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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Linkbane on Wed, 23 October 2013, 23:07:59

Title: Can't decide..
Post by: Linkbane on Wed, 23 October 2013, 23:07:59
I am very conflicted about what keyboard I should get next.
I really would like a board with MX Clear switches, but I have been hitherto unable to find any economical ones besides the Leopold which qtan sells at a very reasonable $120.
However, after seeing the Ducky YOTS and its lighting modes, I have been hopelessly entranced.

So, trying to decide whether i should get a Ducky S3 with Browns, which I'd like to try as I only have click and linear switches, or the Leopold with Clears.
Very sad. Especially considering that the TKL Shine 3 is coming in a matter of weeks.

Right now I'm somewhat leaning in the Ducky's direction, because I tried Browns once and they were pretty good, but I've never tried clears and they haven't had the chance to convert me yet.
What do I do, geekhack?  :confused:

EDIT: Shine 2 has reactive also! Now, any chance that someone could point me to a place that still has them in stock?
Title: Re: Can't decide..
Post by: swill on Wed, 23 October 2013, 23:14:46
Buy both and then make your decision.  Oh, right...  Thats why I am broke...   :eek:
Title: Re: Can't decide..
Post by: Linkbane on Wed, 23 October 2013, 23:19:33
Heh, I was going to put "in before buy both".
You know, I actually found that the Shine 2 has the reactive mode also and apparently some had MX Clears on them.
Now if they were in stock anywhere..
Help?
Title: Re: Can't decide..
Post by: Reomero on Wed, 23 October 2013, 23:26:32
Well, the Shine 2 is now discontinued, so it'll be hard finding one new. Unless maybe you have some contacts in Asia.

Or... be prepared to do some soldering.
Title: Re: Can't decide..
Post by: Dreamre on Wed, 23 October 2013, 23:31:32
Bought a DS2 with purple LEDs and MX Red switches about a month ago and I'm in the process of converting it to white LEDs with ergo clear switches :).
Title: Re: Can't decide..
Post by: Linkbane on Wed, 23 October 2013, 23:38:51
Well, the Shine 2 is now discontinued, so it'll be hard finding one new. Unless maybe you have some contacts in Asia.

Or... be prepared to do some soldering.

I'll put up a listing in the classifieds, hopefully I can find something.
Title: Re: Can't decide..
Post by: swill on Wed, 23 October 2013, 23:42:58
Since I am in Canada, I often buy from: http://ncix.ca/search/?categoryid=0&q=ducky

They have the Shine with browns with a couple LED choices still.  They also allow you to preorder other versions.  Nothing with clears though.
Title: Re: Can't decide..
Post by: Linkbane on Thu, 24 October 2013, 02:25:34
Since I am in Canada, I often buy from: http://ncix.ca/search/?categoryid=0&q=ducky

They have the Shine with browns with a couple LED choices still.  They also allow you to preorder other versions.  Nothing with clears though.

I really would like to get the Shine 2 with Clears, it seems that it's limited edition and only a few people have them, though.
I suppose that I could get a Shine 3 TKL with Browns, but that's really my second choice, and it's a pretty far second.
Title: Re: Can't decide..
Post by: Tony on Thu, 24 October 2013, 02:42:31
Sooner or later you will get both of them, so which first does not matter.

Save your mind and indecision for other things.
Title: Re: Can't decide..
Post by: Linkbane on Thu, 24 October 2013, 02:56:25
Sooner or later you will get both of them, so which first does not matter.

Save your mind and indecision for other things.

Problem is not that I want just Clear or just Shine, I would like a Shine with Clears. But given that desoldering LED's is difficult, it might be impossible to get a non-original one.
Title: Re: Can't decide..
Post by: tp4tissue on Thu, 24 October 2013, 03:06:00
Sooner or later you will get both of them, so which first does not matter.

Save your mind and indecision for other things.

Problem is not that I want just Clear or just Shine, I would like a Shine with Clears. But given that desoldering LED's is difficult, it might be impossible to get a non-original one.

desoldering led is easy because the pins are close together..  so you can do them both at the same time.(http://www.freesmileys.org/emoticons/tuzki-bunnys/tuzki-bunny-emoticon-022.gif)
Title: Re: Can't decide..
Post by: Dreamre on Thu, 24 October 2013, 10:36:50
Trust me, after some practice, it isn't too hard! I already removed all my LEDs. I'm just waiting for my other parts to be shipped :D. Mechanical Keyboards has MX Clear switches for $49 for a pack of 100. Convert one!
Title: Re: Can't decide..
Post by: Linkbane on Thu, 24 October 2013, 10:55:53
So, would soldering in keys with LED's be difficult?
I found someone in the services section who would be willing to do it for me for a mere $20, but it is important that the LED's on the switches be changed.
Title: Re: Can't decide..
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 24 October 2013, 10:57:35
So, would soldering in keys with LED's be difficult?
I found someone in the services section who would be willing to do it for me for a mere $20, but it is important that the LED's on the switches changed.

If the board if backlit and you want to swap switches yes all LED's and swithches would have to be desoldered on an OEM board.
Title: Re: Can't decide..
Post by: Linkbane on Thu, 24 October 2013, 11:01:15
So, would soldering in keys with LED's be difficult?
I found someone in the services section who would be willing to do it for me for a mere $20, but it is important that the LED's on the switches changed.

If the board if backlit and you want to swap switches yes all LED's and swithches would have to be desoldered on an OEM board.

Cool, it hopefully won't be too difficult for him to do.
But what about adding new LED's?
Title: Re: Can't decide..
Post by: Dreamre on Thu, 24 October 2013, 22:38:41
So, would soldering in keys with LED's be difficult?
I found someone in the services section who would be willing to do it for me for a mere $20, but it is important that the LED's on the switches changed.

If the board if backlit and you want to swap switches yes all LED's and swithches would have to be desoldered on an OEM board.

Cool, it hopefully won't be too difficult for him to do.
But what about adding new LED's?

You can reuse the LEDs after they have been desoldered.

Attached are some pictures of my mini project. Sorry for the horrible pictures, took it off my cellphone :P.

Title: Re: Can't decide..
Post by: Linkbane on Thu, 24 October 2013, 23:11:33
Ahh, I didn't know that. Do the switches require modification before an LED can fit in them?
Title: Re: Can't decide..
Post by: CPTBadAss on Fri, 25 October 2013, 07:35:04
Do the switches require modification before an LED can fit in them?

No, there's a set of holes where the LEDs can fit into in the switches.
Title: Re: Can't decide..
Post by: Linkbane on Fri, 25 October 2013, 08:15:48
Do the switches require modification before an LED can fit in them?

No, there's a set of holes where the LEDs can fit into in the switches.

Great, that makes things quite convenient for the LED modding I'm hoping to get done, then.