Aflion Foggy Shadow vs. TTC Gold Brown Pro
An in-depth look at the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the TTC Gold Brown Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Aflion Foggy Shadow and TTC Gold Brown Pro are both tactile mechanical keyboard switches that cater to different preferences. The Foggy Shadow by Aflion offers a very light tactile bump and a 63.5g bottom-out force, providing a balanced and medium-weight typing experience. In contrast, the TTC Gold Brown Pro is designed for users who prefer subtle, nuanced feedback with a gentle tactile bump and a subdued sound profile. While the Foggy Shadow is best suited for those looking for a tactile switch with a light bump, the Gold Brown Pro is ideal for individuals who value understated tactile experiences. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
NPI
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Spring
18mm spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Foggy Shadow and the TTC Gold Brown Pro both feature polycarbonate top housings, which are known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The relatively stiff nature of polycarbonate plastic leads to a clear and resonant sound, making it an ideal material for enhancing sound quality in mechanical switches. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is particularly beneficial for switches intended for use with RGB lighting, as it allows light to shine through the top housing, creating visually appealing effects.
In terms of the bottom housing material, both the Foggy Shadow and the Gold Brown Pro utilize nylon. Nylon is a classic switch housing material that contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This creates a unique typing experience for users, with a more muted and soothing sound compared to switches with harder bottom housing materials.
While the top and bottom housing materials of the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the TTC Gold Brown Pro differ, their overall sound profiles are likely to be quite similar. The split between the qualities of the bottom and top housing materials means that the typing experience will be influenced by both the deeper, fuller sound of the nylon bottom housing and the sharper, crisper sound of the polycarbonate top housing. Ultimately, both switches offer a balance of sound characteristics that cater to different preferences, with the choice between nylon and polycarbonate allowing users to customize their typing experience to suit their individual preferences.
Weight
Comparing the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switches, the actuation force and bottom out force vary between the two. The Foggy Shadow has no specified actuation force, making it difficult to determine the exact force required to trigger a keystroke. However, it has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which falls into the medium-heavy category. On the other hand, the Gold Brown Pro has an actuation force of 45 grams, indicating a lighter touch needed to activate a key press. The bottom out force for the Gold Brown Pro is not provided. In terms of weight, the Foggy Shadow is heavier due to its bottom out force, while the Gold Brown Pro is lighter in terms of actuation force. This difference in force requirements can impact the typing experience for users who prefer either a lighter or heavier touch when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and force sensitivity.
Travel distance
Comparing the travel distance of the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switch, we see that the Foggy Shadow has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm compared to the Gold Brown Pro's 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of short travel distances, which are popular among gamers for quicker responses. The Foggy Shadow's 3.5 mm distance may provide a slightly faster keypress compared to the Gold Brown Pro's 3.8 mm distance. However, the difference in travel distance between the two switches may not be very noticeable to some users. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for typing or gaming experience.
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 TTC Gold Brown Pro has an MSRP of $6.11 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Brown Pro for $2.90.
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 Aflion Foggy Shadow offers a low-pitched and neutral profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone that is suitable for various settings and preferences. On the other hand, the TTC Gold Brown Pro presents a thocky, low-pitched, and neutral sound profile, emphasizing a deep and satisfying tone with a moderate actuation force. Both switches offer different sound experiences, with the Foggy Shadow catering to a more balanced and mellow sound preference, while the Gold Brown Pro delivers a rich and deep thocky sound.
In terms of feel, the information provided for the Aflion Foggy Shadow is unknown, so we cannot compare it to the detailed descriptions of the TTC Gold Brown Pro. The Gold Brown Pro is described as polished, silky, mild, subtle, and stepped, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with gentle resistance and subtle tactility. These qualities ensure a comfortable and quiet typing experience, making it ideal for those who prefer a softer touch and understated tactile feedback. Without specific details on the feel of the Foggy Shadow, it is difficult to make a direct comparison in this aspect.
Overall, the Aflion Foggy Shadow and TTC Gold Brown Pro switches offer distinct sound profiles with different levels of tactility and feedback. The Foggy Shadow focuses on a balanced and neutral sound with a light tactile bump, while the Gold Brown Pro emphasizes a thocky sound with nuanced feedback for immersive typing sessions. If you prefer a mellow and neutral sound with a gentle tactile bump, the Foggy Shadow might be a suitable choice. In contrast, if you value a deep and satisfying thocky sound with subtle tactility, the Gold Brown Pro could be the switch for you. Ultimately, both switches provide unique typing experiences that cater to different preferences, so it is important to consider your priorities in sound and feel when choosing between the two.
Conclusion
In summary, when deciding between the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prefer a light tactile bump with a medium-heavy bottom-out force of 63.5 grams, opt for the Foggy Shadow for balanced performance and innovative design from Aflion. On the other hand, if you seek a nuanced, subtle tactile feedback with a focus on immersive typing experiences, the TTC Gold Brown Pro with an unavailable bottom-out force may be the ideal choice for you. Additionally, if you prefer a low-pitched sound profile for a more mellow tone, the Foggy Shadow is a suitable option. Conversely, if you enjoy a thocky, low-pitched sound with a neutral feel for minimal distraction, the Gold Brown Pro is worth considering. Ultimately, your choice should align with your preferences for tactile feedback, sound profile, and typing experience to enhance your overall satisfaction with your mechanical keyboard switch selection.
Mentioned in this article
