geekhack

geekhack Marketplace => Vendor Forums => techkeys.us => Topic started by: i3oilermaker on Mon, 11 February 2013, 10:23:14

Title: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: i3oilermaker on Mon, 11 February 2013, 10:23:14
I don't usually do this, but I want to give some early buyers an opportunity to get a deal.

The sets are Vortex Black PBT (OEM Profile) with Black dye-sub legends.  They are a bit difficult to capture in a picture because in some lighting they look completely black, and in other lighting you can see the legends.  These would be great for typists that want to make the leap to blank keys, but need that safety net for things like entering passwords or the finding the less commonly used keys.

[attach=1][attach=2]

These sets will be for sale in the near future on TechKeys at a higher price, but I am accepting up to 5 pre-orders for $35 + PayPal and Shipping ($6 US, $13 Non-US).  Orders ship next day.

1.CLOSED
2.CLOSED
3.CLOSED
4.CLOSED
5.CLOSED

Ok slow pokes - Second chance 3 more @ $37 + PayPal and Shipping
1.CLOSED
2.CLOSED
3.CLOSED

This is more fun that updating my site...here comes 3 more sets at the "You Snooze You Loose" Price - $39 + PayPal and Shipping
1.CLOSED
2.CLOSED
3.CLOSED

PM me if interested with a PayPal email and Shipping address
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Jocelyn on Mon, 11 February 2013, 10:36:56
These are thick like the sets Feng is selling (white, blue, purple, rainbow, grey, wyse), meaning the only difference is profile, right? Either way, this is a really good deal.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: metalliqaz on Mon, 11 February 2013, 10:38:49
Wow cool.  Black dyesub into black.  Put on a black keyboard for blackception.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: danielucf on Mon, 11 February 2013, 10:45:19
I've really been thinking about geting a set of something like this for a Batman themed keyboard :p

They look really nice, and the price is right but I spent so much money the last week. If these 5 don't sell out in a week or two will the cheaper price still be available here?
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: calavera on Mon, 11 February 2013, 10:51:02
OMG I bought these on ebay for almost double the price listed here. RAGE!!!@#!@#!#!#!@#oenmoneoenoen
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Kmynis on Mon, 11 February 2013, 11:55:52
PM'ed
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: naturehaze on Mon, 11 February 2013, 12:17:55
PM'ed you.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: ilikedessert on Mon, 11 February 2013, 13:23:07
pm sent!
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Chesshire on Mon, 11 February 2013, 14:18:57
pm sent!
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: mashby on Mon, 11 February 2013, 15:08:22
PM sent.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 11 February 2013, 15:08:34
I've really been thinking about geting a set of something like this for a Batman themed keyboard :p

They look really nice, and the price is right but I spent so much money the last week. If these 5 don't sell out in a week or two will the cheaper price still be available here?

"If these 5 don't sell out" ... yeah, right ;)
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: RickyJ on Mon, 11 February 2013, 16:48:44
PM'd!
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: esoomenona on Mon, 11 February 2013, 16:57:33
Thanks a lot, Brad. You're awesome, as always.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: mashby on Mon, 11 February 2013, 16:57:37
Paid!

BTW, if you haven't shipped my Feb. Geek Hack Key order yet, you can just lump them together. :-)
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: i3oilermaker on Mon, 11 February 2013, 16:59:56
Paid!

BTW, if you haven't shipped my Feb. Geek Hack Key order yet, you can just lump them together. :-)

I'm too damn fast - Went out this morning.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: mashby on Mon, 11 February 2013, 17:01:46
I'm too damn fast - Went out this morning.

You sir are an honor to your profession and a gentleman to boot. Bravo!

OK, I think I'm watching too much Downton Abbey   :rolleyes:
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: RickyJ on Mon, 11 February 2013, 17:45:54
Paid! :)
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: HungryEthiopians on Mon, 11 February 2013, 19:47:07
PM Sent!

Edit: Also, these will fit on the QuickFire Rapid, right?
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: manirelli on Mon, 11 February 2013, 19:48:48
#2 preorder

Can't wait to add these to my collection
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: johndavis730 on Mon, 11 February 2013, 20:58:28
paid!
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Lu_e on Mon, 11 February 2013, 21:40:40
PM Sent!

Edit: Also, these will fit on the QuickFire Rapid, right?

Thats what i'm putting them on...
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: i3oilermaker on Mon, 11 February 2013, 21:53:20
PM Sent!

Edit: Also, these will fit on the QuickFire Rapid, right?

Thats what i'm putting them on...

They should fit.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: TheProfosist on Mon, 11 February 2013, 23:29:44
Prof wants a set :D
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Lunartuna on Tue, 12 February 2013, 11:53:30
Very excited about getting a set of these  :))
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: ilikedessert on Thu, 14 February 2013, 16:07:27
Just received them.

They've got a nice texture! I wonder if I should try some thicker key caps to see if they make a big difference..!
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Lunartuna on Thu, 14 February 2013, 16:57:21
Just received them.

They've got a nice texture! I wonder if I should try some thicker key caps to see if they make a big difference..!

Nice! Where are you located? I'm in BC Canada so mine will probably get delayed at customs.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: ilikedessert on Thu, 14 February 2013, 17:39:02
Lunar:

I'm in Michigan, US
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Lunartuna on Thu, 14 February 2013, 18:32:10
Lunar:

I'm in Michigan, US

Oh so your close.

Hopefully mine will be next week.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: manirelli on Thu, 14 February 2013, 19:18:04
Finally got all my caps installed!  Forgive the ****ty Droid camera, it's the best I can do right now...

http://imgur.com/a/D6x5y

I do have one issue, unless I am a complete idiot, one of the keys is printed incorrectly.  Please see below:

http://imgur.com/bPDtgIj  The / and | are in the incorrect position and the slash is backwards...
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: SmallFry on Thu, 14 February 2013, 19:19:24
Sweet look there! Shame about the \ | key, but I wouldn't ask for a replacement, it'll take a few years... :(
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: manirelli on Thu, 14 February 2013, 19:23:27
Thankfully I live pretty close to where they ship from.  Maybe I will get lucky?

I just hope this isn't an issue everyone will have and it is isolated to me alone.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: SmallFry on Thu, 14 February 2013, 19:24:32
They originally ship from somewhere in Asia. Brad/Techkeys/i3oilermaker is only a reseller.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: manirelli on Thu, 14 February 2013, 19:25:45
I'm not terribly worried about it, but I do wish it had been perfect :/

Definitely won't put me off future purchases.

Actually, it looks like it might be an issue with all the sets.  The stock image at the top is the same as mine as well.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: SmallFry on Thu, 14 February 2013, 19:27:42
I would hope not! i3oilermaker/Techkeys.us is a phenomenal member of the community. :)
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: manirelli on Thu, 14 February 2013, 19:28:52
I just edited my last post, but it looks like even the stock image he posted has the wrong key.  Uh oh...
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: i3oilermaker on Thu, 14 February 2013, 19:29:08
Wow I did not notice that at all.

I will contact Vortex ASAP, but I can not promise anything.  Even though the sets were delivered exactly as advertised, if anyone is unhappy and would like to return the set, I will offer a refund, but I can only offer a refund if it is returned immediately.

I would have never noticed if someone did not point it out....sorry about this guys.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: SmallFry on Thu, 14 February 2013, 19:30:04
Good guy i3oilermaker steppig into the light!
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: manirelli on Thu, 14 February 2013, 19:30:44
Too bad we didn't notice earlier.  Like I said though, no worries.  I love the caps too much already to bother returning them.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: RickyJ on Thu, 14 February 2013, 19:45:27
The issue with the |\ key legend is that it's in italics, that's all.  Silly oversight, sure.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Lunartuna on Thu, 14 February 2013, 20:01:17
Finally got all my caps installed!  Forgive the ****ty Droid camera, it's the best I can do right now...

http://imgur.com/a/D6x5y

I do have one issue, unless I am a complete idiot, one of the keys is printed incorrectly.  Please see below:

http://imgur.com/bPDtgIj  The / and | are in the incorrect position and the slash is backwards...

Oh my god that looks sick!

The one error on the printing won't really bother me. At least they got the key right lol.

edit:
The issue with the |\ key legend is that it's in italics, that's all.  Silly oversight, sure.

Ah yes, smarty pants!
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: mickd on Fri, 15 February 2013, 03:48:29
The issue with the |\ key legend is that it's in italics, that's all.  Silly oversight, sure.

Ah yeah, makes since the whole thing is in italics. I'm surprised though the italics on that key is angled as much as it is tho.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: ilikedessert on Fri, 15 February 2013, 10:08:04
I can barely see it anyways. For the price, I'm happy to live with it !
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: SmallFry on Fri, 15 February 2013, 21:46:45
Looks like it was the same across all of their dye sub keysets... From Feng's sale
(http://geekhack.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=37999.0;attach=9054;image)
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: metalliqaz on Fri, 15 February 2013, 23:02:12
Ahhh.... Vortex  :p
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Lunartuna on Sat, 16 February 2013, 10:47:41
Oh wow look the / is really leaned over haha.  / 

It also looks like the italic \ isnt quite 90 degrees in this pic.

Like \ instead of |

Still doesn't bother me.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: HungryEthiopians on Sat, 16 February 2013, 18:04:05
I got mine on Valentine's Day. :D

I do have a question, however: Should I be experiencing any wear and tear on the lettering? I play a lot of League of Legends and my qwer keys seem to be pretty faded already.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Lunartuna on Sat, 16 February 2013, 18:45:25
I thought the whole point of dye-sub is so the legends last longer if not never wear out?

Pics?
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: mickd on Sat, 16 February 2013, 18:46:12
What you should be experiencing on the QWER keys over time is that they will lose their texture and become a bit shiny. The letters won't fade away.

These keys are similar in the sense that they will lose their texture over time, but they won't shine as much as the QWER keys do.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: HungryEthiopians on Sat, 16 February 2013, 23:44:42
When I get back to my apartment on Monday, I'll take a picture of the faded legends. I'm a little disappointed.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: metalliqaz on Sun, 17 February 2013, 07:09:02
Dyesubs don't fade.  However they do get dirty...
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: HungryEthiopians on Mon, 18 February 2013, 22:00:58
Here we are:

(http://i.imgur.com/NfIKfVI.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/iteax5V.jpg)

I'd like to point out the crisp F1-F12, the faded QWERUB, and the nearly invisible left Alt.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Lunartuna on Mon, 18 February 2013, 22:06:33
 :eek:, is the legend completely gone on the alt? I don't understand how this would be possible with a dye-sub key?


Edit: forgot some words
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: SmallFry on Mon, 18 February 2013, 22:08:26
They are there, don't worry. As for the fading, I can not be sure.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Gupgup on Mon, 18 February 2013, 22:14:10
Kind of hard to tell from that picture, the lighting makes it hard.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: HungryEthiopians on Mon, 18 February 2013, 22:31:25
I'm trying to get the most objective pictures possible. If I hit the keyboard with the right light at the right angle, I can definitely see where the legend is on each key. However, some are leagues easier to see than others. That's why I'm suggesting some of the keys are fading prematurely.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Lu_e on Mon, 18 February 2013, 22:35:02
It may be the printing process just sucked on some of them. Right out of the package I thought I noticed a difference in legend quality on row QWERTYUIOP vs row ASDFGHJKL ...
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: manirelli on Tue, 19 February 2013, 10:29:23
Hmm, I will say that my set seems pretty uniform and that the appearance of the letters really depends on light source and viewing angle.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Kmynis on Tue, 19 February 2013, 11:58:24
Didn't notice that before reading about it. I just took my keyboard and moved around the light to see if it's true. The F keys seem to be slightly more visible, but only if I keep my head excactly above the keyboard. I can't tell the difference from where I usually look- they seem blank anyways if the sun is not shining directly onto them :D
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Lunartuna on Tue, 19 February 2013, 12:55:00
Didn't notice that before reading about it. I just took my keyboard and moved around the light to see if it's true. The F keys seem to be slightly more visible, but only if I keep my head excactly above the keyboard. I can't tell the difference from where I usually look- they seem blank anyways if the sun is not shining directly onto them :D

You got your set before me and you live in Denmark? Ugh sometimes Canada sucks.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: HungryEthiopians on Tue, 19 February 2013, 19:44:56
It may be the printing process just sucked on some of them. Right out of the package I thought I noticed a difference in legend quality on row QWERTYUIOP vs row ASDFGHJKL ...

Yeah, I think that's what happened. I'm slightly miffed by this.

Edit: My neurotic tendencies are causing me to have severe buyers remorse. I should have just gone with blanks.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Lu_e on Thu, 21 February 2013, 13:17:21
Vortex strikes again...

Hold no fault with Brad@TechKeys, every order and service has been great 8)
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: RickyJ on Thu, 21 February 2013, 19:36:48
Mine arrived today, even before my previous order.  Space bar is warped, have to straighten it in hot water tonight.  I thought these new Vortex keys were supposed to be "thick", or was that just the ones from Feng?  They seem thin and a bit flimsy, spacebar especially flimsy.  Will lay them out on my sheet to check for the fading that others have found.

Not Brad's fault, everything under his control has always been perfect. :)
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Lunartuna on Thu, 21 February 2013, 20:59:45
Did you have to pay any duty on them Ricky? I'm on the island so mine should come tomorrow.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: RickyJ on Thu, 21 February 2013, 22:01:34
Nope!  Brad marked them $25.  Never had to pay duty on stuff from him. :)

I'm in Victoria, where are you?
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Lunartuna on Fri, 22 February 2013, 10:38:30
Victoria as well lol. They better come today then, who knows with Canada post...

Got my o-rings yesterday from Wasdkeyboards which was sent out 2 days before the keycaps. Can't wait to put them on these caps.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: missalaire on Fri, 22 February 2013, 12:05:24
When will these be available on the site? And these are the thick PBTs, right?
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Tym on Fri, 22 February 2013, 12:09:02
When will these be available on the site? And these are the thick PBTs, right?
Your avatar always makes me think you're upset :3
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: i3oilermaker on Fri, 22 February 2013, 12:46:04
When will these be available on the site? And these are the thick PBTs, right?

They may not be...they are not quite thick PBT but they are certainly thicker than SP PBTs
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: HungryEthiopians on Fri, 22 February 2013, 13:56:31
Vortex strikes again...

Hold no fault with Brad@TechKeys, every order and service has been great 8)

Yeah, Brad was very good with the order. I hold faults with the manufacturer. I find that with time, they'll wear out to the same consistency anyway, so no big deal.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: missalaire on Fri, 22 February 2013, 21:53:56
When will these be available on the site? And these are the thick PBTs, right?

They may not be...they are not quite thick PBT but they are certainly thicker than SP PBTs

Ah okay. Can you give a date when these will be available for purchase on your site?

And can anyone take a picture of the back of one of these caps so I can see how thin/thick they are?
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Kmynis on Sat, 23 February 2013, 07:32:39
(http://i.imgur.com/PWIAF4j.jpg)

The bottom black is a key from this set, the key above it is a wasd key and the white one is a filco key.
Sorry for the potato pic, but you can see the difference.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: mashby on Sat, 23 February 2013, 09:32:42
Here are a couple more photos.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8111/8499740797_0b4d463c98.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mashby/8499740797/)
Key Cap Comparison - Tops (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mashby/8499740797/) by Michael Ashby (http://www.flickr.com/people/mashby/), on Flickr

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8506/8500847516_ff917b5b97.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mashby/8500847516/)
Key Cap Comparison - Bottom (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mashby/8500847516/) by Michael Ashby (http://www.flickr.com/people/mashby/), on Flickr

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8371/8499741207_c49acc1376.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mashby/8499741207/)
ABS & PBT Side-By-Side (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mashby/8499741207/) by Michael Ashby (http://www.flickr.com/people/mashby/), on Flickr

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8519/8499763287_d22f15c6bd.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mashby/8499763287/)
Vortex PBT vs. IMSTO's Thick PBT (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mashby/8499763287/) by Michael Ashby (http://www.flickr.com/people/mashby/), on Flickr


My pictures aren't the greatest, but looking at them in person I'd have to say that the key caps match the standard Vortex OEM profile -- both in profile and in thickness. It is thicker than the Signature Plastics key cap, but not as thick as IMSTO's thick PBT.

That being said, the Vortex PBT caps do have a lower pitch when bottoming out than the Vortex ABS. They may be the same thickness, but they have a "thicker" sound. Unfortunately, I don't have a full set of IMSTO's Thick PBT to do a proper comparison.  :-[

Also, if I'm not mistaken, the Vortex use the OEM profile, where as IMSTO's are Cherry, so your preference in profiles may tip your decision one way or the other.  ;D
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Goodfella on Sat, 23 February 2013, 09:48:18
Wow these are nice, will you be getting more any time soon?
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: mashby on Sat, 23 February 2013, 09:55:46
Wow these are nice, will you be getting more any time soon?

l3oilermaker said that they should be on sale soon on the TechKeys.us (http://www.techkeys.us) web site.

I highly recommend subscribing to his mailing list. That way you're sure not to miss anything.  ;D
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Goodfella on Sat, 23 February 2013, 09:56:59
I am on the mailing list and I currently have something from him heading my way now. Just figured I would ask to see if he had any more!
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: missalaire on Sat, 23 February 2013, 21:10:57
Thanks for the pictures Kmynis and mashby! I'll definitely be ordering a set when they are available again for purchase on the techkeys website :)
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Lunartuna on Sat, 23 February 2013, 23:08:08
Still waiting for mine  :(
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: RickyJ on Sat, 23 February 2013, 23:30:49
And I'm still waiting for my February key pack that shipped before these keys.  Customs can take a while sometimes... :(
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Lunartuna on Sat, 02 March 2013, 07:46:35
At this rate I'll get these keycaps in the mail at the same time as the Ducky that shipped on the 26th over Priority.

I think the customs people are testing my keycaps for explosive residue  :))
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Lunartuna on Mon, 04 March 2013, 17:17:23
Got my set today!

They look pretty damn good and feel more solid than the Mionix keycaps.

Matches the Zibal 60 black nicely.
(http://i.imgur.com/HtwyD7f.jpg)

Now if your really really looking for it, at a certain angle in certain light it looks like the Q W E R key printing is slightly inconsistent with the rest.

(http://i.imgur.com/J5OtcIh.jpg)

If I'm sitting back in normal typing position though they all look the same. After all this is black on black! I didn't buy these to look at the legends ;)

I wish the Zibal 60 LED's were brighter like a Ducky Shine 2, i was hoping the green would shine through inbetween the keys better but you can barely see it.

Good thing I have a Shine 2 in the mail  :cool:

Boiler my girlfriend runs a business from home and is jealous of your awesome business card.

Edit: Forgot to mention the space bar on my set is not warped nice and flat on the table but after I got the white stab adaptors off the Mionix set I noticed that space bar is warped as **** lol, go figure.
Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: Lunartuna on Mon, 04 March 2013, 18:14:05
Here's the thing with these keys, took another pic from more of a typing angle, in this one it looks like there is no legends on the ASDF row and the QWER keys look consistent with the rest. Completely depends on the angle.

(http://i.imgur.com/yzlvkHo.jpg)

Definitely some stealthy looking keys  :)



Title: Re: TechKeys Pre-Sale
Post by: TheProfosist on Thu, 11 April 2013, 12:00:12
Got my keys a long ass time ago i plan for them to go on my GH60