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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: LeTrollMazter on Wed, 18 February 2015, 16:15:28

Title: Deck 82 Keycaps Size Question
Post by: LeTrollMazter on Wed, 18 February 2015, 16:15:28
Hello Everyone!
I would like to know if you guys could help me out.
I am about to buy my first mechanical keyboard and I really want the Deck 82; I know it is not the prettiest thing, and some of you might even call it ugly; however, I happen to like the style.

However, the issue is that the keycaps appear to be in sizes that might not be compatible with other keycaps sets; meaning that I wont be able to change the keycaps because they simply wont fit; this is my own pure speculation.

I am sort sort of new to this keyboard hobby, and I might be completely wrong.

That's why I need your help, I would like to know if you could tell me if I would be able to find replacement keycaps for the Deck 82 keyboard.

Thank you :thumb:

(http://i.imgur.com/Eo3XpNu.jpg)
Title: Re: Deck 82 Keycaps Size Question
Post by: jdcarpe on Wed, 18 February 2015, 16:26:15
Quote from: LeTrollMazter on Wed, 18 February 2015, 16:15:28
Hello Everyone!
I would like to know if you guys could help me out.
I am about to buy my first mechanical keyboard and I really want the Deck 82; I know it is not the prettiest thing, and some of you might even call it ugly; however, I happen to like the style.

However, the issue is that the keycaps appear to be in sizes that might not be compatible with other keycaps sets; meaning that I wont be able to change the keycaps because they simply wont fit; this is my own pure speculation.

I am sort sort of new to this keyboard hobby, and I might be completely wrong.

That's why I need your help, I would like to know if you could tell me if I would be able to find replacement keycaps for the Deck 82 keyboard.

Thank you :thumb:

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/Eo3XpNu.jpg)


Yeah, you're basically out of luck. Any group buy keyset with a JD40 kit should get you most of the way. That would have your 1.25 and 1.75 shifts, and the 1.25 caps and 1.75 enter. I don't know where you will find a 1.50 '1' and backspace.

On the bright side, those Deck keycaps fit on a JD40 pretty well! :D
Title: Re: Deck 82 Keycaps Size Question
Post by: LeTrollMazter on Wed, 18 February 2015, 16:37:21
Quote from: jdcarpe on Wed, 18 February 2015, 16:26:15
Quote from: LeTrollMazter on Wed, 18 February 2015, 16:15:28
Hello Everyone!
I would like to know if you guys could help me out.
I am about to buy my first mechanical keyboard and I really want the Deck 82; I know it is not the prettiest thing, and some of you might even call it ugly; however, I happen to like the style.

However, the issue is that the keycaps appear to be in sizes that might not be compatible with other keycaps sets; meaning that I wont be able to change the keycaps because they simply wont fit; this is my own pure speculation.

I am sort sort of new to this keyboard hobby, and I might be completely wrong.

That's why I need your help, I would like to know if you could tell me if I would be able to find replacement keycaps for the Deck 82 keyboard.

Thank you :thumb:

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/Eo3XpNu.jpg)


Yeah, you're basically out of luck. Any group buy keyset with a JD40 kit should get you most of the way. That would have your 1.25 and 1.75 shifts, and the 1.25 caps and 1.75 enter. I don't know where you will find a 1.50 '1' and backspace.

On the bright side, those Deck keycaps fit on a JD40 pretty well! :D

Yeah, I would be out of luck with any JD40 layout; however, I could still buy keycaps from WASD; maybe come up with my own custom keyset.

Now, if I could only figure the size of the spacebar :/
Title: Re: Deck 82 Keycaps Size Question
Post by: jdcarpe on Wed, 18 February 2015, 16:40:30
Quote from: LeTrollMazter on Wed, 18 February 2015, 16:37:21
Now, if I could only figure the size of the spacebar :/

It's 6.00-units. I'm not 100% sure of the stem spacing, there are several different stem spacings for 6u spacebars, unfortunately.
Title: Re: Deck 82 Keycaps Size Question
Post by: Joey Quinn on Wed, 18 February 2015, 16:42:17
Quote from: LeTrollMazter on Wed, 18 February 2015, 16:37:21

Yeah, I would be out of luck with any JD40 layout; however, I could still buy keycaps from WASD; maybe come up with my own custom keyset.

Now, if I could only figure the size of the spacebar :/

It looks like a 6u but I don't know for sure.

Edit: JD beat me to it.
Title: Re: Deck 82 Keycaps Size Question
Post by: LeTrollMazter on Wed, 18 February 2015, 16:44:07
Thank you guys! :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
Title: Re: Deck 82 Keycaps Size Question
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Thu, 19 February 2015, 10:11:44
The only one that is going to be nearly impossible to replace easily is the 1.5 units 1! key. While not as common the 1u tab, 1.25u caps lock, 1.75u enter and 1.5u backspace keys are possible to get in some styles. The spacebar is hard too... it's a 6u which isn't too uncommon of a size, but it has stab spacing that is different than most anything else readily available.
I would strongly suggest to go with a different 75% model if you're set on that form factor. The board is made well, but it has some really unusual layout choices. I also found it to be terribly uncomfortable to use as it is much higher than what I am used to.

If you want to try one out on the cheap, you might look for TG3 Data911 on ebay. They are the same board more or less. I suppose you could just take those caps if you want the right layout with a less tacky looking typeface.
Title: Re: Deck 82 Keycaps Size Question
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 19 February 2015, 10:17:37
That's because all the caps are R1 profile! Uniform profile is bad enough already, but R1 profile?! C'mon! Someone at Deck is an idiot.
Title: Re: Deck 82 Keycaps Size Question
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Thu, 19 February 2015, 10:29:03
Thats true... but even when I put on a set of Cherry profile keys (and damn, it was so hard to find them all in right sizes) it was still too tall and uncomfortable as it's just really thick casebody. Not even the best keycaps around could save it for me.
Title: Re: Deck 82 Keycaps Size Question
Post by: LeTrollMazter on Thu, 19 February 2015, 19:23:02
Wow guys, I didn't know that. The reason I want one is because I like the lighting, I like that it is a ten keyless keyboard, and its design reminds me of those old transparent gameboys.

Hey IvanIvanovich, since it appears that you have one, would you recommend it to me?

How's the build quality? I know it looks tacky and cheap, but that it just looks.

Does it feel like rigid strong plastic or not?

Also how much did you pay for it? I have read they were about $120 like 3 years ago; however, right now all of the sites that sell them, they are selling them for about $150.

Is it bright? I want a really bright keyboard.

 ^-^ ^-^
Thank you!

(http://www.consolepassion.co.uk/sites/default/files/imagecache/product_full/nintendo-gameboy-colour-clear-blue-console-loose.jpg)(http://cnet4.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2011/08/17/8d7fcd6f-67c3-11e3-a665-14feb5ca9861/thumbnail/770x433/1b7563394b374d2bff4cd78cdb1bdef7/34858969_OVR.png)
Title: Re: Deck 82 Keycaps Size Question
Post by: phoenix1234 on Thu, 19 February 2015, 19:54:51
Ivan and jdcarpe already highlighted all of the important figures.

It is not possible to replace all of the keycaps and the keycap layout is not ergonomic. They are all flat (http://cdn.overclock.net/a/a4/600x402px-LL-a467f214_DSC_0005.jpeg) so we will get tired quicker if we type a lot on it.
In term of keycap layout, it seems Noppo Choc Mini (the old version) is a better choice because Noppo has Cherry keycap layout.

Other than that, Deck 82 is a great choice, it's rock and solid like a tank. It has the highest quality of led, dual layer PCB, thick and heavy steel plate.
Although the keycap has unpleasant typeface, they are thick double shot PBT, so it will survive at least for many decades.
It can explain why its father, the TG3 BL82 or TG3 Data911 are the choice of some US police department (as long as I remember correctly)

And yes, you should try the cheaper version TG3 BL82 or TG3 Data911 as Ivan suggested. The only different between Deck 82 and  TG3 BL82 is 2KRO vs NKRO which is important for only some games.
Title: Re: Deck 82 Keycaps Size Question
Post by: LeTrollMazter on Thu, 19 February 2015, 20:19:24
Quote from: phoenix1234 on Thu, 19 February 2015, 19:54:51
Ivan and jdcarpe already highlighted all of the important figures.

It is not possible to replace all of the keycaps and the keycap layout is not ergonomic. They are all flat
Show Image
(http://cdn.overclock.net/a/a4/600x402px-LL-a467f214_DSC_0005.jpeg)
so we will get tired quicker if we type a lot on it.
In term of keycap layout, it seems Noppo Choc Mini (the old version) is a better choice because Noppo has Cherry keycap layout.

Other than that, Deck 82 is a great choice, it's rock and solid like a tank. It has the highest quality of led, dual layer PCB, thick and heavy steel plate.
Although the keycap has unpleasant typeface, they are thick double shot PBT, so it will survive at least for many decades.
It can explain why its father, the TG3 BL82 or TG3 Data911 are the choice of some US police department (as long as I remember correctly)

And yes, you should try the cheaper version TG3 BL82 or TG3 Data911 as Ivan suggested. The only different between Deck 82 and  TG3 BL82 is 2KRO vs NKRO which is important for only some games.

Wow, thank you so much. Yeah I think the profile is not the most adequate; however, since I already type on an apple keyboard. I am pretty much used to very flat profiles.  Also, I can always buy keycaps from WASD.

(https://beyondlean.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/apple-keyboard.jpg)
Title: Re: Deck 82 Keycaps Size Question
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Fri, 20 February 2015, 12:10:31
Nope, not at all. I only had one (actually a TG3 version which I paid something like $20 for) for a very brief time as I just didn't get on with it at all.
If you are not scared of a kit, I will be starting a groupbuy for RS84 custom very soon.
[attachimg=1]
Will cost about $120-140ish or so plus shipping.