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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: poeee on Thu, 26 June 2014, 22:21:29
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I've done a bit of searching, but haven't exactly found what I've been looking for. So I thought I would ask.
I'm looking to buy my first mechanical keyboard for work. I don't need a backlight. I have decided I need a full size board.
I think I want to go Ducky for my first purchase. I understand the DK9008 is their premium line keyboard, but I only need something like the Zero DK2108.
What separates the two boards, if at all, in terms of quality? Is it simply the Shine 3 has a backlight that can do funky stuff and a removable cable (which would have liked though).
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Premium has PBT keycaps (AFAIK - most of the ones I have seen do), Zero would have ABS.
Zero has non-detachable cable, maybe Premier has detachable cable?
Shine Zero and Shine 3 have backlighting. Shine has detachable cable and lots more lighting modes and backlight colours. Shine Zero has fixed cable, and only blue or orange LED options, as well as many less backlighting modes.
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if you want a detachable cable, just get the shine 3.
lights can be turned off.
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if you want a detachable cable, just get the shine 3.
lights can be turned off.
But then you pay a bit (or a fair bit, depending) for something you will never use.
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Seriously, how many shine 3 users actually like the changing light modes over just having light
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if you want a detachable cable, just get the shine 3.
lights can be turned off.
But then you pay a bit (or a fair bit, depending) for something you will never use.
Zero (non Shine) +$50% for the Shine 3.
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Seriously, how many shine 3 users actually like the changing light modes over just having light
Me :D
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if you want a detachable cable, just get the shine 3.
lights can be turned off.
But then you pay a bit (or a fair bit, depending) for something you will never use.
well, that's true when you have options. otherwise, you're just paying $50 for detachable cable. whether or not a detachable cable is worth that is up to the buyer.
based on this: http://www.ncix.com/detail/ducky-dk9008p-premier-mx-black-b8-98046.htm
it does look like the premier series is detachable. not sure why it's not officially listed as such though.
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The Ducky Premier is worth getting due to the thick PBT keycaps. They make the board feel MUCH nicer to use. :thumb:
The thin ABS keycaps that come on most backlit boards really don't complement the board. They feel really "cheap".
The premier has a detchable cable:
(http://cdn.overclock.net/9/90/900x900px-LL-9088e3a8_1921980_601015386640226_2057559426_n.jpeg)
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When you guys say 'Premier', is it a different keyboard to the normal DK9800 Shine 3?
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When you guys say 'Premier', is it a different keyboard to the normal DK9800 Shine 3?
Yes, DK9008P: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=52994.0
Doesn't have the flashy Shine 3 backlighting, but has fantastic thick PBT keycaps and Colemak and Dvorak layouts built in. Great quality board.
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The Zero is a good board, but the dye-sublimated PBT keycaps make the Premier an excellent investment. You'll never wear out those keycaps.
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Excellent. Thanks for the advice!
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Nobody mentioned their G2 Pro with stock thick PBT caps? or do they not offer those any more?
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I have seen them advertised locally but only with MX blacks. Must be only what's left.
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Seriously, how many shine 3 users actually like the changing light modes over just having light
Who uses the different modes?
It would give a freaking seizure depending on the speed that it's set to lol
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NOoooooooooooooooooooo
Get a board with Costar Stabilizers... (http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/embarrassed1-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862502)
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A great keyboard is the Ducky 9087g2 Pro. Doesn't have a backlight and comes with a few features from the Shine 3. I don't think it comes with 107 keys though.
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Not having much luck finding a Premier or G2 Pro with MX Brown switches locally, or from anywhere with even a remotely acceptable freight charge. Can get the Ducky Zero DK2108 for $119 including postage from pccasegear. I am thinking that it's my best option at that price. I'll see which switch I actually do prefer when my Deck sampler arrives.
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http://www.mechkb.com/ducky-dk9008g2-pro-mechanical-keyboard but looks like only MX black in stock.
You could get Ducky Zero plus a set of PBT keycaps to go on it.
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http://www.mechkb.com/ducky-dk9008g2-pro-mechanical-keyboard but looks like only MX black in stock.
You could get Ducky Zero plus a set of PBT keycaps to go on it.
That's what I did, I have a Ducky 9087 TKL that didn't come with PBT's. I bought my PBT's from Mechanical Keyboards and they still have some left:
http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=774
They're good thick PBT's and I love 'em.
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Definitely did think of that!
Did find that kb at mechkb, I'll see what I think of the blacks when the sampler arrives.
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Coming from owning multiple Duckies+Filcos I'd say if LED is not your cup of tea, get a filco and do some detachable mod is perfect deal for you.
CM storm rapid fire line was usually mentioned when it comes to filco/ducky and recognized as a cheapo filco OEM board(since it's also made by costar).
But their inner quality was proved to be a lil bit compromised in comparison.(By the famous video on YouTube).
And also since you're already eyeing on Ducky there's no need to downgrade to QFR already,
But if you don't feel like moding the filco then by all means the QFRs can be a potential good deal.
As of getting the duckies or not. My opinion, which is personal preference and need to be taken with a grain of salt, is that the LED didn't do much for me and I still like my filcos better.
It's just I needed something for late night use and with detachable cables. (Also in my case the repeat rate function did helped my a bit in starcraft 2. If you play zerg you know it)
And when I really got them, the detachable cables are not really looking that great to me coz the design gave me some question mark about its longevity.
I really doubt that the port would survive constant plug/unplugging for constant on the move purpose in the long run.
Everytime I have to be perfect to insert the mini USB or else I risk myself to insert it in an angled direction and would potentially damage the port.
I really like how the new CM QFR-i series and other new boards from CM storm are adopting a 90 degree/L shape USB port directly behind the board, not under it.
But so far they're the only one allowing that option(well not solely, but also the poker and race2, so you see its rather rare). Also, some would criticize them since they're not typical mini USB but micro USB.
Next thing is that coming from a filco camp, I really enjoyed all the costar stabilizers.
swtiching to duckies and it is very noticable to me that the mod keys are kinda sticky and mushy.
I didn't do much comparison after I put the filcos in the box with the ducky on the table. But ocassionally when I take them out for a run, I immediately felt that I still miss that snappy, clean feel on the filcos.
And the next point may only be my personal preference, but I do feel that the filco boards has a more solid feel.
The switches onboard somehow "feel" more consistent(you may argue, it was my impression, not fact or anything)and the different keycaps on filco with the ducky contribute to the typing feel. (of course keycaps are not something you wanna compare since we all upgrade those sooner or later.)
So I guess overall you can see I'm a costar guy. But so far not many decent costar baords are on the market.
iOne seems to also make costar stabilizer boards but many of those brands are either out of my reach or built rather poor.
Razer Blackwidow tournament edtition gets a mention here since I quite like the hardware and the cloth bag is a plus for me. But you know about razer and what their brand names describes generally.
Chance is that if you're exposed to a few razer gears that involves electric parts. You will feel, at some point, this exact feeling: "I'm not buying anything from Razer again."
So, even the board looks quite good with features,(90 degree behind the board mini USB port, cloth bag, compact layout. Game mode and macro, media keys, costar stabilizers..)
Due to its questionable reliability I would never take the risk and bring it to work.
Those above were my thoughts when I was searching for the board that I will carry in my backpack everyday to work.
I ended up pre-ordered a CM storm rapid-i from my local retailers.Since I live outside US.
But I'm really tempting to mod a Filco in the future. possibly when its warranty fully depreciated.
If you're fine with cherry stabilizers then there are also boards like KBT Poker, race 2. HHKB are not typically cherry MX board and way more costy so gets a mere mention.
But if you plan to buy something and station it in the office then you have way more options.
It was a bit frustrating when I was so GASed about race 2, and found out that it is only PCB mounted. For mainly typing, I would prefer a MX brown/blue/Clear switch with plate mounted construction
Also the reason why I'm only talking about TKL and compact boards is bcoz I have a Filco 22 number pad separately. YMMV.
Have fun hunting your new board.
Seriously it is much more fun reseaching and making decisions about buying a board then really enjoying the hardware to me. Coz I can dream non-stop about the incoming piece of hardware. lol.
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A removable usb lead is definitely not the be all and end all for me. I'd just like the option of making a custom cable later down the track. This will be a work only keyboard, so won't be moved about, so a fixed cable is fine.
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A removable usb lead is definitely not the be all and end all for me. I'd just like the option of making a custom cable later down the track. This will be a work only keyboard, so won't be moved about, so a fixed cable is fine.
About removable cables, you'll notice in the picture I posted that the cable plugs in inside that little recess in the middle of the back. It forces the plug to go in at a slight angle and this is not good for the socket. If you mod a Filco (or any board, really), you can put the socket at the back of the case and your cables and socket will last longer than the Ducky one.
About stabilisers, I'm a Cherry guy. If you don't like the "soft" bottom out on them you can clip them. They are less sensitive than Costar type (don't stick so easily), don't rattle, easier to change caps with and don't have those fiddly little inserts. They feel better to me, too.
There are a number of full size mechanical boards and brands to choose from. DAS, Deck, Ducky, Filco, Rosewill, Keycool, Logitech, Coolermaster, Corsair, etc. The ones I would recommend most are Keycool, Coolermaster, Ducky and Filco in order of least expensive to most.
The Coolermaster Storm Quickfire XT in particular. It is a full size, standard layout, plate mounted Cherry MX board with a full-size removable USB cable mounted at the back. It's affordable and doesn't have any useless "gamer" features.
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That CM QF XT was another board I was looking at. It might be easier to source in a bricks and mortar shop??
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Opinions on the KBT One with it's PBT caps vs the Ducky Zero? Identical price locally.
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Opinions on the KBT One with it's PBT caps vs the Ducky Zero? Identical price locally.
The KBT One is made by Costar, same place that makes Filco, but not quite as good quality. It doesn't have a removable cable, but it has quite nice lasered PBT keycaps. I would say they're about equal in terms of quality.
So, if you want a removable cable and don't mind the ABS caps, get the Zero. If you don't care about the cable and want lasered PBT caps, get the KBT.
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I think the Zero has a fixed cable?
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I think the Zero has a fixed cable?
Yes.
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I think the Zero has a fixed cable?
Yes.
Oh, oops... Sorry for the misinformation then. It's not too much work to do a removable cable mod if you can do a little soldering, so either board would work I guess.
Just thought I should also mention that both of those keyboards don't have separate LED's for Caps Lock, Num Lock and Scroll Lock, only the ones on the keys themselves in case that's something that matters to you. Quickfire XT has them.
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I like the look of the extra 4 function keys above the num pad over the indicator lights.
Does the KBT One have LED in the CAPS Lock and Num Lock like the Zero?
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I like the look of the extra 4 function keys above the num pad over the indicator lights.
Does the KBT One have LED in the CAPS Lock and Num Lock like the Zero?
Wow... very interesting. From what I can tell there is only a Caps Lock LED, next to the switch. There doesn't seem to be a Scroll Lock or Num Lock LED at all!