TTC Venus vs. Aflion Windy Shadow
An in-depth look at the TTC Venus and the Aflion Windy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to examine are the TTC Venus and the Aflion Windy Shadow, both linear switches with unique characteristics. The Venus is praised for its innovative internal configuration, offering a smooth and frictionless glide paired with a springy resistance that provides a delightful matte sensation. It boasts a light actuation for rapid typing and a muted sound signature for a subdued auditory experience. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow by Aflion is known for its neutral sound profile and distinctive bounce from an extended spring, providing a comfortable medium-light 55g bottom-out. While the Venus offers a buttery and gummy typing experience, the Windy Shadow focuses on a neutral and mild feel. 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
52g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
1.80 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
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Lengthened 20.5mm spring
Spring
19.7mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Venus and the Aflion Windy Shadow offer contrasting sound profiles due to their different compositions. The Venus features a POM top housing, resulting in a deeper and more muted sound, while the Windy Shadow's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound. In terms of aesthetics, the use of polycarbonate in the Windy Shadow allows for RGB lighting due to its translucency, while the Venus's POM housing does not offer this feature. Both switches showcase the impact of the housing material on sound, with POM and polycarbonate offering distinct auditory experiences.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Venus utilizes polycarbonate, which once again emphasizes a sharper and crisper sound profile. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow employs a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound. The softer plastic of nylon absorbs more sound compared to the stiffer polycarbonate, creating a duller and rounder sound. These contrasting qualities demonstrate how the choice of housing material can significantly impact the overall sound profile and typing experience of a switch, with each material offering unique characteristics that cater to different preferences.
Overall, the housing materials of the TTC Venus and the Aflion Windy Shadow each bring distinct qualities to the table, influencing the sound profile and typing experience of the switches. While the Venus showcases the unique sound of POM and polycarbonate, the Windy Shadow emphasizes the benefits of polycarbonate and nylon. Despite their differences, both switches demonstrate how the choice of housing material can impact sound, feel, and even aesthetics. Whether looking for a deeper, fuller sound or a sharper, crisper tone, the housing materials of these switches cater to a variety of preferences and typing styles.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Venus linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, it is clear that the Windy Shadow is the heavier option with a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Venus is slightly lighter with a bottom out force of 52 grams. Both switches have a similar medium-light actuation force, with the Venus requiring 45 grams and the Windy Shadow having an unknown actuation force. The actuation force is crucial for triggering keystrokes, while the bottom out force determines the pressure needed to fully depress the key. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Venus switch, ideal for longer typing or gaming sessions, while those seeking a more substantial feel may opt for the heavier bottom out force of the Windy Shadow. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and weight.
Travel distance
The Venus linear switch from TTC has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both of these switches fall into the category of shorter travel distances, which are popular among gamers for their quicker response times. However, the Windy Shadow offers a slightly shorter press compared to the Venus. If you prefer a more responsive key press, the Aflion Windy Shadow may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a bit more depth to your key press, the TTC Venus with its slightly longer travel distance may be the preferable option. Overall, both switches offer similar benefits, but the slight difference in travel distance may make one more suitable for your particular preferences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Venus has an MSRP of $7.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Venus for $5.09.
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
In terms of sound, both the TTC Venus and Aflion Windy Shadow switches have a low-pitched and neutral sound profile. The Venus switch offers a muted and subdued sound, providing a softer and quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow switch offers a neutral sound profile that is suitable for a wide range of users. Both switches offer a pleasant typing experience with their unique sound characteristics, ensuring a satisfying auditory feedback while typing.
Moving on to feel, the Venus switch is described as buttery, gummy, frictionless, mild, and polished. This combination results in a smooth and effortless typing experience, with a seamless and uniform sensation. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow switch is described as offering a mild typing experience, making it approachable to most users. While the specific feel of the Windy Shadow switch may be more subtle compared to the Venus switch, both switches provide a comfortable typing experience with a focus on smooth and gentle key presses.
Overall, when comparing the subjective qualities of the TTC Venus linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, it is evident that both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Venus switch stands out with its matte sensation, light actuation, and muted sound signature, providing a smooth and engaging typing experience. On the other hand, the Windy Shadow switch offers a medium-light typing experience with a distinctive bounce from its extended spring and a comfortable 55g bottom-out. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, users can choose between the Venus for a more engaging typing experience or the Windy Shadow for a softer and more subtle feel. Ultimately, both switches offer high-quality performance and can deliver a satisfying typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the TTC Venus linear switch and the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch, there are a few key factors to consider. If you value a unique "Q-texture" sensation with a light actuation force and muted sound, the TTC Venus may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a comfortable medium-light bottom-out force and a neutral sound profile, the Aflion Windy Shadow could be more suitable for your typing preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these switches will come down to personal preference in terms of feel and sound. Consider trying out both switches to determine which one aligns better with your typing style and preferences.
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