Durock Black Lotus vs. Aflion Foggy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the Aflion Foggy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the durock black lotus, a linear switch, to the aflion foggy shadow, a tactile switch, there are noticeable differences in their features and performance. The black lotus is praised for its silky smooth feel and precise typing experience, while also boasting reduced housing and stem wobble for enhanced stability. With a 55g actuation weight, it offers a substantial yet manageable typing feel. On the other hand, the aflion foggy shadow stands out for its light tactile bump and 63.5g bottom-out force, striking a balance between tactility and typing ease. While the black lotus is described as silky, buttery, mild, polished, the foggy shadow is characterized as low-pitched, neutral. Choosing between the two switches ultimately depends on your personal preference and typing style; however, let's delve a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
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
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Durock Black Lotus and the Aflion Foggy Shadow both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their overall performance and sound profiles. The Black Lotus's modified PC & UPE Blend top housing provides a premium feel, while the Foggy Shadow's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. Despite these differences, both switches offer a high-quality housing material that enhances the typing experience. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing of the Foggy Shadow switch is especially advantageous for those looking to showcase RGB lighting, while the nylon bottom housing of the Black Lotus and the Foggy Shadow creates a deeper and fuller sound profile.
In terms of sound profiles, the Black Lotus and the Foggy Shadow each benefit from their respective housing materials. The Black Lotus's nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing. On the other hand, the Foggy Shadow's polycarbonate top housing produces a clearer and more resonant sound profile, particularly noticeable when releasing a key. Both switches offer a unique typing experience based on the combination of their top and bottom housing materials. While the Black Lotus emphasizes a deeper sound profile due to its nylon bottom housing, the Foggy Shadow enhances clarity and sharpness with its polycarbonate top housing.
Overall, the Durock Black Lotus and the Aflion Foggy Shadow showcase the importance of housing materials in switch design. While the Black Lotus features a modified PC & UPE Blend top housing and a nylon bottom housing, the Foggy Shadow utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing and nylon for its bottom housing. Despite these variations, both switches deliver exceptional typing experiences with unique sound profiles. Whether you prefer a deeper, fuller sound or a sharper, crisper sound, both switches offer quality housing materials that enhance the overall performance of the switch. Ultimately, the choice between the Black Lotus and the Foggy Shadow comes down to personal preference in sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch, it is clear that the Black Lotus is the lighter option with an actuation force of 55 grams, while the Foggy Shadow's actuation force is unknown. However, both switches have a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making them both medium-heavy in terms of force required to fully press the key. For those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions or gaming, the Black Lotus may be the preferred choice. On the other hand, for those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Foggy Shadow could be the better option. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of actuation force and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Durock Black Lotus linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Black Lotus has a slightly longer travel distance, making it better suited for those who prefer a deeper press when typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Foggy Shadow has a slightly shorter travel distance, which is preferred by gamers looking for faster response times. Both switches offer a different typing experience due to their varying travel distances, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Whether you opt for the shorter or longer travel distance, you can expect a reliable and consistent typing experience with either switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Black Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Black Lotus for $4.57.
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 Black Lotus is known for a neutral and potentially low-pitched sound profile, which can be further influenced by the keyboard and keycap combination. On the other hand, the Foggy Shadow offers a low-pitched sound profile, which typically lends a more bass-heavy and mellow tone to typing sessions. Both switches provide a pleasant auditory experience that is suitable for most environments, whether it be for work or leisure.
When it comes to feel, the Black Lotus is distinguished by its silky, buttery, mild, and polished typing experience, offering a smooth and refined feel with reduced friction and a gentle keypress. This provides an effortless and uniform typing sensation that is suitable for a wide range of users. In comparison, the Aflion Foggy Shadow offers a very light tactile bump and a medium 63.5g bottom-out force, striking a balance between tactility and actuation weight for a comfortable typing experience.
Overall, while the Black Lotus excels in providing a smooth and refined typing experience with its unique light column feature, reduced wobble, and moderate 55g actuation weight, the Aflion Foggy Shadow stands out for its light tactile bump and medium 63.5g bottom-out force, showcasing Aflion's commitment to balanced performance. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in sound and feel, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on individual preferences for tactility, actuation force, and sound profile.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. If you prefer a smooth typing experience with a light actuation weight and in-switch lighting, the Black Lotus may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a light tactile bump and a medium weight switch that emphasizes balanced performance, the Foggy Shadow could be the perfect fit. Consider your sound and feel preferences as well when making your decision, as these factors can greatly impact your overall typing experience. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing needs, so choose the one that aligns best with your preferences.
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