Aflion Foggy Shadow vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Aflion Foggy Shadow, a tactile switch, to the Outemu Yellow Silver, a linear switch, it's clear that both offer unique advantages. The Foggy Shadow, known for its light tactile bump and medium weight, provides a balanced performance ideal for those looking for a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver from Outemu boasts a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, catering to gamers and typists seeking speediness and responsiveness. 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
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
20mm double-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Yellow Silver, it is clear that both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing. This material choice leads to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that plan to use RGB lighting. However, while both switches share this top housing material, they differ in their choice of bottom housing. The Foggy Shadow features a nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, absorbing more sound than harder plastics. In contrast, the Yellow Silver also utilizes a nylon bottom housing, providing a similar effect on sound compared to the Foggy Shadow.
Although both the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Yellow Silver share similar qualities in their top polycarbonate housing, the differences in their bottom nylon housing offer distinct characteristics to each switch. The nylon bottom housing of both switches contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. These housing materials play a vital role in the overall sound and feel of the switches when typing, with the bottom housing having a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Despite these differences, both switches offer a unique typing experience based on their housing materials.
Overall, the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Yellow Silver showcase the importance of housing materials in creating a distinct typing experience. The use of polycarbonate for the top housing in both switches results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, especially beneficial for switches using RGB lighting. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of each switch contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, bringing a unique tactile feel to typing on these switches. While the housing materials may differ slightly between the two switches, the overall goal of providing a unique and satisfying typing experience remains the same, showcasing the impact of housing materials on switch performance.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, there are clear differences in weight. The Foggy Shadow has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it medium-heavy, while its actuation force is not specified. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, which is considered medium-light. When it comes to weight preferences, some may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Yellow Silver for prolonged typing or gaming sessions, while others may enjoy the heavier bottom out force of the Foggy Shadow for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it shorter than the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Foggy Shadow provides a slightly quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a preferred choice for gamers who value speed and precision. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switch offers a deeper key press experience with its longer travel distance, which may be preferred by users who enjoy a more substantial tactile feeling when typing or gaming. Overall, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference for travel distance and the specific needs of the user.
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 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
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch is best known for its light tactile bump and a 63.5g bottom-out force, providing a balanced and medium-weight typing experience. In terms of sound, the Foggy Shadow offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, contributing to a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch is favored for its light actuation force and neutral sound profile, ideal for gamers and typists seeking speediness and responsiveness. The Yellow Silver switch also offers a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various purposes. Unfortunately, details about the feel of both switches are not provided in the provided information. Overall, while the Foggy Shadow and Yellow Silver switches differ in their tactile and linear characteristics, they both offer a balanced performance and are suitable for a range of typing preferences. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would come down to personal preference and the specific typing experience desired by the user.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, consider your preference for tactile feedback and actuation force. If you prioritize a light tactile bump and a slightly heavier bottom-out force, the Foggy Shadow may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, the Yellow Silver could be more suited to your needs. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing style and preferences for a satisfying mechanical keyboard experience.
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