Aflion Foggy Shadow vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Aflion Foggy Shadow, a tactile switch, and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream, a linear switch, offer unique features that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community. The Foggy Shadow by Aflion is praised for its light tactile bump and medium weight of 63.5g, ensuring a balanced performance for users. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch from KTT stands out for its smooth and creamy feel due to the use of POK material in both the stem and bottom housing. Additionally, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch provides a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, setting it apart from competitors. 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
43g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POK
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream, we see distinct differences in their construction. The Foggy Shadow features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound profile. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream utilizes a proprietary KTT blend top housing, providing a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. While both materials offer unique sound characteristics, the Foggy Shadow's polycarbonate is more likely to be used with RGB lighting due to its translucency, offering an added visual element.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Foggy Shadow incorporates a nylon material that produces a deep and full sound profile, thanks to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream utilizes a POK bottom housing, known for its exceptional durability and smoothness. The POK material offers wear resistance significantly stronger than POM and shock resistance surpassing both Nylon and POM, contributing to smooth and clacky switches. While both bottom housings offer unique qualities, the POK material stands out for its impressive durability and smooth feel.
Overall, the choice of housing materials plays a crucial role in defining the sound and feel of a switch. While the Foggy Shadow and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream may use different materials for their top and bottom housings, the impact of each material on the switch's sound profile is evident. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed, while the top housing has a more significant impact on the sound when a key is released. Whether it's the sharpness of polycarbonate in the Foggy Shadow or the durability of POK in the Vanilla Ice Cream, both switches offer a unique typing experience based on their housing materials.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, we find that the Foggy Shadow has a heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams compared to the Vanilla Ice Cream's 48 grams. The actuation force of the Vanilla Ice Cream is 43 grams, while the actuation force of the Foggy Shadow is not specified. This means that the Vanilla Ice Cream requires less force to trigger a keystroke, making it lighter in that regard. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Vanilla Ice Cream, while those who enjoy a bit more resistance might favor the Foggy Shadow for a more substantial typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch both have a travel distance of 3.5mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing the two switches, they both offer a consistent and satisfying typing experience due to their similar travel distances. With both switches having the same travel distance, users can expect a similar key press feel and actuation point regardless of which switch they choose to use. Overall, the travel distance of 3.5mm for both the Foggy Shadow and Vanilla Ice Cream switches provides a comfortable typing experience for users looking for a switch with a standard 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 KTT Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
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 offers a low-pitched and neutral profile, providing a mellow and moderate tone that is suitable for various typing environments. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream presents a high-pitched, marbly, and resonant sound, giving typists a sharp and crisp auditory experience that stands out from the rest. Depending on personal preference and the setup of the keyboard and keycaps, users can achieve different sound profiles with each switch.
In terms of feel, the Aflion Foggy Shadow does not have specific descriptors available. However, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream is described as buttery and creamy, offering typists a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with a seamless and effortless typing sensation. The use of high-quality materials and lubricants in the switch contribute to this silky and comfortable feel while typing. Both switches aim to provide a pleasant typing experience, with the Foggy Shadow focusing on a light tactile bump and the Vanilla Ice Cream emphasizing smoothness and creaminess in each keystroke.
Overall, while the Aflion Foggy Shadow and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream offer different sound and feel qualities, both switches are designed to enhance the typing experience for users. Depending on personal preferences for sound, tactility, and smoothness, newcomers to mechanical keyboards can choose between the light tactile bump of the Foggy Shadow or the creamy feel of the Vanilla Ice Cream to achieve their desired typing experience. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing styles and preferences, ensuring a comfortable and satisfying typing experience for users.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, consider the characteristics that best suit your typing preferences. If you enjoy a light tactile bump with a medium-heavy bottom-out force and a neutral, low-pitched sound profile, the Foggy Shadow may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and creamy linear switch with a light bottom-out force and a high-pitched, marbly, resonant sound profile, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch could be more to your liking. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing style and preferences to ensure a satisfying typing experience.
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