Bsun Avocado vs. Aflion Foggy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Bsun Avocado and the Aflion Foggy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Bsun Avocado and the Aflion Foggy Shadow mechanical keyboard switches, it is clear that both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Avocado is renowned for its refreshing tactile experience, featuring a snappy and responsive bump followed by a smooth downstroke. This switch provides satisfying feedback without overwhelming the user and has a mild, neutral sound profile. On the other hand, the Foggy Shadow by Aflion offers a light tactile bump and a medium bottom-out force of 63.5g, showcasing a commitment to balanced performance. While the Avocado is characterized as 'Accented', 'Invigorating', 'Sharp', and 'Snappy', the Foggy Shadow is 'Low-pitched' and 'Neutral'. Each switch has its own strengths and appeal, making them suitable for different user 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
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The primary difference between the housing materials of the Bsun Avocado and the Aflion Foggy Shadow lies in their top housing materials. Both keyboards utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a stiff plastic that creates a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. However, while both keyboards share this feature, the Avocado has a nylon bottom housing, which provides a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Foggy Shadow's polycarbonate bottom housing.
Despite both keyboards featuring polycarbonate top housing, the Bsun Avocado's nylon bottom housing sets it apart from the Aflion Foggy Shadow. The nylon bottom housing of the Avocado contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on the Avocado compared to the Foggy Shadow. While the top housing primarily impacts the sound upon releasing a key, the qualities of the bottom housing are felt during typing and bottoming out, highlighting the importance of both housing materials in the overall typing experience.
In conclusion, while the Bsun Avocado and the Aflion Foggy Shadow share polycarbonate top housing, their bottom housing materials set them apart in terms of sound profile. The Avocado's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile, whereas the Foggy Shadow's polycarbonate bottom housing may result in a sharper and higher-pitched sound. The split in housing materials between the top and bottom of the switch showcases how different plastics can impact the overall typing experience, highlighting the importance of material choice in keyboard construction.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Bsun Avocado tactile switch and the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch, we can see that the Avocado has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Foggy Shadow which has an unknown actuation force. However, the bottom out force of the Avocado at 65 grams is heavier than the bottom out force of the Foggy Shadow at 63.5 grams. Both switches fall into the medium-heavy category, providing a substantial typing experience. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Avocado for longer typing sessions, while those who enjoy a stronger push feel may opt for the Foggy Shadow. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Bsun Avocado tactile switch and the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch both have relatively short travel distances compared to traditional switches. The Avocado has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Foggy Shadow has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.5 mm. While the difference of 0.1 mm may seem minimal, it can impact the feel and responsiveness of the switch. Gamers who value quick response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Avocado, while those who prefer a more substantial keypress may opt for the slightly longer travel distance of the Foggy Shadow. Ultimately, both switches offer a unique feel and experience to cater to different preferences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Avocado has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Avocado for $4.00.
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
When it comes to sound, the BSUN Avocado tactile switch is known for its neutral and unobtrusive sound signature, providing a pleasant background noise to the typing experience. In contrast, the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch is described as having a low-pitched sound profile, which typically offers a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. Both switches aim to provide a satisfying auditory experience while typing, allowing for a personalized preference based on the desired sound profile.
Turning to the tactile feel, the BSUN Avocado switch is widely recognized for its invigorating and sharp tactile feedback that delivers a snappy and reactive sensation with each keypress. The switch falls into the category of accented switches, offering a medium level of tactility that is neither too intense nor too subtle. On the other hand, the Aflion Foggy Shadow switch is advertised as having a very light tactile bump with a medium 63.5g bottom-out force, striking a balance between subtle feedback and tactile satisfaction. While the Avocado switch promotes a more pronounced and intense tactile experience, the Foggy Shadow switch provides a gentler tactile response for a different typing sensation.
In conclusion, the BSUN Avocado and Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switches present unique characteristics in terms of sound and feel to cater to various preferences within the mechanical keyboard community. If you are seeking a switch with a neutral sound profile and sharp tactile feedback, the Avocado switch may be the ideal choice. Conversely, if you prefer a low-pitched sound and a lighter tactile bump, the Foggy Shadow switch could appeal to you. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Bsun Avocado tactile switch and the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch, consider the type of tactile experience you prefer. If you enjoy a pronounced tactile bump with a buttery downstroke and a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Avocado would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a light tactile bump with a slightly lower bottom out force, the Foggy Shadow might be more to your liking. Both switches offer a neutral sound profile, so the decision comes down to the level of tactility that suits your typing style best. Ultimately, whether you go for the invigorating and sharply tactile Avocado or the lightly tactile and snappy Foggy Shadow, both switches provide unique and satisfying typing experiences tailored to different preferences.
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