Author Topic: Halp finding PBT keycaps for Ducky keyboard  (Read 2855 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline sear

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 3
Halp finding PBT keycaps for Ducky keyboard
« on: Sat, 09 November 2013, 21:50:04 »
I got a Ducky Zero with Cherry Blues in it recently and have been pretty happy with it.  However, I want some longer-lasting keycaps that won't turn shiny after a few months (already starting to get that way).

I live in Canada, so finding a site that offers PBT keycaps that fit, along with reasonable shipping prices, is pretty difficult.  Does anyone have any suggestions on where I could pick up compatible PBT keycaps for this keyboard where I won't have to wait 10 years for them to come in stock, and won't have to pay a fortune in shipping?

Seems like MechanicalKeyboards.com is one of the only games in town, but it doesn't provide free shipping to Canada and who knows when they'll have the set I need in stock.
« Last Edit: Sat, 09 November 2013, 21:57:42 by sear »

Offline Linkbane

  • Posts: 1534
  • Location: Houston, TX
Re: Halp finding PBT keycaps for Ducky keyboard
« Reply #1 on: Sun, 10 November 2013, 04:30:52 »
I got my keycaps from banggood, the 87-key set of blank white/black or printed will be great. I have them, it took about two and a half weeks to ship, but it was free! The caps themselves cost under $18, they're medium-thick (less than Filco but more than the Poker/Topre/etc.) and backlighting shines through them easily.
Cheap, free shipping globally. If you're trying to get something at a reasonably price, I definitely suggest this.
Quickfire TK MX Blue Corsair K60 MX Red Ducky Shine 3 Yellow TKL MX Blue Leopold FC660C
Current best: 162 wpm.

Offline Beca

  • Posts: 342
  • Location: California, USA
  • what am i doing with my life
Re: Halp finding PBT keycaps for Ducky keyboard
« Reply #2 on: Sun, 10 November 2013, 06:25:03 »
I got my keycaps from banggood, the 87-key set of blank white/black or printed will be great. I have them, it took about two and a half weeks to ship, but it was free! The caps themselves cost under $18, they're medium-thick (less than Filco but more than the Poker/Topre/etc.) and backlighting shines through them easily.
Cheap, free shipping globally. If you're trying to get something at a reasonably price, I definitely suggest this.

They're thicker than the keycaps on the Poker 2?  :eek:

Offline sear

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 3
Re: Halp finding PBT keycaps for Ducky keyboard
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 10 November 2013, 08:40:50 »
I got my keycaps from banggood, the 87-key set of blank white/black or printed will be great. I have them, it took about two and a half weeks to ship, but it was free! The caps themselves cost under $18, they're medium-thick (less than Filco but more than the Poker/Topre/etc.) and backlighting shines through them easily.
Cheap, free shipping globally. If you're trying to get something at a reasonably price, I definitely suggest this.
Cool, I take it you're referring to these?

http://www.banggood.com/Keycool-104-PBT-Grey-Laser-Etched-Keycap-Laser-Engraving-Key-Caps-p-84078.html

Seem reasonable and the price is stupid cheap, how are they holding up?  And any idea if they will actually fit my keyboard?  Pretty sure Ducky is just a standard 104 key layout.  Mine has "windows" for the backlighting to come through on a few keys, but I don't really care provided it's still visible.

I also came across this site listed in the forum's directory:

http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/item/pbt-key-caps/104-105-pbt-white-side-printed/lid=19686618

Any feedback on how these ones are?  They say they'll fit Ducky boards at least, and reading further I've heard some negative comments about Keycool's caps.
« Last Edit: Sun, 10 November 2013, 09:09:09 by sear »

Offline Linkbane

  • Posts: 1534
  • Location: Houston, TX
Re: Halp finding PBT keycaps for Ducky keyboard
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 10 November 2013, 12:52:44 »
I meant the blank 87/84 sets, but those are by the same manufacturer and will be the same in thickness.
As far as negative reviews, I haven't heard anything really bad about them besides a complaint about the spacebar (can't test because I have a 6x, not a 6.25x, which will fit your Ducky), it seems to me like all the keycap gurus around here say that it's quite a good keycap, and certainly a steal at its price. It should fit your board just fine, and light should show through just fine.

As far as the caps that qtan is selling, they're good caps, but unless it's mentioned that they're thick PBT, they're almost always thin.
Honestly these keycaps are so cheap that even if you don't like them (they didn't sit on my capslock well) you can use 90% of the caps and it's not a loss.
Quickfire TK MX Blue Corsair K60 MX Red Ducky Shine 3 Yellow TKL MX Blue Leopold FC660C
Current best: 162 wpm.

Offline sear

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 3
Re: Halp finding PBT keycaps for Ducky keyboard
« Reply #5 on: Sun, 10 November 2013, 12:55:23 »
I meant the blank 87/84 sets, but those are by the same manufacturer and will be the same in thickness.
As far as negative reviews, I haven't heard anything really bad about them besides a complaint about the spacebar (can't test because I have a 6x, not a 6.25x, which will fit your Ducky), it seems to me like all the keycap gurus around here say that it's quite a good keycap, and certainly a steal at its price. It should fit your board just fine, and light should show through just fine.

As far as the caps that qtan is selling, they're good caps, but unless it's mentioned that they're thick PBT, they're almost always thin.
Honestly these keycaps are so cheap that even if you don't like them (they didn't sit on my capslock well) you can use 90% of the caps and it's not a loss.
I've read a lot about thick/thin PBT, but is there really any difference in durability or is it just a feel thing?

Offline Linkbane

  • Posts: 1534
  • Location: Houston, TX
Re: Halp finding PBT keycaps for Ducky keyboard
« Reply #6 on: Sun, 10 November 2013, 13:11:46 »
I've read a lot about thick/thin PBT, but is there really any difference in durability or is it just a feel thing?

All feel. You're never going to break your keycaps unless you try, so that doesn't have any bearing to most people.
Remember that thinner PBT will allow light through a little better than medium, but the overwhelming opinion is thicker = better.
Quickfire TK MX Blue Corsair K60 MX Red Ducky Shine 3 Yellow TKL MX Blue Leopold FC660C
Current best: 162 wpm.