Keycap replacement for the Corsair K70 (Cherry Brown Backlit)

[pchatterjee]

All:

Have not really customized a keyboard before so was wondering the following (note my ideal is a buckling spring keyboard or alps but getting those with modern features other than matias seems impossible):

1) The keycaps on the board are chintzy -- can they be replaced with something better that is compatible? (my preference is something like the old keycaps on the model Ms or the Apple extendeds from way back (I have both))

2) Any other types of modes possible on this board like dampeners, better springs etc than the cherry's -- which I am best indiffrerent to.

Thanks.

[IvanIvanovich]

Those are among the most annoying to get keycaps for, since they had to be really different and use odd size arrangement on the bottom row modifiers. Best choices are to either cobble together a set from Cherry G80 or G81 L*U-0/L**US-0/L**EU-0 models with PBT or buy some DSA or DCS PBT keys from Signature Plastics. Either way the spacebar is currently not replaceable unless you don't mind gaps on the ends using a smaller size spacebar since it uses a totally nonstandard size.

[pchatterjee]

Thanks appreciate teh help -- the keycap quality really is quite low -- will look into the g80 stuff.

[lazylex]

MaxKeyboard has two sets that can be used as replacements, however they are still ABS and I haven't personally used them. They include a spacebar that will fit too (G710+ uses same sized spacebar as the k70)

http://www.maxkeyboard.com/keyboard-parts/key-cap/full-keycap-sets.html

[Grendel]

I'm just getting ready to move my K70 to work (replacing it here w/ a Shine 3) and replaced the caps w/ B+W standard double shot ABS caps from Signature Plastics. So much better ! Note that I don't use the backlight (I can see them flicker, main reason why this will become my work board),  but even tho the lights don't shine through the caps anymore (except on the white ones maybe) you still get a nice glow around them. For the bottom row only the Alt caps would fit, so I reused some caps from a Max set I had floating around. I will try to remember taking a picture tonight.

[pchatterjee]

I like the aesthetics of the keyboard -- but I so want the buckling spring feel.

Keycap replacement would be a nice start.  Is it possible to replace the switched with cherry greens or some sort of ALPs set up?

I know a little off topic but are cherry greens/clears closest to buckling spring.  The only thing i have really liked in comparison to bucking spring was the complicated white alps(?) on the Apple extendeds (alos 20 years old). 

Any suggestions for my tastes with something modern?  I also have the matias non-quiet version and am a bit indifferent to it.

I have quite a few Model Ms (including the metal plate black label) that I love but just want a more modern keyboard that is quieter (backlight would be nice but not critical).

[IvanIvanovich]

I would say clicky switch with clear springs is the closest. If you are going to take everything apart to solder in different switches you might as well go for custom.

[pchatterjee]

Ah ok.   Not really well versed on soldering.  What's the closest I can come to in modern keyboards?  That CODE keyboard that's sold out.

Will dampeners help the feel of this K70?

[IvanIvanovich]

Greens then I suppose. You can get green switch QFR or QFXT form the CMstore. Dampeners, you mean like orings or landing pads? All those do really is cushion bottoming out.

[Grendel]

I will try to remember taking a picture tonight.

Here it is, K70 w/ B+W standard double shot ABS caps from Signature Plastics except Ctrl, Win, Menu & space bar.

[pchatterjee]

Those look like proper keycaps.  Really would be nice if they had some translucence.

[pchatterjee]

Greens then I suppose. You can get green switch QFR or QFXT form the CMstore. Dampeners, you mean like orings or landing pads? All those do really is cushion bottoming out.

Yeah something to cushion the bottoming out on the Cherries.  Man its unbelievable how wrong they get the feel of the keys.

On mechanical keyboards they suggested the Ducky with Greens (no backlighting but it sounds like the stems, keycaps are better on these right (i.e. PBT, dye sublimated, better stems than the CMs quickfires?)

http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=467

So if backlighting were not a showstopper this would be a good option?  Are cherry clears closer to a buckling spring/alps feel than the greens?

I will probably still get one of the keycap replacements suggested here.

[IvanIvanovich]

Oh yeah I forgot Ducky did greens too. yeah that would be a better buy since you want PBT keycaps anyway.

[tbc]

what modern features are you even looking for in the first place.  it really sounds like the switch is more important to you than anything.

[Linkbane]

I will try to remember taking a picture tonight.

Here it is, K70 w/ B+W standard double shot ABS caps from Signature Plastics except Ctrl, Win, Menu & space bar.

Show Image

Show Image

Whoo, those are some pretty DSA caps. First modded Corsair keyboard I've seen.

[pchatterjee]

I will try to remember taking a picture tonight.

Here it is, K70 w/ B+W standard double shot ABS caps from Signature Plastics except Ctrl, Win, Menu & space bar.

Show Image

Show Image

Whoo, those are some pretty DSA caps. First modded Corsair keyboard I've seen.

what modern features are you even looking for in the first place.  it really sounds like the switch is more important to you than anything.

To a large extent you are right.  Ideally I would want a real IBM model M in modern housing, USB connectors, backlighting and the option to have quiet key presses for when I am on the phone.  There really is nothing that comes close to meeting this except for unicomp but they won't refresh their designs at all or license their patents to other vendors.  Switch and key feel are the most important -- I have numerous Model Ms, a Matias Tactile Pro, an Apple Extended (spanish layout unfortunately) and this K70 I just bought.

I realize what I want is pretty unlikely to be unavailable since Buckling spring is with Unicomp and they wont expand their offerings and Apple keyboard alps switches seems pretty rare.

[pchatterjee]

I will try to remember taking a picture tonight.

Here it is, K70 w/ B+W standard double shot ABS caps from Signature Plastics except Ctrl, Win, Menu & space bar.

Show Image

Show Image

Whoo, those are some pretty DSA caps. First modded Corsair keyboard I've seen.

Those are pretty nice.  Is it possible to get those in grey? 

Do they have those types of things in stock?

[Grendel]

The stuff they have in stock can be found here (that's also where I got mine.)

[terran5992]

I think that the k70 has a unstandard keylayout

[tbc]

the option to have quiet key presses for when I am on the phone.

um....you want a keyboard with on the fly customizable loudness?

[rowdy]

the option to have quiet key presses for when I am on the phone.

um....you want a keyboard with on the fly customizable loudness?

Model M with a speaker.

[bazemk1979]

I will try to remember taking a picture tonight.

Here it is, K70 w/ B+W standard double shot ABS caps from Signature Plastics except Ctrl, Win, Menu & space bar.

Show Image

Show Image

Whoo, those are some pretty DSA caps. First modded Corsair keyboard I've seen.

not getting the message much? its partially modded, if by any chance he replaces some of the bottom modifiers he is stuck using the same space bar forever! now go and tell James from Corsair how much the majority loves the bottom modifiers + the space bar.

[Linkbane]

I will try to remember taking a picture tonight.

Here it is, K70 w/ B+W standard double shot ABS caps from Signature Plastics except Ctrl, Win, Menu & space bar.

Show Image

Show Image

Whoo, those are some pretty DSA caps. First modded Corsair keyboard I've seen.

not getting the message much? its partially modded, if by any chance he replaces some of the bottom modifiers he is stuck using the same space bar forever! now go and tell James from Corsair how much the majority loves the bottom modifiers + the space bar.

Having fun stalking all of my posts, bazem? I get the message fine, and I decided to post that I like his DSA caps; perhaps you could realize that I was not trying to make some complicated statement about how I approve of Corsair keycaps and instead make one about how nice his keycaps are.

Not going to waste my time attempting to argue with a keyboard-warrior-stalker.