Hello, and thanks for popping in!
This is my first experience ordering a custom keyboard, so there are many things have no understanding of.
This is going to be a fairly long list... so I've inserted some images to make it a little nicer to read.
I am looking to buy myself a YMDK 96 keyboard, but the amount of information on the AliExpress page is pretty daunting. I've learn many things about it, but there are a few questions left unanswered.
Looking through the forums, I believe many people here are familiar with YMDK and their Melody96 keyboards, so I hope some of my questions can be answered!
(P.s. you don't need to answer all of them. Answering just one would be a lot of help!
1. Case:
There exists two options I like: The Acrylic Sandwich and Aluminium (basically Melody96 w/o underglow).
What are the key differences between these two outside of material? Are their build qualities significantly different (e.g. flex)? Will the acrylic case make the keyboard louder?
1a. For the acrylic, does keyboard underglow alone provide enough lighting to make the keys visible in the dark?MoreShow Image(https://i.imgur.com/4z5gWFF.gif)Show Image(https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1d4oMKXuWBuNjSszbq6AS7FXa9.jpg)
2. LED:
If I want to install LEDs, will it also force the switches to be soldered in place too? Or can the LEDs simply be placed underneath?
2a. If the answer is no, I'm given the choice from the large 3mm round to the medium 2x3x4mm square the small 1.8mm butterfly.
I'd go for the butterfly for compatibility's sake, but is there any reason why I'd pick the others instead?MoreShow Image(https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.effled.com%2Fimages%2F3mm_LEDs_off.jpg&f=1&nofb=1)Show Image(https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fae01.alicdn.com%2Fkf%2FHTB1TTzgwbGYBuNjy0Foq6AiBFXaY%2FBest-100Pcs-2x3x4mm-Wide-Angle-Flat-Top-Square-LED-Emitting-Diodes-Water-Clear-Transparent-Light-Lamp.jpg&f=1&nofb=1)Show Image(https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.shopify.com%2Fs%2Ffiles%2F1%2F1994%2F3097%2Fproducts%2Fledgreen-min_1050x700.png%3Fv%3D1526733695&f=1&nofb=1)
3. Switch:
How unstable are 3 Pin switches for hotswapping vs the 5Pin switches?
The YMDK PCBs support 5Pins, but in the case I want to replace them for 3-pin switches, I want to know how much I'm losing out on stability.
3a. Anyone heard of Outemu Sky Blues and Ice Purples? AFAIK, they both seem to be varieties of "Zealios tactile clones", but what differs them?
3b. Like the Zelios, the Ice Purples have 62g and 68g variations. What's the main difference between their feel? Would I feel more tactility with the 68 gram version?
MoreShow Image(https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fae01.alicdn.com%2Fkf%2FHTB1WdB2bIjI8KJjSsppq6xbyVXaG%2Fotm-outemu-5pin-ice-purple-62g-68g-Tactile-Switch-forcustom-mechanical-keyboard-gh60-xd64-xd60-eepw84.jpg&f=1&nofb=1)Show Image(https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fflashquark.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F11%2FOutemu-Sky-Switches-Profile.jpg&f=1&nofb=1)
4. Software:
So the QMK software can adjust the underglow... but can it also adjust the LEDs? The manual doesn't seem to show how to do it. Also, is there a way to enable fancy key effects and whatnot?
You can adjust the color and the pattern of the RGB using VIA. I don't know about the LEDs for the keycaps.
5. Keycaps:
Are there any 3rd Party keycap manufacturers that have identical/similar layouts to their options? YMDK's Dolch caps are very nice, but I'd like to have options.
Like side prints for example; something more backlit-friendly. The following are what i have found so far in Aliexpress, but I'm sure there are more options out there.
MoreThe default option: Dolch keycaps. Very nice look but probably invisible in darkness.Show Image(https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fae01.alicdn.com%2Fkf%2FHTB1X3aojZjI8KJjSsppq6xbyVXak%2FYMDK-96-84-ANSI-ISO-Keyset-OEM-Profile-Thick-PBT-Keycap-set-For-Cherry-MX-Mechanical.jpg&f=1&nofb=1)
"3rd" party option, with side prints! "More" Backlight friendly, but I'm not used to the cream colored keys.Show Image(https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1Gx4QVNjaK1RjSZKzq6xVwXXat.jpg)
Another option, fully black and backlit! But the numpad's keys aren't lit properly...Show Image(https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1x9GKcK3tHKVjSZSgq6x4QFXaE.jpg)
I'm sure there are many more! Just can't find them yet...
6. Stabilizers:
I've seen some threads mentioning how YMDK's included stabilizers are not so good. Do you have any opinions on this claim? Heck, how bad can they be? I'm currently using the K70 for comparison.
Note that I'm using an assembly service, so it's likely they'll come lubed.