Aflion Foggy Shadow vs. Outemu Cold Plum
An in-depth look at the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Cold Plum switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Cold Plum offer users two distinct options to consider. The Foggy Shadow, a tactile switch from Aflion, boasts a light tactile bump with a 63.5g bottom-out force, making it a great choice for those looking for a balanced performance. On the other hand, the Cold Plum from Outemu is a linear switch that provides a unique typing experience with its thocky sound profile and fully nylon construction. While the Foggy Shadow is ideal for those who prefer a tactile feedback, the Cold Plum is perfect for enthusiasts seeking a smooth keystroke and satisfying sound. 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
60g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Cold Plum, it is clear that both switches offer unique sound profiles due to the different materials used. The Foggy Shadow's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, ideal for those seeking a more high-pitched typing experience. In contrast, the Cold Plum's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound, perfect for users looking for a more muffled and round typing sound. While both materials offer distinct sound profiles, they cater to different preferences in sound.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the nylon material used in both the Foggy Shadow and the Cold Plum provides a similar effect on the typing experience. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. This consistency in bottom housing material ensures that the typing feel and sound when bottoming out keys will be similar between the two switches. However, the difference in top housing materials between the two switches will still contribute to unique sound profiles when releasing keys.
Overall, the combination of polycarbonate and nylon housings in the Aflion Foggy Shadow results in a switch that offers a sharp and resonant click on keypresses, with a deeper and fuller sound when bottoming out due to the nylon bottom housing. On the other hand, the Outemu Cold Plum provides a more uniform typing experience with nylon top and bottom housings, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound throughout keypresses. While both switches offer their own distinct sound profiles, users can expect similar results in terms of sound and feel when it comes to bottoming out keys.
Weight
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch both fall under the medium-heavy category when it comes to their bottom out forces. The Foggy Shadow does not have a defined actuation force, making it unclear how much force is required to trigger a keystroke, while the Cold Plum has an actuation force of 60 grams. In terms of weight, the Foggy Shadow is lighter than the Cold Plum when it comes to bottom out force, with 63.5 grams compared to 70 grams. This means that the Foggy Shadow may be more suitable for users looking for a lighter typing experience, while the Cold Plum may be preferred by those who prefer a slightly heavier push feel. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on personal preference regarding actuation force and bottom out force. If the actuation force for the Foggy Shadow is similar to the Cold Plum, users can expect comparable results in terms of typing experience.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch, we find that the Foggy Shadow has a travel distance of 3.5mm, while the Cold Plum has a travel distance of 3.3mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are popular for their quick response times, particularly favored by gamers. However, the Foggy Shadow offers a slightly longer travel distance, which may provide a slightly more substantial feel when typing. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches may come down to personal preference for travel distance and the level of responsiveness desired.
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 Outemu Cold Plum comes in at $3.10 per 10 switches.
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 tactile switch provides a low-pitched and neutral tone, giving users a mellow and balanced sound profile that is suitable for various environments. On the other hand, the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch offers a thocky sound profile, which provides a unique typing experience with its satisfying and distinct sound. Depending on personal preferences and setup, users can enjoy different auditory experiences with these switches.
In regards to feel, specific information about the tactile and linear characteristics of the Foggy Shadow and Cold Plum switches is not provided. However, tactile switches like the Foggy Shadow typically offer a slight bump in keystroke feedback, while linear switches like the Cold Plum provide a smooth and consistent typing experience without the tactile bump. Users looking for a more pronounced tactile feedback may lean towards the Foggy Shadow, while those seeking a smoother keystroke may prefer the Cold Plum.
Taking all available information into consideration, the Aflion Foggy Shadow and Outemu Cold Plum switches offer different sound profiles and potentially varied tactile feels, catering to the preferences of users looking for a specific typing experience. Whether you prioritize a low-pitched sound with a light tactile bump or a thocky sound profile with a smooth keystroke, both switches provide distinct qualities that can enhance your typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preferences and the desired typing feel for each individual user.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch, consider the following guidelines: opt for the Foggy Shadow if you prioritize a light tactile bump with a medium weight bottom-out force of 63.5 grams, providing a balanced performance and a low-pitched and neutral sound profile. On the other hand, choose the Cold Plum if you seek a unique typing experience with a thocky sound profile, smooth keystrokes, and satisfying sound, along with a medium-heavy bottom-out force of 70 grams. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for typing feel, sound profile, and bottom-out force to ensure an optimal typing experience tailored to your preferences.
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