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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: The_Beast on Tue, 29 May 2012, 22:15:38

Title: Are PBT keys worth it? Also are these good PBT keycaps?
Post by: The_Beast on Tue, 29 May 2012, 22:15:38

I'm a keycap noob, I only have ABS engraved (came with my WASD), a ABS dye sub and recently ABS double shots (not a full set) however I have never typed on a PBT set. So are they worth it in your opinion? I was looking at the sale of Leopold keyboard and they had a white body with blues, which is pretty damn classy and I've wanted to try blues. That got me thinking about white engraved PBT key caps so I started this :)


Also, are these PBT keys any good, could I find better for the price....?
http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/item/pbt-key-caps/104-pbt-white-engraved-key-cap/lid=19240211


Finally, how are they side printed? pad printed, dye sub....
http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/item/pbt-key-caps/104-pbt-white-side-printed-key/lid=19686618


Thanks for the help ;)

Title: Are PBT keys worth it? Also are these good PBT keycaps?
Post by: dorkvader on Wed, 30 May 2012, 00:06:03

Hmm, are you sure they are ABS dye sub? As far as I know, all dyesub sets are PBT, due to the porosity. Most (All?) IBM/unicomp are dyesub PBT.

Personally, there are some ABS keycaps that do have a good texture. The right shift in hashbaz's white legend RGBY set is an excellent example of this. That said, In almost all other cases, I prefer the PBT texture. I also like all the Dyesub sets I have (I've inspected them closely, and don't see any blurry or fuzzy edges. I imagine these arose from IBM/unicomp reusing the printing sheets too many times: all the custom PBT dyesub I've seen is top notch on sharp edges). I also like PBT's wear resistance. I have nothing wrong with worn/shiny keycaps, but I prefer longevity on principle.

Both the "Daily Driver" keyboards I use have all PBT keycaps (save the one spacebar).

I haven't used keycaps from Qtan's store, so I can't comment, other than to say that they should be great.

Title: Are PBT keys worth it? Also are these good PBT keycaps?
Post by: The_Beast on Wed, 30 May 2012, 00:35:28

Quote from: dorkvader;603600

Hmm, are you sure they are ABS dye sub? As far as I know, all dyesub sets are PBT, due to the porosity. Most (All?) IBM/unicomp are dyesub PBT.

Personally, there are some ABS keycaps that do have a good texture. The right shift in hashbaz's white legend RGBY set is an excellent example of this. That said, In almost all other cases, I prefer the PBT texture. I also like all the Dyesub sets I have (I've inspected them closely, and don't see any blurry or fuzzy edges. I imagine these arose from IBM/unicomp reusing the printing sheets too many times: all the custom PBT dyesub I've seen is top notch on sharp edges). I also like PBT's wear resistance. I have nothing wrong with worn/shiny keycaps, but I prefer longevity on principle.

Both the "Daily Driver" keyboards I use have all PBT keycaps (save the one spacebar).

I haven't used keycaps from Qtan's store, so I can't comment, other than to say that they should be great.

I thought the colored Beaker keys were dye-sub ABS, I could be wrong.


I think I asked this question prematurely, I was going to buy one of those Qtan sets, but I'm going to hold off and see what WASD is going to do with his PBT. I was also looking at getting a Leopold later this year that comes standard with "thick" PBT keys.


Still, thanks for the help

Title: Are PBT keys worth it? Also are these good PBT keycaps?
Post by: AKIMbO on Wed, 30 May 2012, 09:01:46

You cannot dye sub abs...the  beeker keycaps are pbt.  The difference in feel of the plastic between abs and pbt is significant.