Aflion Foggy Shadow vs. Outemu Silent Green
An in-depth look at the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Silent Green switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are various options to choose from based on individual preferences. The Aflion Foggy Shadow is a tactile switch that has quickly gained popularity in the market. Known for its light tactile bump and a bottom-out force of 63.5g, these switches strike a balance between responsiveness and comfort. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Green is a linear switch, offering a smooth keypress without any tactile bump or audible click. While the Silent Green may lack in tactile feedback compared to the Foggy Shadow, it provides a quieter typing experience. 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
60g
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Silent Green, we can see that both switches feature polycarbonate in their top housing. This material results in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffness, creating a clear and resonant sound. This makes them ideal for switches that plan to use RGB lighting, as the translucency of polycarbonate allows the lighting to shine through. However, while both switches share this common material in their top housing, the Foggy Shadow utilizes nylon in its bottom housing, creating a deeper and fuller sound when typing. In contrast, the Silent Green maintains polycarbonate in its bottom housing, emphasizing a sharper and crisper sound profile similar to its top housing.
One significant difference between the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Silent Green lies in their bottom housing material. The Foggy Shadow's nylon bottom housing provides a softer and more absorbent quality, resulting in a deeper and rounder sound profile during typing. In contrast, the Silent Green maintains a polycarbonate bottom housing, which emphasizes a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile similar to its top housing. This contrast highlights how the choice of bottom housing material can significantly impact the overall sound and feel of a switch.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in a switch plays a crucial role in determining its sound profile and tactile feedback. In both the Foggy Shadow and the Silent Green, the top housing material influences the sound when pressing down on a key, while the bottom housing material impacts the bottom-out sound and feel. While the Foggy Shadow offers a deeper and fuller sound profile with its nylon bottom housing, the Silent Green provides a sharper and crisper sound profile throughout. Understanding the differences between these housing materials can help users choose the switch that best suits their preferences for typing and gaming experiences.
Weight
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch features a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, providing a medium-heavy resistance when typing. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Green linear switch offers a bottom out force of 60 grams, which is slightly lighter. While the actuation force of the Foggy Shadow is not specified, the Silent Green requires 45 grams of force for actuation, making it lighter in that aspect as well. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended use, the Outemu Silent Green may be the better choice. However, for users who enjoy a more substantial push feel, the Aflion Foggy Shadow would be the preferred option. Ultimately, selecting between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing intensity.
Travel distance
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch offers a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it shorter than the Outemu Silent Green linear switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Foggy Shadow provides a slightly quicker press response compared to the Silent Green. For those who prefer a faster typing experience or gaming response time, the Foggy Shadow may be the better option. On the other hand, the Silent Green offers a slightly deeper key press, which can be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial feeling when typing. Both switches offer a different typing experience based on their travel distance, catering to the preferences of individual users.
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 Silent Green 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
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch is known for its low-pitched sound profile, which offers a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. This, coupled with its neutral sound profile, makes it a versatile option suitable for various settings and user preferences. In terms of feel, the Foggy Shadow offers a very light tactile bump with a 63.5g bottom-out force, providing a balanced performance that caters to users looking for a medium-weight switch. On the other hand, little information is available regarding the sound and feel of the Outemu Silent Green linear switch. However, based on the information provided about the Foggy Shadow, it can be inferred that the Silent Green may offer a similar experience in terms of sound and feel, providing users with a smooth and quiet typing experience. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, and users can expect a satisfying typing experience with either option.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Green linear switch, consider the level of tactile feedback you prefer. If you enjoy a light tactile bump and medium-heavy bottom-out force, the Foggy Shadow may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a medium bottom-out force and no tactile bump, the Silent Green could be the more suitable option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on personal preference and the type of typing experience you are looking for in your mechanical keyboard.
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