom out force is unknown. This means that the Thunder Shadow is heavier in terms of bottom out force compared to the Violet Gold Pro, which has a lighter actuation force. Those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Thunder Shadow, while those who prefer a lighter touch may favor the Violet Gold Pro. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the type of typing experience one is looking for.
Travel distance
The Aflion Thunder Shadow tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, making the Violet Gold Pro slightly longer in terms of travel distance. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances preferred by gamers for faster response times. Choosing between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference - if you prefer a more responsive feel, the Thunder Shadow may be the better option, but if you prefer a bit more depth in the switch travel, the Violet Gold Pro would be a suitable choice. In either case, both switches offer a similar experience due to their close proximity in travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Thunder 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 Thunder Shadow for $3.91.
The Dareu Violet Gold Pro has an MSRP of $7.73 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Violet Gold Pro for $4.76.
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, both the Aflion Thunder Shadow and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches share a neutral profile, making them suitable for various typing environments and preferences. With a moderate actuation force requirement and a balanced sound output, users can expect a pleasant auditory experience regardless of the choice between the two switches.
In terms of feel, the Aflion Thunder Shadow offers an invigorating typing sensation with its pronounced tactile bump and medium weight feel, providing a satisfying feedback and responsiveness to each keystroke. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switch is noted for its stepped tactility, offering a lighter touch and a more subtle tactile feedback compared to the Thunder Shadow. Both switches aim to provide a balanced typing experience, catering to different preferences in tactile feedback.
Considering the available information, both the Aflion Thunder Shadow and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches offer unique qualities that can cater to various typing preferences. While the Thunder Shadow provides a more pronounced tactile bump and a medium weight feel, the Violet Gold Pro offers a lighter touch and a stepped tactility. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches would depend on individual preferences for typing feel and actuation force. However, users can expect a similar experience in terms of sound profile, as both switches offer a neutral sound signature suitable for a wide range of typing scenarios.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Aflion Thunder Shadow tactile switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, consider the following guidelines: If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a pronounced tactile bump with a harmonious balance, the Thunder Shadow might be the switch for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium tactility with a light touch and a neutral sound signature, making it a "Goldilocks" tactile option, the Violet Gold Pro could be the better choice. Ultimately, both switches offer a neutral sound profile and a satisfying typing experience, so your decision may come down to your preference for actuation force and tactile feel. Choose wisely based on your personal typing preferences and needs.
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