Max Keyboard Blackbird's Double Shot ABS is Gaining Popularity

[Hyde]

http://www.maxkeyboard.com/max-keyboard-blackbird-tenkeyless-tkl-cherry-mx-backlit-mechanical-keyboard.html

Max Keyboard is the first keyboard to use this double shot ABS keycaps for backlit keyboards.  For the longest time we were hoping they'd sell it separately but it never happened.

Then suddenly ALL the other brands start to use it.  Such as Leopold 900R backlit models.

Also if you look at Computex 2015 pictures:  https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=72472.0

Ducky Shine 5, Ducky One, KBParadise full size keyboard, and even Topre Type Heaven RGB start to use it now.

A good way to tell is if you look at 8, 9, 0.  You'll notice there is a line across the middle like stencil.  I'm assuming this is done to improve letter integrity.

We need to find out where this is made and run a group buy on it. 

[nubbinator]

Popular =/= good.   Those caps look like they use the ****ty plastic that degrades and breaks within a couple of years.  I have seen too many broken OEM cap sets to even consider a set like that.

[Hyde]

We should ask Blackbird owners to see if it can withstand the test of time.

Though so far I haven't heard any report of broken keycaps yet. 

[berserkfan]

I very much doubt it; ultra thin doubleshots are hardly worth the risk to ship internationally.

[FrostyToast]

Doesn't JT keycaps have the capability to do doubleshot with a clear shot for legends? I thought I read about it somewhere.

[hwood34]

We need to find out where this is made and run a group buy on it. 

yeah... no...

[Hyde]

I very much doubt it; ultra thin doubleshots are hardly worth the risk to ship internationally.

They look decently thick to me to be honest.  You have to consider the clear shot + black shot.

Also I've typed on them before (my friend owns one), they feel closer to thick PBT than thin ABS.

Doesn't JT keycaps have the capability to do doubleshot with a clear shot for legends? I thought I read about it somewhere.

Possibly, if you look at the under side of the JT keycaps, they look similar in concept though granted JT Keycaps is a bit thicker.





Though I feel like everyone just write them off before actually trying them.




EDIT:  Found out they're actually 1.5 mm thick, which is thicker than even most thick PBT.

In this image we have Leopold FC900R which uses the same keycaps as Max Keyboard Blackbird.

[nubbinator]

That looks like the old Alps tooling with a different stem

[Hyde]

Ahhhhh is that how ALPS double shot were made?

Though I guess it's possible, isn't most of the modern ALPS were made in Taiwan?

So maybe it's the same factory or they just copied the style lol.

[swimmingbird]

Not sure about these - legends look crap as well

[nubbinator]

Not sure about these - legends look crap as well

Yeah,they're pretty awful.

[Hyde]

lol Ducky posted a new pic on their facebook today.

Though granted everyone will have their own preference when it comes to keycaps (geekhack seems to only like cherry profile and cherry font) so to each and their own I guess.