[IC] DCS Solarized Dark - Starts 11/11 - Pricing is Live (for all vendors)

[Puddsy]

i don't believe they have 3u molds in DCS at all, and i know that they don't have 1u convex.

[Aiwanei]

i don't believe they have 3u molds in DCS at all, and i know that they don't have 1u convex.

They do have 3u concave, basically any key under 6u is concave. You can find what molds they have here https://pimpmykeyboard.com/template/images/DCSFamily.pdf

[Aiwanei]

Love it, and especially love the Gorton. Please add R3 PgUp, R4 PgDn to base for 65% support, and you've got yourself a buyer.

Do you know if SP has DCS molds for 3c and 1c spacekeys? Cause those would be a nice addition to the spacebars kit.


Edit: Somehow I missed the whole second page of this thread.

Consider replacing UK ISO with basic terminal ISO.  It reduces the amount of caps used for ISO support from 8 to 4 and you're still covering the layout fine.

I don't really see the point of UK ISO when a very small portion of ISO users (which are already a minority) will make actual use of the regional caps.

Second this, there are more than 1 ISO layouts, terminal ISO is the cheapest for all of us ISO users.

+1 to this. But even if ISO-UK stays, that's totally fine too — UK users get to have their keys, and it's probably not going to affect the price of the kit by much. However...

I have also tweaked the base kit slightly, adding in terminal ISO support (in addition to UK ISO currently), a 1.5u R2 Delete (in addition to the backspace) and a R1 1u delete that has colored legends, for ISO boards that have split backspace.

... This is not so fine. These changes are pretty much unnecessary. You don't need both ISO-UK and terminal ISO — it's either one or the other; having both is redundant.
As for R2 1.5u Delete, does anyone even use that (unless they're forced to)? I don't think so, but maybe I'm wrong. Maybe it's a thing with this colorway? My GMK set has it, and I hate it.
Anyway, what I am sure is that a vanishingly small number of people use split Backspace together with ISO Enter. However, R1 1u Delete with a colored legend has another use case, which is HHKB layouts with Delete above 1.5u Backspace, so for that reason, you should actually keep that key.

In summary, if I were you, I would do the following:

• Drop either ISO-UK or terminal ISO keys — you definitely don't need both.
• Drop the R2 1.5u Delete key.
• If you want to add some extra keys to base, make it be some useful ones, and add R3 PgUp, R4 PgDn and, optionally (and only if you're not going to run a separate Mac kit), 1.5u Supers and a second 1u Alt.
• Please keep the shebang keys, at least the 1u ones: for me, those are a key part of what makes SolDark keysets — SolDark keysets. As for the 1.25u ones, they do look kinda odd, so maybe replace those with Super.

Edit 2: wording, a few extra clarifications

Thanks for the feedback, I actually have moved terminal iso back out of base and into an NorDe kit.

I'll take your other suggestions under consideration.

[pr0ximity]

I'm interested

[ylothar]

I'm in, for sure 

[konstantin]

Thanks for the feedback, I actually have moved terminal iso back out of base and into an NorDe kit.

I'll take your other suggestions under consideration.

Sounds good, ty for your consideration

[actress]

Does anyone have experience with DCS? Is it closer to GMK or JTK in terms of sound?

[Rob27shred]

Does anyone have experience with DCS? Is it closer to GMK or JTK in terms of sound?

Neither TBH. DCS is much thinner than either GMK or JTK caps & makes for a higher pitched, poppier sound IMO. Don't let them being thin fool you though, they are very nice caps that can really compliment certain builds & switches nicely IME.

[Ensaum]

Does anyone have experience with DCS? Is it closer to GMK or JTK in terms of sound?

Neither TBH. DCS is much thinner than either GMK or JTK caps & makes for a higher pitched, poppier sound IMO. Don't let them being thin fool you though, they are very nice caps that can really compliment certain builds & switches nicely IME.

What switches would you say pair well with DCS? I'd imagine clicky switches, naturally, but I'd think maybe creams or alpacas too?

[HungerMechanic]

What switches would you say pair well with DCS? I'd imagine clicky switches, naturally, but I'd think maybe creams or alpacas too?

Light tactiles and light linears.

In particular, I use it with worn-in pre-tooled MX Browns. DCS produces a deeper, more 'clackier,' more Korean sound that GMK with MX Brown.

I don't know if it's the plastic or the hollow-spaces inside the keycaps, but they are definitely lower-pitched.

Modern DCS is thin, but that's what I'm using presently. There's even super-thick classic WYSE DCS if you can get it. It's even lower-pitched and way better than GMK in terms of sound.

Modern thin DCS allows you to feel the switch more than heavier keycaps allow you to. This makes a difference on the lightest tactiles like MX Brown. I also have some DCS on a custom keyboard with Everglide Jade. They are about Zealio V1 in tactility, and DCS works okay with them - they do feel a little more resistant than with GMK keycaps.

I have also read accounts of people preferring DCS with light linears. They're definitely something to use if you want to 'feel' your switches.

[Rob27shred]

What switches would you say pair well with DCS? I'd imagine clicky switches, naturally, but I'd think maybe creams or alpacas too?

Light tactiles and light linears.

In particular, I use it with worn-in pre-tooled MX Browns. DCS produces a deeper, more 'clackier,' more Korean sound that GMK with MX Brown.

I don't know if it's the plastic or the hollow-spaces inside the keycaps, but they are definitely lower-pitched.

Modern DCS is thin, but that's what I'm using presently. There's even super-thick classic WYSE DCS if you can get it. It's even lower-pitched and way better than GMK in terms of sound.

Modern thin DCS allows you to feel the switch more than heavier keycaps allow you to. This makes a difference on the lightest tactiles like MX Brown. I also have some DCS on a custom keyboard with Everglide Jade. They are about Zealio V1 in tactility, and DCS works okay with them - they do feel a little more resistant than with GMK keycaps.

I have also read accounts of people preferring DCS with light linears. They're definitely something to use if you want to 'feel' your switches.

I agree with everything said by HungerMechanic here, light linears would be my fav with DCS but it does allow you to feel light/med tactile switches much better than thick caps IME as well. Also of course clickys, they tend to make even some of the most obnoxious click jacket design switches sound better.

[Puddsy]

Does anyone have experience with DCS? Is it closer to GMK or JTK in terms of sound?

Neither TBH. DCS is much thinner than either GMK or JTK caps & makes for a higher pitched, poppier sound IMO. Don't let them being thin fool you though, they are very nice caps that can really compliment certain builds & switches nicely IME.

What switches would you say pair well with DCS? I'd imagine clicky switches, naturally, but I'd think maybe creams or alpacas too?

i haven't found a switch i don't like with DCS yet

[Ensaum]

Interesting. I'm going in on pingmaster and I'm excited to try those on some nice blue alps I just got in recently. I have some ideas I want to try out with this set and dcs honeywell now too though, haha.

[Puddsy]

Interesting. I'm going in on pingmaster and I'm excited to try those on some nice blue alps I just got in recently. I have some ideas I want to try out with this set and dcs honeywell now too though, haha.

this set is MX DCS not ALPS (or at least it hasn't been indicated that this will be an ALPS set)

[Ensaum]

Interesting. I'm going in on pingmaster and I'm excited to try those on some nice blue alps I just got in recently. I have some ideas I want to try out with this set and dcs honeywell now too though, haha.

this set is MX DCS not ALPS (or at least it hasn't been indicated that this will be an ALPS set)

DCS Pingmaster is alps though, which is what I would be using with my blue alps.

[Puddsy]

Interesting. I'm going in on pingmaster and I'm excited to try those on some nice blue alps I just got in recently. I have some ideas I want to try out with this set and dcs honeywell now too though, haha.

this set is MX DCS not ALPS (or at least it hasn't been indicated that this will be an ALPS set)

DCS Pingmaster is alps though, which is what I would be using with my blue alps.

ah i misread your message

[actress]

What switches would you say pair well with DCS? I'd imagine clicky switches, naturally, but I'd think maybe creams or alpacas too?

Light tactiles and light linears.

In particular, I use it with worn-in pre-tooled MX Browns. DCS produces a deeper, more 'clackier,' more Korean sound that GMK with MX Brown.

I don't know if it's the plastic or the hollow-spaces inside the keycaps, but they are definitely lower-pitched.

Modern DCS is thin, but that's what I'm using presently. There's even super-thick classic WYSE DCS if you can get it. It's even lower-pitched and way better than GMK in terms of sound.

Modern thin DCS allows you to feel the switch more than heavier keycaps allow you to. This makes a difference on the lightest tactiles like MX Brown. I also have some DCS on a custom keyboard with Everglide Jade. They are about Zealio V1 in tactility, and DCS works okay with them - they do feel a little more resistant than with GMK keycaps.

I have also read accounts of people preferring DCS with light linears. They're definitely something to use if you want to 'feel' your switches.

Thanks for the input. Good thing I've got some 55g vintage browns ready for a build

[norm]

Definitely interested but is it bad that I just want the space bars since Break wouldn't provide us with a lazurite colored 2.75u/2.25u with GMK Birch?

[paperassgasket]

Definitely interested but is it bad that I just want the space bars since Break wouldn't provide us with a lazurite colored 2.75u/2.25u with GMK Birch?

Don't get me started. There's not even a 3u to be found.
I don't think that these spacebars will be an excellent match, bit it's certainly better than nothing.

[tunb]

So good

[norm]

Definitely interested but is it bad that I just want the space bars since Break wouldn't provide us with a lazurite colored 2.75u/2.25u with GMK Birch?

Don't get me started. There's not even a 3u to be found.
I don't think that these spacebars will be an excellent match, bit it's certainly better than nothing.

I was just impressed that Signature Plastics had a stock color that was close to it! I'll take what I can get.

[Jefff]

Very interested, hope this reaches GB!

[clayclws]

Just got DCS Nightfall from Thockeys, and am incredibly excited for this as I have scoured as much as I can for GMK Solarized Dark but to no avail (just got into the hobby mid this year). Hope this goes into GB/pre-order/etc soon. If there are 2 bases (one with coloured mods, and another without), I would definitely buy both. If there is only 1 base, and additional mods, I hope there are some sort of alphas with sub-legends being offered.

Had been lurking in geekhack for a while but found no reason to join...but since Thockeys do not have a discord, I decided to join geekhack just to keep tabs on this.

[HungerMechanic]

Thanks for the input. Good thing I've got some 55g vintage browns ready for a build

This is an ideal combination.

[Altain]

When I first joined the hobby I always craved for a Solarized Dark set but it was already so rare to get by then. Had to give up one of my dreams as a beginner.
Now it's back on the menu again and I must say Let's gooooooooo

[hk21022]

hmm another ABS darn. I would prefer PBT even if the legends are less crispy.

[_rubik]

hmm another ABS darn. I would prefer PBT even if the legends are less crispy.

When DCS / MW / ePBT etc etc are trying to compete with GMK, things like "crispy legends" are pretty important. Anything less and they'll still be the "lesser manufacturers".

I suppose you could make the argument that ABS is the lesser material, though :shrug:

[Puddsy]

hmm another ABS darn. I would prefer PBT even if the legends are less crispy.

When DCS / MW / ePBT etc etc are trying to compete with GMK, things like "crispy legends" are pretty important. Anything less and they'll still be the "lesser manufacturers".

I suppose you could make the argument that ABS is the lesser material, though :shrug:

DCS dyesub is actually quite good, i have a bunch of old ones that are really nice. i don't think SP can do the reverse dyesub that would be required for this set though.

on ABS v PBT, i don't think one is better or worse than the other, just different. i use shiny ABS caps pretty much every day because i like them. i've used dyesubs in the past that i've liked a lot too. just preference.

i do think that a lot of the "my keycaps are shiny and feel weird" issues can be resolved with a rinse in warm soapy water. that gets a lot of the gunk and oil off the caps and reduces the greasy weird feeling that some people dislike about it. i wash my keycaps every 3-4 months (regardless of material) for this reason.

[_rubik]

hmm another ABS darn. I would prefer PBT even if the legends are less crispy.

When DCS / MW / ePBT etc etc are trying to compete with GMK, things like "crispy legends" are pretty important. Anything less and they'll still be the "lesser manufacturers".

I suppose you could make the argument that ABS is the lesser material, though :shrug:

DCS dyesub is actually quite good, i have a bunch of old ones that are really nice. i don't think SP can do the reverse dyesub that would be required for this set though.

That's good to hear and helpful context

Which manus support reverse? IIRC Infinikey, keyreactive, and momoka; does epbt? Hard to hunt down info on them.

[zea]

hmm another ABS darn. I would prefer PBT even if the legends are less crispy.

When DCS / MW / ePBT etc etc are trying to compete with GMK, things like "crispy legends" are pretty important. Anything less and they'll still be the "lesser manufacturers".

I suppose you could make the argument that ABS is the lesser material, though :shrug:

DCS dyesub is actually quite good, i have a bunch of old ones that are really nice. i don't think SP can do the reverse dyesub that would be required for this set though.

That's good to hear and helpful context

Which manus support reverse? IIRC Infinikey, keyreactive, and momoka; does epbt? Hard to hunt down info on them.

milkyway. epbt supposedly does but they're reworking their molds or something like that

[proelio]

nice set, happy to see dcs getting some more custom designs! will buy when in GB.

[Puddsy]

milkyway. epbt supposedly does but they're reworking their molds or something like that

they bought new dyesub machines that will hopefully be better, but dyesub is more than just buying a better machine so we'll see

[sublyme]

Id likely be down to grab a set depending on the options. I would suggest some kind of poll or something to get the most accurate results

[Aiwanei]

Group Buy Date and Vendors have been announced, will post updated kitting once renders are complete.

[Puddsy]

Group Buy Date and Vendors have been announced, will post updated kitting once renders are complete.

pog

[_rubik]

Group Buy Date and Vendors have been announced, will post updated kitting once renders are complete.

My wallet is ready

[clayclws]

Group Buy Date and Vendors have been announced, will post updated kitting once renders are complete.

No SEA vendors? Monokei or iLumkb? Since you are working with Hand Engineering, maybe Lewis can introduce you to Beaming of Monokei?
Rebult just came in to save the day!

[yqqdrasil]

I would love a dedicated 40s kit, but I understand if there isn't enough interest, 3 key in base is already a blessing.

[Jefff]

Definitely will be getting in on this!

[Chenson]

Maybe a collab with HIBI MX?

[tngpq]

Love the set and definitely copping but is there any chance of adding R1-R4 relegendables?

[Aiwanei]

Love the set and definitely copping but is there any chance of adding R1-R4 relegendables?

The relegendables kit ideas being expanded with the updated kitting.

[Aiwanei]

I have updated the kitting images as well as provided some notes on the changes.  I would love to get feedback, and I will also be posting a new IC form in the next few days about these kits.

[Ensaum]

New kitting looks great as far as I can tell. Only suggestion I have is to maybe throw a couple widowed keys into the :whitespace kit.

[euphxenos]

Please consider adding R3 PgUp and R4 PgDn.

[HappyB0T]

DCS Incognito was canceled - I have some extra money to spend on DCS - I'm down.

[clayclws]

Suggestion: icons only mod maybe? Like DCS paperwork

[Aiwanei]

Suggestion: icons only mod maybe? Like DCS paperwork

Since this is based on an IDE theme I felt that having text or text+icon fit better (and I personally prefer text+icon over just text), but I do understand that draw of Icon only, maybe got a future set I'll do that.

[clayclws]

Since this is based on an IDE theme I felt that having text or text+icon fit better (and I personally prefer text+icon over just text), but I do understand that draw of Icon only, maybe got a future set I'll do that.

Alright. Understood. I have the nightfall and i just thought that the Enter + arrow, and the Shift + arrow looks odd compared to GMK’s as the Enter’s arrow do not flush with the Enter’s wording. And the Shift’s arrow is a bit condensed.

Glad the tab arrows have been shifted though!

[Capsy]

That is a great relegendables kit. Thank you !!