TTC Flame Red vs. Aflion Foggy Shadow
An in-depth look at the TTC Flame Red and the Aflion Foggy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Flame Red and the Aflion Foggy Shadow stand out as popular options. The Flame Red is praised for its stunning light diffuser, making it ideal for those who prefer a backlit, RGB keyboard setup. This linear switch offers a weighty smoothness and a clacky sound profile, categorized as neutral, mild, polished. On the other hand, the Aflion Foggy Shadow is known for its light tactile bump and 63.5g bottom-out force, striking a balance between responsiveness and comfort. Classified as low-pitched, neutral, the Foggy Shadow showcases Aflion's commitment to innovation. While the Flame Red excels in visual appeal and smooth typing experience, the Foggy Shadow offers a tactile feedback that some users prefer. 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
54g
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
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
24.5mm long spring
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Flame Red and the Aflion Foggy Shadow differ significantly in terms of sound profiles. The Flame Red's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer plastic, absorbing more sound and resulting in a duller and rounder tone. In contrast, the Foggy Shadow's polycarbonate top housing yields a sharper, higher-pitched sound with its stiffer plastic, producing a more clear and resonant profile. While the Flame Red offers a more muffled typing experience, the Foggy Shadow provides a crisper and more defined sound when typing on the switches.
Despite their differences in top housing materials, both the Flame Red and the Foggy Shadow share a nylon bottom housing, leading to a consistent deep and full sound profile when typing. The softness of nylon absorbs sound effectively, creating a similar dull and round sound for both switches when bottoming out keys. This similarity in bottom housing material ensures a cohesive typing experience regardless of the differences in their top housing materials. However, the top housing material still plays a significant role in the overall sound quality of the switches, influencing the sound when the keys are released.
In terms of aesthetics, the translucent nature of the polycarbonate top housing in the Foggy Shadow allows for enhanced RGB lighting effects, making it a popular choice for users interested in customizable lighting features. On the other hand, the opaque nylon top housing of the Flame Red may limit lighting options but offers a more classic and understated look. While both switches offer unique sound profiles based on their housing materials, the decision between the Flame Red and the Foggy Shadow ultimately comes down to personal preferences in sound, feel, and aesthetics.
Weight
The TTC Flame Red linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch, which has an unknown actuation force. However, the Flame Red has a heavier bottom out force of 54 grams in contrast to the Foggy Shadow's bottom out force of 63.5 grams. Both switches provide different typing experiences due to their varying actuation and bottom out forces. Individuals who prefer a lighter keystroke may gravitate towards the Flame Red, which allows for longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, those seeking a more substantial typing experience may opt for the Foggy Shadow, with its heavier bottom out force providing a firmer push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The TTC Flame Red linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that the Flame Red has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Foggy Shadow. The Flame Red offers a traditional and slightly deeper key press experience, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial feel when typing. On the other hand, the Foggy Shadow provides a shorter travel distance, which can be beneficial for gamers or those looking for quicker response times. Both switches offer unique advantages based on personal preferences, with the Flame Red being the longer option and the Foggy Shadow being the shorter option. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual typing preferences and requirements.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Flame Red has an MSRP of $7.29 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Flame Red for $4.38.
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 Flame Red linear switch offers a weighty smoothness and clacky sound profile, making them ideal for those who prefer a tactile typing experience. The visual appeal of the dazzling light diffuser also makes them perfect for backlit, RGB keyboards. On the other hand, the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch provides a very light tactile bump with a medium weight bottom-out force of 63.5g, showcasing Aflion's commitment to balanced performance in their switch lineup.
When it comes to sound, the Flame Red switch is classified as having a neutral sound profile, suitable for a wide range of users in various settings. In comparison, the Foggy Shadow switch offers a low-pitched sound with a neutral profile, providing a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. The choice between the two would depend on individual preferences and the overall setup of the keyboard.
In terms of feel, the Flame Red switch is described as mild and polished, offering a gentle typing experience with a smooth and refined finish. This results in reduced friction and smooth key travel, appealing to a wide range of users. Unfortunately, there is no specific description available for the feel of the Aflion Foggy Shadow switch, but it can be assumed that it provides a unique tactile experience with its light tactile bump.
In conclusion, both the Flame Red linear switch and the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Flame Red excels in visual appeal and weighty smoothness, the Foggy Shadow stands out for its light tactile bump and medium weight bottom-out force. Depending on personal preferences and typing style, users can choose between the two switches to enhance their typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a medium-light feel and a weighty smoothness for a backlit, RGB keyboard, the TTC Flame Red linear switch would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy tactile switch with a light tactile bump and balanced performance, the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch is the way to go. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your typing preferences and the overall typing experience you are looking for. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so choose wisely based on your specific needs.
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