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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: wompwomp on Thu, 01 December 2011, 14:06:19

Title: PBT keycaps worth the price?
Post by: wompwomp on Thu, 01 December 2011, 14:06:19

So before we begin, I would like to inform everyone that I am a huge bargain shopper. I'm not cheap by any means, but I do like getting the most for my money.

Anyways, I've been searching for some black engraved PBT keycaps for quite some time (6-7 months to be exact) at a decent price. Tankguys had a set of Ducky black engraved PBT keycaps for $35 plus shipping, which I would assume would be around $6 dollarish, which I feel is fairly priced. The problem is they've been sold out for quite some time now, and I've contacted them and they stated that they don't plan on restocking anytime soon..

The only other solution I can come up with is ordering from Qtan off of Ebay. The problem is if ordering from him, the total will be $60 dollars total. That's an absolute ripoff! You can probably get a PLU-87 mech keyboard for just a few bucks more..

I guess what I'm trying to ask here is, does anyone know where else I can get a set of engrave black PBT keycaps at a decent price or should I just swallow my pride and order some from Qtan.

Title: PBT keycaps worth the price?
Post by: c0rbin on Thu, 01 December 2011, 14:16:10

There really is a huge difference in feel between PBT keys and ABS keys. ABS feels cheap and thin in comparison.

My Filco was transformed with new keycaps...

One way to save money in your key cap transaction is to sell your old keycaps. Should be able to get ~$35 for them if they are in good shape.

Title: PBT keycaps worth the price?
Post by: pitashen on Thu, 01 December 2011, 14:18:24

You can also get the ducky keycap from PChome... with international shipping of 10 dollars. Not sure if will end up cheaper.. and you'll have to hassle through the chinese interfaces.

http://global.pchome.com.tw/?mod=item&func=exhibit&IT_NO=DCAH0X-A57291998&SR_NO=DCAH0X&ROWNO=25&tm=u

Title: PBT keycaps worth the price?
Post by: NimbleRabit on Thu, 01 December 2011, 14:27:32

Quote from: ripster;462182

Hmm... I never thought my keyboard was "transformed" moving from Filco keys.

I dunno, I currently have 2 Leopold boards: one with PBT caps and one with stock.  To me the feel is very different between the two, and I would say the PBT one was "transformed".  Now whether the PBT is significantly better is a different story, I think it's more different than necessarily better.

The change obviously isn't as big as changing the type of switch or anything like that, but even just the texture of the keys changes the typing experience a lot.

Title: PBT keycaps worth the price?
Post by: pitashen on Thu, 01 December 2011, 14:27:39

Quote from: ripster;462182

Hmm... I never thought my keyboard was "transformed" moving from Filco keys.

think this is what ripster mean by "transform"
(http://legacy-cdn.smosh.com/smosh-pit/062011/transformer-ril.gif)

Title: PBT keycaps worth the price?
Post by: byFd on Thu, 01 December 2011, 14:31:48

Look at it this way: If you can't find them anywhere else, you won't get more for your money :D

Do you want them or don't you want them?

Also big compliments on your patience! I guess I would have bought them from qtan after one week of searching for a cheaper alternative

Title: PBT keycaps worth the price?
Post by: insilica on Thu, 01 December 2011, 14:32:05

Quote from: pitashen;462196

think this is what ripster mean by "transform"

Show Image

(http://legacy-cdn.smosh.com/smosh-pit/062011/transformer-ril.gif)

Hahahhaha! this guy is my hero!

Thanks for making my day :)

Title: PBT keycaps worth the price?
Post by: laffindude on Thu, 01 December 2011, 14:46:19

Sandblast it.... FOR SCIENCE.

Title: PBT keycaps worth the price?
Post by: pitashen on Thu, 01 December 2011, 14:51:35

I would polish them to make them all shiny instead.

Title: PBT keycaps worth the price?
Post by: Gerk on Thu, 01 December 2011, 15:33:34

I wonder if you buy shiny keycaps when they wear down if they get dull? ;)

Title: PBT keycaps worth the price?
Post by: laffindude on Thu, 01 December 2011, 15:45:34

That is profound.

Title: PBT keycaps worth the price?
Post by: jpm804 on Thu, 01 December 2011, 15:48:24

If you buy from Qtans online store I think the pricing is cheaper since he doesnt have to pay eBay fees.

I thought it was $42 + $8 shipping so you would save $10 from buying it from his Ebay store.

Also you could wait for someone to sell a second hand set on the classifieds...

I have gotten all my PBT caps here on the classifieds and paid around $40 shipped for each set.

There was one member on the forum who was selling his black printed set for $35 shipped.

Title: PBT keycaps worth the price?
Post by: wompwomp on Thu, 01 December 2011, 16:27:18

Got a link to his online store?

Title: PBT keycaps worth the price?
Post by: jpm804 on Thu, 01 December 2011, 16:39:50

Quote from: wompwomp;462289

Got a link to his online store?

http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/category/pbt-key-caps/catId=3982960

Sorry it looks like its $43.99 + $8 shipping for the side printed, the engraved was $49.99... for some reason I thought the engraved was cheaper on his online site also.

Title: PBT keycaps worth the price?
Post by: N8N on Thu, 01 December 2011, 21:26:00

If you don't care how they look, Cherry lasered caps are PBT :)  This thread inspired me to look; I *almost* have a full set.  Giving them a try now.  They actually do feel pretty good.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]33669[/ATTACH]

I have the space bar, already modded for the center switch, but I keep having moments of dumbassery and using my Noppoo as a test board, and forgetting about the non-standard space bar stabilizers until after I've already switched most of the keycaps.  I don't have the caps to replace the black ones :/  (harvested most of my caps from POS boards, and the rest came from a German set.  Really, I also wanted to just sort out one set to keep because I have some more modding to do and didn't want to do something stupid like cut up the last one of a certain key for the post...)

Title: PBT keycaps worth the price?
Post by: c0rbin on Thu, 01 December 2011, 21:52:32

Quote from: ripster;462182

Hmm... I never thought my keyboard was "transformed" moving from Filco keys.

That's because you are a grovelling member of the unwashed masses. With my refined taste I can tell the difference.

Title: PBT keycaps worth the price?
Post by: nocturn4l3030 on Fri, 02 December 2011, 00:07:48

i really think they make a big difference.  got a PBT set from imsto's group buy here on GH, which is fairly expensive.  but the thickness and feel when compared to ABS is really noticeable.  happy with my purchase and looks awesome too

Title: PBT keycaps worth the price?
Post by: nolliepoper on Fri, 02 December 2011, 00:16:31

Quote from: ripster;462411

Have I mentioned I only paid $35 for mine at OCN/Tankguys?  Nice box too.
(Attachment) 33655[/ATTACH] (Attachment) 33656[/ATTACH] (Attachment) 33657[/ATTACH] (Attachment) 33658[/ATTACH]



I even posted it in the Great Buys forum 6-7 months ago.  Pissed off the OCN'rs no end.  You snooze you lose.

Yes, but haven't they been out of stock for months? This does not do us any good.

Title: PBT keycaps worth the price?
Post by: DalaiLameR on Fri, 02 December 2011, 06:52:49

I just bought a set of white engraved PBTs from qtans ebay store.
It's like night and day. I will never type on ABS again! (except for the topre spacebar of course :rant:)

Title: PBT keycaps worth the price?
Post by: Mysteric on Fri, 02 December 2011, 14:38:13

Oh how I wish I could get PBT keycaps for my UK layout Filco..

Title: PBT keycaps worth the price?
Post by: RetroHollywood on Fri, 02 December 2011, 15:29:27

Quote from: ripster;462411

Have I mentioned I only paid $35 for mine at OCN/Tankguys?  Nice box too.
(Attachment) 33655[/ATTACH] (Attachment) 33656[/ATTACH] (Attachment) 33657[/ATTACH] (Attachment) 33658[/ATTACH]



I even posted it in the Great Buys forum 6-7 months ago.  Pissed off the OCN'rs no end.  You snooze you lose.

Is there any way to get these black on black keycaps still?  Preferably in 104 key format?