Gazzew Bobagum vs. Aflion Foggy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Gazzew Bobagum and the Aflion Foggy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Gazzew Bobagum and the Aflion Foggy Shadow stand out as unique options to consider. The Bobagum offers a smooth and almost 'matte' feel, providing an unparalleled level of tactility and a nearly silent sound profile, making it ideal for those seeking a more muted and subtle typing experience. On the other hand, the Foggy Shadow from Aflion boasts a light tactile bump with a 63.5g bottom-out force, offering a balanced performance suitable for those looking for a medium weight switch. While both switches have their strengths and qualities, such as the Bobagum's smoothness and the Foggy Shadow's light tactile bump, ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your personal preference and typing style. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel 14.5mm Korean spring
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gazzew Bobagum and the Aflion Foggy Shadow offer different sound profiles and aesthetic qualities. The Bobagum's Gazzew blend top housing is softer, providing a rich and deep sound profile, while the Foggy Shadow's polycarbonate top housing is stiffer, resulting in a sharper and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the polycarbonate top housing allows for RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, the Bobagum's proprietary Gazzew blend bottom housing offers a similar rich and deep sound profile as the top housing, while the Foggy Shadow's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile with a rounder quality due to its softer nature.
While the Gazzew blend top and bottom housings of the Bobagum provide a consistent rich and deep sound profile, the Aflion Foggy Shadow's polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing split the qualities between the top and bottom of the switch. When pressing down on the switch, the bottom housing's impact is felt in the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. The stiffer polycarbonate top housing results in a sharper sound upon release, contrasted with the rounder sound profile of the softer nylon bottom housing. Despite their differences, both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences in typing experience.
In conclusion, the choice between the Gazzew Bobagum and Aflion Foggy Shadow ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile and typing experience. The Bobagum's Gazzew blend housing provides a consistent rich and deep sound, while the Foggy Shadow's polycarbonate and nylon housings offer a mixture of sharper and rounder sound qualities. Whether one prefers a softer or stiffer housing material will dictate which switch is more suitable for their typing needs. Despite their differences, both switches are engineered to deliver high-quality sound profiles that enhance the typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
The Gazzew Bobagum linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 46 grams compared to the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch, which has an unknown actuation force. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Bobagum requires a slightly heavier 62 grams compared to the Foggy Shadow's 63.5 grams. This makes the Bobagum a lighter option for those who prefer a lighter typing experience, while the Foggy Shadow offers a slightly heavier feel for a more substantial typing experience. Both switches fall within the medium to medium-heavy range, providing a balance between typing comfort and tactile feedback for users. Whether you prefer a lighter or heavier feel, both switches offer a good range of actuation and bottom out forces to suit different preferences.
Travel distance
The Gazzew Bobagum linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, slightly longer than the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming increasingly popular, especially among gamers seeking faster response times. The Bobagum may offer a slightly deeper press than the Foggy Shadow, which could appeal to those who prefer a bit more depth in their keystrokes. Overall, the difference in travel distance between the two switches is minimal, so users can expect similar results in terms of tactile feedback and key feel.
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 Gazzew Bobagum comes in at $6.50 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 Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch offer distinct characteristics in terms of sound and feel. The Bobagum switch provides a nearly silent sound profile, described as muted, which is ideal for those seeking a quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the Foggy Shadow switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound, making it versatile for various environments. In terms of feel, the Bobagum switch offers a unique tactile experience with a subtle resistance, while the Foggy Shadow switch is noted for its light tactile bump and medium weight that strikes a balance between comfort and performance. Both switches provide different qualities that cater to different preferences, but overall, they both offer a smooth typing experience. Whether you choose the Bobagum for its silent operation or the Foggy Shadow for its balanced performance, you can expect quality results from either switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch, consider your preferences for bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a slightly lighter bottom out force of 62 grams and enjoy a smooth, almost 'matte' feel with a unique tactility and nearly silent sound profile, the Bobagum switch may be the perfect fit for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams, along with a very light tactile bump and a balanced performance in terms of weight, the Aflion Foggy Shadow switch could be the ideal choice. Ultimately, both switches offer their own unique features and benefits, so carefully consider your typing preferences before making your decision.
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