Gateron Aliaz vs. Aflion Foggy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Gateron Aliaz and the Aflion Foggy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Gateron Aliaz and the Aflion Foggy Shadow mechanical keyboard switches, it is evident that both offer unique features catering to different preferences. The Aliaz is ideal for quiet environments such as offices due to its silent design and medium-heavy weight, providing a substantial feel with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Foggy Shadow by Aflion offers a very light tactile bump and a 63.5g bottom-out force, striking a balance between responsiveness and comfort. While the Aliaz is silky, muted, and polished, the Foggy Shadow is low-pitched and neutral. Each switch has its own strengths and qualities, making them suitable for different typing preferences. 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
60g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
75g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Aliaz and the Aflion Foggy Shadow both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate. This material is especially favored for switches that incorporate RGB lighting, as its translucency enhances the overall aesthetics. In contrast, the Aflion Foggy Shadow utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Aliaz's polycarbonate bottom housing. Nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound that adds a different dimension to the typing experience.
While both switches have polycarbonate top housings that contribute to their sharp and clear sound profiles, the difference lies in the bottom housings. The Gateron Aliaz's polycarbonate bottom housing emphasizes the impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the Aflion Foggy Shadow's nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound and creates a deeper typing experience. This showcases how different materials in the housing of a switch can impact the overall sound and feel of typing. Whether you prefer a crisper sound or a deeper sound, each switch offers a unique typing experience based on its housing materials.
In summary, the Gateron Aliaz and the Aflion Foggy Shadow offer contrasting typing experiences due to their different bottom housing materials. The Aliaz's polycarbonate bottom housing produces a sharper and clearer sound profile, while the Foggy Shadow's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound. Both switches utilize polycarbonate top housings, enhancing their aesthetics and sound profiles. Ultimately, the choice between these switches comes down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel while typing, as the housing materials play a significant role in shaping the overall typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch, it is evident that the Aliaz is on the heavier side with an actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 75 grams. In contrast, the Foggy Shadow has a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams, although its actuation force is not specified. This means that the Aliaz requires a slightly heavier touch to trigger a keystroke and fully press down compared to the Foggy Shadow. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Foggy Shadow may be more suitable, as its bottom out force is slightly lighter than the Aliaz. However, for users who enjoy a more substantial typing feel and prefer a heavier push, the Aliaz would be the better choice. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing force and feel.
Travel distance
The Gateron Aliaz tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Aliaz has a slightly longer travel distance, making it better suited for those who prefer a bit more depth when typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Foggy Shadow offers a slightly shorter travel distance, which is ideal for users who prioritize faster response times and a more immediate feel when pressing down on the keys. Both switches provide a tactile bump during actuation, so despite the difference in travel distance, users can expect a similar tactile feedback experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Aliaz has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Aliaz for $5.50.
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.
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, the Aliaz switch is known for its muted sound profile, creating a softer and quieter typing experience ideal for office settings. On the other hand, the Foggy Shadow switch produces a low-pitched sound with a neutral tone, offering a mellow and bass-heavy typing sound suitable for various environments. Both switches provide different auditory experiences, with the Aliaz focusing on minimizing noise and the Foggy Shadow emphasizing a balanced sound profile.
When it comes to feel, the Aliaz switch stands out for its silky and polished typing experience, offering smooth key presses with minimal resistance. This polished finish enhances the overall typing feel, providing a sleek and refined typing experience. In contrast, information about the feel of the Foggy Shadow switch is not provided, but based on the 63.5g bottom-out force mentioned, we can expect a tactile bump that hits the sweet spot of medium weight, offering a satisfying typing feel without further specifics.
Considering all the available information, both the Gateron Aliaz and Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switches cater to different preferences in terms of sound and feel. The Aliaz switch excels in providing a quiet and substantial typing experience with its muted sound profile and silky, polished feel. On the other hand, the Aflion Foggy Shadow switch offers a low-pitched typing sound with a 63.5g bottom-out force for a satisfying tactile bump. Whether you prioritize a quiet typing experience or a balanced sound profile, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different user preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Aliaz and Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switches, consider your environment and typing preferences. If you work in a quiet office setting and prefer a heavier keystroke with a more pronounced feedback, the Aliaz switches with their 75g bottom-out force would be a suitable choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a lighter tactile bump with a medium weight keypress and enjoy a low-pitched sound profile, the Aflion Foggy Shadow switches with their 63.5g bottom-out force may be more to your liking. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics to enhance your typing experience, so choose based on your personal preferences and typing environment.
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