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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: spanyam on Tue, 26 January 2016, 15:07:02

Title: One key not working on new Ducky YOTG. Is desoldering the only option here?
Post by: spanyam on Tue, 26 January 2016, 15:07:02
The up arrow key is not working a new Ducky YOTG. The LED does not light up when pressed in reactive / reactive-advanced mode (but it does work in other lighting modes), and the keystroke does not register. I've contacted the retailer regarding their policies, but in case an RMA / return turns out to be too expensive, how do I go about looking into diagnosing and fixing it myself? I've never soldered/desoldered key switches before, so I hope that isn't the only option available. I'm open to learning it if that's the only option.
Title: Re: One key not working on new Ducky YOTG. Is desoldering the only option here?
Post by: lunatics on Tue, 26 January 2016, 15:54:43
The only thing I'd be weary about with this board is that it has 2 PCBs in it and I saw someone asking about dissembling it on reddit and people weren't sure yet how the inside of the keyboard is set up and what would be required to desolder the key from it/them.
Title: Re: One key not working on new Ducky YOTG. Is desoldering the only option here?
Post by: spanyam on Tue, 26 January 2016, 16:33:24
Ahh, yes. That's another issue. Also I just found out the backspace key sometimes sticks after being depressed. That, along with a slight "clankety" sound on all the stabilized keys, makes me want to return it for something more straightforward and local like a Filco, especially for daily use.

Here's the clankety sound I'm referring to, as well as the other issues on the board:


Other than the nonfunctional Up-arrow key, I am not at all happy with the feel and sound of the spacebar, backspace, or the enter, especially for such an expensive board. Is this sound and behavior normal fare for Ducky boards or RGB Cherry MX Reds in general? Or is this just a bad piece?
Title: Re: One key not working on new Ducky YOTG. Is desoldering the only option here?
Post by: Corsa1r on Tue, 26 January 2016, 16:50:10
I would RMA the hell out of that thing.
Title: Re: One key not working on new Ducky YOTG. Is desoldering the only option here?
Post by: spanyam on Tue, 26 January 2016, 17:30:28
I'm leaning towards that as well. As a bonus, there are a few things I learned from this rather expensive (time- and money-wise) experience:

So, given the above, what are some solid TKL boards with mx blacks that can be good for both gaming and coding? I would really want something with solid feeling keys that don't rattle. The QFR does a surprisingly good job at this, but the MX Black version seems to be out of stock everywhere.
Title: Re: One key not working on new Ducky YOTG. Is desoldering the only option here?
Post by: Corsa1r on Tue, 26 January 2016, 17:46:50
What I wouldn't be able to stand out of the box for a board like a Ducky is sticking keys and most of all, a key that simply doesn't work (plus the other stuff, mostly the defective led state).
Title: Re: One key not working on new Ducky YOTG. Is desoldering the only option here?
Post by: Geroximo on Tue, 26 January 2016, 17:57:21
I would get rid of this board asap.
I do have a QFR with blacks. It is indeed a wonderful board.
Sadly the MX Blacks are just too heavy for my light fingers and I'm going to sell it sooner or later.
Title: Re: One key not working on new Ducky YOTG. Is desoldering the only option here?
Post by: appleonama on Tue, 26 January 2016, 18:07:47
yeah rma that thing/return


I recommend the fc750r with black. It was the absolute best stock keyboard I've tried not even close to QFR .
Title: Re: One key not working on new Ducky YOTG. Is desoldering the only option here?
Post by: spanyam on Tue, 26 January 2016, 18:39:26
Thanks, I will RMA this. The stock on Cherry MX Black boards seems to be rather low now, so I'll just stick with the QFR blue that I have for some time. QFR blue is still a great board that miraculously recovered from this: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=78427.0