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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: suitangi on Mon, 12 December 2011, 18:10:55

Title: Laser Etching vs Laser Engraving (WASD)
Post by: suitangi on Mon, 12 December 2011, 18:10:55

Hello, I have in mind to buy a WASD keyboard and I just can not decide between Laser Etching and Laser Engraving. Any suggestion?

Can you please tell me which one do you prefer and why (or pros and cons of each one).

Thank you.

Title: Laser Etching vs Laser Engraving (WASD)
Post by: dorkvader on Mon, 12 December 2011, 23:28:43

Quote from: ripster;469226

If you're talking white keys go Laser Etched.

Somebody take pics of theirs (F, S, D) for  the Key Ref Wiki.

Didn't weyman already take some for you, or were those just his engraved? If you ask nice, he might be willing to take more of both styles.

Title: Laser Etching vs Laser Engraving (WASD)
Post by: sordna on Mon, 12 December 2011, 23:41:35

Laser etched keys (especially light colored ones) are more readable, engraved are more stealthy (closer to otaku), so take into consideration how good of a touch typist you are.

Title: Laser Etching vs Laser Engraving (WASD)
Post by: zmurf on Tue, 13 December 2011, 03:38:26

I ordered some keys from WASD. Laser etched Amiga keys and engraved PANIC! escape key... and the PANIC! text is really hard to make out:

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oEVvMRGN9qU/Tt4w90cA-_I/AAAAAAAAa4o/jjTnRfDEC6s/s1152/IMAG0406.jpg)(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7mffniaeAKI/Tt4w-z70nJI/AAAAAAAAa4s/Gi55-uOwuZo/s1152/IMAG0407.jpg)

I'm going to get a whole set of keys next year... and I'll go for laser etched. I'm also going to replace the PANIC! button with a laser etched version.

I'm a good touch typist... but I think keyboards with visual text looks better. More retro style.

Title: Laser Etching vs Laser Engraving (WASD)
Post by: suitangi on Tue, 13 December 2011, 16:37:59

Thanks for the feedback guys. Helpful.