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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: ReTiCuLe on Mon, 02 September 2013, 09:16:59

Title: DAS Professional Quiet Keys Questions
Post by: ReTiCuLe on Mon, 02 September 2013, 09:16:59
Hi,

I've been contemplating on purchasing the DAS Quiet Keys for a few days now. I've had my DAS Model S Professional for 3 going on 4 years now. So I'd really like to stick with DAS if the quality is the same or better with the Quiet Keys version (MX Reds). I've read the newer revisions of DAS KB with multimedia keys have issues from the new china manufacturer vs the original Taiwan.

Has this issue been adressed in the newest DAS Model such as the Quiet Keys versions ? I am really set on buying a MX Cherry Reds keyboard for gaming. I'd hate to give up the familiar look of my DAS and of course quality that's done me well.

I've googled and searched the best of my ability for the DAS "Quiet Keys" version and have found very very little... except some videos and crappy reviews which do not go into depth.

Thanks in advance.

- ReT
Title: Re: DAS Professional Quiet Keys Questions
Post by: Hyde on Mon, 02 September 2013, 11:32:22
Yeah the tricky thing is that somehow Das Keyboard has never been popular amongst geekhack.  Most people does not like the glossy finish.  Also recently their marketing start to feel like Razer and that puts people off too.

Though I am also a proud owner of the original Costar made Das Keyboard.  :D

If you're interested in similar quality you can buy other Costar made keyboards in MX Red.  I'm assuming you want a full size format since you're familiar with Das Keyboard.  I'm not too familiar with the newer batch and models since people seems to stop recommending Das and not too many on geekhack has the new Das.

However you get CM Storm XT or WASD V2 or Filco Majestouch.  CM Storm XT will be your cheapest option while having quality that's pretty close to the rest.

http://www.cmstorm.com/en/products/keyboards/QuickFireXT/
http://www.cmstorm.com/en/products/keyboards/xt_stealth/

http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/mechanical-keyboard.html

http://www.amazon.com/Filco-Majestouch-2-Switch-FKBN104MRL-EB2/dp/B007VAFWN2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378139459&sr=8-1&keywords=filco+majestouch+2+red
http://www.amazon.com/Filco-Majestouch-2-Keyboard-FKBN104MRL-EFB2/dp/B007VAFWPA/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1378139459&sr=8-5&keywords=filco+majestouch+2+red
http://www.amazon.com/Filco-Majestouch-2-Linear-Keyboard-FKBN104MRL/dp/B008BG5906/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1378139459&sr=8-9&keywords=filco+majestouch+2+red
Title: Re: DAS Professional Quiet Keys Questions
Post by: wetto on Mon, 02 September 2013, 12:10:19
The reason why you shouldn't buy a new Das Keyboard is quite simple. The quality is just awful. And you don't even need to be a keyboard guru to notice this, just by looking at the keycaps:

New:

(http://i.imgur.com/oJhQLo0h.jpg)

Old:

(http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/5079/dsc02304tl.jpg)
(http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/8053/dsc02269sb.jpg)

Why Das Keyboard, why?  I love my Das Keyboard Model S Professional Silent so much and I even fixed its biggest problem and even made it look badass... Why can't Metadot do things right and keep them right?  :(

(http://imageshack.us/a/img515/7361/dsc03702uu.jpg)
Title: Re: DAS Professional Quiet Keys Questions
Post by: ReTiCuLe on Mon, 02 September 2013, 13:33:09
Ouch, I see what you mean.

The only issue I've had with my DAS when I bought it back 4yrs ago was the space bar sticking. I used white lithium grease and never had a problem since (4yrs later)

The WASD V2 I'd get one however; they aren't offering MX Cherry Reds for Full Size atm for some reason. :( Maybe I am looking in the wrong spot ?

The Ducky Shine 3's I've had my eye on all day. Would I get the quality like my original DAS had from one of those? I am very repelled about buying anything that's Coolermaster or other companies that don't specifically sell just keyboards. I'm afraid of the quality down the road, unless any of you have some experience with them yourself?

Filco keyboard, eh.. It's coming from UK through amazon, is it worth the wait ?

I even considered the clear switches (Since the CODE is instock) but, I don't believe I press that hard and don't believe they would be well suited for games like Planetside, CS GO, Battlefield 3, Final Fantasy XIV ARR.

Thank you so much for your input guys and the photo's.

- ReT
Title: Re: DAS Professional Quiet Keys Questions
Post by: ReTiCuLe on Mon, 02 September 2013, 15:42:29
I bought the Ducky Shine 3 just now. Hope it serves me well. My DAS is just too much for my fingers these days (getting older) sitting at the PC for long periods gaming or browsing.
Title: Re: DAS Professional Quiet Keys Questions
Post by: wetto on Mon, 02 September 2013, 16:16:28
Quote from: ReTiCuLe on Mon, 02 September 2013, 13:33:09
Ouch, I see what you mean.

The only issue I've had with my DAS when I bought it back 4yrs ago was the space bar sticking. I used white lithium grease and never had a problem since (4yrs later)

The WASD V2 I'd get one however; they aren't offering MX Cherry Reds for Full Size atm for some reason. :( Maybe I am looking in the wrong spot ?

The Ducky Shine 3's I've had my eye on all day. Would I get the quality like my original DAS had from one of those? I am very repelled about buying anything that's Coolermaster or other companies that don't specifically sell just keyboards. I'm afraid of the quality down the road, unless any of you have some experience with them yourself?

Filco keyboard, eh.. It's coming from UK through amazon, is it worth the wait ?

I even considered the clear switches (Since the CODE is instock) but, I don't believe I press that hard and don't believe they would be well suited for games like Planetside, CS GO, Battlefield 3, Final Fantasy XIV ARR.

Thank you so much for your input guys and the photo's.

- ReT

As an owner of plenty of boards besides the Das Keyboard, please, don't belittle the CM Quick Fire Rapid, Stealth and XT. Their quality isn't just as good, it's in my opinion even better on a few aspects such as overall build.

When you take off the front cover of the Das Keyboard you just notice that the plastic itself isn't all that good and it's quite thin. Here's a comparison between my Das Keyboard and my CM Storm Trigger front covers:

(http://imageshack.us/a/img708/9163/dsc03646w.jpg)

Anyways, if you like your currrent Das Keyboard and want a keyboard that's just as good, if not better, just buy one of these with MX Reds:

- FILCO Majestouch 2
- CM Quick Fire XT
Title: Re: DAS Professional Quiet Keys Questions
Post by: ReTiCuLe on Tue, 03 September 2013, 18:23:59
I bought https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=515

Hopefully it will serve me well for gaming. I did consider the CM keyboard and the Filco. The Filco was too difficult to find in stock without waiting at least a week plus. So I settled on the Ducky Shine 3 White Led ver. I'm very excited to use it after all I've read here.
Title: Re: DAS Professional Quiet Keys Questions
Post by: wetto on Tue, 03 September 2013, 18:29:08
Quote from: ReTiCuLe on Tue, 03 September 2013, 18:23:59
I bought https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=515

Hopefully it will serve me well for gaming. I did consider the CM keyboard and the Filco. The Filco was too difficult to find in stock without waiting at least a week plus. So I settled on the Ducky Shine 3 White Led ver. I'm very excited to use it after all I've read here.

I have one with MX Blues and Blue backlight pre-ordered (my supplier in Hong Kong hasn't got his units yet and it'll take 1 month to arrive here to Brazil after he ships it), it's supposedly one of the best backlit keyboards in the market, if not THE best. I have my doubts if it's really better than FILCO/CM Quick Fire XT or even our old Das Keyboard for typing/gaming, but it should be a nice experience.
Title: Re: DAS Professional Quiet Keys Questions
Post by: divito on Tue, 03 September 2013, 18:30:49
Quote from: wetto on Mon, 02 September 2013, 12:10:19
The reason why you shouldn't buy a new Das Keyboard is quite simple. The quality is just awful. And you don't even need to be a keyboard guru to notice this, just by looking at the keycaps:

New:

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/oJhQLo0h.jpg)


Old:

Show Image
(http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/5079/dsc02304tl.jpg)

Show Image
(http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/8053/dsc02269sb.jpg)


Why Das Keyboard, why?  I love my Das Keyboard Model S Professional Silent so much and I even fixed its biggest problem and even made it look badass... Why can't Metadot do things right and keep them right?  :(

Show Image
(http://imageshack.us/a/img515/7361/dsc03702uu.jpg)


Given your photo, I also have an old one. Saw a carbon fibre mod awhile back, and actually just ordered some today which I've been planning for awhile. Relatively straight forward modding?
Title: Re: DAS Professional Quiet Keys Questions
Post by: nuclearsandwich on Fri, 06 September 2013, 02:59:07
Their recent marketing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWq6YmDZfVk) feels more like Axe than Razer. Either way it's loathsome. I was a long time Das fan but there are equivalent and better keyboards in the same price range. I just replaced my Das III with a Ducky G9008G2. The thick keys and green switches are well worth the Latte or two between the prices.
Title: Re: DAS Professional Quiet Keys Questions
Post by: mapple on Fri, 06 September 2013, 03:59:36
Quote from: ReTiCuLe on Mon, 02 September 2013, 15:42:29
I bought the Ducky Shine 3 just now. Hope it serves me well. My DAS is just too much for my fingers these days (getting older) sitting at the PC for long periods gaming or browsing.

could you do me a favour and post some real photo on desk with turned on backlight and some small maybe not review but your first feelings and impressions?