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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Keyboard search on Tue, 26 April 2011, 18:47:44

Title: XArmor U9BL-S key set replacement
Post by: Keyboard search on Tue, 26 April 2011, 18:47:44
What are the options for those of us who do not like the rubbery feel of the XArmor backlit keyboard's keys?  Where can I order better keys, either translucent or otherwise, bearing in mind they will be backlit?  I have seen the post about the Semi-Transparent keys from TaoBao.com, but I cannot figure out how to order from that site, even though those keys would probably be good.  Are there any other key cap sellers I should know about?
Title: XArmor U9BL-S key set replacement
Post by: The Solutor on Tue, 26 April 2011, 19:00:03
I never bought from Taobao, but there is a thread with a taobao howto, in the wiki section if I recall correctly. I think those keys are the best option for now.

P.S. if you find the keys you like, I'm interested in buying the old ones, if you are interested to sell them, obviously.
Title: XArmor U9BL-S key set replacement
Post by: Human on Wed, 27 April 2011, 01:50:45
Here is some other translucent keycaps(also from Taobao). Search taobao with ''半透明键帽''
But i think you propaby dont want/cant use it as there is no wording one it.
/Sarcasm: Why do one need backlit if he can touch type?
(http://img04.taobaocdn.com/bao/uploaded/i4/T1EpN7XoltXXaKIFfX_083738.jpg_310x310.jpg)
Title: XArmor U9BL-S key set replacement
Post by: The Solutor on Wed, 27 April 2011, 05:30:57
Quote
But i think you propaby dont want/cant use it as there is no wording one it.


they are likely better than the former, because the diffused light, the legends can be added with the transparent strikers.

http://www.4keyboard.com/englishustransparentkeyboardsticker-p-233.html

Quote
/Sarcasm: Why do one need backlit if he can touch type?


Why one should learn to touchtype, when the world is so plenty of smarter activityes
Title: XArmor U9BL-S key set replacement
Post by: Keyboard search on Wed, 27 April 2011, 10:31:41
I'd prefer not to put stickers on each key - I have done that before (for dvorak).  Remember, the reason I want new keys is because of how they feel.  The U9BL-S keys do not feel like normal material keys.  Neither do keys with stickers on them.

I may try to order the Semi-Transparent keycaps from Taobao, if I can figure out how, with the help of the wiki.
Title: XArmor U9BL-S key set replacement
Post by: The Solutor on Wed, 27 April 2011, 10:55:02
Quote from: Keyboard search;338047
I'd prefer not to put stickers on each key -

 

An option could be the sticker on the front face of the key, like this:

(http://www.diatec.co.jp/image_prod/FKBN87MEFB2_01.jpg)

Quote
The U9BL-S keys do not feel like normal material keys. Neither do keys with stickers on them.


It really depends on the sticker material, i tried the dual language ones, on my thinkpad and they feel very good, tried out of curiosity the fluorescent ones and they feel, well...
 like stickers (glossy, relatively thick, and plasticy)

Quote
I may try to order the Semi-Transparent keycaps from Taobao, if I can figure out how, with the help of the wiki.


Take also a look here, could be the easiest way

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?17272-Buying-keyboard-on-taobao.com&highlight=taobao



I found also a couple of images to see how those keycaps looks on a backlit keyboard.

(http://kbc.5d6d.com/userdirs/c/4/kbc/attachments/day_110423/1104231202f9cee215b1a0af75.jpg)

(http://kbc.5d6d.com/userdirs/c/4/kbc/attachments/day_110423/1104231202b090a69630ab8342.jpg)
Title: XArmor U9BL-S key set replacement
Post by: Human on Wed, 27 April 2011, 11:54:35
Quote from: The Solutor;338064
An option could be the sticker on the front face of the key, like this

Show Image
(http://www.diatec.co.jp/image_prod/FKBN87MEFB2_01.jpg)




It really depends on the sticker material, i tried the dual language one on my thinkpad anth the feel very good, tried out of curiosity the fluorescent ones and the feel, well...
 like stickers (glossy, relatively thick, and plasticy)

Take also a look here, could be the easiest way

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?17272-Buying-keyboard-on-taobao.com&highlight=taobao



I found also a couple of images to see how those keycaps looks on a backlit keyboard.

Show Image
(http://kbc.5d6d.com/userdirs/c/4/kbc/attachments/day_110423/1104231202f9cee215b1a0af75.jpg)


Show Image
(http://kbc.5d6d.com/userdirs/c/4/kbc/attachments/day_110423/1104231202b090a69630ab8342.jpg)


Not really nice to see after backlit and it give me a feeling like the LED/keycaps is bleeding(severe one)... May be it is time to peel off more of your original keycaps to achieve a same results?

Off-topic:  Is that an modded BWE instead of BWU?(the braided wire seems like BWE version and there is LED under spacebar). AFAIK, BW having different sized Window Key too, so that mean he modded it too?
Title: XArmor U9BL-S key set replacement
Post by: The Solutor on Wed, 27 April 2011, 12:02:37
Quote from: Human;338093
Not really nice to see after backlit and it give me a feeling like the LED/keycaps is bleeding(severe one)... May be it is time to peel off more of your original keycaps to achieve a same results?

 
Not "your", "his". I like a lot how the key finish feels.

Btw peeling the paint from a key will lead to ice white keycaps, like the photo you posted, not like the ones above.
Title: XArmor U9BL-S key set replacement
Post by: Human on Wed, 27 April 2011, 12:28:27
Quote from: The Solutor;338100
Not "your", "his". I like a lot how the key finish feels.

Btw peeling the paint from a key will lead to ice white keycaps, like the photo you posted, not like the ones above.
I know that the keycaps is ice white semi transparent by itself(and on Razer BWU it coat a layer of rubber on it). What i mean is the transparency of the keycaps(you posted) isn't enough. All backlit being trapped at a spot only and thats kinda like those LED bleeding on wore out backlit keycaps.

BTW, those ice white keycaps i posted is made of Nylon which is different from what normal keycaps use(ABS, POM and PBT). There is also dyed variant but i personally think they are really FUGLY...
(http://img02.taobaocdn.com/bao/uploaded/i2/T18HB7XXtgXXbmZgba_090855.jpg)
Title: XArmor U9BL-S key set replacement
Post by: The Solutor on Wed, 27 April 2011, 12:32:29
(http://www.pcwaishe.cn/userdirs/a/d/jjws/attachments/month_1104/11042413547ac7267de4b97bdf.jpg)

(http://www.pcwaishe.cn/userdirs/a/d/jjws/attachments/month_1104/11042413546198ad8db9f0a0c4.jpg)
Title: XArmor U9BL-S key set replacement
Post by: The Solutor on Wed, 27 April 2011, 12:34:58
Quote
All backlit being trapped at a spot only and thats kinda like those LED bleeding on wore out backlit keycaps.


I know, I know.

Could be an idea to paint them in white from the underside

Quote
BTW, those ice white keycaps i posted is made of Nylon which is different from what normal keycaps use(ABS, POM and PBT). There is also dyed variant but i personally think they are really FUGLY...


They are, but they can be used from those want to learn to touchtype