Coolermaster Masterkey vs. Ducky Shine 5

[enimole]

Hello Keyboardhumans,

I am pretty new to being a keyboardenthusiast (but still willing to spend 300$ on one) actually I don't even have a mechanical keyboard yet, but I am really looking forward to buy one. It kinda boiled down to the CM Masterkey Pro L and the Ducky Shine 5, maybe I will also get some blank keycaps later but for now I would like to hear your opinions on it. 

[SpAmRaY]

What in the world is a CM masterkey pro L? That just sounds like they are trying too hard.

You should tell us more of what you are looking for in a board.

[Vittra]

Masterkeys is still rather new, it hasn't been released or has very low availability in most locations still at this point.

Regardless of that fact, I would say both boards are quite similar in terms of their capabilities - I imagine you would be happy either either - I would personally chose the Masterkeys largely due to the cleaner overall aesthetic.

Of greater concern would be the switch type you are looking for, which is quite difficult to recommend if a person has never used anything (no frame of reference).

[munch]

are you sure you want a full sized board? I think you should be a little more specific in your questions.

[enimole]

What in the world is a CM masterkey pro L? That just sounds like they are trying too hard.

It's coolermasters new keyboeard, has similiar design and rgb but nobody really cares about it :/

[_PixelNinja]

If keycaps are a factor, the Shine 5 has double shot ABS keycaps.

[nubbinator]

I recently won a masterkey.  If I can figure out how to open it, I'll do a review, but first impression is that it's a solid board with heft and good fit and finish.  The only problem is the one I won has Reds and I hate Reds.

[carmenohio]

They are both similar boards, and probably the top two full sized RGB keyboards on the market today.  I'll go over some of the differences that may sway your opinion, depending on what you are looking for:

• The CM Masterkeys has the ability to change lighting profiles via software and hardware, whereas the DS5 can only change lighting profiles through hardware
• The Ducky has double-shot ABS keycaps, the Masterkeys has fairly standard laser etched ABS keycaps
• The CM Masterkeys has slightly brighter LEDs and more advanced lighting features
• The CM Masterkeys has a rubbery feel to its case (which you may or may not prefer), the Ducky has a more standard plastic feel
• The CM Masterkeys comes with a wire puller and cloth bag, the Ducky comes with a duck shaped plastic clip-on puller and an extra spacebar

It's down to personal preference.  You can't go wrong with either one if you're in the market for an RGB keyboard.

[falkentyne]

Have you tested the Pro L/S and the Shine 5 with the keycaps removed on both?
Because the reason the Shine 5 *looks* darker is due to that strange legend cutout.  It actually makes the shine 5 look *darker* than the shine 4!
If you have the CM, try putting a few of the CM's keys on the shine 5 and then compare the brightness.

But if you put the white doubleshot ABS keycap set on the shine 5, it lights up like a Christmas tree and becomes significantly brighter than the shine 4 (even though the font is the same on the black and white legends on the shine doubleshots, the white legends are slightly larger so more light comes through.  that's ignoring the natural light glow reflections from the white keycaps also).

[SKD]

But if you put the white doubleshot ABS keycap set on the shine 5, it lights up like a Christmas tree and becomes significantly brighter than the shine 4 (even though the font is the same on the black and white legends on the shine doubleshots, the white legends are slightly larger so more light comes through.  that's ignoring the natural light glow reflections from the white keycaps also).

This. My shine 5 is so pretty after I've put a set of white caps on!