Xarmor U9BL-S or Deck Legend tactile

[johndoe]

Hey guys

This is my first post here! Ive been scouring this site and OCN for the past week trying to find my ideal first mechanical KB (typing and gaming).

Ive decided im after a cherry brown/clear, backlit KB. So my 2 contenders are the U9BL-S ($198) and Deck Legend Ice Tactile ($230) incl. delivery cost.

Im wondering whether people think the Deck is worth it for the extra $30 (its not much, but these are both above my original intended spending). My impression of the Deck is that it has a more reputable quality (i could be wrong).

None of the features on either keyboard that are compared by BucklingSpring,
seem unacceptable although the backlight reset and leveled keys are slight downsides for each. Also are the deck keycaps near indestructable, whereas the u9bl-s is too new a technique to decifer?

I am ordering from Australia, which is why I'd prefer a quality keyboard, so i dont have to ship around for RMAs? or have them wear out too soon.

btw tyvm for the wikis and info in general, its all been very useful and sorry for any lack of forum etiquette

[The Solutor]

I have the U9BL-S since yesterday and is very very well built.


Basically the difference are in the switch used: white  in the deck tactile, brown in the u9bl-s although I prefer the white i decided to go with the U9BL-S because the price (a lot of money considering the initial price + shipment from US + VAT and Import fees), because it looks way better, because I don't like the funky fonts used on the deck, because the USB hub, the smaller footprint, and the wrist rest.

You may also consider the clicky U9BL if the click is not a problem for you.

BTW here you read more about my keyboard

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=16928

[Curetia]

I have to decide between these two boards too.
What i have read the last days was, that the Xarmor won't store the backlightning so if you shut down your PC while backlit at level 3 and than turn it on the backlit was at level 0 again. Is this right? (The Deck should keep the level of backlit)

[The Solutor]

I have to decide between these two boards too.
What i have read the last days was, that the Xarmor won't store the backlightning so if you shut down your PC while backlit at level 3 and than turn it on the backlit was at level 0 again. Is this right? (The Deck should keep the level of backlit)

Yes the backllight level is not stored.

Or to say better the backlight is resetted every time the PC is resetted as well.

This is puzziling because I have a non working USB port and, if I connect the cable in that socket, the keboard (obviously) doesn't works, but the backlit level is restored when the PC is turned ON.

So seem that the keyboard is able to store the level but, for same reason, it will be resetted purposely (even a CTRL+ALT+CANC is sufficient to reset the BL level)

[drsauced]

Deck does indeed store the backlight level.  What it won't store is the caps, num, or scroll lock brightness, which is a slight bother.  FN+CapsLock puts them at full brightness, though.

[BucklingSpring]

I own both and made a comparison.

See that thread XArmor U9BL-S vs Deck Legend

[Corland]

I just sent my UBL9-S in for servicing, the keys just were not working well for me- the stabilizers are quite bad and break easily (my spacebar broke the first day)-- if you are super gentle on your keyboard, it may never be an issue, but I would blow the extra 30 and go for the DECK if I had it to do over again.

My new Leo with browns seems far better built than the UBL9-S

[The Solutor]

I own both and made a comparison.

See that thread XArmor U9BL-S vs Deck Legend

I read it before buying, your review convinced me that the deck was not for me, even if equipped with the switches I like.

[rustybarnacle]

I owned a deck, in toxic (which may have been a factor), and had frequent problems with lights going out.  On the upside, i got good at both dismantling my board and desoldering LEDs.  On the downside, I had to do both those things a lot.  I sent the board back, received a replacement that also almost immediately starting having LED failures.  I also decided I didn't love the cherry black switches (which i realize is a non issue in your case).  Having said all of that...are you sure there isn't an option 3?

[BucklingSpring]

I owned a deck, in toxic (which may have been a factor), and had frequent problems with lights going out.

You must have been very unlucky. Besides the light bleeding around the stickers, I had no problems with my MX Black and MX Clear Deck. I also spent some time on their forum for a while and I didn't noticed too many people complainging about the quality of the product.

As for a third option.
Razer Black Widow with Ultrapolling?
Backlit Logitech with PerfectStroke?
or Optimus Maximus with Mortgage?
Pick the one you like. (No thanks for me - XArmor and Deck are leading the backlit pack)

[johndoe]

I own both and made a comparison.

See that thread XArmor U9BL-S vs Deck Legend

i have read this review but unfortunately none of the features were dealbreakers.

As for 3rd options, BWU has cherry blues (noisy) while Das/Filco/Ducky/Steelseries/TTe all aren't backlit.

Both KBs appear to have the occasion glitch so I might just go with Xarmor now and get a Deck somwhere down the track.

Thanks for the help. I will probably order at the end of the week.