Author Topic: You're The Best Around... What's your favorite keycap set for under $60 retail (Read 9900 times)

bmmcwhirt · « **on:** Fri, 21 April 2017, 13:55:24 »

What is the best keycap set you can get for under $60 and where can it be bought?

There are a ton of keycap sets out there but most are expensive. I know I've bought into some group buys or tried and couldn't. So if you wanted to get the best possible keycap set for under $60USD what would it be and why? I was inspired to pose this question when I was looking for a keyboard the other day and realized I don't have enough keycaps for all my boards right now. I'm either waiting on a GB to ship or haven't found the right set for a keyboard yet. So don't answer from my point of view just answer for yourself if you have found the ultimate sub-$60 keyset.

romevi · « **Reply #1 on:** Fri, 21 April 2017, 13:58:25 »

I got my printed blue Topre Realforce set for $50. That's the best I got for under $60.

meiosis · « **Reply #2 on:** Fri, 21 April 2017, 14:11:46 »

enjoypbt dyesubs off aliexpress run you $72 but that is probably the best unless you can handle blanks

scwoopz · « **Reply #3 on:** Fri, 21 April 2017, 14:13:37 »

Quote from: Serendipity on Fri, 21 April 2017, 14:11:46

enjoypbt dyesubs off aliexpress run you $72 but that is probably the best unless you can handle blanks

What I was going to say. There are some nice XDA blanks on AliExpress that you can get is you want a non-sculpted set, and there are super nice cherry profile PBT caps on mechanicalkeyboards.com (the gateron pbt).

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

Joey Quinn · « **Reply #4 on:** Fri, 21 April 2017, 14:38:02 »

Quote from: Serendipity on Fri, 21 April 2017, 14:11:46

enjoypbt dyesubs off aliexpress run you $72 but that is probably the best unless you can handle blanks

I bought 2 blank sets of ePBT caps for about $60 total, whether op goes with blanks or a printed set I think this is the best option.

SpAmRaY · « **Reply #5 on:** Fri, 21 April 2017, 15:16:17 »

The side print thick PBT caps from leopold the eBay seller is currently away however. http://stores.ebay.com/widebasket

Alternatively you can just buy a leopold keyboard with the caps included and be done. I currently prefer the FC980M with silent reds.

romevi · « **Reply #6 on:** Fri, 21 April 2017, 15:19:36 »

OMG Yes! I can't believe I forgot ePBT! Definitely ePBT. Not under $60, but definitely the best bang for your buck. I've tried all kinds of Cherry-profile materials, and ePBT still is my favorite.

ander · « **Reply #7 on:** Sat, 22 April 2017, 03:44:56 »

I've always been fond of the Dolch-style light/dark gray MX sets:

...inspired by the vintage Dolch mobile network analyzers:

You can also get front-printed:

...though of course that's not as authentic.

The sets I see on eBay are usually thick PBT and just $25–35 shipped.

loud_asian · « **Reply #8 on:** Sat, 22 April 2017, 04:08:27 »

Gateron blanks @ $30 are a real steal

jcc04 · « **Reply #9 on:** Sun, 23 April 2017, 16:11:33 »

Just gotta look at the used market instead of going retail or aliexpress.

smithyithy · « **Reply #10 on:** Tue, 25 April 2017, 07:09:51 »

These TaiHao PBT were my first aftermarket caps, got them on sale for £20 and to be honest they've great. I'm typing this on them currently on my Filco Majestouch work board and they've done me well until my GMk arrive.

xondat · « **Reply #11 on:** Tue, 25 April 2017, 07:15:43 »

JTK Sophomore is $60 retail (OoB, RoW). It's as nice as GMK with minor letter thickness inconsistencies. They also feel better compared to GMK for me, bit more grippy.

credit: suembeaux

credit: talkingtree

reconsiderit · « **Reply #12 on:** Thu, 27 April 2017, 13:30:57 »

Quote from: xondat on Tue, 25 April 2017, 07:15:43

JTK Sophomore is $60 retail (OoB, RoW). It's as nice as GMK with minor letter thickness inconsistencies. They also feel better compared to GMK for me, bit more grippy.

Show Image

credit: suembeaux

Show Image

credit: talkingtree

the JTK sets are thick PBT, right? Anyone know how they compare to enjoyPBT?

cicada · « **Reply #13 on:** Thu, 27 April 2017, 14:06:30 »

Quote from: reconsiderit on Thu, 27 April 2017, 13:30:57

Quote from: xondat on Tue, 25 April 2017, 07:15:43
JTK Sophomore is $60 retail (OoB, RoW). It's as nice as GMK with minor letter thickness inconsistencies. They also feel better compared to GMK for me, bit more grippy.

Show Image

credit: suembeaux

Show Image

credit: talkingtree

the JTK sets are thick PBT, right? Anyone know how they compare to enjoyPBT?

They are ABS, same as GMK

Encabulator · « **Reply #14 on:** Fri, 28 April 2017, 09:28:43 »

Gateron/Enjoy PBT blanks. 40 dollars for a whole set with extra keys for non standard layout. It has a similar profile to cherry and is 1.5 mm thicc.

Minnie2 · « **Reply #15 on:** Fri, 28 April 2017, 10:04:21 »

Enjoypbt is good choice.

ullr · « **Reply #16 on:** Fri, 28 April 2017, 20:52:03 »

The caps on a Pingmaster. Thick, classic double‐shot sphericals and a ton of relegendables for $40 new. And it even comes with a keyboard

reconsiderit · « **Reply #17 on:** Mon, 01 May 2017, 02:24:52 »

Quote from: Encabulator on Fri, 28 April 2017, 09:28:43

Gateron/Enjoy PBT blanks. 40 dollars for a whole set with extra keys for non standard layout. It has a similar profile to cherry and is 1.5 mm thicc.

The enjoy PBT sets are the same sets as the oco modern beige sets, right? Really tempted to grab some. They look really clean. I have the stock set on my tada68 which I believe is the same enjoy pbt set and they are some really nice keys. The blanks can be bought for ~$30 on taobao I think.

Joey Quinn · « **Reply #18 on:** Mon, 01 May 2017, 02:33:45 »

Quote from: reconsiderit on Mon, 01 May 2017, 02:24:52

The enjoy PBT sets are the same sets as the oco modern beige sets, right?

I think so

Quote from: Encabulator on Fri, 28 April 2017, 09:28:43

Gateron/Enjoy PBT blanks. 40 dollars for a whole set with extra keys for non standard layout. It has a similar profile to cherry and is 1.5 mm thicc.

Gateron/ePBT sets don't use cherry molds but are an exact match to cherry profile.

meiosis · « **Reply #19 on:** Mon, 01 May 2017, 02:47:27 »

Quote from: reconsiderit on Mon, 01 May 2017, 02:24:52

Quote from: Encabulator on Fri, 28 April 2017, 09:28:43
Gateron/Enjoy PBT blanks. 40 dollars for a whole set with extra keys for non standard layout. It has a similar profile to cherry and is 1.5 mm thicc.

The enjoy PBT sets are the same sets as the oco modern beige sets, right? Really tempted to grab some. They look really clean. I have the stock set on my tada68 which I believe is the same enjoy pbt set and they are some really nice keys. The blanks can be bought for ~$30 on taobao I think.

They use the same base but the dyesubbing is different, I think between IMSTO, OCO, and Enjoypbt (EPBT owns the gateron mold) IMSTO still holds the better quality dyesubbing with EPBT and OCO around the same level (personally it does not matter to me much, because it looks nice from afar). And to your first question yes, they use the same base colors.

Helspong · « **Reply #20 on:** Mon, 01 May 2017, 08:10:52 »

My blank XDA caps are by far the best caps I've bought for under $60.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/XDA-141-Key-Full-Set-Keyset-Blank-Similar-to-DSA-For-MX-Mechanical-Keyboard-Steelseries-Ergo/32797415493.html

reconsiderit · « **Reply #21 on:** Mon, 01 May 2017, 19:42:49 »

Quote from: Serendipity on Mon, 01 May 2017, 02:47:27

Quote from: reconsiderit on Mon, 01 May 2017, 02:24:52
Quote from: Encabulator on Fri, 28 April 2017, 09:28:43
Gateron/Enjoy PBT blanks. 40 dollars for a whole set with extra keys for non standard layout. It has a similar profile to cherry and is 1.5 mm thicc.

The enjoy PBT sets are the same sets as the oco modern beige sets, right? Really tempted to grab some. They look really clean. I have the stock set on my tada68 which I believe is the same enjoy pbt set and they are some really nice keys. The blanks can be bought for ~$30 on taobao I think.

They use the same base but the dyesubbing is different, I think between IMSTO, OCO, and Enjoypbt (EPBT owns the gateron mold) IMSTO still holds the better quality dyesubbing with EPBT and OCO around the same level (personally it does not matter to me much, because it looks nice from afar). And to your first question yes, they use the same base colors.

The basic epbt sets are doubleshot, aren't they? It's just the special sets (cyan+magenta) that are dye subbed?

SpectreiiI · « **Reply #22 on:** Tue, 02 May 2017, 17:22:13 »

Quote from: reconsiderit on Mon, 01 May 2017, 19:42:49

Quote from: Serendipity on Mon, 01 May 2017, 02:47:27
Quote from: reconsiderit on Mon, 01 May 2017, 02:24:52
Quote from: Encabulator on Fri, 28 April 2017, 09:28:43
Gateron/Enjoy PBT blanks. 40 dollars for a whole set with extra keys for non standard layout. It has a similar profile to cherry and is 1.5 mm thicc.

The enjoy PBT sets are the same sets as the oco modern beige sets, right? Really tempted to grab some. They look really clean. I have the stock set on my tada68 which I believe is the same enjoy pbt set and they are some really nice keys. The blanks can be bought for ~$30 on taobao I think.

They use the same base but the dyesubbing is different, I think between IMSTO, OCO, and Enjoypbt (EPBT owns the gateron mold) IMSTO still holds the better quality dyesubbing with EPBT and OCO around the same level (personally it does not matter to me much, because it looks nice from afar). And to your first question yes, they use the same base colors.

The basic epbt sets are doubleshot, aren't they? It's just the special sets (cyan+magenta) that are dye subbed?

No. As a matter of fact, there aren't any doubleshot PBT caps of any quality currently in production. The closest thing is Tai hao, and those are crap.

Puddsy · « **Reply #23 on:** Tue, 02 May 2017, 20:32:02 »

Vortex and Tai Hao both to PBT doubleshot. Dyesub is much better, though.

reconsiderit · « **Reply #24 on:** Tue, 02 May 2017, 21:16:12 »

Anyone try out the xda blanks yet? Was wondering if that purple boxed set comes with a 1.75u shift.

SpectreiiI · « **Reply #25 on:** Tue, 02 May 2017, 22:18:02 »

Quote from: Puddsy on Tue, 02 May 2017, 20:32:02

Vortex and Tai Hao both to PBT doubleshot. Dyesub is much better, though.

Like I said, there aren't any quality double-shot PBT caps in production. Dye subs aren't better, they're simply the only reliable option.

I just got a set of Tai Haos in and they're unusable. The 'G' key is offset by roughly a half a millimeter, the '/' key is twisted about 4 degrees clockwise, the enter is twisted about 2 degrees counter clockwise, and the left shift binds on the stabilizers for reasons I can't explain. Previous Vortex sets have had similar issues.

SpectreiiI · « **Reply #26 on:** Tue, 02 May 2017, 22:19:08 »

Doublepost

Helspong · « **Reply #27 on:** Wed, 03 May 2017, 01:41:17 »

Quote from: reconsiderit on Tue, 02 May 2017, 21:16:12

Anyone try out the xda blanks yet? Was wondering if that purple boxed set comes with a 1.75u shift.

It does come with alot of keys, including a 1.75u shift.

A quick potato-pic

reconsiderit · « **Reply #28 on:** Wed, 03 May 2017, 12:46:00 »

Quote from: Helspong on Wed, 03 May 2017, 01:41:17

Quote from: reconsiderit on Tue, 02 May 2017, 21:16:12
Anyone try out the xda blanks yet? Was wondering if that purple boxed set comes with a 1.75u shift.

It does come with alot of keys, including a 1.75u shift.

A quick potato-pic

Show Image

Those look really nice for the price. Look pretty thick too? Maybe close to Gateron/epbt quality?

LiquidEvilGaming · « **Reply #29 on:** Wed, 03 May 2017, 13:02:28 »

Starry night By Tai-Hao Doubleshot ABS set $39.00

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2349

Helspong · « **Reply #30 on:** Wed, 03 May 2017, 14:10:17 »

Quote from: reconsiderit on Wed, 03 May 2017, 12:46:00

Quote from: Helspong on Wed, 03 May 2017, 01:41:17
Quote from: reconsiderit on Tue, 02 May 2017, 21:16:12
Anyone try out the xda blanks yet? Was wondering if that purple boxed set comes with a 1.75u shift.

It does come with alot of keys, including a 1.75u shift.

A quick potato-pic

Show Image

Those look really nice for the price. Look pretty thick too? Maybe close to Gateron/epbt quality?

They are quite thick, i got very bright leds and they are not shining through at all. I think they are around 1,2mm thick.

punksinatra · « **Reply #31 on:** Sun, 24 September 2017, 09:17:07 »

Quote from: LiquidEvilGaming on Wed, 03 May 2017, 13:02:28

(Attachment Link)

Starry night By Tai-Hao Doubleshot ABS set $39.00

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2349

Do you have butt pics of those caps?

LiquidEvilGaming · « **Reply #32 on:** Mon, 25 September 2017, 03:28:42 »

Quote from: punksinatra on Sun, 24 September 2017, 09:17:07

Quote from: LiquidEvilGaming on Wed, 03 May 2017, 13:02:28
(Attachment Link)

Starry night By Tai-Hao Doubleshot ABS set $39.00

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2349

Do you have butt pics of those caps?

Sadly not anymore, I sold the board they were on and the buyer negotiated the inclusion of those caps.

LiquidEvilGaming · « **Reply #33 on:** Mon, 25 September 2017, 03:33:14 »

On another note, since this thread originally was posted.

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/japanese-alphabets-cherry-pbt-dyesubbed-keycap-set

Is my new favorite under $60 personally.

Have them on my Leopold right now and I love them.

noisyturtle · « **Reply #34 on:** Wed, 27 September 2017, 16:00:44 »

My favorite set ever is a seafoam-green or lavender-purple frosted glass TKL set that doesn't exist and that I would pay upwards of $800 for

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Author Topic: You're The Best Around... What's your favorite keycap set for under $60 retail (Read 9900 times)