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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: whmeltonjr on Tue, 03 November 2015, 08:09:55

Title: Magicforce 68-Key Keyboard on Massdrop
Post by: whmeltonjr on Tue, 03 November 2015, 08:09:55
I saw this on r/mk the other day, and now it is on Massdrop. Lowest price is $61.99 with free shipping. 68 key layout, standard bottom row, and removable USB. Curious what everyone's thoughts are on this one. I think I'm going to pick it up out of curiosity.

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/magicforce-68-key-mini-mechanical-keyboard?mode=guest_open
Title: Re: Magicforce 68-Key Keyboard on Massdrop
Post by: SpAmRaY on Tue, 03 November 2015, 08:16:23
What a strange layout. But the price is attractive.
Title: Re: Magicforce 68-Key Keyboard on Massdrop
Post by: saturnotaku on Tue, 03 November 2015, 09:25:22
Reminds me of a Leopold FC660, but better because of the standard bottom row and dedicated page up/page down keys. Definitely interested, though I'm not sure if I want to jump on it, at least not yet.
Title: Re: Magicforce 68-Key Keyboard on Massdrop
Post by: Delirious on Tue, 03 November 2015, 09:34:44
If the build quality is what they claim on their website this might be the best priced keyboard ever.
Title: Re: Magicforce 68-Key Keyboard on Massdrop
Post by: mobbo on Tue, 03 November 2015, 10:40:35
Sooo anyone know how difficult it would be to remove that logo?  :))
Title: Re: Magicforce 68-Key Keyboard on Massdrop
Post by: jbondeson on Tue, 03 November 2015, 10:43:43
Sooo anyone know how difficult it would be to remove that logo?  :))

Impossible. It appears to be milled into the plate and back lit.

Option B would be some duct tape  :p
Title: Re: Magicforce 68-Key Keyboard on Massdrop
Post by: SpAmRaY on Tue, 03 November 2015, 10:46:00
Sooo anyone know how difficult it would be to remove that logo?  :))

Impossible. It appears to be milled into the plate and back lit.

Option B would be some duct tape  :p
Or one of the many stickers being released from various artisans :D
Title: Re: Magicforce 68-Key Keyboard on Massdrop
Post by: mobbo on Tue, 03 November 2015, 10:47:10
Sooo anyone know how difficult it would be to remove that logo?  :))

Impossible. It appears to be milled into the plate and back lit.

Option B would be some duct tape  :p
Or one of the many stickers being released from various artisans :D

That's just what I was thinking!

I actually love the look but am a pretty big proponent of clean/unbranded cases.
Title: Re: Magicforce 68-Key Keyboard on Massdrop
Post by: captaineleven on Tue, 03 November 2015, 21:50:59

That's just what I was thinking!

I actually love the look but am a pretty big proponent of clean/unbranded cases.

Oh man! Same here! I was kind of disappointed the logo wasn't like the noppoo lolita versions where you can basically just scrape it off more or less. But I mean at least the name isn't too terrible fwiw lol
Title: Re: Magicforce 68-Key Keyboard on Massdrop
Post by: FrostyToast on Tue, 03 November 2015, 23:21:49
The right side of the keyboard just looks so aesthetically unappealing. There's a little bit of separation in the keys unlike the fc660 which is quite jarring.
Other than that, it's a cheap board with all standard keys. Plus, it allows for Gaterons or Cherry switches; amazing choice for switches.
Title: Re: Magicforce 68-Key Keyboard on Massdrop
Post by: jaffers on Wed, 04 November 2015, 04:06:23
Once again, a quick search on aliexpress reveals that you never really get the best price or wait time, $76usd w/ free shipping (to aus at least) with a greatly reduced wait time doesnt really make me want to join the drop, but I am interested in the keyboard and might think of picking one up, but then again I could spend a little more and get a leopold 660

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Magicforce-Smart-68-Keys-Backlit-Antighosting-USB-MINI-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard-Alu-Alloy-Kailh-MX-Blue/914660_32484022816.html\

EDIT: Correction, the switches on Ali are all kailh, I think I will pick up the one on massdrop with gaterons
Title: Re: Magicforce 68-Key Keyboard on Massdrop
Post by: vivalarevolución on Wed, 04 November 2015, 08:50:19
I like the concept, a sort of more functional 65% than anything else I have seen.  (unless you really like your F keys).  It does look weird with that nav cluster, no doubt.

At that price, I'm sure the build quality is garbage.  But who knows.
Title: Re: Magicforce 68-Key Keyboard on Massdrop
Post by: heedpantsnow on Wed, 04 November 2015, 08:57:59
...I try a new Chinese board. "Amazing board for a cheap price!"  No, decent board for a cheap price. And I'd rather have a great board for a decent price. Never again.

6 months later...I try a new Chinese board....never again.

6 months later...I try a new Chinese board...
Title: Re: Magicforce 68-Key Keyboard on Massdrop
Post by: vivalarevolución on Wed, 04 November 2015, 10:16:59
...I try a new Chinese board. "Amazing board for a cheap price!"  No, decent board for a cheap price. And I'd rather have a great board for a decent price. Never again.

6 months later...I try a new Chinese board....never again.

6 months later...I try a new Chinese board...

Yea, that's why I prefer to buy assembled boards from manufacturers with an established reputation, no matter how cool it looks.
Title: Re: Magicforce 68-Key Keyboard on Massdrop
Post by: vivalarevolución on Wed, 04 November 2015, 13:29:53
I also wonder who is the OEM for for this keyboard.  the keycap lettering looks similar to some other keyboards I've seen on Massdrop.

Although not quite the same, the keycaps look a like the ones on Royal Kludge keyboards: 
[attach=1]

And quite similar to the E-3LUE, also on Massdrop:
[attach=2]

Oh, and I can't forget Keycool:
[attach=3]

Title: Re: Magicforce 68-Key Keyboard on Massdrop
Post by: sgtpopwell on Thu, 12 November 2015, 11:37:43
I'm really interested in joining this drop because I've been interested in picking up a Leopold FC660 but I haven't been able to find one recently with switches I like. Plus, they offer it with MX whites which are pretty uncommon. Although, I may use the opportunity to buy one with Gaterons just because I have never owned any of those switches yet. I also wish they had some kind of representation of what the "gold" color case looks like.

...so many options...
Title: Re: Magicforce 68-Key Keyboard on Massdrop
Post by: Findecanor on Thu, 12 November 2015, 15:40:58
While that physical layout approaches perfection (http://[url=http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/wip-custom-69-key-t9786.html) ... the logical layout is wrong, Wrong, WRONG!

They should swap Fn and Right Alt. Right Alt belongs below . period!
Home and End are much more important than Insert.

And light bleed galore! I hate that.
Title: Re: Magicforce 68-Key Keyboard on Massdrop
Post by: sgtpopwell on Thu, 12 November 2015, 16:49:34
While that physical layout approaches perfection (http://[url=http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/wip-custom-69-key-t9786.html) ... the logical layout is wrong, Wrong, WRONG!

They should swap Fn and Right Alt. Right Alt belongs below . period!
Home and End are much more important than Insert.

And light bleed galore! I hate that.

I am totally with you on the layout. These will be the main reasons for me to justify not buying it.
Title: Re: Magicforce 68-Key Keyboard on Massdrop
Post by: Wannabe on Thu, 12 November 2015, 17:17:23
While that physical layout approaches perfection (http://[url=http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/wip-custom-69-key-t9786.html) ... the logical layout is wrong, Wrong, WRONG!

They should swap Fn and Right Alt. Right Alt belongs below . period!
Home and End are much more important than Insert.

And light bleed galore! I hate that.

I am totally with you on the layout. These will be the main reasons for me to justify not buying it.

Could always use custom caps sets and Autohotkey. Not as preferable to swapping keys in firmware but its what I use when using boards that don't have dip switches. I'm a huge fan of the 68/69 key layout, but the logo kills it for me.
Title: Re: Magicforce 68-Key Keyboard on Massdrop
Post by: ander on Fri, 13 November 2015, 07:23:24
Cool—it looks like something The Jetsons would use.


[attach=1]