Aflion Foggy Shadow vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Foggy Shadow and Durock Sea Glass stand out as notable options with distinct characteristics. The Foggy Shadow, a tactile switch from Aflion, boasts a light tactile bump and a 63.5g bottom-out force, striking a harmonious balance of performance. On the other hand, the Sea Glass linear switch by Durock offers a unique typing experience with a proprietary material blend that imparts a dry, wispy feel despite its 62g bottom-out force, while also producing a distinctive hollow sound. Each switch has its own appeal - the Foggy Shadow for its medium weight and subtle tactile feedback, and the Sea Glass for its weightlessness and smooth yet airy typing sensation. 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
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
P3+
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Durock Sea Glass offer distinct differences in terms of sound profile and feel. The Foggy Shadow utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which results in a clear and resonant sound. On the other hand, the Sea Glass features a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing, which offers a unique sound profile that is more on the brighter side, but not particularly sharp. While both provide clarity, the Foggy Shadow's polycarbonate housing leans towards a sharper sound, whereas the Sea Glass's blend offers a brighter and more pleasant tone.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the contrast continues between the Foggy Shadow and the Sea Glass. The Foggy Shadow utilizes a nylon bottom housing, known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound and produces a duller and rounder sound, providing a different tactile experience compared to the Sea Glass. The Sea Glass, on the other hand, incorporates the same unique Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for its bottom housing, resulting in a sound profile that is pleasant and slightly brighter. This blend offers a different feel and sound quality compared to the nylon bottom housing of the Foggy Shadow.
Overall, the housing materials of the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Durock Sea Glass play a crucial role in shaping the sound profile and feel of each switch. While the Foggy Shadow's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound, the Sea Glass's blend results in a brighter and more pleasant tone. Similarly, the nylon bottom housing of the Foggy Shadow provides a deeper and fuller sound, while the blend used in the Sea Glass offers a unique tactile experience. Despite their differences, both switches showcase how the choice of housing materials can greatly impact the overall performance and user experience.
Weight
When comparing the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, it is evident that the actuation force and bottom out force play a crucial role in determining the typing experience. The Foggy Shadow has a unique actuation force of None grams, making it a lighter option compared to the Sea Glass, which requires 45 grams of force to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the Foggy Shadow exerts a heavier force of 63.5 grams, while the Sea Glass requires 62 grams. This means that the Sea Glass provides a consistent typing experience with a medium actuation and bottom out force, while the Foggy Shadow offers a lighter actuation force but a heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preferences, with lighter switches being favored for long typing sessions and heavier switches preferred for a more substantial typing experience. In this case, users can achieve similar results depending on their preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it a shorter option compared to the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, which has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. Although both switches fall within the shorter travel distance spectrum, the Sea Glass offers a slightly longer travel distance. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may lean towards the shorter travel distance of the Foggy Shadow, while those who prefer a bit more depth in their keystrokes may opt for the longer travel distance of the Sea Glass. Ultimately, both switches provide tactile feedback and a satisfying typing experience, with the choice between them coming down to personal preference in travel distance.
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 Durock Sea Glass has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Glass for $4.87.
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, creating a bass-heavy and mellow tone during typing sessions. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch offers a uniquely hollow sound signature, adding a distinct dryness and airiness to the typing experience. Both switches provide a different auditory experience, with the Foggy Shadow leaning towards a more neutral sound and the Sea Glass showcasing a more hollow sound.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Foggy Shadow's tactile bump provides a light and satisfying typing experience, although specific descriptors are not provided. On the contrary, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch boasts a frictionless feel, offering an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience with a mild actuation force requirement. The featheriness and easy-to-press nature of the Sea Glass switch make it comfortable for extended typing sessions.
Overall, both the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch have their distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Foggy Shadow excels in providing a low-pitched and balanced sound profile with a light tactile bump, the Sea Glass stands out with its unique hollow sound and frictionless feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience, but both switches promise to deliver a satisfying performance for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, consider your preferences for typing experience. If you prioritize a light tactile bump with a medium weight and low-pitched sound, the Foggy Shadow may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a unique dry and airy typing experience with a weightless feel and a frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press switch, the Sea Glass could be the perfect fit. Ultimately, both switches offer innovative features that cater to different typing styles, so choose based on your individual preferences for the ultimate typing experience.
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