Aflion Foggy Shadow vs. SP-Star Meteor White
An in-depth look at the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the SP-Star Meteor White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Aflion Foggy Shadow, a tactile switch with a light tactile bump and a 63.5g bottom-out force, is a great choice for those who prefer a medium-weight switch that offers a balanced performance. On the other hand, the SP-Star Meteor White, a linear switch known for its gentle and subdued feel, is easy to push and produces a soft pitter-patter sound profile. While the Foggy Shadow offers a slight tactile feedback, the Meteor White provides a smooth linear experience. Both switches fall under the category of 'Neutral', but the Foggy Shadow leans towards being low-pitched while the Meteor White is described as thocky and polished. These general characteristics can help steer you towards selecting the right switch for your typing preferences, 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
63.5g
Bottom-out force
57g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the SP-Star Meteor White, it is evident that they both offer unique characteristics that influence the sound profile of the switches. The Foggy Shadow features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. On the other hand, the Meteor White uses a nylon top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile thanks to the material's softer nature and sound absorption capabilities. While both materials have their own distinct qualities, they ultimately cater to different preferences in sound profiles.
When it comes to the bottom housings of the two switches, both the Foggy Shadow and the Meteor White utilize nylon as the material of choice. This classic switch housing material contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, enhancing the overall typing experience. The softer nature of nylon allows for more sound absorption compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound that appeals to users seeking a quieter typing experience. Despite utilizing the same material for the bottom housing, the switches may still offer unique tactile and auditory feedback based on their design and construction.
Overall, the utilization of different housing materials in the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the SP-Star Meteor White showcases how material choice can significantly impact the sound profile of mechanical switches. While the Foggy Shadow's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and clearer sound, the Meteor White's nylon top housing delivers a deeper and fuller sound. Similarly, both switches feature nylon bottom housings that enhance the typing experience with their sound absorption capabilities. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches may come down to personal preference for sound profile and tactile feedback.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch, it is clear that the Foggy Shadow is the heavier option with a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, while the Meteor White is the lighter option with a bottom out force of 57 grams. The actuation force for both switches is not specified, but it can be assumed that they are similar since they are both within the tactile and linear categories. For those who prefer a more substantial typing experience, the Foggy Shadow would be the better choice due to its heavier bottom out force. On the other hand, individuals looking for a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Meteor White. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference regarding typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it slightly shorter than the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. While both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Meteor White being on the longer side and the Foggy Shadow being on the shorter side, the slight difference in travel distance may impact the overall feel and responsiveness of the switches. Gamers may prefer the Foggy Shadow for its shorter travel distance, allowing for quicker response times, while those who prefer a more tactile and deep keystroke experience may opt for the Meteor White with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance 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 SP-Star Meteor White has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Meteor White for $5.00.
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 tactile switch offers a low-pitched profile, which typically results in a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, while also being described as neutral, making it versatile for various uses. On the other hand, the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch also boasts a neutral sound profile but is further characterized as thocky, giving it a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed. Both switches offer a different sound experience, with the Foggy Shadow having a low-pitched tone and the Meteor White providing a thocky sound.
Moving on to feel, the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch has not been described in terms of feel, so it is assumed to have a standard tactile feel. On the other hand, the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch is characterized as mild, offering a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. Additionally, it is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in reduced friction and smooth key travel. This shows that the Meteor White switch prioritizes a comfortable and polished typing experience.
Overall, when comparing the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch, they offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Foggy Shadow switch provides a low-pitched sound profile with a medium tactile bump, whereas the Meteor White switch offers a thocky sound with a gentle linear feel. Both switches are neutral in their sound profile, making them suitable for various purposes. Depending on personal preference for sound and feel, users can choose between the Aflion Foggy Shadow for a mellow tone and light tactile bump, or the SP-Star Meteor White for a satisfying thocky sound and gentle linear feel. Both switches can provide a pleasant typing experience, but the choice ultimately comes down to individual preference.
Conclusion
In closing, when selecting between the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch, consider the following guidelines. Choose the Foggy Shadow if you prefer a light tactile bump with a medium-heavy bottom-out force of 63.5 grams, offering balanced performance and a low-pitched, neutral sound profile. On the other hand, opt for the Meteor White if you prefer a gentle linear switch with a medium-light bottom-out force of 57 grams, providing a soft, pitter-patter sound profile and a mild, polished typing experience. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for tactile feedback, bottom-out force, sound profile, and typing feel.
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