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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: Frenky on Fri, 23 September 2016, 06:00:12

Title: What to expect from PBT keycaps
Post by: Frenky on Fri, 23 September 2016, 06:00:12

Hi friends! I'm thinking of getting myself my first PBT keyset but I have a question, let me explain my situation:

I currently use a Filco MJ2 Ninja & Das 4 Ultimate - neither of these (stock) ABS caps suffer from wear and tear right (because blank/side-printed)? Does that mean they don't get 'slippery'?

If my above assumption is correct, why would one upgrade to PBT keycaps? What should I expect from them other than being made from a sturdier material - is it a 'omg' difference, something I should have done ages ago or am I barely going to notice/feel it?

Title: Re: What to expect from PBT keycaps
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 23 September 2016, 06:14:07

It's all personal preference really.

If you like the stock caps then why change?

But just because you have blanks or side print doesn't mean the caps won't eventually wear. A lot of wear had to do with usage, environment and your body chemistry.

Title: Re: What to expect from PBT keycaps
Post by: Tactile on Fri, 23 September 2016, 08:34:26

PBT caps usually have more texture than ABS, which some people like. Because the PBT are usually thicker & the material difference, the sound when typing changes and, again, some people prefer PBT.

But you'll never know your preference 'till you try them.

Title: Re: What to expect from PBT keycaps
Post by: oumakavoula on Fri, 23 September 2016, 08:58:31

my issue with abs caps is how they get greasy an issue i don't have with my pbt ones

Title: Re: What to expect from PBT keycaps
Post by: Frenky on Fri, 23 September 2016, 09:29:51

Thanks for the info, I didn't even think about the greasyness, I'll definitely try out a set! Thanks so much.  :thumb:

Title: Re: What to expect from PBT keycaps
Post by: boTy on Sat, 24 September 2016, 13:10:43

They will definitely get slippery eventually, but it might take some time for yours, depending on how much you use your keyboard.

I do really like the texture of PBT keycaps, but some of them feel better than others. I have Cherry profile PBT caps right now, and they feel just like the PBT keycaps on my Cherry G80-3000. Very smooth, but still texturized. Good ABS keycaps can feel good too, but that's keycaps like GMK or SP doubleshot ABS.

I also find that PBT keycaps feel kind of bad on clicky switches, they seem to make the click feel less "crisp". PBT keycaps do feel nice on tactile and linear switches though.

Title: Re: What to expect from PBT keycaps
Post by: pr0ximity on Sat, 24 September 2016, 22:33:28

Another data point: I quite like the feeling of smooth, shiny ABS.

PBT feels like a harder plastic which I don't care for much.

Like everything else, it's all personal preference. The only way to know really is to try things out.

Title: Re: What to expect from PBT keycaps
Post by: potatobot on Sun, 25 September 2016, 05:05:58

For me the major difference is that PBT are rough which gives you a slightly better grip on keycaps? But the colors are a bit FLAT for me which is a major bummer. (but i use them all the time)

ABS are shiny, especially darker colored ones, which isn't that bad considering they produce beautiful colors. They look pretty nice, and i dont really mind the texture of keycaps.

So overall, keycaps are just keycaps which allow you to press switches. No type of plastic may have a significant edge over the other because there are multiple stuff to be considered overall but gateron PBTs nice, GMK and SP ABS are nice, and well for me tai-hao sucks haha  :thumb: