Aflion Foggy Shadow vs. Everglide Oreo
An in-depth look at the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Everglide Oreo switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Everglide Oreo are both tactile switches that offer unique features to enhance your typing experience. The Foggy Shadow prides itself on its light tactile bump and medium weight, promising a balanced performance for users. On the other hand, the Oreo delights with a crisp tactile bump at the top and a cushioned sensation when bottoming out, providing a comfortable typing experience with a subtle, mellow sound profile. While the Foggy Shadow offers a neutral sound profile, the Oreo is categorized as accented, chirpy, and stepped. Both switches have their own strengths and appeal, so choosing between them will depend on your personal preferences and typing style. 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
55g
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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Everglide Oreo, it is evident that they both feature polycarbonate top housings. This material choice results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to polycarbonate's stiffness and clarity. Both switches also benefit from the translucency of polycarbonate, making them suitable for RGB lighting. However, the difference lies in the bottom housing material. The Foggy Shadow utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which provides a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound with its softer plastic composition. On the other hand, the Oreo features a polycarbonate bottom housing, continuing the trend of sharp, clear sound reproduction typical of this material.
The contrasting bottom housing materials of nylon in the Foggy Shadow and polycarbonate in the Oreo offer distinct sound profiles. The nylon bottom housing of the Foggy Shadow creates a duller and rounder sound compared to the crisper and higher-pitched sound produced by the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Oreo. Typing on the Foggy Shadow may elicit a more muted and absorbing sound, while typing on the Oreo could result in a more resonant and clear typing experience. This difference in bottom housing materials showcases how the material composition can significantly impact the overall sound and feel of a switch.
Ultimately, the choice between the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Everglide Oreo comes down to personal preference in sound profile and typing experience. Both switches feature polycarbonate top housings for a sharp and clear sound, but the variation in bottom housing materials significantly alters the overall typing feel. Whether one prefers the deep and absorbing sound of nylon in the Foggy Shadow or the crisp and resonant sound of polycarbonate in the Oreo, both switches offer unique typing experiences that cater to different preferences in sound and feel.
Weight
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Everglide Oreo tactile switch have different actuation and bottom out forces. The Foggy Shadow has an actuation force of None grams, while the Oreo has an actuation force of 45 grams, making the Oreo lighter in this aspect. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Foggy Shadow requires 63.5 grams, whereas the Oreo needs 55 grams, making the Oreo the lighter option once again. The Foggy Shadow provides a medium-heavy typing experience, while the Oreo offers a medium-light feel. Both switches have their own advantages, with the Foggy Shadow providing a more substantial typing experience due to its higher bottom out force, while the Oreo allows for longer typing sessions with its lighter actuation force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, which is shorter than the Everglide Oreo tactile switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. With a difference of only 0.5 mm, both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances for mechanical switches. The Foggy Shadow may be preferred by gamers looking for quicker response times due to its shorter travel distance, while the Oreo may appeal to those who prefer a slightly deeper keystroke feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing 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 Everglide Oreo has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Oreo for $4.19.
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, which provides a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. This makes them suitable for a variety of environments and typing preferences. On the other hand, the Everglide Oreo boasts a unique chirpy sound that adds character to each keystroke, setting them apart from other switches. The subtle mellow sound profile of the Oreo adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the typing experience, making them a delightful choice for those who appreciate a bit of flair in their keyboard setup.
When it comes to feel, the Aflion Foggy Shadow offers a light tactile bump with a 63.5g bottom-out force, providing a balanced typing experience that falls in the medium weight category. Unfortunately, specific descriptors for the feel of the Foggy Shadow are not available at this time. On the other hand, the Everglide Oreo is described as accented and stepped, offering a medium light tactility that strikes a perfect balance between satisfying feedback and comfortable typing. The distinct tactile feel of the Oreo switches provides a unique sensation with each keystroke, enhancing the overall typing experience for users.
Taking all the available information into account, both the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Everglide Oreo offer impressive qualities in the realm of mechanical keyboard switches. While the Foggy Shadow excels in its low-pitched and neutral sound profile, the Oreo shines with its chirpy sound and accented, stepped tactile feel. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches will come down to personal preference in sound and feel, with both options offering a satisfying typing experience for newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts alike.
Conclusion
In summary, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium-heavy bottom-out force and a light tactile bump, the Aflion Foggy Shadow switches would be a great choice for you. These switches provide a balanced performance and offer a low-pitched sound profile, making them suitable for various typing environments. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light bottom-out force with a crisp and responsive tactile bump, the Everglide Oreo switches would be more up your alley. These switches offer a delightful typing experience with a mellow sound profile and accented, stepped feel. Ultimately, your decision between the Aflion Foggy Shadow and Everglide Oreo switches will depend on your preference for bottom-out force, tactile feedback, sound profile, and typing feel.
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