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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: peternguyen on Mon, 17 December 2012, 03:54:32
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Hi everyone. I have recently purchased my first mechanical keyboard, the Ducky DK9008 Shine II. They feel great, just need to get used to them a bit.
The only thing I don't like (believe it or not) is that the Windows key symbol is the Ducky logo, where as I prefer the actual Windows logo. The product images (http://www.duckychannel.com.tw/en/DK9008_shine2.html) on the Ducky website actually show the keyboard with the Windows logo for the Windows keys, so I'm sure why I got the 'Ducky' keys; maybe I have a slightly updated version or something?
So my question is, where can I find original Ducky key cap replacements? I mainly want to replace the Windows keys but I'd like to know if I can somehow get individual replacements if required. I should also point out that my location is Australia. I checked eBay and could not find any original replacements.
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Welcome to GeekHack!
Replacement key caps from Ducky, as far as I know, are only available as full sets. You can find them here (https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_list&c=40), including the recently-released sets for back-lit keyboards in three colors (black, grey, and violet). The back-lit sets, unfortunately, do not come with Windows logo keys, but the laser etched sets do (if you're willing to go without back-lighting on those two keys). It may be worthwhile to email the staff at mechanicalkeyboards.com and ask if it is possible to get the key caps depicted on Ducky's web site, though shipping costs to Australia will likely far exceed the price of just a couple key caps.
There are many other resources for key caps, and they will fit your Ducky even though they are manufactured by other companies. It is unlikely that you will find a set of back-lit Windows logo keys, but you may at least find something that you like better than the Ducky logo. While shopping, keep in mind that the Windows logo, menu, and modifier keys on your Ducky are the 1x1.25 size. A 1x1 size key cap would fit, but would look pretty silly. This page at keyboardlover.com (http://www.keyboardlover.com/wheretobuy.php) has a good list of vendors, many of whom offer individual custom and novelty key caps, and there's lots of other useful info on that site, as well. Keep an eye on the Group Buys threads here at GH and over at DeskThority.net, as you are more likely to be able to find exactly what you want that way. Be aware, however, that group buys tend to take several months from inception to delivery, and can be a little confusing.
The Vendors forum is also a good place to look. Feng and imsto, in particular, typically have a nice selection of key caps from China and offer worldwide shipping. Feng's selection can be browsed on his eBay page (http://stores.ebay.com/Somefeng-Geeky), but you can get a lower price by sending him a PM here on GeekHack. Best wait until early next year, though -- he's a student and very busy with final exams at the moment. I've not yet bought anything from him, but word 'round the campfire is that he's an excellent business person and you won't be disappointed. I'm also interested in the red silica gel O-rings (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=33413.0) offered by imsto, and his thick PBT key cap sets.
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Welcome to Geekhack!
I have only ever seen Ducky Shines with the Windows logo. Even the YotD has Windows logos.
Maybe you could try swapping with someone here ...
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Thanks for the advice, TwistedMentat, that was informative! I would like to keep my keyboard 'stock' so to speak, so that is why I am trying to source original Ducky key caps, as opposed to 'aftermarket' ones. I suppose if I can find the Windows key caps that are identical or very close to the Ducky ones, that will be okay.
I have taken your advice and have emailed Mechanical Keyboards to see if they have any stock of the key caps with the Windows logo. Hopefully they do! I thought my keyboard would come with the Windows logo too as depicted in the product images. I don't mind swapping my key caps with someone else if their key caps are in good condition.
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You'll want to find ones that allow backlighting through, otherwise they will not look the same.
Have you got a photo of yours? Both my Ducky Shines have Windows flag logos on the keys.
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Hmm on PCCG, Ducky Shine II have Duck pictures on their keys, the Ducky Shine have normal window keys. Or perhaps only the TKL version have Duck keys :\
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Hmm, well I actually bought my Ducky Shines from PCCG as a matter of fact. But I bought the full sized keyboard. Here (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=113_1361&products_id=21030) is the product page from PCCG and it shows the Windows logo. Rowdy, here (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=113_1361&products_id=22001) is the tenkeyless version where you can see the Ducky logo on the Windows keys.
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I checked the PCCG site, but only the TK pics. Maybe it is just the TKL that has Ducky logos, as MissMurd3r84 suggested. Although you have a DK9008, which is TK. Odd.
I'm using mine on a Mac, so Windows keys don't bother me either way. My Ducky Shine (version 1) is about 6 months old and have had light use (as befits an Option modifier on a Mac i.e. not very much). I can take pics tonight maybe. Want to swap?
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I got a response back from Mechanical Keyboards. They said that they weren't sure why Ducky switched to the Ducky logo but it appears to be the case for all the new Shine II keyboards, including the full sized keyboards. They also said that they do not sell individual key caps.
Rowdy, if your Windows key caps are in good condition, I wouldn't mind swapping. Would you be able to take some photos?
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My YOTD has one Win key and one Ducky key.
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A bit late tonight, and too many clouds. My room is gloomy at best, and the couple of photos I took didn't turn out at all well.
It is supposed to be a mostly sunny afternoon tomorrow, hopefully the sun will stick around until I get home tomorrow evening.
During the meanwhile I have taken the keys off the keyboard.
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Success (more or less - potato alert!):
(http://i.imgur.com/koONR.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/yVzX2.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/AkxE4.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/H3iv9.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/fNc97.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/hfv8P.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/kIOKu.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/NrbPp.jpg)
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Wow! Those are very impressive photos you have taken there. They pretty much look brand new in those photos; I would be happy to trade my Windows key caps if you are.
I don't have any photos of mine; I can take some if you'd like, though it would have to be taken with my phone camera as that is the only camera I own, lol. I have just gotten the keyboard a few days ago though, and probably used the Windows keys about 20 times in total if that's any indication of how much use it has had.
I'll send you a PM.
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Rowdy,
I just signed up for Geekhack so I could ask you what camera took those pics. I know it's mostly in the photographer's hands, but damn!
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Thanks and welcome :)
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=33130.msg748386#msg748386