keyboard question (LEDs)

[MTManiac]

I am looking for a keyboard to modify
I prefer a TKL with MX but it needs to have LED backlighting I can swap out for different ones (main purpose of the project)

I was looking at the CM Storm Quickfire TK Ducky Shine II or III or a QFR (do they make these with backlighting?).

Any suggestions?

[jameslr]

Keycool makes a TKL with backlights. Wasd v2 "code" will be out *soon* and that will be backlit. Ducky Shine II TKL are hard to find. Your best bet for an immediate buy is probably the Keycool if it must be TKL. No word on whether there will be a TKL version of Shine III, but if there is it will probably be next year sometime.

Edit: there are a ton more boards with TK that have backlight. Shine III on the expensive end, and CM QuickFire Ultimate on the cheaper side. Ducky Zero Shine is kind of in the middle. QuickFire TK has some funky backlight configuration you may want to look at some reviews of it before you decide on it.

[MTManiac]

Keycool makes a TKL with backlights. Wasd v2 "code" will be out *soon* and that will be backlit. Ducky Shine II TKL are hard to find. Your best bet for an immediate buy is probably the Keycool if it must be TKL. No word on whether there will be a TKL version of Shine III, but if there is it will probably be next year sometime.

Edit: there are a ton more boards with TK that have backlight. Shine III on the expensive end, and CM QuickFire Ultimate on the cheaper side. Ducky Zero Shine is kind of in the middle. QuickFire TK has some funky backlight configuration you may want to look at some reviews of it before you decide on it.

Thanks for the info!

The keycool 87 looks promising

[rowdy]

Keycool makes a TKL with backlights. Wasd v2 "code" will be out *soon* and that will be backlit. Ducky Shine II TKL are hard to find. Your best bet for an immediate buy is probably the Keycool if it must be TKL. No word on whether there will be a TKL version of Shine III, but if there is it will probably be next year sometime.

Edit: there are a ton more boards with TK that have backlight. Shine III on the expensive end, and CM QuickFire Ultimate on the cheaper side. Ducky Zero Shine is kind of in the middle. QuickFire TK has some funky backlight configuration you may want to look at some reviews of it before you decide on it.

Thanks for the info!

The keycool 87 looks promising

I have a KeyCool 87 (not backlit though).  Using it now.  Great keyboard!  White with MX reds.  PBT keycaps

[tp4tissue]

You really don't want backlighting.

Most of the Backlit keys out there are abs.

Secondly, most are coated with a painted layer over translucent plastic, which means wearing out that layer is an eventuality.

You can't protect your keys from this.

And you won't be able to find replacements.


I've had backlit boards all through highschool and a little bit of college.

The novelty wears off, and you NEVER look down at the board.


So it's really a gimmick.

[MTManiac]

You really don't want backlighting.

Most of the Backlit keys out there are abs.

Secondly, most are coated with a painted layer over translucent plastic, which means wearing out that layer is an eventuality.

You can't protect your keys from this.

And you won't be able to find replacements.


I've had backlit boards all through highschool and a little bit of college.

The novelty wears off, and you NEVER look down at the board.


So it's really a gimmick.

Thanks for the thread crap, but did you even read my OP?
I need a board with backlighting so I can modify the LED's
Telling me I don't want something and that it's a gimmick is plain retarded, I hope it was a drunk post.

Secondly, you didn't know this so I won't hold it against you, but I am making some specific pbt caps for this project as well, so I don't need to worry about crappy abs lazer etching wearing off

Keycool makes a TKL with backlights. Wasd v2 "code" will be out *soon* and that will be backlit. Ducky Shine II TKL are hard to find. Your best bet for an immediate buy is probably the Keycool if it must be TKL. No word on whether there will be a TKL version of Shine III, but if there is it will probably be next year sometime.

Edit: there are a ton more boards with TK that have backlight. Shine III on the expensive end, and CM QuickFire Ultimate on the cheaper side. Ducky Zero Shine is kind of in the middle. QuickFire TK has some funky backlight configuration you may want to look at some reviews of it before you decide on it.

Thanks for the info!

The keycool 87 looks promising

I have a KeyCool 87 (not backlit though).  Using it now.  Great keyboard!  White with MX reds.  PBT keycaps

Good to know! Thank you 

[dorkvader]

I'm not familiar with the keycool, but lots of keyboards that come in both versions, you can just add the led's. I know the Poker II is this way, so you might be able to save some money and get a keycool 87 that's not backlit.

Before doing so, I would recommend getting someone to open it and check, though.

[MTManiac]

I'm not familiar with the keycool, but lots of keyboards that come in both versions, you can just add the led's. I know the Poker II is this way, so you might be able to save some money and get a keycool 87 that's not backlit.

Before doing so, I would recommend getting someone to open it and check, though.

very good idea, that would save me a lot of work from desoldering the old led's