This is what I had waiting for me at the door when I came home from work.
Review:
first off I have to say that I wasn't super excited about the color scheme when I was looking at it on the computer, however I bought it because it had PBT keycaps and blue switches and I've been wanting to try both of them out. That being said, looking at this keyboard with my own eyes is very pleasing and I'm very happy with how it looks. On to the the PBT Keycaps. They're pretty nice. Their isn't that huge of a difference from ABS keycaps like other reviewers will have you believe, but there is a difference, and I do think I prefer the PBT. All the keys are functional, there is no ringing in any of the keys, and it feels VERY solid and constructed very well. I had to say that before this stipulation, with the feet propped up to give you a better angle to type, this keyboard slides all over my desk, I hate it, and I like to type with the feed up so that sucks for me. This isn't a typical keyboard, and it has a slight angle even without the feet out, so I guess it's not a deal breaker, but on a (It buggs the hell out of me rating) I'll give it a 7. I would go as far as to say that is my only gripe on this keyboard. Ohh, I forgot, this isn't a big deal to me, but it has a detachable USB to mini USB cable. Some people love it, some hate it, I'm truly indifferent.
The comparison: Ducky dk9087g2 pro (cherry mx blue switches) vs DAS full size (cherry mx brown switches)
keycaps:
The ducky has superior keycaps with the PBT plastic. The ABS isn't bad on the DAS, but some complain of letters wearing off and keycaps getting shinny. I've had the DAS for about a year and the keycaps look fine. The PBT plastic just feels different/better.
Advantage: Ducky
Construction:
Both are very solid keyboards, both constructed very well, but I hate one thing about each keyboard. I hate the feet on the Ducky, has almost same feet as DAS, but DAS doesn't slide(as much) as the ducky with the feet out. That being said, even as I'm typing this I think I'm getting used to not having them out because of the angle they already have. The thing I hate about the DAS is the stupid shinny part on the keyboard that you have to clean constantly or it collects dust. I don't even like the shine when it's clean. Too flashy for me.
Advantage: I wanted to give it a tie, but I have to give slight edge to Ducky
Size:
I didn't want to rate this since they are so different, but then I thought DAS doesn't even offer a tenkeyless which I prefer. This is my first tenkeyless keyboard and I like having my mouse closer. I know it's ever so close, maybe 4 inches, but it makes a surprising difference. I know some people love and need their number pad, but they aren't writing this review.
Advantage: Ducky
both noise reviews are not a reflection of either manufacturer, rather the switches used in each, each manufacturer provides both blues and browns. I prefer blues, the audible click is very pleasing, funny to say, but true. The browns don't feel mushy like some people say, but now that I've tried blues, I'd say the browns don't provide as much of a tactile bump as the blues, even though it shows as almost identical on the pressure graphs shown on some websites.
Noise(Quiet):
Some people say their isn't a difference in noise level, just pitch, with the blue switches having a higher pitch, they're wrong. The blue switches really are noticeably louder.
Advantage: DAS(brown switches)
Noise(pleasure to hear):
when I'm typing away, part of the reason I like to type on a mechanical keyboard is it involves your senses in the typing. I hear a pleasurable (click clack), someone should copyright that, when I hit the keyboard forming words. it pulls your senses in and makes you better connected. I just like it. A LOT. This isn't a reflection on either keyboard as I chose which switches came on each keyboard, but I prefer the blues if noise is not a concern, like an open office environment.
Advantage: Ducky (blue switches)
With all that said. I love the ducky and would still pick it above the DAS for all the reasons listed above. The whole reason I was still looking for another keyboard is that I wasn't satisfied with the DAS. The DAS is good and I'm sure some people will prefer it over the Ducky, I'm just not one of them. If I can get over this feet propping thing, I think the Ducky might be the perfect keyboard (for me).
I hope this helps.
