Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Aflion Foggy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Aflion Foggy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Aflion Foggy Shadow mechanical keyboard switches, it's clear that they both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Crystal Violet stands out for its light operating force of 45g, providing a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience for those who prefer a gentle and comfortable feel. On the other hand, the Foggy Shadow from Aflion offers a very light tactile bump and a 63.5g bottom-out force, striking a balance between weight and performance. While the Crystal Violet has a creamy and low-pitched sound profile, the Foggy Shadow leans towards neutrality in its auditory experience. 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
55g
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
ABS
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
ABS
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 Everglide Crystal Violet and the Aflion Foggy Shadow have different housing materials for their top and bottom housing. The Crystal Violet features an ABS top housing, while the Foggy Shadow boasts a polycarbonate top housing. ABS is relatively rare in switch housings and provides a low-pitched sound profile, whereas polycarbonate is stiffer and creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. The translucent nature of polycarbonate also makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Crystal Violet's ABS bottom housing offers a similar low-pitched sound profile, while the Foggy Shadow's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound.
In terms of sound profiles, the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Aflion Foggy Shadow offer contrasting experiences due to their different housing materials. The Crystal Violet's ABS housing creates a relatively low-pitched sound when typing, while the Foggy Shadow's polycarbonate housing produces a sharper, higher-pitched and crisper sound. The nylon bottom housing of the Foggy Shadow contributes to a deeper and fuller sound, while the ABS bottom housing of the Crystal Violet maintains a relatively low-pitched profile. These housing materials play a significant role in shaping the overall typing experience and sound feedback of each switch.
Despite their differences in housing materials, both the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Aflion Foggy Shadow offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences. The use of ABS in the Crystal Violet and polycarbonate in the Foggy Shadow create distinct typing experiences, with ABS providing a softer sound and polycarbonate offering a crisper sound. Additionally, the nylon bottom housing of the Foggy Shadow absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile, while the ABS bottom housing of the Crystal Violet maintains a more consistent low-pitched sound. Overall, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound profile and typing feel.
Weight
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch, which has an unknown actuation force. Both switches have a bottom out force, with the Crystal Violet being lighter at 55 grams and the Foggy Shadow being heavier at 63.5 grams. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Crystal Violet due to its lower actuation and bottom out forces. In contrast, the Foggy Shadow would appeal to those who prefer a more substantial push feel while typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In this case, the Crystal Violet has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Foggy Shadow. A 4.0mm travel distance is considered more traditional, providing a deeper key press feel, while a 3.5mm travel distance is slightly shallower. Gamers may prefer the Foggy Shadow for its faster response time due to the shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may lean towards the Crystal Violet. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the intended usage.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Crystal Violet has an MSRP of $7.08 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Crystal Violet for $4.19.
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
The Everglide Crystal Violet switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, creating a mellow and pleasant auditory experience. On the other hand, the Aflion Foggy Shadow switch also produces a low-pitched and neutral sound, providing a similar sound profile to the Crystal Violet switch. Moving on to the feel, the Crystal Violet switch is known for its creamy and mild tactile experience, offering a smooth and gentle typing sensation with a stepped tactile feel. Unfortunately, information on the feel of the Aflion Foggy Shadow switch is unavailable. Overall, if you prefer a light operating force and a relaxed typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile, both the Everglide Crystal Violet and Aflion Foggy Shadow switches may provide similar results for your mechanical keyboard needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are looking for a lighter tactile switch with a gentle and relaxed typing experience, the Everglide Crystal Violet may be the ideal choice for you. With a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams, these switches offer a creamy and mild feel, perfect for those who prefer a softer touch when typing. Additionally, the low-pitched sound profile of the Crystal Violet switches adds to the overall pleasant typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier tactile bump and bottom out force, the Aflion Foggy Shadow with a bottom out force of 63.5 grams may be more suitable for you. These switches offer a neutral sound profile and hit the sweet spot of medium weight, providing a balanced and satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, your decision between the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Aflion Foggy Shadow will depend on your personal preference for typing feel and sound, so choose the switch that aligns best with your typing preferences.
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