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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: WheresTheSNES on Tue, 11 September 2018, 16:37:52

Title: Cheap Keycaps: Tai-Hao Cubic vs Vortex PBT vs Ducky PBT
Post by: WheresTheSNES on Tue, 11 September 2018, 16:37:52
Looking for a cheap set of keycaps for my hotswap keyboard tester which I may or may not ruin with box switches.

Looking for thicker with a nice textured feel (not super smooth).  My favorite keycaps that I have are my leopold FC660C which I would describe as fairly thick with a textured feel.

Looking at Tai-Hao Cubic Midnight Dawn ($40), Vortex PBT ($36), or a Ducky Double-Shot PBT set ($50).  Suggestions?  Thanks!

Tai-Hao Cubic
https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2931 (https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2931)

Vortex
https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=287 (https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=287)

Ducky
https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=3051 (https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=3051)
Title: Re: Cheap Keycaps: Tai-Hao Cubic vs Vortex PBT vs Ducky PBT
Post by: mounds on Sun, 16 September 2018, 14:12:07
Haven't used the dye-sub PBT from Vortex/iKBC, but I can say the PBT doubleshot, backlit keycaps have been a pretty good buy for me. Solid feeling and very good QC. Only complaint is the font but eh, for $35 it was fine to live with. 
 
Other helpful videos:

iKBC Backlit review:
iKBC Doubleshout (non-backlit) review:
iKBC Backlit Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Backlit-Doubleshot-Mechancial-Keyboard-Mechanical/dp/B0779TNTVY?th=1

PS. Not a sponsor, just really happy with iKBC quality / detail in their products (except for the Non-new Poker II for reasons).
Title: Re: Cheap Keycaps: Tai-Hao Cubic vs Vortex PBT vs Ducky PBT
Post by: WheresTheSNES on Mon, 17 September 2018, 16:02:33
Thanks for the feedback.  I took a hard left and got the Tai-Hao Cubic which should be coming in today. 
Title: Re: Cheap Keycaps: Tai-Hao Cubic vs Vortex PBT vs Ducky PBT
Post by: Lanrefni on Tue, 18 September 2018, 16:00:48
Those Tai-Ho Cubic look really great,if they came with 1U modifiers and I hadn't got a set of black DSA caps in the mail this morning I'd probably have ordered them.
Title: Re: Cheap Keycaps: Tai-Hao Cubic vs Vortex PBT vs Ducky PBT
Post by: WheresTheSNES on Wed, 19 September 2018, 14:26:47
Quote from: Lanrefni on Tue, 18 September 2018, 16:00:48
Those Tai-Ho Cubic look really great,if they came with 1U modifiers and I hadn't got a set of black DSA caps in the mail this morning I'd probably have ordered them.

They are pretty good for the price.  I was at first disappointed in the thickness, but that's because i'm used to signature plastics DSA, Leopold, and Topre Fc660c keycaps, which are all nice and thick pbt.

When I put them on my cheap plastic iGK61 they really brought the worst out in each other, like they sounded so pingy and thin.  But then I put them on my nice heavy aluminum 5 degree case with a brass plate, and they hold their own now.  The case and the plate make a huge difference in feel and sound turns out. Still not as good as thicker, more expensive PBT IMHO but they feel pretty nice, look good, and aren't offensively cheap feeling.  I haven't tried any cheaper PBT alternatives so my only point of reference are the more expensive caps. 
Title: Re: Cheap Keycaps: Tai-Hao Cubic vs Vortex PBT vs Ducky PBT
Post by: Oni74 on Sat, 29 September 2018, 00:06:18
The Tai Hao Cubic caps are surprisingly good. They are very different from their OEM profile ABS caps. They are thicker and far more pleasant to type on.