Aflion Windy Shadow vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the Aflion Windy Shadow and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Aflion's Windy Shadow and Outemu's Yellow Silver are both linear mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique features for different preferences. The Windy Shadow is known for its neutral sound profile and distinctive bounce from its extended spring, providing a comfortable medium-light 55g bottom-out experience. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switch by Outemu boasts a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, making it a favorite among gamers and typists who value speediness and responsiveness. Each switch is categorized differently in terms of pitch and feel, with the Windy Shadow being labeled as ['Low-pitched', 'Mild', 'Neutral'] and the Yellow Silver as ['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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
19.7mm double-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Aflion Windy Shadow and the Outemu Yellow Silver both feature polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its relatively stiff nature. This material is especially useful if you plan to use RGB lighting, as its translucency allows for vibrant lighting effects. The nylon bottom housing of both switches, on the other hand, elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound.
Despite both switches sharing the same materials for their top and bottom housing, the way these materials are used in each switch can affect the overall typing experience differently. The split between the qualities brought by the two housing materials means that the bottom housing will have more impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing will have more impact on the sound when releasing a key. This division of qualities can result in a unique typing experience for each switch, even though they use the same housing materials.
In conclusion, the Aflion Windy Shadow and the Outemu Yellow Silver may feature similar housing materials, but they offer distinct typing experiences due to the way these materials are utilized in each switch. The polycarbonate top housing creates a sharp and crisp sound profile, ideal for showcasing RGB lighting effects, while the nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound. Understanding how each housing material contributes to the overall typing experience can help you choose the switch that best suits your preferences.
Weight
When comparing the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, the actuation forces and bottom out forces differ slightly. The Windy Shadow has a lower actuation force of None grams, making it lighter in terms of initial keypress. In comparison, the Yellow Silver has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams, providing a slightly more substantial feel when typing. However, both switches share the same bottom out force of 55 grams, resulting in a similar resistance when fully pressing down the keys. Choosing between the two will come down to personal preference, with the Windy Shadow being the lighter option for prolonged typing sessions, while the Yellow Silver offers a bit more push for a more pronounced typing experience. Ultimately, the decision will depend on whether one prefers a lighter or heavier actuation force for their typing needs.
Travel distance
When comparing the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch to the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch in terms of travel distance, it is evident that the Windy Shadow has a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm compared to the Yellow Silver's 4 mm travel distance. The Windy Shadow's shorter travel distance may be preferred by gamers looking for faster response times, while the Yellow Silver's longer travel distance could be more suitable for those seeking a deeper key press experience. Both switches offer unique advantages based on their travel distances, with the Windy Shadow being ideal for quick actions and the Yellow Silver providing a more deliberate feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the specific intended use case.
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 Yellow Silver 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 comparing the sound of the Aflion Windy Shadow and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switches, both are noted for their neutral sound profiles, making them versatile options suitable for various environments and preferences. The Windy Shadow offers a low-pitched sound, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone, while the Yellow Silver's sound profile is also described as neutral. Ultimately, the choice between the two would come down to personal preference and the overall setup of the keyboard.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Windy Shadow is characterized by a mild typing experience, offering a gentle and approachable feel for most users. On the other hand, information on the specific feel of the Yellow Silver switch is unavailable. Given this, if the Yellow Silver switch shares a similar neutral feel to the Windy Shadow, users can expect a comparable typing experience in terms of gentleness and approachability.
In conclusion, when comparing the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, both switches offer neutral sound profiles suitable for a wide range of users. The Windy Shadow provides a low-pitched sound and a mild typing experience, while information regarding the specific sound and feel of the Yellow Silver switch is limited. For users seeking a versatile switch with a moderate actuation force and sound profile, either of these options could be a solid choice depending on individual preferences and setup requirements.
Conclusion
In summary, when deciding between the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, consider your preference for bottom-out force and sound profile. If you prefer a switch with a slightly lighter bottom-out force at 55 grams and enjoy a more low-pitched sound profile, then the Windy Shadow may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize speediness and responsiveness in gaming or typing and prefer a neutral sound profile with a light actuation force, the Outemu Yellow Silver switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and use case scenarios.
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