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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Ruthalas on Tue, 28 April 2015, 14:53:54

Title: Shine-through keycaps for Gateron LED switches?
Post by: Ruthalas on Tue, 28 April 2015, 14:53:54
Hey GH, I have a question you may be able to help with.

I just got in the current Massdrop for a Varmilo VA87MR, which has backlighting.

I notice that the Gateron switches have the LED portion on the southern/bottom portion of the switch (opposite the LED positioning on LED Cherry switches as far as I can tell).

Do I have any options for shine-through keycaps?

The Vortex PBT sets that show up on Massdrop occasionally look great, but I suspect would have issues due to the LED placement.

If anyone could give me some guidance, or even try this if they have a similar board and caps, I'd be very appreciative!
Title: Re: Shine-through keycaps for Gateron LED switches?
Post by: Sygaldry on Tue, 28 April 2015, 14:55:17
LED placement depends on PCB not the switch.
Title: Re: Shine-through keycaps for Gateron LED switches?
Post by: tbc on Tue, 28 April 2015, 14:56:49
if you look closely at the cherry switches you're talking about, you'll notice that the cherry branding is upside down.  ;)
Title: Re: Shine-through keycaps for Gateron LED switches?
Post by: Ruthalas on Tue, 28 April 2015, 15:00:44
Hmm. Ok, well the Gaterons are mounted such that the LEDs are below the switch stem:

(http://i.imgur.com/IrGeAH1.jpg)

Wouldn't that cause issues for typical shine-through caps?
Title: Re: Shine-through keycaps for Gateron LED switches?
Post by: nightdriver on Tue, 28 April 2015, 16:11:55
yes, for the vortex keys, you'd probably only get the number row illuminated.  i haven't seen any standalone shinethrough keys with that layout.  they mostly only come with the keyboards that have the bottom LEDs.
Title: Re: Shine-through keycaps for Gateron LED switches?
Post by: Ruthalas on Tue, 28 April 2015, 17:01:44
Ah, that's too bad. Thank you for the information though!

(If anyone sees this thread and knows of a set that'd work, I'd love to hear about it!)