So here's how it works. Topre manufactures all Topre switch keyboards to my knowledge. (Not sure if it's direct or indirect.) But they do not have a distribution channel for keyboards - their primary industries are things like refrigerated trucks, industrial paint application, you get the idea.
Now we're really confused, no? Here's how supply chain works for Realforce, abridged version.
Topre makes keyboards -> keyboards go to MAIN distribution -> shipped to regional distributor (think Ingram Micro, TechData equivalent) -> regional ships to retail -> you buy your keyboard from retail.
Topre makes contract order keyboard -> keyboards go to contract customer (e.g. PFU, ILOVEX) directly -> contract customer supply chain.
So for example, with the 87U what they might do is just ship all of them to Leopold who then sells and ships to retail (e.g. EK) so that Topre doesn't have to worry about any of it. So technically they're all distributed by Leopold, since Leopold is handling the distribution chain. But for a 105U they might ship direct to certain retailers, and through distributors for other regions. Leopold won't sell them to other retail channels in the US because EK has an exclusivity agreement, but is free to sell them to anyone they want in say, Japan or Taiwan or Europe. It's very complicated and confusing, yes.
Moving away from that, iOne was actually not an awful manufacturer for us. The Pro unfortunately caught a bad wrap because we went with a snap method on the USB connector which required quite a bit of force to plug in.... In certain regions (Everywhere except North America) this was considered a really nice and secure fit/feature. The market here, was unable to plug in the keyboard properly and thus we had a "DOA" failure rate which was astronomical & deadly to the boards lifespan. In actuality the boards were perfectly fine.....
The OEM of TK is not one ever mentioned in Mechanical Keyboard market. Its quite funny as they have done several popular boards and manufacture one of the biggest hyped releases recently.
You've missed out Adesso and Monoprice from your list of iOne boards.
I didn't mind my Blackwidow while it lasted, other than the fact it's a total finger print magnet, but now that I have seen the rust on it, I have to wonder what the heck went wrong.. Also saw a Das (Not sure what one, but it's on these forums) that has become rusted as well.
You've missed out Adesso and Monoprice from your list of iOne boards.
Ok I'll add them in but I haven't heard any reviews regarding those yet so I don't know if they're good or bad.I didn't mind my Blackwidow while it lasted, other than the fact it's a total finger print magnet, but now that I have seen the rust on it, I have to wonder what the heck went wrong.. Also saw a Das (Not sure what one, but it's on these forums) that has become rusted as well.
Uh which part rusted? The plate mount? Or stabilizer bars? I don't think there are too many metal parts in a keyboard? >___>
I'll contribute some OEMs you've heard of but probably didn't know make keyboards (or have the capability to do so):
Hon Hai (AKA Foxconn)
Delta Electronics (no, seriously.)
Win Industry Company (primarily industrial keypads and flexible pad type)
Tai Hao (who specializes in - wait for it - mechanical (http://taihao.manufacturer.globalsources.com/si/6008800003454/LargeImage/Gaming-Wired-Keyboard/product_id-1021686117/action-GetProduct.htm) keyboards (http://taihao.manufacturer.globalsources.com/si/6008800003454/LargeImage/Multimedia-Keyboard-with/product_id-1032752899/action-GetProduct.htm) and is based in Taiwan)
Cherry Corporation does some contract manufacturing (you provide the design, they provide the parts and knowhow.)
Keytronic is still cranking out solid parts year after year and a big ODM people forget about.
Mototech (http://www.mototech.com.tw/) - which is another design and build house - think they're part of Accton (http://www.accton.com/acctongroup.asp) and rolled together with Joy now?
Digitec Technology used to make some of Logitech's keyboards, think they're still around as well.
Who's the OEM for Corsair K60 and K90?
Could have been a manufacturing defect - paint not evenly applied to the plate for example. Or stored in a damp warehouse prior to distribution.
Could have been a manufacturing defect - paint not evenly applied to the plate for example. Or stored in a damp warehouse prior to distribution.I'm still wondering about that random letter z that shows on there, as well.. seems odd.
Im sorry , does Quickfire Rapid is iOne or costar? :)The QFR is Costar
To be honest, Corsair K60 is one of the best built keyboards on the market. I have never felt such quality.
If it wouldnt be so ugly and using domes on some keys I would still have it :P
Leopold - I always thought they were made in Korea but some member mentioned the bottom label says made in Taiwan.
I'm is a TKL and made in China.Leopold - I always thought they were made in Korea but some member mentioned the bottom label says made in Taiwan.
Just looked at the label on my leopold at work it says, "Made in China". It's a full size not a tenless so they may be built in different places.
From what I've heard the QPad board is just a rebranded XArmor, I don't think they've made any significant changes other than the branding as it's not the only rebranded product they sell.
I've got one for ya under unknown... Plum. I own two of their 96 key boards. PCB mounted, PBT or POM laser etched keycaps. Lots of modding options and has a blue-tooth. The soldering quality is great, quality of housing and keycaps are questionable. The keycaps are easy to remove and do not fit tightly. One of my boards came without the feet which would prop up the board. Usually available to us over Taobao
I'm is a TKL and made in China.
Ahhhh cool I'll update the list. Also adding Plum.
Thanks guys, keep the feedbacks coming :D
The 6GV2 and 7G are both Costar CST104 variant. The 6GV2 is closer to the 'stock.' This is also true of the Thermaltake Meka G1 and WASDKeyboards as well. They are all the exact same base model, with changes made to meet OEM design. The controllers are directly swappable when feature matched. So all four of those are known to be CST104.
SS are Datacomps. The PCB and component choices are highly similar to known MIT Leopolds (Datacomp made).
I hear there are only 2 manufacturers for MX caps in Taiwan. They are not molded in house at Datacomp/CST.
It should be also noted that backlit Rosewills probably aren't made by Costar.
Here we go:It should be also noted that backlit Rosewills probably aren't made by Costar.
There's almost no chance Rosewills are made by Costar, at least not consistently. Rosewill is in fact, Newegg. (Same owners, different name. It's the typical shady trick dating to the 90's.) Look downmarket - this is evidenced by their rebranded PSUs, generally rated between "junk" and "guaranteed to catch fire."
It was already determined it is made by iRocks and is a rebranded KR6251E. The bottom row was a real put off to me as well, I wouldn't buy one of them for that alone.
I believe the site is just old info. The cherry switches were rated for 20mil actuations until recently (50mil for blacks always I think).
RK9000 series are Costar. It has CST part number on the PCB. http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/rosewill_rk_9000_mechanical_keyboard_review,4.html
Depending on the subcontracted manufacturing partner, Costar can vary from so so to OK.
Aye, from what I've heard, until fairly recently, only MX Black were rated for 50 million; the others were only rated for 20 million.
You might put two RK9000's side by side and have two entirely different manufacturers with entirely different quality. I've seen some of their non-keyboard rebrands where the 'same' part was two totally different manufacturers and components more than once. So even when it looks identical from the outside and has the same PN, there's no guarantee that it's the same.
We need a wiki page for all this.
We need a wiki page for all this.
Yupe someone else should do it because I'm lazy LOL. Originally made it because I feel sorry for iOne but really didn't intend for this to get this big LOLLLL. Though I'll try to update this as much as I can and hopefully this will help new users making their choices.
Updated Datacomp, Ducky, Plum, iRocks as OEM list. On a random note, why would anyone name their brand Noppoo? Sounds like no poo as in constipated :confused:
We need a wiki page for all this.
Yupe someone else should do it because I'm lazy LOL. Originally made it because I feel sorry for iOne but really didn't intend for this to get this big LOLLLL. Though I'll try to update this as much as I can and hopefully this will help new users making their choices.
Updated Datacomp, Ducky, Plum, iRocks as OEM list. On a random note, why would anyone name their brand Noppoo? Sounds like no poo as in constipated :confused:
Well, still better than naming a brand Rapoo and selling low quality keyboards with fake Cherry switches.Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/0ploJ.jpg)
Dem yellows ;D
Why the hell I wrote "I'm" instead of mine is beyond me. Anyways, only thing I can think of is they changed countries of production to make the FC700R. Either way, it feels like a great keyboard, except I hate the caps on it :))I'm is a TKL and made in China.
Hmm. Interesting. This thread made me do some google searching. I only really was able to find leopolds with a label saying they were made in China.
A review with some pictures. (http://thirdpinion.com/main/hardware/review-leopold-mechanical-keyboard/)
A page for a FC700R showing the back label. It's small but you can see Made in China. (http://www.leopold.co.kr/?doc=cart/item.php&it_id=1325852145)
But then I found a few reviews for some tenless version that show they were made in Taiwan.
One review (http://rhinofeed.com/2011/08/leopold-tenkeyless-tactile-touch-fc200rtkb-review/)
Second review (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=31686.0)
I don't know what this means exactly but leopolds have at one point been made in China and in Taiwan.
How's the Razer Blackwidow 2013? I have been hearing it's better than its predecessor when it comes to build quality. Is that true? Are they still made by iOne?
FYI, costar keyboards have varying quality between different brands. The costar in Filco is superior to costar in CM quickfire and Rosewill. This is based on 3 filcos, 3 CM quickfire, and 2 Rosewill that I've opened up and desoldered.
@FoxWolf
What are those fake Cherry Yellow Switches?
Is there a force graph for them somewhere?
But can't say anything about the Razertards. They'll buy anything as soon as there's Razer written on it, even if it is a ridiculous keyboard with a LCD screen for US$ 250 or more (http://www.razerzone.com/store/razer-deathstalker-ultimate).Link broken
But can't say anything about the Razertards. They'll buy anything as soon as there's Razer written on it, even if it is a ridiculous keyboard with a LCD screen for US$ 250 or more (http://www.razerzone.com/store/razer-deathstalker-ultimate).Link broken
...I'd say it's not as bad as $300 rubber dome http://store.gameshark.com/viewItem.asp?idProduct=5529&idCategory=262&scid=MC_Strike7 :PWhen I saw ur post I thought u were making a joke against Topre. :))
Hm...
Is PLU (no M...PLU, not PLUM) an OEM? They seem to also make the Team Scorpion gaming mechs...or maybe the relationship is some other kind of partnership? Hard to tell.
Could add TG3 to the list, for stuff under the TG3 brand and Deck.
Also, I was thinking a little bit earlier about Kailh switches. It must be rather tempting for keyboard makers to consider Kailhs, not just because of price issues, but also because it seems like Cherry is always running out of one switch type or another. Would suck to get screwed over just because some bigger brand decided to monopolize the switch you needed...
FWIW, I love my two rosewill boards. I hardly consider them debatable and would not at all hesitate recommending them.
FYI, costar keyboards have varying quality between different brands. The costar in Filco is superior to costar in CM quickfire and Rosewill. This is based on 3 filcos, 3 CM quickfire, and 2 Rosewill that I've opened up and desoldered.
Both of my Leopolds say "Made in Taiwan"
(Attachment Link)
Saw a ziabol 60 at frys, it was destroyed.. keycaps, stabilizers, everything...
Why did they destroy it?
Based on Carter's quote from the same article:QuoteThe OEM of TK is not one ever mentioned in Mechanical Keyboard market. Its quite funny as they have done several popular boards and manufacture one of the biggest hyped releases recently.
I'm guessing he's hinting Logitech G710+, so I wonder if CM Storm TK is made in the same place.
Hmm I'm definitely curious if this is the case. After comparing a CM Trigger and QuickFire TK (both with blues) side by side, the TK keys have a distinctly more satisfying feel, as if they are slightly springier, while the Trigger feels a bit mushy comparatively. The layout of the TK just wasn't working for me so I would love to figure out who the OEM is in the hopes of picking up a full size keyboard with a similar feel.
thanks rowdy! I've spent so much damn time researching mechanical keyboards that I felt obligated to join hehe.
Hyde I am relieved to hear that you feel similarly about the Trigger. I was actually thinking about getting a Das but all the complaints about the new ones have caused me to hold off. Maybe I'll make a trip down to Frys and see if they have a G710+ out.
thanks rowdy! I've spent so much damn time researching mechanical keyboards that I felt obligated to join hehe.
Hyde I am relieved to hear that you feel similarly about the Trigger. I was actually thinking about getting a Das but all the complaints about the new ones have caused me to hold off. Maybe I'll make a trip down to Frys and see if they have a G710+ out.
At the moment if you want a Das, I'd say go for the Ultimate (blank) or Mac Edition. They're still made by Costar so you're safe for the time being. It is still the cheapest Costar made full size board unless you go for Rosewill (But then you pay for shipping).
I'm not big on the G710+ but mainly because I don't like macro keys also they have non-standard size modifier keys. So if you want to buy a PBT set in the future it will be a pain in the butt. I'd suggest you buy a Das Ultimate or Rosewill and get PBT keycaps down the road. Otherwise for tenkeyless CM Storm QuickFire Rapid is pretty much the best option. :)
thanks rowdy! I've spent so much damn time researching mechanical keyboards that I felt obligated to join hehe.
Hyde I am relieved to hear that you feel similarly about the Trigger. I was actually thinking about getting a Das but all the complaints about the new ones have caused me to hold off. Maybe I'll make a trip down to Frys and see if they have a G710+ out.
At the moment if you want a Das, I'd say go for the Ultimate (blank) or Mac Edition. They're still made by Costar so you're safe for the time being. It is still the cheapest Costar made full size board unless you go for Rosewill (But then you pay for shipping).
I'm not big on the G710+ but mainly because I don't like macro keys also they have non-standard size modifier keys. So if you want to buy a PBT set in the future it will be a pain in the butt. I'd suggest you buy a Das Ultimate or Rosewill and get PBT keycaps down the road. Otherwise for tenkeyless CM Storm QuickFire Rapid is pretty much the best option. :)
Make sure you put the Das under misc chinese manufacturer. People have suspicions, but upon review there are no issues with this keyboard except pad printed caps, and its a fingerprint magnet.
Check the latest reviews on Amazon. There *are* issues.thanks rowdy! I've spent so much damn time researching mechanical keyboards that I felt obligated to join hehe.
Hyde I am relieved to hear that you feel similarly about the Trigger. I was actually thinking about getting a Das but all the complaints about the new ones have caused me to hold off. Maybe I'll make a trip down to Frys and see if they have a G710+ out.
At the moment if you want a Das, I'd say go for the Ultimate (blank) or Mac Edition. They're still made by Costar so you're safe for the time being. It is still the cheapest Costar made full size board unless you go for Rosewill (But then you pay for shipping).
I'm not big on the G710+ but mainly because I don't like macro keys also they have non-standard size modifier keys. So if you want to buy a PBT set in the future it will be a pain in the butt. I'd suggest you buy a Das Ultimate or Rosewill and get PBT keycaps down the road. Otherwise for tenkeyless CM Storm QuickFire Rapid is pretty much the best option. :)
Make sure you put the Das under misc chinese manufacturer. People have suspicions, but upon review there are no issues with this keyboard except pad printed caps, and its a fingerprint magnet.
Check the latest reviews on Amazon. There *are* issues.thanks rowdy! I've spent so much damn time researching mechanical keyboards that I felt obligated to join hehe.
Hyde I am relieved to hear that you feel similarly about the Trigger. I was actually thinking about getting a Das but all the complaints about the new ones have caused me to hold off. Maybe I'll make a trip down to Frys and see if they have a G710+ out.
At the moment if you want a Das, I'd say go for the Ultimate (blank) or Mac Edition. They're still made by Costar so you're safe for the time being. It is still the cheapest Costar made full size board unless you go for Rosewill (But then you pay for shipping).
I'm not big on the G710+ but mainly because I don't like macro keys also they have non-standard size modifier keys. So if you want to buy a PBT set in the future it will be a pain in the butt. I'd suggest you buy a Das Ultimate or Rosewill and get PBT keycaps down the road. Otherwise for tenkeyless CM Storm QuickFire Rapid is pretty much the best option. :)
Make sure you put the Das under misc chinese manufacturer. People have suspicions, but upon review there are no issues with this keyboard except pad printed caps, and its a fingerprint magnet.
It seems that the manufacturer is most likely Solidyear. They are Taiwanese. Personally, I think the whole Das Keyboard thing has been blown entirely out of proportion.
I assumed this discussion was about quality control and stuff.
Hmm I'm definitely curious if this is the case. After comparing a CM Trigger and QuickFire TK (both with blues) side by side, the TK keys have a distinctly more satisfying feel, as if they are slightly springier, while the Trigger feels a bit mushy comparatively. The layout of the TK just wasn't working for me so I would love to figure out who the OEM is in the hopes of picking up a full size keyboard with a similar feel.
Yeah I'm not sure what it is. Even though CM Trigger is made by Costar but somehow I find their keys mushy like you said.
Like compare to the MX Brown I have on my Das it just feels weird, maybe the keycap material? I'm not too sure >____>
What's so odd about Taiwanese companies with factories in China?
Unfortunately this would be odd considering the Das is made in China.
What's so odd about Taiwanese companies with factories in China?
Unfortunately this would be odd considering the Das is made in China.
Yet another keyboard to the list: Thermaltake eSports Meka G-Unit. I'm not sure which OEM, though. Mine is made in China, listed as Solid Year (same as Meka, which is a modified I-Rocks design) in lsusb, uses Cherry-style stabilizers, has big-ass Enter and wide Backspace (similar to 6Gv2), but right Win/Mod4 key is missing, non-backlit keys are laser-etched, at least on the white version (very similar to MS Natural Keyboard Elite).
Hyde & All,
Codehead, at the Desk Thority website, reviewed a Noppoo Choc Mini keyboard. A little more than half way down on that site (link below), he wrote:
"Fun fact: I managed to find out that this company is probably the OEM of the board http://www.sunsky-online.com/base/doc!v ... de=aboutUs Discovered it via Alibaba a month ago..."
Here is the link where Codehead made that statement during his Noppoo review:
http://deskthority.net/news-reviews-f4/a-keyboard-love-story-iv-noppoo-choc-mini-black-pom-t2962.html
I did a Google search on that SunSky entity he named, and I think he is correct. That company indeed appears to be the OEM of Noppoo keyboards. To backup, here is the information I found using the above indicated website link:
The firm's full name is Shenzhen Sunsky Technology Limited, a manufacturer of digital products, game accessories, computer peripherals, and mobile phone accessories, located Shenzhen, China. It's a wholly-owned subsidiary of EforChina Limited, which operates numerous electronics factories, according the their website.
Here is more evidence of that fact, on another Sunsky Technology’s website. Notice how they are selling case lots of 16 (or more) Noppoo keyboards (bulk sales), because they manufacture them and sell them in bulk to resellers:
http://www.sunsky-online.com/view/245035/Noppoo+Choc+Mini+84+Keys+USB+Portable+Mechanical+Gaming+Keyboard+Cherry+MX+Black+++NKRO.htm
Anyway, I think we now know who the OEM of Noppoo keyboards is. Do you agree?
I recently bought a Noppoo Choc Mid 87. I, too, became interested in who manufactured this product. Googling around, I found this site and those sites indicated above.
Morppoo
Hmmm... notice at the bottom of the overview for this board is says "OEM are Welcome! we can print customer's artwork and logo".OEM could mean both the actual manufacturer and label stampers.
Wonder what that means?
However, not much information at the site.
i have 2 monoprice blues coming into today for the office. I'll grab some pictures and post them.
i have 2 monoprice blues coming into today for the office. I'll grab some pictures and post them.
I got 2 monoprices in the mail today. nothing spectacular as expected. They design was slightly changed for some reason. It's not the worst thing i've ever typed on but most certainly not the best.
http://imgur.com/a/QoJpn#0 - album
Just a pointer (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42627) to the discussion about Topre.
BTW Hyde, care to update the list?
Brilliant posts, everyone. I have no input here, but I felt like I should thank everyone for theirs because shopping for my first mechanical keyboard has been a researching nightmare. This has helped tremendously! :D
Are there any first-hand accounts of the Rosewill 9100 (illuminated)? I know there's been a lot of posts about Rosewill in general, but has anyone used one of these?
Lesppoo, hahahaha! :))
OH YEAH! As far as LED reliability, is there any one board that really stands out? I've read that DOA/short-lived LED's is a problem for the majority of backlit keyboards.