Aflion Foggy Shadow vs. Outemu Silent Ocean
An in-depth look at the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Silent Ocean switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Silent Ocean offer distinct features that cater to different preferences. The Foggy Shadow, a tactile switch from Aflion, stands out for its light tactile bump and 63.5g bottom-out force, striking a balance between weight and performance. On the other hand, the Silent Ocean by Outemu is a linear switch which lacks the tactile feedback of the Foggy Shadow. While the Foggy Shadow is categorized as 'Low-pitched' and 'Neutral', the Silent Ocean does not have any specific categorization. If you're looking for a switch with a light tactile bump, the Foggy Shadow might be your best bet. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother keystroke without the tactile feedback, the Silent Ocean could be the ideal choice. 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
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
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
Both the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Silent Ocean feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of the plastic. This stiffness allows for a more clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for users looking for a distinct typing experience. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is perfect for users who enjoy RGB lighting, adding a visual element to the overall look of the switches. Therefore, whether you choose the Foggy Shadow or the Silent Ocean, you can expect similar results in terms of sound profile and aesthetic appeal.
On the other hand, the bottom housings of both switches differ, with the Foggy Shadow featuring a nylon bottom housing and the Silent Ocean also utilizing nylon for its bottom housing. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its softer composition that absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. This results in a dulled and rounder sound when typing on switches with nylon bottom housings. Despite the similar choice of material for the bottom housing, the unique design and construction of each switch will still contribute to a slightly different typing experience.
When considering the impact of housing materials, it's important to note that the qualities of each material can affect different aspects of the typing experience. The bottom housing will have a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when you press down on a key, while the top housing will influence the sound when you release the key. Therefore, even though both the Foggy Shadow and Silent Ocean share similarities in their top and bottom housing materials, the overall typing experience may vary slightly based on the specific design and construction of each switch.
Weight
In comparing the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch, it is evident that the actuation and bottom out forces play a crucial role in determining the typing experience. The Foggy Shadow has no specified actuation force, making it unclear how much force is needed to trigger a keystroke, while it has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which is medium-heavy. On the other hand, the Silent Ocean has an actuation force of 45 grams, indicating a lighter touch needed to register a keypress, but a slightly heavier bottom out force of 65 grams, also falling into the medium-heavy category. The difference in actuation forces implies that the Silent Ocean may feel slightly lighter during use, while the Foggy Shadow would require a bit more pressure for the key to register. Both switches, however, fall under the medium-heavy bottom out force category, providing a similar typing experience in that regard. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for a lighter or heavier typing feel.
Travel distance
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Silent Ocean has a longer travel distance compared to the Foggy Shadow. The Silent Ocean's 4 mm travel distance falls within the traditional range, offering a more substantial keypress feel. On the other hand, the Foggy Shadow's 3.5 mm travel distance is shorter, making it a preferred choice for gamers looking for a quicker response time. Both switches provide different tactile experiences based on their travel distances, with the Silent Ocean offering a longer and more traditional keypress feel, while the Foggy Shadow provides a shorter and quicker keypress for a different typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on individual preferences for travel distance and keypress 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 Outemu Silent Ocean 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, offering a mellow and bass-heavy tone that is considered neutral in terms of actuation force requirement. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch's sound characteristics are unknown, so it is difficult to make a direct comparison in this aspect.
When it comes to feel, specific information on the Foggy Shadow's tactile feedback is not provided. Similarly, details on the feel of the Silent Ocean switch are also absent. Without this data, it is challenging to assess and compare the tactile feedback of these two switches accurately.
Overall, while the subjective qualities of the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch are detailed in terms of sound, the information on the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch is lacking. Based on the available information, it can be concluded that the Aflion Foggy Shadow switch offers a unique low-pitched sound profile with a light tactile bump, making it a solid option for those looking for a balanced and innovative switch. Without specific details on the Silent Ocean switch, it is challenging to provide a comprehensive comparison between the two switches. Ultimately, selecting between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch or the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. If you prefer a light tactile bump with a medium-heavy bottom-out force of 63.5 grams, then the Foggy Shadow is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a slightly higher bottom-out force of 65 grams and no tactile bump, then the Silent Ocean may be more suitable for you. Consider your typing habits, preferences for sound and feel, and make a decision based on what will enhance your typing experience the most. Ultimately, both switches offer unique features that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
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