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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Siva on Sun, 28 July 2013, 22:43:06

Title: Considering getting a QuickFire TK, but a question before I pull the trigger...
Post by: Siva on Sun, 28 July 2013, 22:43:06
I want a QuickFire TK, but the lighting scheme on the numpad when Num Lock is turned on seriously bugs me. Is there a way to get a firmware that turns on all number keys when Num Lock is turned on?

Many thanks.
Title: Re: Considering getting a QuickFire TK, but a question before I pull the trigger...
Post by: jameslr on Mon, 29 July 2013, 00:41:35
You talking about where the arrow keys are not lit? As far as I know there isn't a way to customize it. There are better options for backlit boards. I'm assuming you're interested due to price as I think it's currently on sale at Newegg, right? You could spend a little more and get a way nicer board with a Ducky Zero Shine. I know this doesn't answer your question - just an option I guess.
Title: Re: Considering getting a QuickFire TK, but a question before I pull the trigger...
Post by: Siva on Mon, 29 July 2013, 01:29:03
ah, yessir. The arrow/number keys not being lit really turned me off. I understand it's a superficial thing, but I'm stupid like that.  The reason the TK appealed so much to be is because I wanted a compact-ish board with 10key and but no arrows.

The Keycool 84 caught my attention today, and I really like the 10key and F1-12 layout. Is that a brand worthy of note around here?
Title: Re: Considering getting a QuickFire TK, but a question before I pull the trigger...
Post by: SpAmRaY on Mon, 29 July 2013, 09:30:03
ah, yessir. The arrow/number keys not being lit really turned me off. I understand it's a superficial thing, but I'm stupid like that.  The reason the TK appealed so much to be is because I wanted a compact-ish board with 10key and but no arrows.

The Keycool 84 caught my attention today, and I really like the 10key and F1-12 layout. Is that a brand worthy of note around here?

Here is a review on the keycool

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45527.msg952788#msg952788

If you want the compact board with a 10-key you could look into trying to get a phantom.
Title: Re: Considering getting a QuickFire TK, but a question before I pull the trigger...
Post by: oTurtlez on Mon, 29 July 2013, 09:32:35
ah, yessir. The arrow/number keys not being lit really turned me off. I understand it's a superficial thing, but I'm stupid like that.  The reason the TK appealed so much to be is because I wanted a compact-ish board with 10key and but no arrows.

The Keycool 84 caught my attention today, and I really like the 10key and F1-12 layout. Is that a brand worthy of note around here?

Here is a review on the keycool

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45527.msg952788#msg952788

If you want the compact board with a 10-key you could look into trying to get a phantom.

7bit that ish! Any cases for the 7bit layout? Found out the phantom I bought has a 7bit plate so if I cutout the little spot above the cluster on my filco case, I could add 5 switches and make this thing even more awesome.
Title: Re: Considering getting a QuickFire TK, but a question before I pull the trigger...
Post by: kmiller8 on Mon, 29 July 2013, 09:35:44
I have a QFTK, I'm a bit hesitant to recommend buying it, as with the backlighting "problem" you outlined and a few others I made in this thread http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45033.0 Some other backlighting nusiances are that it's nearly impossible to have all keys lit up and usable, because I almost always have the Win Lock off meaning my F12 key LED is turned off, and Fn Lock is disabled as well, meaning another dead LED. It's a very very interesting layout and I'd love to have another keyboard like it, but as I said, I'm a bit hesitant to recommend it to someone.

I think there is another TK board out there, but the name escapes me :/

P.S. It seriously irates me to no end having the far-right enter unusable when arrow keys are on *grumble grumble* (Apparently they've fixed this with newer versions)

P.P.S You could always mod the board to have the LEDs always be on :D
Title: Re: Considering getting a QuickFire TK, but a question before I pull the trigger...
Post by: SpAmRaY on Mon, 29 July 2013, 09:44:51
There is also the Plum96 if you can source it. It was one of the first keyboards I wanted but never did find one.
Title: Re: Considering getting a QuickFire TK, but a question before I pull the trigger...
Post by: esoomenona on Mon, 29 July 2013, 09:45:52
I see no one has mentioned the weird key layout for the bottom row. If you're looking to change those caps in the future, expect this: no replacement spacebars. By my calculations, it is a 6.5x spacebar, whereas the norms are 6.25x, 7x, or sometimes 6x. You'd also have to buy a tsangan every time, to get the 1.5x Ctrls and 1x keys.
Title: Re: Considering getting a QuickFire TK, but a question before I pull the trigger...
Post by: kmiller8 on Mon, 29 July 2013, 09:47:43
I see no one has mentioned the weird key layout for the bottom row. If you're looking to change those caps in the future, expect this: no replacement spacebars. By my calculations, it is a 6.5x spacebar, whereas the norms are 6.25x, 7x, or sometimes 6x. You'd also have to buy a tsangan every time, to get the 1.5x Ctrls and 1x keys.

I did mention it, in my post, linking to my other post. But yes, the key layout is silly as well :/
Title: Re: Considering getting a QuickFire TK, but a question before I pull the trigger...
Post by: esoomenona on Mon, 29 July 2013, 09:50:48
I don't be reading posts linking to links linking to other posts!
Title: Re: Considering getting a QuickFire TK, but a question before I pull the trigger...
Post by: Siva on Mon, 29 July 2013, 16:45:32
There is also the Plum96 if you can source it. It was one of the first keyboards I wanted but never did find one.

Are there any known reputable vendors selling the Plum 96? I ran across Aliexpress selling one, but someone here would have to vouch for their keyboards before I buy one from there. I say this because I'm part of a knife community and pretty much all name brand knives sold through AE are Chinese knockoffs.

I know it sounds like a silly question. But, are there known counterfeit keyboards floating around?
Title: Re: Considering getting a QuickFire TK, but a question before I pull the trigger...
Post by: SpAmRaY on Mon, 29 July 2013, 16:48:31
There is also the Plum96 if you can source it. It was one of the first keyboards I wanted but never did find one.

Are there any known reputable vendors selling the Plum 96? I ran across Aliexpress selling one, but someone here would have to vouch for their keyboards before I buy one from there. I say this because I'm part of a knife community and pretty much all name brand knives sold through AE are Chinese knockoffs.

I know it sounds like a silly question. But, are there known counterfeit keyboards floating around?

I'm not sure I've not found one yet :(

And personally I wouldn't purchase anything from aliexpress :eek:
Title: Re: Considering getting a QuickFire TK, but a question before I pull the trigger...
Post by: Thimplum on Mon, 29 July 2013, 19:21:20
There is also the Plum96 if you can source it. It was one of the first keyboards I wanted but never did find one.
Are there any known reputable vendors selling the Plum 96?

I think Binge got one from somewhere...
Title: Re: Considering getting a QuickFire TK, but a question before I pull the trigger...
Post by: kmiller8 on Mon, 29 July 2013, 20:41:40
Oh yeah, one reason to love the QuickFire TK!

CHERRY STABILIZERS. Which are so much better than Crapstar Stabs.
Title: Re: Considering getting a QuickFire TK, but a question before I pull the trigger...
Post by: Siva on Mon, 29 July 2013, 20:54:01
Oh yeah, one reason to love the QuickFire TK!

CHERRY STABILIZERS. Which are so much better than Crapstar Stabs.

I can't tell if you're being serious  :-[ :-[
Title: Re: Considering getting a QuickFire TK, but a question before I pull the trigger...
Post by: kmiller8 on Mon, 29 July 2013, 20:56:24
Oh yeah, one reason to love the QuickFire TK!

CHERRY STABILIZERS. Which are so much better than Crapstar Stabs.

I can't tell if you're being serious  :-[ :-[

100% srs, I can't stand costar stabs, I literally spent about 15 minutes with a QFR before destroying it because of how bad the stabilized keys were.
Title: Re: Considering getting a QuickFire TK, but a question before I pull the trigger...
Post by: SpAmRaY on Mon, 29 July 2013, 20:56:25
There is also the Plum96 if you can source it. It was one of the first keyboards I wanted but never did find one.
Are there any known reputable vendors selling the Plum 96?

I think Binge got one from somewhere...

Binge hook me up!
Title: Re: Considering getting a QuickFire TK, but a question before I pull the trigger...
Post by: Thimplum on Mon, 29 July 2013, 21:21:58
There is also the Plum96 if you can source it. It was one of the first keyboards I wanted but never did find one.
Are there any known reputable vendors selling the Plum 96?

I think Binge got one from somewhere...

Binge hook me up!

I don't know where he got it from. You could ask him.
Title: Re: Considering getting a QuickFire TK, but a question before I pull the trigger...
Post by: Siva on Tue, 30 July 2013, 20:01:32
So, I ultimately decided to go with the Yellow LED MX Brown Keycool 84 since I prefer the layout over everything else. I'm just a little concerned about the overall value of the board at $125 (@MKB) compared to some Leopold, Ducky, etc going for less. I know I'm paying a premium for "gamer" frills like backlighting. But, I just don't get how it can go for that price when people seem to be on the fence about its build and key cap quality issues.

Cheers.