Aflion Foggy Shadow vs. SP-Star Yanyu
An in-depth look at the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the SP-Star Yanyu switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Aflion's Foggy Shadow and SP-Star's Yanyu are both unique mechanical keyboard switches that cater to different preferences in typing experience. The Foggy Shadow, a tactile switch by Aflion, stands out for its light tactile bump and 63.5g bottom-out force, providing a balanced and medium-weight feel. On the other hand, the Yanyu by SP-Star is a linear switch crafted for a more delicate typing experience, with a material blend that produces a crisp sound profile. While the Foggy Shadow offers a low-pitched and neutral typing experience, the Yanyu is characterized as neutral, mild, thocky, feathery, subtle, and polished. Deciding between these switches ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style; 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
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 Aflion Foggy Shadow utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile compared to the SP-Star Yanyu's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing. The polycarbonate material is known for its stiffness, leading to a more resonant sound, while the blend in the Yanyu switch offers a pleasant but brighter sound. Both materials have their unique qualities, with polycarbonate being translucent and ideal for RGB lighting, while the blend in the Yanyu switch offers a unique and satisfying sound experience.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Foggy Shadow features a nylon bottom housing, which provides a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Yanyu switch has a bottom housing made of the same Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend as the top housing, offering a consistent sound profile throughout the switch. While both materials offer a unique sound experience, the nylon in the Foggy Shadow creates a duller and rounder sound, while the blend in the Yanyu switch produces a more vibrant and brighter sound overall.
Ultimately, the choice between the Aflion Foggy Shadow and the SP-Star Yanyu comes down to personal preference in terms of sound profile. The Foggy Shadow's use of polycarbonate and nylon offers a sharper, crisper, and fuller sound, while the Yanyu's blend provides a pleasant and bright sound experience. Whether you prefer a more resonant and translucent sound or a consistent sound profile throughout, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, it is clear that the Foggy Shadow has a heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams compared to the Yanyu's lighter bottom out force of 43 grams. This means that the Foggy Shadow will provide a more substantial typing experience that may be preferred by some users who like a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Yanyu offers a lighter typing experience that may be more suitable for extended typing sessions or gaming. Both switches have a None grams actuation force, indicating that the force required to trigger a keystroke is the same for both switches. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to individual preferences for typing feel and weight.
Travel distance
The Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Yanyu has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Foggy Shadow. In general, a shorter travel distance can lead to faster response times, making it a popular choice among gamers. On the other hand, a longer travel distance can provide more depth and a more satisfying key press for some users. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the specific needs of the user. Both switches offer a different tactile experience due to their varying travel distances, but both can provide a high-quality typing experience depending on individual preferences.
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 SP-Star Yanyu has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Yanyu for $5.40.
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
In terms of sound, the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, creating a bass-heavy and mellow tone suitable for a variety of users. On the other hand, the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch also provides a neutral sound profile with a thocky characteristic, resulting in a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when typing. Depending on personal preference, users can expect a different auditory experience from each switch, with the Foggy Shadow offering a more mellow tone and the Yanyu producing a deeper and more satisfying sound.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Aflion Foggy Shadow's tactile bump is not specifically described, but with a 63.5g bottom-out force, users can expect a light tactile feedback that offers a balanced typing experience. On the other hand, the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch is described as mild, feathery, subtle, and polished, providing a gentle and light typing feel that reduces finger fatigue and offers a smooth and refined typing experience. Both switches offer a comfortable typing experience, with the Yanyu focusing more on reducing strain on the fingers and providing a polished typing feel.
In conclusion, the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch offer unique sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Foggy Shadow provides a light tactile bump and a low-pitched, neutral sound profile, the Yanyu offers a delicate and polished typing experience with a mild, feathery feel and a thocky sound profile. Users can expect a balanced and mellow typing experience from the Foggy Shadow, while the Yanyu focuses on reducing finger fatigue and providing a satisfying sound experience. Depending on your preference for sound and typing feel, both switches offer quality options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when deciding between the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, it boils down to your personal preference in terms of typing experience. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom-out force with a light tactile bump and a low-pitched sound profile, the Foggy Shadow may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a light bottom-out force with a delicate typing experience and a thocky sound profile, the Yanyu switch could be more suitable. Consider factors such as typing duration, sound preference, and typing feel to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup. Happy typing!
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