So the rumour with Das Keyboard is true

[Hyde]

This is a tough egg, but so far their keyboard is fine.  My original Das keyboard space-bar squeeked and this one has none of that mess.

So would you say quality is comparable to the original Das?  Also are you in the process of making a full review?

[macguy80]

So would you say quality is comparable to the original Das?  Also are you in the process of making a full review?

Count me as interested, too. I need a Cherry Brown in my collection, and had been strongly considering the Das Silent, until I saw this thread. I'd just like to know if the new model with media keys is as good as its predecessor.

Thanks!

[Hyde]

So would you say quality is comparable to the original Das?  Also are you in the process of making a full review?

Count me as interested, too. I need a Cherry Brown in my collection, and had been strongly considering the Das Silent, until I saw this thread. I'd just like to know if the new model with media keys is as good as its predecessor.

Thanks!

For the time being I'd just get a Das Keyboard Ultimate Silent.  It is still Costar at the moment.

[macguy80]

I would in a heartbeat if I considered myself that great a typist. If I get one, I want to be able to type on it.  For now, I still need printed keycaps. I'll either wait for the consensus. to come in, or get another brand. If I could spare the $$$, I'd get a Filco, though I can't really tell which of their models HAVE browns in them. I think my next choice will either be a CoolerMaster or a Leopold. I just need a standard 104-key layout, whichever one I get. I was hoping it'd be a Das though.

For the time being I'd just get a Das Keyboard Ultimate Silent.  It is still Costar at the moment.

[Hyde]

I would in a heartbeat if I considered myself that great a typist. If I get one, I want to be able to type on it.  For now, I still need printed keycaps. I'll either wait for the consensus. to come in, or get another brand. If I could spare the $$$, I'd get a Filco, though I can't really tell which of their models HAVE browns in them. I think my next choice will either be a CoolerMaster or a Leopold. I just need a standard 104-key layout, whichever one I get. I was hoping it'd be a Das though.

I'd say if you can afford it, definitely get a Filco.

Click Action = MX Blue
Tactile Action = MX Brown
Soft Linear Action = MX Red
Linear Action = MX Black

As for CM Storm, Quick Fire Rapid is your best bet but it's not 104 key.  But if you were to get Quick Fire Pro (which is 104 key) I'd actually suggest you get Rosewill instead.

I don't recommend Leopold because their 104 key model is too ugly and their spacebar stem doesn't fit any other spacebars.  So it's pain in the butt if you want to replace keycap set one day.

So I say go Filco or Rosewill or Das Ultimate.

[macguy80]

I'd say if you can afford it, definitely get a Filco.

Click Action = MX Blue
Tactile Action = MX Brown
Soft Linear Action = MX Red
Linear Action = MX Black

As for CM Storm, Quick Fire Rapid is your best bet but it's not 104 key.  But if you were to get Quick Fire Pro (which is 104 key) I'd actually suggest you get Rosewill instead.

I don't recommend Leopold because their 104 key model is too ugly and their spacebar stem doesn't fit any other spacebars.  So it's pain in the butt if you want to replace keycap set one day.

So I say go Filco or Rosewill or Das Ultimate.

Thanks for deciphering the Filco code! I'll definitely keep your advice in mind when it comes time to buy a Cherry board. I'm going to get the QuietPro first though

[HarryPalms]

I would in a heartbeat if I considered myself that great a typist. If I get one, I want to be able to type on it.  For now, I still need printed keycaps. I'll either wait for the consensus. to come in, or get another brand. If I could spare the $$$, I'd get a Filco, though I can't really tell which of their models HAVE browns in them. I think my next choice will either be a CoolerMaster or a Leopold. I just need a standard 104-key layout, whichever one I get. I was hoping it'd be a Das though.

I'd say if you can afford it, definitely get a Filco.

Click Action = MX Blue
Tactile Action = MX Brown
Soft Linear Action = MX Red
Linear Action = MX Black

As for CM Storm, Quick Fire Rapid is your best bet but it's not 104 key.  But if you were to get Quick Fire Pro (which is 104 key) I'd actually suggest you get Rosewill instead.

I don't recommend Leopold because their 104 key model is too ugly and their spacebar stem doesn't fit any other spacebars.  So it's pain in the butt if you want to replace keycap set one day.

So I say go Filco or Rosewill or Das Ultimate.

Filco is best.

[linuxid10t]

Well, got a new Das Keyboard this morning for Christmas and I can say it is pretty solidly built.  I think this manufacturer change is WAYYYYYYY overhyped.

[macguy80]

Well, got a new Das Keyboard this morning for Christmas and I can say it is pretty solidly built.  I think this manufacturer change is WAYYYYYYY overhyped.

Thanks! I appreciate the feedback Please keep us posted as you get to know it! Merry Christmas!

[linuxid10t]

Well, got a new Das Keyboard this morning for Christmas and I can say it is pretty solidly built.  I think this manufacturer change is WAYYYYYYY overhyped.

Thanks! I appreciate the feedback Please keep us posted as you get to know it! Merry Christmas!

Thanks.  Anyway, the worst I could say about the build quality is that it has a LITTLE bit of flex, but it is also a hell of a long thin keyboard.  That being said, the keycaps feel great and feel of better quality than those of my QFR by a smidge.  Everything is also centered very well.  On long keys (shift) they are less wobbly than the QFR.  Lastly the workmanship on the plastic body is good.  There are no ugly seams (looks at Unicomp intently.)  Personally, I don't give half a **** what the PCB LOOKS like as long as it functions the way it should and won't fail.  Anyway, I am very happy with my present and would recommend this keyboard for anyone in the market looking for a more understated keyboard.

PS:  This thing is CRAZY shiny, you can see your face in it.  Pictures do it no justice.

[Vintage]

LOL, this SolidYear keyboard looks a damn lot like the Thermaltake Meka:

Show Image

That is one ugly ass keyboard...

Ughhh that layout makes me cry :eek:

That's one of the dumbest compact layouts i've see ISO enter key there is.

[wetto]

LOL, this SolidYear keyboard looks a damn lot like the Thermaltake Meka:

Show Image

That is one ugly ass keyboard...

Ughhh that layout makes me cry :eek:

That's one of the dumbest compact layouts i've see ISO enter key there is.

Jeez guys, you all do know that ISO Enter Key is diffent from that, aye? Also, the worst thing afterall isn't the damn Enter key, but how small the Backspace key actually is! Also, try to find the / and ? key.

[davkol]

Backspace actually isn't much of an issue (ummm, well... I use Colemak), but the "slash" key placement is horrible. The rest of the layout isn't that bad — it's not as good as on QF TK though.

[TheQsanity]

Who uses forward slash?

[Binge]

If you ever work with printer servers... you've used forward slash.

[davkol]

Who uses forward slash?

Real men. You know... those, who use UNIX. ^_~

[TheQsanity]

haha, okay.

[daerid]

Pretty much anybody on the internet uses a forward slash. So... ya know... like, everybody.

[chewyfruitloop]

Who uses forward slash?

....yeh and for that matter who uses its shifted value ? 

[rowdy]

Everyone in this thread uses /.

And ? for that matter.

Maybe/maybe not?

[rootwyrm]

http://blah.blah.blah/~fred/
Totally unimportant key.
/opt/p4r/siberia/9/2/1/r
Completely useless.
net time /DOMAIN:contoso.com
Nobody would ever bother using that key. Not ever.

[rek55]

I just got a das pro for work, made in china. It feels incredibly cheap compared to my das ultimate at home (made in taiwan). I don't know if the keycaps are thinner or what, but I must say I am quite disappointed with it.

So disappointed.
Enough so that I've written a product review on amazon. This keyboard is just not worth the price. The Ultimate was.

[Binge]

I just got a das pro for work, made in china. It feels incredibly cheap compared to my das ultimate at home (made in taiwan). I don't know if the keycaps are thinner or what, but I must say I am quite disappointed with it.

So disappointed.
Enough so that I've written a product review on amazon. This keyboard is just not worth the price. The Ultimate was.

I have to call bullsh!t on this... I have a 2008 pro and a new pro.  I'm doing a comparative review.  They have identical crappy OEM keycaps.
Take the caps off and compare them.  They are the same sh!t ABS plastic with the same thickness and the same OEM profile.

[rek55]

Maybe I just got a dud. I feel like with this one the keys are more rattly or i can press them down further before the actuation point. I don't have the two next to each other, but this definitely does not feel the same. It feels a lot more mushy. Like the switches have been broken in already or something. It could just be placebo. I'll have to bring my Ultimate to work and do a side-by-side comparison.

Also to note, I'm comparing a new Pro to a new Ultimate. Are you comparing a well used 2008 pro to a new pro? Is there any difference between the pro keys and the ultimate keys other than the lettering?

Also I'm using the ones with the cherry browns. Are you comparing blues or browns?

Are the keys profiles different as well? Or the shape of the case? The up arrow key is practically flush with the case. I don't remember it feeling this way with the Ultimate (but again, i'll need to check when I get home).

[Binge]

I have a cherry brown 2008 pro (costar) and a cherry blue pro 2012 (noname OEM).  The only difference is the sourced controller, feet, and the PCB.  Plastics are the same... keycaps are the same... switches feel like the switches they are.  PCB looks noticeably lower quality, more like the PCB you'd find in a television, and the feet are rounded.

[rek55]

One of the things I'm responding to is that if I tap lightly on either side of the backspace or enter keys, it rattles. I don't believe my Ultimate does that, but again, I'll have to bring this keyboard home tonight and test them side-by-side.

[Binge]

One of the things I'm responding to is that if I tap lightly on either side of the backspace or enter keys, it rattles. I don't believe my Ultimate does that, but again, I'll have to bring this keyboard home tonight and test them side-by-side.

Take a look at the stabilizers to make sure they're installed correctly.

[rek55]

One of the things I'm responding to is that if I tap lightly on either side of the backspace or enter keys, it rattles. I don't believe my Ultimate does that, but again, I'll have to bring this keyboard home tonight and test them side-by-side.

Take a look at the stabilizers to make sure they're installed correctly.

Ah, good call. I took a look and the stabilizer clips are not actually stably affixed to the plate / keyboard. So I guess that's where the rattling is coming from. Any idea how to fix that?

[Binge]

they should just press in.  If they don't then they are broken and you need new ones.  WASD sells replacements and plenty of people will sell/send you some from round the forums.

[rootwyrm]

One of the things I'm responding to is that if I tap lightly on either side of the backspace or enter keys, it rattles. I don't believe my Ultimate does that, but again, I'll have to bring this keyboard home tonight and test them side-by-side.

Take a look at the stabilizers to make sure they're installed correctly.

Ah, good call. I took a look and the stabilizer clips are not actually stably affixed to the plate / keyboard. So I guess that's where the rattling is coming from. Any idea how to fix that?

Demand RMA, since there's no excuse whatsoever for a $130+ keyboard having improperly installed or broken stabilizers. That kind of thing should never make it past QC ever.

[ValerieV]

I am an idiot was does RMA stand for? Thanks. 

[alaricljs]

Return Materials Authorization.  Acquiring one from the vendor or manufacturer is typically the first step in getting a faulty piece of equipment replaced under warranty.

[rek55]

Yeah I just don't want to be stuck with my rubber dome keyboard in the meantime...

[rek55]

Got home and tested them side by side. I think me feeling like the switches under the letters felt more mushy was placebo caused by all the other issues. The stabilizer clips (the part that the stabilizer bar hinges in to, not the part on the key cap) is lose on basically every key (most noticeably on the backspace). The scroll lock key has a chip in it. The case is bubbled up directly in front of the forward arrow key (I tried switching the key caps to ensure the profile was in fact the same which made me realize the case was flawed) which makes it feel very shallow. Plus, I hate the layout of the modifiers. I keep missing when I try to hit the Alt key.

So all in all, with my sample size of 1, I'd say the build quality is much worse. I'm going to have to return this.

[Hyde]

lol so we're at 1:1 right now.  Need a third sampler to settle this 

[Binge]

Got home and tested them side by side. I think me feeling like the switches under the letters felt more mushy was placebo caused by all the other issues. The stabilizer clips (the part that the stabilizer bar hinges in to, not the part on the key cap) is lose on basically every key (most noticeably on the backspace). The scroll lock key has a chip in it. The case is bubbled up directly in front of the forward arrow key (I tried switching the key caps to ensure the profile was in fact the same which made me realize the case was flawed) which makes it feel very shallow. Plus, I hate the layout of the modifiers. I keep missing when I try to hit the Alt key.

So all in all, with my sample size of 1, I'd say the build quality is much worse. I'm going to have to return this.

That's a good idea.  sounds like this one was used and abused before you got it.

[chewyfruitloop]

i have to say that the keys go off colour very quickly though
my left control and shift keys are now grey not white

i've been fairly hammering this thing at work, can't say i've notice any rattling with it

[rek55]

i have to say that the keys go off colour very quickly though
my left control and shift keys are now grey not white

i've been fairly hammering this thing at work, can't say i've notice any rattling with it

I must have got a lemon then. Not going to try my luck again with it though since I don't actually like the shifted spacebar/alt keys in the layout. Really throws off my ability to hit shortcut keys while coding. I'm sure I could get used to it, but keeping the layout of my home and work keyboards the same seems worthwhile.

[corm]

I recently got the media key version (made in china) and was able to compare it to a friends costar (made in taiwan). Both were Profession Model S with brown switches.

There is definitely significant difference between the 2 keyboards. The quality of the new version is unsatisfactory.

I'll refer to the newer media key version as "china" and previous model "costar"

The differences noticed while comparing the two were:
-china model has a resonating sound when keys are pressed. Very noticeable and annoying.
-costar larger keys (such as shift, bs, enter) are more fluid/smooth than china version.
-in general the costar keyboard just felt better to type on.

[macguy80]

I recently got the media key version (made in china) and was able to compare it to a friends costar (made in taiwan). Both were Profession Model S with brown switches.

There is definitely significant difference between the 2 keyboards. The quality of the new version is unsatisfactory.

I'll refer to the newer media key version as "china" and previous model "costar"

The differences noticed while comparing the two were:
-china model has a resonating sound when keys are pressed. Very noticeable and annoying.
-costar larger keys (such as shift, bs, enter) are more fluid/smooth than china version.
-in general the costar keyboard just felt better to type on.

For me, anyway, that settles it. Das is off my list. What a shame.

If I am one day in the market for a used Das, is it safe to say that I would get a Costar board as long as I get one that lacks a Fn key? Or were there earlier revs that were also subpar? (that might be harder to distinguish from a 2008 Costar board?)

[Binge]

Resonating denotes a reverberation in the plate, and "stiff keys" can occur with any keyboard.

Definitely looks like these MIC keyboards have terrible quality control.  I wonder if they sent me a nice one.  I took mine apart before typing on it, so I may have put it back together better than the factory worker.  Taking these issues people are having into account with my review which will go live next week.

[macguy80]

Resonating denotes a reverberation in the plate, and "stiff keys" can occur with any keyboard.

Definitely looks like these MIC keyboards have terrible quality control.  I wonder if they sent me a nice one.  I took mine apart before typing on it, so I may have put it back together better than the factory worker.  Taking these issues people are having into account with my review which will go live next week.

Fair points. I am physically disabled, and lack the dexterity to take apart and reassemble a keyboard (let alone be sure it is reassembled equal to or better than factory)

Whichever board I choose is going to have to be at its very best as soon as it leaves the factory.

WASD is looking better and better.

[rek55]

For me, anyway, that settles it. Das is off my list. What a shame.

If I am one day in the market for a used Das, is it safe to say that I would get a Costar board as long as I get one that lacks a Fn key? Or were there earlier revs that were also subpar? (that might be harder to distinguish from a 2008 Costar board?)

From what I've heard, that is true. The ones with the media keys are the first ones that sucked.
In fact, the Das Ultimate are still being built by Costar, and I am very happy with mine, so you could even get a new one if you don't need letters ony our keys (or if you intend to buy some new colored keycaps).
I'll be receiving my second one tomorrow so I'll let you know if the quality is up to par with my first, but I expect it will be.

[Binge]

Resonating denotes a reverberation in the plate, and "stiff keys" can occur with any keyboard.

Definitely looks like these MIC keyboards have terrible quality control.  I wonder if they sent me a nice one.  I took mine apart before typing on it, so I may have put it back together better than the factory worker.  Taking these issues people are having into account with my review which will go live next week.

Fair points. I am physically disabled, and lack the dexterity to take apart and reassemble a keyboard (let alone be sure it is reassembled equal to or better than factory)

Whichever board I choose is going to have to be at its very best as soon as it leaves the factory.

WASD is looking better and better.

I didn't mean to seem argumentative, and WASD is a very wise choice.  Das had their time in the sun.  My review is reflecting on their company negatively overall.

With your needs I would go with WASD or Coolermaster!  Both are reasonable prices and have exceptional build quality.

[macguy80]

I didn't mean to seem argumentative, and WASD is a very wise choice.  Das had their time in the sun.  My review is reflecting on their company negatively overall.

With your needs I would go with WASD or Coolermaster!  Both are reasonable prices and have exceptional build quality.

I didn't take your reply as argumentative in the slightest. I just didn't think of the points that you raised

[Hyde]

I didn't mean to seem argumentative, and WASD is a very wise choice.  Das had their time in the sun.  My review is reflecting on their company negatively overall.

With your needs I would go with WASD or Coolermaster!  Both are reasonable prices and have exceptional build quality.

Totally agree with you, which is why I had a Das too.  They had their moment when it was the cheapest full size Costar board.  But with the whole new batch it just doesn't feel like it has the edge anymore.

WASD will be a bit expensive consider that you'll be forced to pay shipping, where cooler master can get picked up locally easily.

BUT at the same time I haven't heard anyone complain about their WASD keyboard at all.  So you'll be safe either way

Oh and thanks for the review guys, I have updated the original post for future members that are reading this.

[rek55]

From what I've heard, that is true. The ones with the media keys are the first ones that sucked.
In fact, the Das Ultimate are still being built by Costar, and I am very happy with mine, so you could even get a new one if you don't need letters ony our keys (or if you intend to buy some new colored keycaps).
I'll be receiving my second one tomorrow so I'll let you know if the quality is up to par with my first, but I expect it will be.

I just got my second das ultimate and I am pleased. Feels just as solid as my first. I need to install some o-rings into the backspace, enter, and spacebar... but other than that... all good. This one doesn't even seem to be squeaking!

[wetto]

From what I've heard, that is true. The ones with the media keys are the first ones that sucked.
In fact, the Das Ultimate are still being built by Costar, and I am very happy with mine, so you could even get a new one if you don't need letters ony our keys (or if you intend to buy some new colored keycaps).
I'll be receiving my second one tomorrow so I'll let you know if the quality is up to par with my first, but I expect it will be.

I just got my second das ultimate and I am pleased. Feels just as solid as my first. I need to install some o-rings into the backspace, enter, and spacebar... but other than that... all good. This one doesn't even seem to be squeaking!

The Das Ultimate seems to still be Costar made, so no changes there.

Only the Professional Model with Media Keys comes from a different OEM.

[rek55]

The Das Ultimate seems to still be Costar made, so no changes there.

Only the Professional Model with Media Keys comes from a different OEM.

Yup, exactly. I was just pointing out that it was just as awesome as my first to provide contrast with my experiences with the other OEM's keyboard and their (lack of) build quality.

[Binge]

Review is up.  It basically praises what Das -was- able to accomplish in the past while criticizing the direction they took with their multimedia keyboard version.

http://www.rwlabs.com/article.php?cat=&id=766&pagenumber=1

...In the past year a rising demand for mechanical keyboards has brought a fair bit of enticing competition to the United States, so as of this very fresh 2013 I feel Das could stand to take time focusing their efforts in providing their customers a solution which is as well-built as it is feature rich.

Gutshots and pictures a-plenty.