Aflion Foggy Shadow vs. TTC Honey
An in-depth look at the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the TTC Honey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Aflion Foggy Shadow, a tactile switch, and the TTC Honey, a linear switch, offer distinct qualities for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Foggy Shadow by Aflion boasts a light tactile bump and a medium bottom-out force of 63.5g, providing a balanced performance for users. On the other hand, the TTC Honey stands out with its smooth and creamy feel, coupled with a deep and pleasant sound profile. Each switch offers its own unique characteristics, with the Foggy Shadow being best suited for those who prefer a light tactile experience, while the Honey appeals to those who enjoy a smooth and buttery feel. 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
42g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
50g
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
Box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Spring
25.5 mm lengthened spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the TTC Honey, it is clear that both switches use polycarbonate for the top housing. This material is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. Additionally, polycarbonate's translucency makes it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting. However, the key difference lies in the bottom housing material. The Foggy Shadow utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer composition absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to the crisper sound produced by polycarbonate.
On the other hand, the TTC Honey features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which also contributes to a sharper and clearer sound profile. This means that both the top and bottom housings of the Honey are made of polycarbonate, allowing for consistency in sound characteristics throughout the switch. While the Foggy Shadow divides the sound qualities between the top and bottom housings, the Honey maintains a uniform sound profile across the entire switch. This difference in housing materials affects the overall typing experience, as the bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing impacts the sound when releasing a key.
Ultimately, the choice between the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the TTC Honey comes down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and typing experience. While both switches offer sharp, high-pitched sounds due to their polycarbonate construction, the use of nylon in the Foggy Shadow's bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound that may appeal to some users. On the other hand, the Honey's uniform polycarbonate construction ensures consistency in sound characteristics across the switch, offering a different typing experience. Whether one prefers a crisper sound or a deeper sound, both switches provide unique qualities that cater to different preferences.
Weight
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch has an actuation force of None grams, making it difficult to determine the exact force needed to trigger a keystroke, while the TTC Honey linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams. This means that the Honey switch requires less force to activate a key press compared to the Foggy Shadow. In terms of bottom out force, the Foggy Shadow requires 63.5 grams, which is considered medium-heavy, while the Honey switch has a lower bottom out force of 50 grams, which is lighter. Therefore, the Honey switch provides a lighter typing experience overall, making it more suitable for extended periods of typing or gaming, whereas the Foggy Shadow offers a more substantial typing feel for those who prefer a heavier push. Both switches offer different levels of tactile feedback and weight, allowing users to choose based on their personal preference for typing experience.
Travel distance
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the TTC Honey linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. The Foggy Shadow has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Honey switch. A 0.3 mm may not seem like much, but it can make a difference in the feel and response of the switch. Gamers who value faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Foggy Shadow, while those who prefer a deeper key press may opt for the longer travel distance of the Honey switch. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them suitable for individuals who prefer a more responsive typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
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 Honey has an MSRP of $9.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Honey for $6.78.
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 Aflion Foggy Shadow offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone with a moderate actuation force requirement that suits a variety of typing environments. On the other hand, the TTC Honey switch produces a subdued sound that is dampened and subtle when pressed, offering a more understated sound signature compared to most switches. When considering the sound aspect, both switches provide different auditory experiences that cater to individual preferences.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Aflion Foggy Shadow's tactile bump gives a tactile feedback at a 63.5g bottom-out force, offering a light and balanced typing experience without any additional detailed information available. On the contrary, the TTC Honey linear switch provides a smooth and creamy feel with a frictionless and buttery typing sensation. This translates to a silky and effortless keystroke experience that is polished and gentle on the fingers. Although specific details are lacking for the Foggy Shadow's feel, it is evident that both switches prioritize comfort and smoothness in typing.
In conclusion, the Aflion Foggy Shadow and TTC Honey switches offer distinct sound and feel profiles that cater to different preferences among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. While the Foggy Shadow leans towards a neutral and low-pitched sound with a light tactile bump, the Honey switch excels in providing a subdued and creamy typing experience with a polished and frictionless tactile feel. Ultimately, choosing between the two would depend on individual preferences for sound tone, key feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when choosing between the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the TTC Honey linear switch, it really comes down to personal preference and typing style. If you prefer a medium-heavy tactile bump with a 63.5g bottom-out force and a low-pitched sound profile, the Aflion Foggy Shadow would be a great choice for you. However, if you prefer a lighter 50g bottom-out force, a creamy and frictionless typing experience with a subdued sound profile, then the TTC Honey linear switch might be more suited to your preferences. Consider your typing habits, sound preferences, and desired feel when making your decision between these two quality mechanical keyboard switches.
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