Some input on getting a full-size non-LED keyboard

[Prizm]

I'm struggling to find a suitable keyboard, so I thought I'd fish for some suggestions.

I'm looking for:
- Full-size, preferably non-LED
- No gaming keys, no unnecessary bulk.
- Cherry brown (unless there is a quality alternative)
- Numlock/CapsLock indicator LEDs must not burn my retinas.
- White color would be nice, or some suggestions where to get quality custom keycaps.


Here's what I've found with my own experience and by reading reviews:

- Deck Hassium cherry brown: Love the feel, but that font is horrible. Just can't bring myself to buy one.
- Ducky One: An LED failed on me within a week. Also, numlock/caps indicators burnt a hole in my eyeballs.
- Majestouch 2 TKL: I found the blue LED for the numlock was distractingly bright.
- The SteelSeries 6Gv2 has a lot of complaints about keys failing
- Cooler Master QuickFire XT: some complaints about bright LED indicators (numlock, caps, scroll), keys/boards failing
- Cherry MX Board 2 had a lot of complaints about the USB socket
- Cherry MX Board 3 has shallow keys which may or may not feel right
- Das Keyboard 4: a bit expensive, has that bulky wing with media buttons, knobs, and USB ports.

The Ducky Zero seems good: No LEDs, subdued numlock/caps indicator lights, good reviews....but I just can't find the thing for sale! I've also been considering the WASD V2 keyboard, but it's expensive -- $200 USD inc shipping to where I live.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

thanks

[sth]

Filco with a bit of tape or something over the LEDs, you're golden.
DAS is crappy quality nowadays, not worth the price.

[Butter]

WASD V2?

[Wyckie]

Rosewill RK-9000 V2 is decent no-nonsense full-board. Mk.com only has reds and blacks, i think amazon has blues and brows also, if you have prime.

[Prizm]

Thank you for the suggestions.

Rosewill RK-9000 V2 is decent nonsense full-board. Mk.com only has reds and blacks, i think amazon has blues and brows also, if you have prime.

Thank you for the Amazon heads-up, I noticed it on mk.com, but every second keyboard there is out of stock.

[Macsmasher]

For me, PBT keycaps are important. ABS gets shiny too fast for me. And I prefer the feeling / texture of PBT caps.

You might consider a full-size Realforce board with Topre switches:

http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=topre_keyboards,rf104&pid=xf01t0

Some people say Realforce boards are too expensive. But by the time you buy a Filco and a set of PBT keycaps, there really isn't that much difference in price. And Realforce boards are built like a tank.

[saturnotaku]

I'd suggest a WASD V2 barebones so you can put on whatever keycaps you want.

[heedpantsnow]

I would go for the Filco and find a way to darken the LED (sharpie, gel filter, etc).

Or a Model M but that's not MX Browns obviously.

[Prizm]

I don't like the idea of spending so much on a keyboard, knowing I'll have to deface the LEDs to make them 'normal' like a $10 keyboard. My wife used my Ducky keyboard before it broke, and even she was complaining about the indicator lights being like a laser pointer in your eye.

Where are you guys getting keycaps from?

[heedpantsnow]

I don't like the idea of spending so much on a keyboard, knowing I'll have to deface the LEDs to make them 'normal' like a $10 keyboard. My wife used my Ducky keyboard before it broke, and even she was complaining about the indicator lights being like a laser pointer in your eye.

Where are you guys getting keycaps from?

Accumulated over the years from group buys.  My WoB Cherry caps were harvested from a board I bought from ebay.  There are some on massdrop, some on geekkeys, ebay, and mechanicalkeyboards.com

[njbair]

The indicator LEDs on a Filco can be easily "darkened" by popping off the case and using some very fine-grit emory paper to sand down the glossy plastic to a frosted look. This will eliminate a lot of the "blinding" direct light.

I recommend going through the trouble because you're simply not going to find a better-built keyboard than a Filco.

[Prizm]

Thanks for the feedback.

I ended up going with the Deck Hassium Pro because it looks like they changed the keycap font. On their website it's still got the old horrible font, but their YouTube videos have the new font, and the aussie sellers have pictures of the new version as well.

I've used the Deck before and liked it (didn't buy because of the font), so hopefully it'll work out.

Found a picture of it.

EDIT: The version I got may just be the international version of the keyboard which has the different font. Anyway, it cost about $117 USD.

[mrgoldenzombie]

For me, PBT keycaps are important. ABS gets shiny too fast for me. And I prefer the feeling / texture of PBT caps.

You might consider a full-size Realforce board with Topre switches:

http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=topre_keyboards,rf104&pid=xf01t0

Some people say Realforce boards are too expensive. But by the time you buy a Filco and a set of PBT keycaps, there really isn't that much difference in price. And Realforce boards are built like a tank.

Confirmed, PBT caps are life

[SamirD]

Thanks for the feedback.

I ended up going with the Deck Hassium Pro because it looks like they changed the keycap font. On their website it's still got the old horrible font, but their YouTube videos have the new font, and the aussie sellers have pictures of the new version as well.

I've used the Deck before and liked it (didn't buy because of the font), so hopefully it'll work out.

Found a picture of it.

EDIT: The version I got may just be the international version of the keyboard which has the different font. Anyway, it cost about $117 USD.

Looks like it should be a great board.  Definitely let us know what you think!

[W_hinklebottom]

Does it have to be new and plate mounted? I would pick up a Cherry 11800 it has OG browns on it. I like mine but I put like super heavy springs on it. 40$ on ebay might be cheap enough to check out.

[SpAmRaY]

You guys need to read, he already found a board.

[heedpantsnow]

You guys need to read, he already found a board.

Can I boost my post count too please?

[SpAmRaY]

You guys need to read, he already found a board.

Can I boost my post count too please?

Tag team?

Honestly after 10K it gets a little boring posting just to post.

[heedpantsnow]

You guys need to read, he already found a board.

Can I boost my post count too please?

Tag team?

Honestly after 10K it gets a little boring posting just to post.

You're our resident ****-post Queen

(j/k bro your posts are always relevant and helpful)

[SpAmRaY]

You guys need to read, he already found a board.

Can I boost my post count too please?

Tag team?

Honestly after 10K it gets a little boring posting just to post.

You're our resident ****-post Queen

(j/k bro your posts are always relevant and helpful)

My post count has steadily been dropping for at least a year. It was hard keeping up with 27 posts a day but that's before it was cool.

[clochette]

my money is with the filcos

[gadzkun]

filco if fullsized..
kul if tkl