Aflion Foggy Shadow vs. Outemu Silent Yellow Jade
An in-depth look at the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade both stand out as popular tactile options. The Aflion Foggy Shadow, known for its light tactile bump and 63.5g bottom-out force, offers a balanced and medium-weight typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade boasts a quiet and tactile typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound, thanks to its unique translucent jade yellow housing and punchy tactile bump. Both switches cater to those looking for a tactile typing experience, but the Foggy Shadow emphasizes a lighter tactile bump while the Silent Yellow Jade focuses on a quieter operation. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade both use nylon for their bottom housing, which leads to a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. This is due to nylon being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. However, while the Foggy Shadow uses polycarbonate for its top housing, providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, the Silent Yellow Jade continues with nylon for its top housing, resulting in a similar deep and full sound profile.
In terms of aesthetics, the Foggy Shadow's polycarbonate top housing allows for translucency, making it ideal for RGB lighting effects. This creates a visually appealing switch that can enhance the overall look of a keyboard setup. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow Jade's nylon top housing may not offer the same visual appeal as the translucent polycarbonate, but it still provides a reliable and classic switch housing material that focuses more on the sound profile rather than aesthetics.
Overall, while both switches offer a deep and full sound profile due to their nylon bottom housing, the choice between the polycarbonate top housing of the Foggy Shadow and the nylon top housing of the Silent Yellow Jade comes down to personal preference. If you prioritize a sharper and crisper sound profile and enjoy RGB lighting effects, the Foggy Shadow may be the better choice. However, if you prefer a classic switch with a focus on sound quality over aesthetics, the Silent Yellow Jade could be the ideal option for you.
Weight
When comparing the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, the actuation force and bottom out force differ between the two. The Foggy Shadow has no specified actuation force, while the Silent Yellow Jade has an actuation force of 50 grams. In terms of bottom out force, the Foggy Shadow requires 63.5 grams, while the Silent Yellow Jade needs 65 grams. Therefore, the Silent Yellow Jade is lighter in terms of actuation force, but slightly heavier for bottom out force compared to the Foggy Shadow. Both switches fall into the medium-heavy category for bottom out force. Ultimately, individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Silent Yellow Jade, while those who prefer a bit more resistance may opt for the Foggy Shadow for a more substantial typing feel.
Travel distance
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. In this case, the Foggy Shadow has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Silent Yellow Jade. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them suitable options for those seeking faster response times, such as gamers. The 0.2 mm difference in travel distance may not be noticeable to all users, but for some, it could impact the feel of the key press. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and tactile feedback.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Foggy 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 Foggy Shadow for $3.91.
The Outemu Silent Yellow Jade comes in at $3.10 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 Aflion Foggy Shadow offers a low-pitched and neutral typing experience, providing a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches deliver a unique "thocky" sound, offering a quiet and satisfying typing experience with a punchy tactile bump. Depending on the choice of board and keycaps, both switches can provide a pleasant sound profile, but the Foggy Shadow leans towards a more low-pitched tone while the Silent Yellow Jade has a distinct "thocky" sound.
In terms of feel, specific information on the tactile experience of the Foggy Shadow and Silent Yellow Jade switches is not available. However, based on the descriptions provided, the Foggy Shadow features a very light tactile bump with a 63.5g bottom-out force, while the Silent Yellow Jade offers a punchy tactile bump for a satisfying typing experience. Both switches aim to provide a tactile response for users who prefer that feedback while typing.
Overall, the Aflion Foggy Shadow and Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches each offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. Depending on personal preference for sound profiles and tactile feedback, individuals can choose between the low-pitched, neutral sound of the Foggy Shadow or the "thocky" sound of the Silent Yellow Jade. Both switches aim to provide a balanced performance and a satisfying typing experience, catering to different preferences within the mechanical keyboard community.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch or the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, you should first consider your preference for bottom-out force. Both switches have a bottom-out force of 63.5 grams, making them medium-heavy switches. If you are looking for a light tactile bump and a low-pitched, neutral sound profile, the Foggy Shadow may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a quiet typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound and a punchy tactile bump, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch may be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound characteristics.
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