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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: DarkArchon on Sat, 27 August 2011, 16:49:23
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Hi there, I've been lurking here for the past couple of days, consuming all the info I can about various types of mech keyboards, as I'm trying to get one before school starts. Currently, I'm considering the Ducky DK1008, with red switches, DK9000 G2 with brown switches, and the leopold tkl (from elite keyboard) with brown switches.
Does anyone have any experience with the various ducky keyboards? I'm especially interested in the dk1008 with red switches. -> quality of keycaps overtime, etc
Also, should I instead go with the brown switches in the dk9000 g2, since apparently that one has NKRO over usb?
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I've had 2 Ducky 1087 boards and tbh, wasn't very impressed with their quality. Ducky DK1008-R, however, is from their newer batch/design so QC might be a bit better. That said, I'd take a Filco over any of the keyboards you've mentioned any day. lol
Oh and welcome to Geekhack. =P
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Ducky 9008 has a better case design than its tenkeyless version.
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I have a Dukcy 1087, very bad quality....compare to Filco..
Filco > Ducky > PLU
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I like my Ducky 1087 more than the Leopold TKL.
The Leo is more solidly built, has better keycaps with more appealing fonts, and has a channel guide for the USB cable, so you can easily route it right, left, or center. I think the Leo has a metal plate, and the Ducky has a plastic 'plate' of some sort (someone correct me if I'm wrong).
In spite of all that, the Ducky feels better to me, none of the keys squeak or sound 'odd', and the space bar sounds the same whether you depress it left or right of center (left vs right thumb). I'm being pretty anal, but these are things that definitely annoyed me on the Leo and are not present on my Ducky 1087. Also, I don't have any issues with the build quality of my Ducky 1087, and I think it was cheaper off of eBay vs the Leo, although I don't currently see it listed.
However, personally, I'm currently using a KBC Poker, and while it does have some pitfalls and takes a little getting used to, I think it's my current number one keyboard (I'll review it after I've had at least a week or two with it). Although I do yearn for some better quality US distributed Choc Mini layout keyboards.
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The ducky 1087 uses an aluminum backplate. I noticed an improvement in Ducky from their earlier 1087s, but still not the same build quality as a Filco.
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It seems the aluminium backplate is nicer than the steel one.
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Ducky has 2 quality tiers: 9 series and 1 series. The 9 series is the upper tier, but unfortunately there is no Tenkeyless at this tier. The 1 series is their "value" tier, but unfortunately, this is where the Tenkeyless is. Since Tenkeyless 'boards are popular, everyone equates the entire Ducky line with the 1 series. The G2 with engraved caps is a nice 'board; I love mine.
Ducky 9008/9008 G2 >= Filco
Ducky 1xxx < Filco
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Leopold's 18KRO at least works in OS X!
Although I can't plug&play on my Windows 7 machine. Linux works perfectly though. :P
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Forget Ducky. Just go with Filco/Leopold.
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Thank you guys all for the many suggestions. I decided to get the 1008-R after all, since school is starting soon, so I need to get it asap to acclimate to it. I'll let you guys know what I think of it, but already, I can see myself getting another, say with brown switches...
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Just reposting to say that I just got my ducky, and it's just great!
The lightness of the red switches was exactly what I wanted, they feel just perfect... Now, if only ducky didn't put harder switches in the spacebar/shifts....
The product overall feels very nice, very solid - though a few keys are a bit "scratchy", it's quite minor, and I don't really mind. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions!