Another alternative, why not get a Vortex Poker with backlighting and then buy a set of custom keycaps from WASD (http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/keycap-set/61-key-cherry-mx-keycap-set.html)?
Another alternative, why not get a Vortex Poker with backlighting and then buy a set of custom keycaps from WASD (http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/keycap-set/61-key-cherry-mx-keycap-set.html)?
I've looked into those as well, but all of the ones I've been able to find with lighting had a white backplate. On a black frame it just doesn't look right in my opinion. There are white-framed ones, but I'm still kind of on the fence about those. It's not that it looks bad, but black would match my setup much better. If Zowie made a white EC1-A then I'd just all over the white Pok3r :p.
There's also the WASD CODE 61-key that is basically exactly the same as a backlit Pok3r, but that has a white backplate as well.
Then there's the KC60 that's on Massdrop right now. That has backlighting, PBT caps, and is considerably cheaper, but the top isn't flush like on the Pok3r and WASD.
Most stock LED boards have white backplates to allow the light to shine better (Something about lowering the LED reflection and more even lighting), so not sure how common those are or how easily you'll be able to find an LED board with black backplate.
I've never had a KC60, so I'm not entirely sure about this, but if the top isn't flush, wouldn't that just be a matter of switching out the case for another case with a lower profile? Again, I've never owned a KC60 before, so I'm not sure if that'll work.
Another possible solution would be to build your own keyboard if you're comfortable with that. That way you can choose the exact case, switches, backplate, LED colors, etc. that you want for your setup.
I don't stare at it as I type, it's just for reorienting at a glance after taking my hands off the keyboard to use the mouse, drink my coffee, whatever.That's why I use the homing bars.
Ya I've noticed that, especially on RGB boards. Some others (Razer BlackWidow Ultimate 2013 I believe) have a backplate that matches their LED colors. This wouldn't be an issue for me if it wasn't so noticeable.
I could switch out the case, but I'd really like to find an "ideal" keyboard, where I don't have to switch out parts and stuff. I think that's pretty much impossible though, just like I can't find an ideal mouse.
I would be comfortable putting one together if there was like a kit or something where I didn't have to do any soldering or having parts custom made. I'd also like to have it soon-ish (within a couple weeks). I don't really think it's an option all things considered.
I'm probably just gonna go with the VP3 or Pok3r with custom PBT caps. I type in low light occasionally, but never to the point where I can't see the keys. I'm just so used to having the LED's it's hard to imagine not having them lol.
I'm a backlighting fan, especially RGB. I like to have something to play with when I'm thinking, and flashy backlighting modes (especially reactive ones) fit the bill.When my QuickFire TK had LEDs (I desoldered them), you couldn't turn them completely off. Yes, there was an on/off function, but the arrow keys on the numpad would still stay lit until you pressed Num Lock. So if you don't have Num Lock on, even with all of the LEDs turned off, the arrow keys still light up. Makes absolutely no sense to me. And when I'm swapping switches, the LEDs only add to the tediousness.
It's worth noting that, if you do have backlighting, it's usually possible to turn it off. You might not even be paying extra for it, depending on how the economies of scale work out.
When my QuickFire TK had LEDs (I desoldered them), you couldn't turn them completely off. Yes, there was an on/off function, but the arrow keys on the numpad would still stay lit until you pressed Num Lock. So if you don't have Num Lock on, even with all of the LEDs turned off, the arrow keys still light up. Makes absolutely no sense to me. And when I'm swapping switches, the LEDs only add to the tediousness.
When my QuickFire TK had LEDs (I desoldered them), you couldn't turn them completely off. Yes, there was an on/off function, but the arrow keys on the numpad would still stay lit until you pressed Num Lock. So if you don't have Num Lock on, even with all of the LEDs turned off, the arrow keys still light up. Makes absolutely no sense to me. And when I'm swapping switches, the LEDs only add to the tediousness.
That's weird. Every keyboard I've had with backlighting you could turn completely off as far as I know.
So far I only like the kind of LEDs that show me information like CPI/DPI/settings, and things like that. Since I've only used mechanical keyboards without backlighting I can't really say that I would make use of backlighting but I wouldn't be apposed to trying it out. I'd probably turn off the keyboard LEDs because my LED monitor usually gives off sufficient light in dimly lit areas.I agree with this. My daily driver is backlit but it's not really powerful enough so I can actually see the legends on the keys in the dark (side printed) so I don't see the point to be honest.
Backlighting is actually a deal-breaker for me. I can't stand it. It's a gimmick at best, and really you shouldn't be looking at the keyboard anyways.
nope I just have backlighting cuz I like being obnoxious, all my caps are blanks anywayShow Image(http://i.imgur.com/23QuKlM.jpg)Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/7q4RBFS.jpg)
hell yea
nope I just have backlighting cuz I like being obnoxious, all my caps are blanks anywayShow Image(http://i.imgur.com/23QuKlM.jpg)Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/7q4RBFS.jpg)
hell yea
That blue is certainly NOT obnoxious!
Man....all these haters. I like it 'cause it looks cool. Nothing more. I don't need it since I can touch type but it's cool to see. Nothing wrong with a little aesthetics.No definitely not, to each their own. That is true about all things really, you can't argue what other people like. It's just for me, personally there is very little appeal.
nope I just have backlighting cuz I like being obnoxious, all my caps are blanks anywayThat reminds me of a swimming pool xD .Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/23QuKlM.jpg)Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/7q4RBFS.jpg)
hell yea
nope I just have backlighting cuz I like being obnoxious, all my caps are blanks anywayThat reminds me of a swimming pool xD .Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/23QuKlM.jpg)Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/7q4RBFS.jpg)
hell yea
nope I just have backlighting cuz I like being obnoxious, all my caps are blanks anywayThat reminds me of a swimming pool xD .Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/23QuKlM.jpg)Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/7q4RBFS.jpg)
hell yea
It reminds me of, er, a keyboard with blue backlighting turned up.
Sometimes my imagination goes to bed early.
nope I just have backlighting cuz I like being obnoxious, all my caps are blanks anywayThat reminds me of a swimming pool xD .Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/23QuKlM.jpg)Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/7q4RBFS.jpg)
hell yea
It reminds me of, er, a keyboard with blue backlighting turned up.
Sometimes my imagination goes to bed early.
It reminds me of Sifo's keyboards.
nope I just have backlighting cuz I like being obnoxious, all my caps are blanks anywayHave trouble sleeping?
hell yea
backlighting is a n00ber thing..
Have trouble sleeping?
Blue light is terrible for your sleep patterns.
nope I just have backlighting cuz I like being obnoxious, all my caps are blanks anywayHave trouble sleeping?
hell yea
Blue light is terrible for your sleep patterns.
i hate backlit keycaps*bows head in shame* I'm using a backlit keycap right now. Didn't think I was going to like it. But I LOVE IT.
leds that provide a soft glow underneath the keycaps (not into your ****ing eyes) or on the underside of the keyboard are the only ones that should be legal
Backlighting is actually a deal-breaker for me. I can't stand it. It's a gimmick at best, and really you shouldn't be looking at the keyboard anyways.
Think about it for a minute: A keyboard is an input device where you press one key at a time. So use it most efficiently, you must learn to type without thinking about the keys you're pressing, the same way you learn to ride a bike by not thinking about staying balanced or which foot is up or down. To use a KB well, the last place you want to be looking is as the KB.
Manufacturers know that keyboard backlighting is a senseless gimmick. But it always sucks in a certain number of people because primates (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primate)—of which humans are a member—are naturally drawn to bright, glittery objects.
This is why we place such high values on things like gold, silver and gemstones. If we didn't have this meaningless fascination for glitter, those things wouldn't be anything special—and something like a KB with flashy disco lighting would be considered a thing of comedy.
I'm pretty sure I've seen a mouse mat with leds too, I think it was a razer,Think about it for a minute: A keyboard is an input device where you press one key at a time. So use it most efficiently, you must learn to type without thinking about the keys you're pressing, the same way you learn to ride a bike by not thinking about staying balanced or which foot is up or down. To use a KB well, the last place you want to be looking is as the KB.
Manufacturers know that keyboard backlighting is a senseless gimmick. But it always sucks in a certain number of people because primates (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primate)—of which humans are a member—are naturally drawn to bright, glittery objects.
This is why we place such high values on things like gold, silver and gemstones. If we didn't have this meaningless fascination for glitter, those things wouldn't be anything special—and something like a KB with flashy disco lighting would be considered a thing of comedy.
Or ... so many gaming peripherals, and indeed gaming PCs, have lots of lighting - mouse lighting, case lighting, front panel lighting, speaker lighting - it was inevitable that keyboards would including lighting to, in order to appear to the gaming market.
My work board is non-backlit, but my home board is backlit. What I tend to use it for is to confirm keypresses (backlight only lights up when keys are pressed), as all my password entries are complex and in the bash style, which means I have no clue how many characters i put in, so I can't really guesstimate where I went wrong. So if I type a password wrong, I'll know because of the key brightness (10 ticks) compared to what brightness it should be at the point where i finish typing a password. So, for example, my password is "Hunter2" by the time I've inputted the password completely, the H is at brightness 2, the shift key is at brightness 2, the U key is at brightness 3,the n key at brightness 4, the t key at brightness 5, the e key at brightness 6, the r key at brightness 7, and the 2 key at brightness 9. Otherwise, my backlight is off.
does your keyboard automatically reset brightness levels after a while or do those letters stay lit until you manually reset?
this sounds super cool. what pcb are you using?does your keyboard automatically reset brightness levels after a while or do those letters stay lit until you manually reset?
It currently has two different settings. The first one is where it goes down in brightness every time a key is pressed (which is the one i prefer using).I screwed with the firmware on my home board so that it would only fade when keystrokes were inputted. However, all keys will reset if there is not input for more than 5 seconds or 1000polls, whichever is quicker. The other one is the natural fade. Natural fade does 7-8 ticks per second and goes faster the faster i type.
this sounds super cool. what pcb are you using?does your keyboard automatically reset brightness levels after a while or do those letters stay lit until you manually reset?
It currently has two different settings. The first one is where it goes down in brightness every time a key is pressed (which is the one i prefer using).I screwed with the firmware on my home board so that it would only fade when keystrokes were inputted. However, all keys will reset if there is not input for more than 5 seconds or 1000polls, whichever is quicker. The other one is the natural fade. Natural fade does 7-8 ticks per second and goes faster the faster i type.
this is the sort of thing that makes me love this community ahhahathis sounds super cool. what pcb are you using?does your keyboard automatically reset brightness levels after a while or do those letters stay lit until you manually reset?
It currently has two different settings. The first one is where it goes down in brightness every time a key is pressed (which is the one i prefer using).I screwed with the firmware on my home board so that it would only fade when keystrokes were inputted. However, all keys will reset if there is not input for more than 5 seconds or 1000polls, whichever is quicker. The other one is the natural fade. Natural fade does 7-8 ticks per second and goes faster the faster i type.
I'm actually using a mostly stock ducky shine 3 tkl. I had someone screw with the firmware updates exe so that we could inject custom code into the firmware. I know it's not safe but since this is probably the only board that I'm going to keep with me until it's FUBAR, I decided to have a little fun with it.
I can confirm that the v60 uses a black backplate instead of a white on the LED models. This makes the legends nice and visible, but there is no light leakage or underglow from the LED's, which I hate.Ya I've noticed that, especially on RGB boards. Some others (Razer BlackWidow Ultimate 2013 I believe) have a backplate that matches their LED colors. This wouldn't be an issue for me if it wasn't so noticeable.
I could switch out the case, but I'd really like to find an "ideal" keyboard, where I don't have to switch out parts and stuff. I think that's pretty much impossible though, just like I can't find an ideal mouse.
I would be comfortable putting one together if there was like a kit or something where I didn't have to do any soldering or having parts custom made. I'd also like to have it soon-ish (within a couple weeks). I don't really think it's an option all things considered.
I'm probably just gonna go with the VP3 or Pok3r with custom PBT caps. I type in low light occasionally, but never to the point where I can't see the keys. I'm just so used to having the LED's it's hard to imagine not having them lol.
Switching out a case isn't too difficult with most 60%s as you're just removing 5 screws and then swapping the cases, so I think if you're looking for something more ideal, then this should be an option you keep in mind perhaps later down the road. :thumb:
As for making your own keyboard, you can source most parts and get them within a few weeks. There are a lot of soldering guides out there and practice soldering kits if you ever want to learn, but as someone who was once in your shoes, I completely understand not being comfortable in soldering your own board. If you ever do decided to go this route, soldering isn't -that- scary and is quite empowering when you realize you can customize your own board.
Another option you might consider is the KBParadise V60. The case and caps are inferior to the Pok3r of course since Plastic vs. Aluminum Case and ABS vs. PBT Caps, but I believe it has a black backplate (Not entirely sure on this as I own a non-LED model). If the case and caps matter more though to you though and you don't feel like swapping them, then this will not be the stock keyboard you're looking for either.
Also, are readily-created custom PBT caps a thing? If you're looking for your very own special custom keycap set, AFAIK, the only people who do single-order custom keycaps at a affordable price (WASD, MaxKB) only do ABS custom keycaps.
Back-lighting is almost useless.Redshift (http://jonls.dk/redshift/) is actually free and works much better on GNU/Linux.
Unless you're looking down when typing I think it would bother you. The glare from the light fatigues the eyes quickly.
Most of time the lights are off. Blue light is hard on the eyes in the dark. F.lux is great on windows. I can't get it to work on ubuntu yet....
Never unless I'm in total darkness and I need to look for that one particular number.
Never unless I'm in total darkness and I need to look for that one particular number.
Huh. Never thought of that. Do you have the centering nubs on f and j? or are you using a non-qwerty layout? I have a general idea of where my keys are. I normally use the edge of the board as a reference. Or are you on a smaller board?
Never unless I'm in total darkness and I need to look for that one particular number.
Huh. Never thought of that. Do you have the centering nubs on f and j? or are you using a non-qwerty layout? I have a general idea of where my keys are. I normally use the edge of the board as a reference. Or are you on a smaller board?
I know where every letters are even without looking but numbers I still have trouble with lol.
You're an amazing person. Thank you :pBack-lighting is almost useless.Redshift (http://jonls.dk/redshift/) is actually free and works much better on GNU/Linux.
Unless you're looking down when typing I think it would bother you. The glare from the light fatigues the eyes quickly.
Most of time the lights are off. Blue light is hard on the eyes in the dark. F.lux is great on windows. I can't get it to work on ubuntu yet....
I'm pretty sure I've seen a mouse mat with leds too, I think it was a razer,Think about it for a minute: A keyboard is an input device where you press one key at a time. So use it most efficiently, you must learn to type without thinking about the keys you're pressing, the same way you learn to ride a bike by not thinking about staying balanced or which foot is up or down. To use a KB well, the last place you want to be looking is as the KB.
Manufacturers know that keyboard backlighting is a senseless gimmick. But it always sucks in a certain number of people because primates (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primate)—of which humans are a member—are naturally drawn to bright, glittery objects.
This is why we place such high values on things like gold, silver and gemstones. If we didn't have this meaningless fascination for glitter, those things wouldn't be anything special—and something like a KB with flashy disco lighting would be considered a thing of comedy.
Or ... so many gaming peripherals, and indeed gaming PCs, have lots of lighting - mouse lighting, case lighting, front panel lighting, speaker lighting - it was inevitable that keyboards would including lighting to, in order to appear to the gaming market.
I'll never understand the appeal of that. I don't judge people who do (too harshly) but I just, personally, don't get it.I'm pretty sure I've seen a mouse mat with leds too, I think it was a razer,Think about it for a minute: A keyboard is an input device where you press one key at a time. So use it most efficiently, you must learn to type without thinking about the keys you're pressing, the same way you learn to ride a bike by not thinking about staying balanced or which foot is up or down. To use a KB well, the last place you want to be looking is as the KB.
Manufacturers know that keyboard backlighting is a senseless gimmick. But it always sucks in a certain number of people because primates (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primate)—of which humans are a member—are naturally drawn to bright, glittery objects.
This is why we place such high values on things like gold, silver and gemstones. If we didn't have this meaningless fascination for glitter, those things wouldn't be anything special—and something like a KB with flashy disco lighting would be considered a thing of comedy.
Or ... so many gaming peripherals, and indeed gaming PCs, have lots of lighting - mouse lighting, case lighting, front panel lighting, speaker lighting - it was inevitable that keyboards would including lighting to, in order to appear to the gaming market.
http://www.razerzone.com/au-en/gaming-mouse-mats/razer-firefly
(Attachment Link)
I'll never understand the appeal of that. I don't judge people who do (too harshly) but I just, personally, don't get it.I'm pretty sure I've seen a mouse mat with leds too, I think it was a razer,Think about it for a minute: A keyboard is an input device where you press one key at a time. So use it most efficiently, you must learn to type without thinking about the keys you're pressing, the same way you learn to ride a bike by not thinking about staying balanced or which foot is up or down. To use a KB well, the last place you want to be looking is as the KB.
Manufacturers know that keyboard backlighting is a senseless gimmick. But it always sucks in a certain number of people because primates (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primate)—of which humans are a member—are naturally drawn to bright, glittery objects.
This is why we place such high values on things like gold, silver and gemstones. If we didn't have this meaningless fascination for glitter, those things wouldn't be anything special—and something like a KB with flashy disco lighting would be considered a thing of comedy.
Or ... so many gaming peripherals, and indeed gaming PCs, have lots of lighting - mouse lighting, case lighting, front panel lighting, speaker lighting - it was inevitable that keyboards would including lighting to, in order to appear to the gaming market.
http://www.razerzone.com/au-en/gaming-mouse-mats/razer-firefly
(Attachment Link)
I'll never understand the appeal of that. I don't judge people who do (too harshly) but I just, personally, don't get it.I'm pretty sure I've seen a mouse mat with leds too, I think it was a razer,Think about it for a minute: A keyboard is an input device where you press one key at a time. So use it most efficiently, you must learn to type without thinking about the keys you're pressing, the same way you learn to ride a bike by not thinking about staying balanced or which foot is up or down. To use a KB well, the last place you want to be looking is as the KB.
Manufacturers know that keyboard backlighting is a senseless gimmick. But it always sucks in a certain number of people because primates (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primate)—of which humans are a member—are naturally drawn to bright, glittery objects.
This is why we place such high values on things like gold, silver and gemstones. If we didn't have this meaningless fascination for glitter, those things wouldn't be anything special—and something like a KB with flashy disco lighting would be considered a thing of comedy.
Or ... so many gaming peripherals, and indeed gaming PCs, have lots of lighting - mouse lighting, case lighting, front panel lighting, speaker lighting - it was inevitable that keyboards would including lighting to, in order to appear to the gaming market.
http://www.razerzone.com/au-en/gaming-mouse-mats/razer-firefly
(Attachment Link)