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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: LollyWater on Thu, 15 November 2012, 19:16:57

Title: CM Storm Quickfire Rapid Vs Filco Majestouch 2 TKL
Post by: LollyWater on Thu, 15 November 2012, 19:16:57
I hear the Quickfire Rapid and Filco brand keyboards compared to all the time on this forum but what exactly are the differences in quality and what constitutes the larger price tag of Filco boards over the Rapid?
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Rapid Vs Filco Majestouch 2 TKL
Post by: ih8 on Thu, 15 November 2012, 19:32:38
filco availability and the established name carry "most" the weight of that price difference

elitekeyboards used to carry filco but they weren't able to meet their demand

not necessarily saying that the price difference doesn't make it not worth it though
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Rapid Vs Filco Majestouch 2 TKL
Post by: swagpiratex on Thu, 15 November 2012, 20:29:10
Mostly brand positioning and supply/demand. Since there is only one distributor for Filco in the US, they control supply.

I have both, and the only reason I have a Filco is because its Multicam, and I'm a sucker for anything military.

Sent from my HTC Sensation
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Rapid Vs Filco Majestouch 2 TKL
Post by: daerid on Thu, 15 November 2012, 21:30:08
It's probably confirmation bias, but after using several of each, the Filcos just "feel" more solid, but only ever so slightly.  It's definitely not twice as better, more like 10%. But the QFR is light years ahead of anything in the price range.
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Rapid Vs Filco Majestouch 2 TKL
Post by: AKIMbO on Thu, 15 November 2012, 21:37:19
Get the Quickfire rapid.  I have a hard time recommending Filcos over the CM Quickfires now.  I've owned several Filcos and Quickfires and honestly, the quickfires are damn near on par with the Filcos.
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Rapid Vs Filco Majestouch 2 TKL
Post by: Sifo on Thu, 15 November 2012, 21:42:17
Near on par. Something about it is still not there :D
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Rapid Vs Filco Majestouch 2 TKL
Post by: AKIMbO on Thu, 15 November 2012, 21:44:44
Quote from: Sifo on Thu, 15 November 2012, 21:42:17
Near on par. Something about it is still not there :D

Close enough to where I feel bad spending the extra $50 on it. 
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Rapid Vs Filco Majestouch 2 TKL
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 15 November 2012, 22:10:39
Quote from: Sifo on Thu, 15 November 2012, 21:42:17
Near on par. Something about it is still not there :D

Branding?  Although that is less of an issue with the new unbranded QFRs.

Key cap font?  Filco = ok, QFR = yuck.
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Rapid Vs Filco Majestouch 2 TKL
Post by: laffindude on Thu, 15 November 2012, 22:14:43
PSHHHHHH, you know you pay the extra for the Filco dust cover ;)

I recommend QFT since it is the best board for the money, but I would buy Filco myself (only ~40bucks difference here). Stiffer case, more solid feel when you bang on the keys. No soft touch plastic. No detachable cable. I prefer Filco caps over QFR caps in feel and looks (QFR is probably designed by the F&F ricer crowd). I really don't mind paying that difference for what I perceive to be a better built/quality board.
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Rapid Vs Filco Majestouch 2 TKL
Post by: WhiteFireDragon on Thu, 15 November 2012, 22:24:05
I did a review on this very topic:


Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Rapid Vs Filco Majestouch 2 TKL
Post by: rknize on Thu, 15 November 2012, 23:29:58
Here is a comparison of the internals of the 3 big tenkeyless boards that are discussed here at Geekhack: the Filco Majestouch 2 (aka MJ2), the CM Storm Quick Fire Rapid (aka QFR), and the Leopold FC200.  From the outside, the similarities of the MJ2 and QFR case design are obvious.  They are both made by Costar and therefore use Costar stabilizers.  However feature-wise the MJ2 has an attached cable and separate caps/scroll lock LEDs, while the QFR and Leo have removable cables attached from under the case and integrated LEDs.  The Leo uses Cherry stabilizers.  A nice touch on the MJ2 is rubber feet on the rear legs.

(http://www.knizefamily.net/images/pool/keyboard-flc.jpg)
(http://www.knizefamily.net/images/pool/keyboard-flc-open.jpg)

The MJ2 and the QFR use the exact same method to support the plate.  The plate is curved downwards at the top and bottom, which rests on the base.  The plate thickness is the same (0.055") and both are made from steel.  The cases are the same material and about the same thickness (~0.110").  The only interesting difference is that the MJ2 uses 2 screws to hold the plate down on the base.  Both clamp the plate to the base with the top half of the case, which snaps together in the same way and are locked together with one screw.

The Leo, on the other hand, has a plate that curves up and is supported by small ribs along the top and bottom.  The plate thickness is the same, though, so this probably does not affect the feel of the board in any meaningful way.  The case uses slightly thinner plastic, about 0.100" - 0.105" and snaps together with small tabs along the bottom edge (which make it much easier to open).  It's locked together with three screws.

(http://www.knizefamily.net/images/pool/keyboard-flc-plates.jpg)

The QFR and the Leo use a single-sided FR2 ~0.06" PCB while the Filco uses a double-sided FR4 0.065" PCB.  The MJ2 and QFR both use a header-mounted controller (though not compatible) while the Leo has the controller built onto the main PCB.  The slightly thicker and denser PCB material on the FJ2 is the only major thing that sets it apart from the other two.

(http://www.knizefamily.net/images/pool/keyboard-flc-pcbs.jpg)
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Rapid Vs Filco Majestouch 2 TKL
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 15 November 2012, 23:33:00
Awesome comparison - thanks for that :)

This should go into the wiki ...
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Rapid Vs Filco Majestouch 2 TKL
Post by: BlindRAGE606 on Thu, 15 November 2012, 23:39:50
Great writeup rknize, now if only the QFR went in novel colors such as white/camo like the MJ2.
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Rapid Vs Filco Majestouch 2 TKL
Post by: wetto on Thu, 15 November 2012, 23:41:19
Quote from: WhiteFireDragon on Thu, 15 November 2012, 22:24:05
I did a review on this very topic:



While the soldering really isn't nearly as clean (but surely better than some keyboards from other OEMs), I really can't see a reason why I'd pay US$ 150 on a FILCO TKL instead of a US$ 65 Quickfire Rapid, which looks like was pretty much based on the FILCO...
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Rapid Vs Filco Majestouch 2 TKL
Post by: rknize on Thu, 15 November 2012, 23:43:27
Quote from: wetto on Thu, 15 November 2012, 23:41:19
While the soldering really isn't nearly as clean (but surely better than some keyboards from other OEMs), I really can't see a reason why I'd pay US$ 150 on a FILCO TKL instead of a US$ 65 Quickfire Rapid, which looks like was pretty much based on the FILCO...

It's the law of diminishing returns that you find with any high-end gear.  Double the price does not get you double the quality.  You are mostly paying for the name.
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Rapid Vs Filco Majestouch 2 TKL
Post by: rknize on Thu, 15 November 2012, 23:49:51
As to the solder quality...this is actually more to do with the PCB.  Single-sided PCBs of this type do not have through-hole soldering pads (vias).  The pad needs to be larger so that the solder can build-up taller.  PCBs with vias don't require large pad areas, so the wave solder job looks neater.  The lead-free, flux-free solders being used these days do not flow well and look terrible.
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Rapid Vs Filco Majestouch 2 TKL
Post by: rowdy on Fri, 16 November 2012, 00:55:47
Quote from: BlindRAGE606 on Thu, 15 November 2012, 23:39:50
Great writeup rknize, now if only the QFR went in novel colors such as white/camo like the MJ2.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=37215.0

???
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Rapid Vs Filco Majestouch 2 TKL
Post by: ih8 on Fri, 16 November 2012, 01:03:50
Quote from: rowdy on Fri, 16 November 2012, 00:55:47
Quote from: BlindRAGE606 on Thu, 15 November 2012, 23:39:50
Great writeup rknize, now if only the QFR went in novel colors such as white/camo like the MJ2.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=37215.0

???

I second the white casing. I'm still curious as to the case options Carter said were coming within the next 2-3 weeks.

Saw that krylon'd casing earlier as well  :confused:
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Rapid Vs Filco Majestouch 2 TKL
Post by: alaricljs on Fri, 16 November 2012, 10:24:10
Quote from: rowdy on Fri, 16 November 2012, 00:55:47
Quote from: BlindRAGE606 on Thu, 15 November 2012, 23:39:50
Great writeup rknize, now if only the QFR went in novel colors such as white/camo like the MJ2.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=37215.0

???

That's a custom hand painted case, not at all the same as retail availability.
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Rapid Vs Filco Majestouch 2 TKL
Post by: laffindude on Fri, 16 November 2012, 10:28:13
Nice pix @ rknize
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Rapid Vs Filco Majestouch 2 TKL
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 17 November 2012, 01:06:34
Quote from: alaricljs on Fri, 16 November 2012, 10:24:10
Quote from: rowdy on Fri, 16 November 2012, 00:55:47

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=37215.0

???

That's a custom hand painted case, not at all the same as retail availability.

Yes, I know :)
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Rapid Vs Filco Majestouch 2 TKL
Post by: gameaholic on Sat, 17 November 2012, 04:45:35
Quote from: rknize on Thu, 15 November 2012, 23:29:58

Show Image
(http://www.knizefamily.net/images/pool/keyboard-flc.jpg)



Where'd you get the red on black keycaps?  Kinda makes the branding on the QFR look okay. 
Title: Re: CM Storm Quickfire Rapid Vs Filco Majestouch 2 TKL
Post by: rknize on Sat, 17 November 2012, 10:10:23
Those are Ragnarok Reds.  They are perfect for the QFR red board.