Aflion Foggy Shadow vs. Outemu Silent Yellow
An in-depth look at the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Silent Yellow 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 Yellow offer unique experiences tailored to different preferences. The Aflion Foggy Shadow, a tactile switch, stands out for its very light tactile bump and 63.5g bottom-out force, striking a balance between responsiveness and comfort. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow, a linear switch, provides a smooth keystroke without any tactile feedback, making it ideal for those who prefer a consistent typing experience. Both switches have their own strengths and appeal to different users based on their typing style and 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
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 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
In comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Silent Yellow, both switches feature polycarbonate top housings. This means that they will both exhibit a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to polycarbonate's stiffness and clear resonant qualities. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it an excellent choice for switches intended for RGB lighting. However, when it comes to the bottom housings, the Foggy Shadow utilizes nylon while the Silent Yellow also uses nylon. This means that both switches will offer a deeper and fuller sound profile thanks to nylon's softer plastic composition that absorbs more sound.
Despite the similarities in using polycarbonate for the top housing in both switches, the choice of nylon for the bottom housing in both the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Outemu Silent Yellow sets them apart. While the use of nylon in the bottom housing of these switches creates a deeper and fuller sound when typing, the slight differences in the characteristics of each nylon bottom housing may result in nuanced variations in sound and feel. Overall, though, both switches offer a combination of clear and resonant sound from the polycarbonate top housing and a deeper, fuller sound from the nylon bottom housing.
In terms of functionality, the split housing design of these switches means that each housing material plays a specific role in determining the sound profile of the switch. The bottom housing will have a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when typing, while the top housing will affect the sound when releasing a key. This split design allows for a balanced combination of qualities from both housing materials, resulting in a unique typing experience for each switch. Ultimately, whether you choose the Aflion Foggy Shadow or the Outemu Silent Yellow, you can expect a blend of clear, sharp tones from the polycarbonate top housing and deep, resonant sounds from the nylon bottom housing.
Weight
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch have notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Foggy Shadow has a light actuation force of None grams and a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams. In contrast, the Silent Yellow has a heavier actuation force of 65 grams and a heavy bottom out force of 80 grams. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Foggy Shadow for longer typing sessions, while those who enjoy a more substantial push feel might opt for the Silent Yellow. Even though they have different force specifications, using both switches would result in a slightly similar typing experience overall. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches would depend on personal preference and typing habits.
Travel distance
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it slightly shorter than the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Foggy Shadow offers a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, which is ideal for gamers looking for faster reactions. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow provides a more substantial depth when pressed, which some users may prefer for a more tactile experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and the desired typing or gaming 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 Outemu Silent Yellow 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 offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, which provides a bass-heavy and mellow tone suitable for various environments. On the other hand, the sound characteristic of the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch is unknown, so it's hard to directly compare the two in this aspect. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch is known for its very light tactile bump and 63.5g bottom-out force, offering a balanced and medium-weight feel. As for the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, the information regarding its feel is unavailable for comparison. Without this data, it's challenging to make a direct comparison between the two switches in terms of feel.
In conclusion, the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch stands out with its low-pitched and neutral sound profile, as well as its light tactile bump and medium weight feel. While information on the sound and feel of the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch is lacking, it's safe to say that using the Foggy Shadow will likely provide a similar experience in terms of sound and feel. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches would depend on personal preference and the specific requirements of the user.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, you should consider the type of feel and sound you prefer in a mechanical keyboard switch. If you prioritize a light tactile bump and a low-pitched, neutral sound profile, the Aflion Foggy Shadow may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier bottom-out force and a linear switch without any tactile bump, the Outemu Silent Yellow might be more suitable for your typing preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on personal preference and how you prioritize feel and sound in your typing experience.
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