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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Cherry1990 on Thu, 20 November 2014, 16:39:22

Title: Question about Ducky company...
Post by: Cherry1990 on Thu, 20 November 2014, 16:39:22
I am new to the modern world of mechanical keyboards. I discovered just this autumn brands like Filco, Topre, Ducky etc.

My question is about Ducky. :(

It is almost impossible for me to find some Ducky keyboards models. I contacted Ducky and they told me that these products are not discontinued, they know that stores around the world are empty but they do NOT know if or when they will make again these products! :eek: :eek: :eek:
I checked also big American stores and they are all "sold out".

Do you know if this is normal? I mean: Ducky knows that people ask for their products but they do not produce anything...
I have to wait for "something" from Ducky or close with them and switch to another brand? I don't want to wait forever, I hate to wait for months to have a keyboard...

Thank you.
Title: Re: Question about Ducky company...
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 20 November 2014, 16:42:21
What is it that you are looking for from Ducky?
Title: Re: Question about Ducky company...
Post by: Cherry1990 on Thu, 20 November 2014, 17:18:53
The problem is not for this and that but a lot of products/versions are "sold out" (for example the MX Brown versions of some keyboards) etc. If I start to search something from Corsair or Panasonic or Canon or Toyota, I will find it in few hours or days... But is almost impossible to find a Topre keyboard in your country (only one distributor in whole Europe!) or a Filco Camo with Browns etc. Also Leopold is hard to find... Vortex impossible in Europe...
Ok, Ducky is not alone in the middle of nothing... I found an IBM Model M like new in few days, but it is impossible to buy a Ducky keyboard still in production... Is it normal? For me no, is not normal...
Title: Re: Question about Ducky company...
Post by: hwood34 on Thu, 20 November 2014, 17:31:27
Try tigerimports.net
Title: Re: Question about Ducky company...
Post by: inanis on Thu, 20 November 2014, 17:41:16
Maybe your trouble is trying to look at major retailers. They are not likely to carry most of these brands or, if they do, not offer many options. These are more of a specialty item. Try to find a keyboard shop online. I can't offer any advice on retailers for Italy, maybe someone else can.
Title: Re: Question about Ducky company...
Post by: dusan on Thu, 20 November 2014, 17:41:58
Distribution from Ducky is slow in the last three months.

Ducky Zero, the full-size, non-backlit and the most affordable model, was discontinued. That's what I've learned from a distributor in my location.

I've been told that some of the last pieces are still available from Ducky HQ. So I formally ordered one and I'am still waiting.
Title: Re: Question about Ducky company...
Post by: Cherry1990 on Thu, 20 November 2014, 17:56:42
Try tigerimports.net
Almost everything from Ducky is "out from stock". For example, all DK9008 are gone...

Try to find a keyboard shop online. I can't offer any advice on retailers for Italy
I always check onlike retailers only (in Europe). I check also USA market, to see price difference and cry... But custom and shipment cost are too high. Also Japan is crazy for customs... But for Ducky, also USA online shops are off.
Italy? Bleah! You can buy a Lambroghini or a Prada thing, but for keyboards is like to search a virgin at the Playboy Mansion...

Distribution from Ducky is slow in the last three months.
Ducky Zero, the full-size, non-backlit and the most affordable model, was discontinued. That's what I've learned from a distributor in my location.
This sounds familiar to me... Also DK9008 (not cheap) keyboards are all gone... :(
Title: Re: Question about Ducky company...
Post by: Ngt on Thu, 20 November 2014, 18:24:27
I consider selling my Ducky Zero Shine w/ MX Brown, blue backlight and ISO layout.

I bought it in June this year so it is just a few months old.

If you are interested just pm me. I don't want to flood your post as it may be against the rule to post offer outside classified.
Title: Re: Question about Ducky company...
Post by: pasph on Thu, 20 November 2014, 18:29:40
Try teraset.net and
http://deskthority.net/vendors-f52/ducky-nordic-keyboards-keycaps-projects-and-misc-stuff-t4718.html
Title: Re: Question about Ducky company...
Post by: Cherry1990 on Fri, 21 November 2014, 06:37:30
I consider selling... ISO layout.
Thank you but (I forgot to write it) I use ANSI only. If I must use an ISO, I would prefer the Italian one, because is less far from my normal use.

Try teraset.net and http://deskthority.net/vendors-f52/ducky-nordic-keyboards-keycaps-projects-and-misc-stuff-t4718.html
Thank you. Already did it but, unfortunately, Nordic ISO only. Totally useless for me. I never use nordic chars. :(

But the original question was: why Ducky products are so hard to find and out of stock? Are limited/custom products?
Title: Re: Question about Ducky company...
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 21 November 2014, 06:58:40
From what I understand ducky is a small company and since they are continually coming out with new models the old ones are usually discontinued so they are limited in that sense. Also all mechanical keyboard manufacturers had periods where cherry couldn't keep up with production for certain cherry mx switches so that could play a part as well.

I buy my ducky boards at www.mechanicalkeyboards.com they always have something in stock and/or incoming.
Title: Re: Question about Ducky company...
Post by: Ngt on Fri, 21 November 2014, 08:20:00
My answer would be that The Ducky company is no way as big as Corsair or Logitech hence they don't have the same production ability.
Title: Re: Question about Ducky company...
Post by: Mr.Tumor on Fri, 21 November 2014, 09:31:31
http://www.mechanicalkeyboards.com/


they are always getting in new stock but they sell out quick .
Why? cus duckys are awesome.
I would try to contact them if I was looking for a specific board or just keep checking...
also ebay has alot of them prices are a lil high but not much higher than normal

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-DUCKY-CHANNEL-ZERO-SERIES-DK2108SZ-ZONE-PRECISION-KEYBOARD-150-BROWN-/181588680389?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item2a47875ec5



http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ducky-DK9008-Shine-3-MX-Brown-Switch-Orange-LED-Mechanical-Keyboard-87075-/151484377317?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item23452c28e5

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ducky-DK9008S3-Mechanical-Keyboard-BROWN-SWITCH-8-Color-LED-/321566090500?pt=US_Video_Game_Keyboards_Keypads&hash=item4aded52504



theres a few i found in just a quick look...


btw iI like browns best also. :D
Title: Re: Question about Ducky company...
Post by: berserkfan on Fri, 21 November 2014, 09:48:51
Italy? Bleah! You can buy a Lambroghini or a Prada thing, but for keyboards is like to search a virgin at the Playboy Mansion...


Maybe it is an Italian thing. The retail scene in Italy is pathetic except for fashions, I think. And ha, about the Playboy thing, wouldn't Berlusconi's house be a better example?

That said why are you so anxious to find Ducky? Maybe there is a shortage of Cherry MX switches now thus hindering production, but these guys are plentiful in the secondary market. Lots and lots of people on geekhack will be happy to sell you theirs.
Title: Re: Question about Ducky company...
Post by: Ngt on Fri, 21 November 2014, 10:10:31
Regarding my offer, you would just have to get an ISO Italian keyset. But that would raise the end price of the board.
Title: Re: Question about Ducky company...
Post by: Hyde on Fri, 21 November 2014, 12:19:14
Have you try PC Home?  It's based in Taiwan (Ducky is from Taiwan) and they ship internationally.

I'd imagine they get first dibs on the stocks since they're within the same country.

http://global.pchome.com.tw/english/?mod=store&func=style_show&SR_NO=SBAE42&tm=e
Title: Re: Question about Ducky company...
Post by: Cherry1990 on Sat, 22 November 2014, 05:09:43
... also ebay has alot of them...
Yes but, unfortunately many US sellers don't ship to Europe.

Maybe it is an Italian thing. The retail scene in Italy is pathetic except for fashions, I think.
Italians are not interested in keyboards or things like that. Italians love smartphones and iphones because are more easy to show to other people... Keyboards are too intimate. I call it economical-exhibitionism.

And ha, about the Playboy thing, wouldn't Berlusconi's house be a better example?
Playboy's girls are more nice. :D And, probably, less expensive... ;D Also ****s are too expensive in Italy... :-X

... you would just have to get an ISO Italian keyset
I am not interested in ISO keyboards. Italian ISO sets are not common or, probably, they do not exists...

Have you try PC Home?  It's based in Taiwan (Ducky is from Taiwan) and they ship internationally.
Thank you! Interesting site. Nothing really interesting, now, for me, but I think it can be useful in the future. Also if I must check custom costs...

Why? cus duckys are awesome.
Probably this is the main reason for which the Ducky keyboards are hard to find but I cannot believe that the reason because Ducky do not have them in stock is the difficult to get switches from Cherry, because the other "normal" Ducky keyboard stay unsold and they use the same switches...

At the end, I think it is the Ducky sales policy to keep the situation as it is.
Title: Re: Question about Ducky company...
Post by: berserkfan on Sat, 22 November 2014, 06:16:38


Maybe it is an Italian thing. The retail scene in Italy is pathetic except for fashions, I think.
Italians are not interested in keyboards or things like that. Italians love smartphones and iphones because are more easy to show to other people... Keyboards are too intimate. I call it economical-exhibitionism.


I actually thought Italians are... too intimate a people. At least, many women who travel in Italy think Italian men are too amorous.

And ha, about the Playboy thing, wouldn't Berlusconi's house be a better example?
Playboy's girls are more nice. :D And, probably, less expensive... ;D Also ****s are too expensive in Italy... :-X

 Sure doesn't seem that way with Berlusconi and his TV channels... I get the impression feminism is very weak in Italy, relative to places like Scandinavia where women have more rights. But then again, my knowledge of Italy is limited to ruins, museums and things that tend to date from a few hundred years ago... I can't really tell modern (aka Renaissance) Italy from Roman ruins, given that people are living in them anyway.  :p


I am not interested in ISO keyboards. Italian ISO sets are not common or, probably, they do not exists...

There should be no need for an Italian keyset since it's entirely the same. This alphabet was designed by Italians, so of course it has to fit their language first and foremost!


Methinks there are many good quality board makers. As long as you are willing to buy something unfashionable aka by a commercial or industrial maker.
Title: Re: Question about Ducky company...
Post by: Ngt on Sat, 22 November 2014, 07:33:28
Alright. I should give a try to ANSI keyboard too. That would widen my choices of keyboards.
Title: Re: Question about Ducky company...
Post by: Cherry1990 on Sat, 22 November 2014, 08:13:03
Alright. I should give a try to ANSI keyboard too. That would widen my choices of keyboards.
US ANSI is better for coding and general use. The only problem for us, as French or Italians, are the accented letters that are compulsory in our languages. A partial solution is EurKEY (http://eurkey.steffen.bruentjen.eu/layout.html) but it does not ever work perfectly...

I actually thought Italians are... too intimate a people. At least, many women who travel in Italy think Italian men are too amorous.
Normally foreign women not displease Italian men (or women...). But we are speaking about keyboards. Women are a different thing... :D Intimacy with women is funny! ;D

Sure doesn't seem that way with Berlusconi and his TV channels... I get the impression feminism is very weak in Italy, relative to places like Scandinavia where women have more rights. But then again, my knowledge of Italy is limited to ruins, museums and things that tend to date from a few hundred years ago... I can't really tell modern (aka Renaissance) Italy from Roman ruins, given that people are living in them anyway.
I don't know where you are or old you are. It is difficult to understand Italy and Italians. Italy is a young country but Italians are an ancient people. If you are not European, you probably cannot understand what it means live in a place for 2800 years...
People do not live in those buildings. We call them museums. We have a lot of them. Probably too much... :cool:
But we are speaking about keyboards! :rolleyes:

There should be no need for an Italian keyset since it's entirely the same. This alphabet was designed by Italians, so of course it has to fit their language first and foremost!
Yes, you are correct. The only problem is the mess made by the barbarians after... :p

Methinks there are many good quality board makers. As long as you are willing to buy something unfashionable aka by a commercial or industrial maker.
Normally I try to buy what I like. Hoping that the quality is good (enough) for me. ;)
Title: Re: Question about Ducky company...
Post by: pasph on Sat, 22 November 2014, 10:03:55
Try Qtan (can undervalue to save VAT)
http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/category/cateogry1-name/catId=3993006

https://geekhack.org/index.php?board=81.0
Title: Re: Question about Ducky company...
Post by: Hak Foo on Sat, 22 November 2014, 11:19:25
Also check out pchome.com.tw -- I ordered Duckies from them back before they had significant US distribution.
Title: Re: Question about Ducky company...
Post by: Cherry1990 on Sat, 22 November 2014, 12:19:21
@pasph: Thank you! Interesting suggestion. I found some other interesting thing... ;)
@Hak Foo: Thank you! Unfortunately also with Google Translator, language barrier is too high for me. I found some Ducky keyboards but I prefer to buy from an English speaking site. ;)
Title: Re: Question about Ducky company...
Post by: Hak Foo on Sat, 22 November 2014, 13:02:59
They have an almost-English section at global.pchome.com.tw I think
Title: Re: Question about Ducky company...
Post by: Cherry1990 on Sat, 22 November 2014, 13:08:27
Found it! Thank you for the suggestion, I will take a look... ;)
http://global.pchome.com.tw/english/ (http://global.pchome.com.tw/english/)

Ah! It is the same from Hyde... Lot of things, also from Cherry (Germany... Unavailable in Europe...) but, as usual, "out of stock"... :(