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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: zippox on Tue, 19 March 2013, 10:03:00

Title: Does the CM Storm Quickfire TK have same quality build as Rapid?
Post by: zippox on Tue, 19 March 2013, 10:03:00
I hear many good things about starting with a CM Storm Quickfire Rapid for a first mechanical keyboard. I personally would have a tough time without the tenkeys, so does the CM Storm Quickfire TK have the same quality reputation?
Title: Re: Does the CM Storm Quickfire TK have same quality build as Rapid?
Post by: OnTheBrink on Tue, 19 March 2013, 11:11:53
I hear many good things about starting with a CM Storm Quickfire Rapid for a first mechanical keyboard. I personally would have a tough time without the tenkeys, so does the CM Storm Quickfire TK have the same quality reputation?

Yeah, it should.

However, and I hate to sound like a spokesperson around here, but you should take a look at the Ducky full length Pro boards: http://www.duckychannel.com.tw/en/DK9008_G2Pro.html

I have used and seen the TKL QFP and the Ducky feels superior in quality to me. Especially the keys added with a few extra features. So if you are looking for a solid out of the box board, I like the Ducky more. QFP you might want to get their brand free case and better keys which will run you more than the Ducky pro which has it stock. They even have a stock PBT option.
Title: Re: Does the CM Storm Quickfire TK have same quality build as Rapid?
Post by: zippox on Tue, 19 March 2013, 11:23:58
I actually have been considering the dk9008g2. Though it is a little higher in price. Lowest I could find was 129.99 + 9.00 shipping.
Title: Re: Does the CM Storm Quickfire TK have same quality build as Rapid?
Post by: laffindude on Tue, 19 March 2013, 11:32:03
Not really. It feel worse than the QFPro.
Title: Re: Does the CM Storm Quickfire TK have same quality build as Rapid?
Post by: missalaire on Tue, 19 March 2013, 11:38:57
The CM Storm Quickfire TK is fine. It's a solid backlit keyboard, I own one myself and it hasn't disappointed. It feels and is slightly lighter than most keyboards but it definitely has a solid build quality to it. I would recommend it if you want a good, solid, more affordably priced backlit keyboard w/ numpad. Just keep in mind if you want to replace the key caps on it, the bottom row is sized oddly so if you want to replace them with a full set, it won't be fully compatible.
Title: Re: Does the CM Storm Quickfire TK have same quality build as Rapid?
Post by: Rule16 on Tue, 19 March 2013, 12:28:04
I hear many good things about starting with a CM Storm Quickfire Rapid for a first mechanical keyboard. I personally would have a tough time without the tenkeys, so does the CM Storm Quickfire TK have the same quality reputation?
Yes, but remember that its USB only.
Title: Re: Does the CM Storm Quickfire TK have same quality build as Rapid?
Post by: Abacus1234 on Tue, 19 March 2013, 15:08:39
I am typing on one right now, and it has served me very well. The build quality is quite good. The only thing to consider is that this isn't Costar, it just uses the cherry stabilizers, which is neither a pro nor a con, it's just a difference.
Title: Re: Does the CM Storm Quickfire TK have same quality build as Rapid?
Post by: deazncy on Thu, 21 March 2013, 02:54:11
Most likely not; the TK is apparently made by iRocks, while the QFR is Costar.
Title: Re: Does the CM Storm Quickfire TK have same quality build as Rapid?
Post by: Abacus1234 on Thu, 21 March 2013, 03:29:00
Most likely not; the TK is apparently made by iRocks, while the QFR is Costar.

Or then again you could listen to someone who actually has one. Quality control on these is at least as good as the Rapid, which we all know has had plenty of duds in the past. Never seen amazon take down the TK for high return rates... I have both, and I honestly see no difference in the build quality at all.
Title: Re: Does the CM Storm Quickfire TK have same quality build as Rapid?
Post by: missalaire on Thu, 21 March 2013, 06:54:38
Most likely not; the TK is apparently made by iRocks, while the QFR is Costar.

I don't think Cooler Master has said who the OEM of the TK is so this may or may not be true.
Title: Re: Does the CM Storm Quickfire TK have same quality build as Rapid?
Post by: mirage4life on Thu, 21 March 2013, 12:17:49
I own both and definitely prefer the QFR's build quality. IMO, only get the TK if you really want backlighting and don't mind a non-costar stabilized board.
Title: Re: Does the CM Storm Quickfire TK have same quality build as Rapid?
Post by: Abacus1234 on Thu, 21 March 2013, 15:52:54
I own both and definitely prefer the QFR's build quality. IMO, only get the TK if you really want backlighting and don't mind a non-costar stabilized board.

Out of genuine curiosity, where do you feel the TK's quality is lacking?
Title: Re: Does the CM Storm Quickfire TK have same quality build as Rapid?
Post by: ledskof on Thu, 21 March 2013, 17:41:02
I've only had one Quickfire Rapid so I don't have an extensive history with them but so far I'm considering probably sticking with other brands.  I like how it feels, solid, heavy, etc.  But I had 2 keys fail.  The amazon reviews seem to show a pretty common failure in the Win_L and Alt_L keys.

First off, why are these the only 2 switches on the keyboard that are in this orientation?  And coincidentally, these 2 exact keys stopped working about 1 day apart.  I don't exactly beat the hell out of my keyboard.  I had to jump the connection up the circuit path to get them working.  So I guess there was some kind of etching problem or maybe the keyboard just really took damage at some point before I received it.  Other than this I also have 3 Filcos, 2 Leopolds, and 1 Razer Cherry MX keyboards.  No problems with them except how lame the 2KRO on the Razer is.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cLyQINUzV1I/UUuFhCfvbuI/AAAAAAAAAP4/Lk3FfesroKA/s664/13+-+1)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qnh01yjaGhk/UUuGDcNqqpI/AAAAAAAAAQM/9n1GhwFRgtU/s664/13+-+1)
Title: Re: Does the CM Storm Quickfire TK have same quality build as Rapid?
Post by: deazncy on Thu, 21 March 2013, 18:17:12
Sorry if I was misinformed about the OEM, but from doing some research on the TK; it only weighs 1.2 lbs., compared to the QFR's 2.1 lbs. Now although this does not automatically mean that the TK is inferior, I just don't think that the build quality is nearly as good as the QFR.
Title: Re: Does the CM Storm Quickfire TK have same quality build as Rapid?
Post by: OnTheBrink on Thu, 21 March 2013, 19:20:30
Snip

I also hear that some switches that are supposed to have tactile feedback do not. For example, some Cherry MX Blue switches on a QFR not clicking.
Title: Re: Does the CM Storm Quickfire TK have same quality build as Rapid?
Post by: Abacus1234 on Thu, 21 March 2013, 19:43:08
Once again no specifics are given except that one is lighter than the other. I just think its a kind of bias against boards that are not costar. There is nothing about the TK that feels  anything less than premium.
Title: Re: Does the CM Storm Quickfire TK have same quality build as Rapid?
Post by: DeadLamb on Fri, 22 March 2013, 10:39:00
but from doing some research on the TK; it only weighs 1.2 lbs., compared to the QFR's 2.1 lbs.

nah someone just made an error on the cooler master store page and flipped the numbers around. The Quickfire TK is 2.1 pounds, as in here is mine sitting on a US Postal scale.
(http://img139.imagevenue.com/loc395/th_956892286_QuickfireTKweight_122_395lo.jpg) (http://img139.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=956892286_QuickfireTKweight_122_395lo.jpg)

I guess no one has gotten around to changing the store page yet.. 
I've owned a TK for a few months now, I really like it. The only thing that bugs me about the board is I wish the - + and enter key on the far right of the number pad worked when you were in "arrow key" mode and not just when in "number pad" mode.

but that's about it.
Even the funky sci-fi like font has sort of grown on me..
Title: Re: Does the CM Storm Quickfire TK have same quality build as Rapid?
Post by: vipjun on Fri, 22 March 2013, 11:01:31
different OEM , not sure about quality but kind of think of it as instead of filco it's a leopold.
Title: Re: Does the CM Storm Quickfire TK have same quality build as Rapid?
Post by: bueller on Wed, 27 March 2013, 04:06:00
I actually owned both for about a week and can say with confidence that I don't think there is much build difference at all. Matter of fact if I didn't know otherwise I would think they were made by the exact same company, fit and finish on both was top notch.