Aflion Foggy Shadow vs. Haimu Viola Tricolor

Overview

The Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Haimu Viola Tricolor are two distinct mechanical keyboard switches, both offering tactile feedback but with different characteristics. Aflion's Foggy Shadow stands out for its light tactile bump and medium weight of 63.5g, showcasing a balanced performance that aligns with Aflion's commitment to innovation. On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor boasts a thuddy and punchy sound profile, adding character to typing with pronounced tactility that remains satisfying without being overwhelming. While both switches offer tactile feedback, the Foggy Shadow leans towards a more neutral feel, while the Viola Tricolor presents an invigorating and bassy 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

Aflion Foggy Shadow Tactile

Haimu Viola Tricolor Tactile

$5.50

$3.91 per 10

$6.60

$3.09 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

Both the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Haimu Viola Tricolor feature polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it particularly useful for switches with RGB lighting. However, when it comes to the bottom housing material, the Foggy Shadow uses nylon, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Viola Tricolor also utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, resulting in a similar typing experience in terms of sound depth and fullness.

In terms of aesthetics and functionality, both the Foggy Shadow and the Viola Tricolor benefit from the use of polycarbonate top housing for its clear and translucent qualities. This allows for better RGB lighting effects and a modern look. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing in both switches provides a softer feel and absorbs more sound, resulting in a more muted and rounded sound profile. While the top housing influences the sound when pressing and releasing a key, the bottom housing's impact is felt more during the bottom-out sound and feel, demonstrating how the choice of housing material can affect the overall typing experience.

Overall, the similarities between the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Haimu Viola Tricolor in terms of their housing materials result in comparable sound profiles and typing experiences. Both switches offer a balance of sharpness and depth in sound, with the polycarbonate top housing enhancing clarity and resonance, while the nylon bottom housing contributes to a fuller and softer typing experience. Whether you prefer the Foggy Shadow or the Viola Tricolor, you can expect consistent performance and quality due to their shared use of polycarbonate and nylon housing materials.

Weight

The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch have similar actuation forces and bottom out forces. Both switches have an actuation force of None grams, meaning it is unknown, and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which is considered medium-heavy. In terms of weight, both switches fall into the same category, offering a balance between typing for long periods without fatigue and providing a solid push feel for a more substantial typing experience. This makes them suitable for a variety of uses, whether it be for work or gaming. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches may come down to personal preference in terms of feel and overall typing experience.

Travel distance

The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. This means that the Viola Tricolor has a slightly deeper key press compared to the Foggy Shadow. Both of these switches fall within the shorter travel distance range, making them suitable for gamers who prioritize faster response times. However, if you prefer a more substantial key press with a bit more depth, the Viola Tricolor may be the better option for you. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will come down to personal preference and whether you prefer a shorter or slightly longer travel distance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Aflion Foggy Shadow offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a mellow tone that is suitable for various environments. On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches deliver a bassy and low-pitched sound, adding depth and richness to key presses. Both switches offer distinct sound characteristics, with the Foggy Shadow leaning towards a more neutral tone and the Viola Tricolor providing a deeper bass note during typing.

When it comes to feel, the Foggy Shadow's tactile bump is described as light, offering a balanced tactile experience with its 63.5g bottom-out force. Unfortunately, specific details on the feel of the Viola Tricolor are not provided. However, based on the descriptors of being accented and invigorating, we can infer that the Viola Tricolor offers a moderate yet satisfying tactile feedback without being overwhelming or subtle. Both switches aim to provide a tactile typing experience that enhances user engagement and satisfaction.

In conclusion, the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Haimu Viola Tricolor offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Foggy Shadow excels in providing a low-pitched and neutral sound profile with a light tactile bump, while the Viola Tricolor stands out for its bassy sound and pronounced tactility. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, both switches offer a quality typing experience that can cater to different user needs. Ultimately, choosing between the two would come down to personal preference in terms of sound and typing feel.

Conclusion

Ultimately, when considering whether to choose the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch or the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, it really comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a lighter tactile bump and a neutral sound profile, then the Foggy Shadow may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a more pronounced tactility and a bassy sound profile, then the Viola Tricolor could be the switch of choice. Both switches offer a medium-heavy bottom-out force of 63.5 grams, so it ultimately comes down to whether you prioritize the feel or the sound of the switch when making your decision. Whichever switch you choose, both the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the Haimu Viola Tricolor offer unique and satisfying typing experiences.

Mentioned in this article

Aflion Foggy Shadow Tactile

$5.50

$3.91 per 10

Learn more

Haimu Viola Tricolor Tactile

$6.60

$3.09 per 10

Learn more