IKBC MF108 V3

[typo]

I have on the way an IKBC MF108 V3. One of 5 in existence currently. They are "review" units. they will be available in 12 weeks. What I know. Cherry MX blues, Lubed and O-rings from factory. Cherry stabilizers cut and lubed. Full size board. RGB. LED's in switches. Soldered. .3" thick stainless plate. DS PBT key caps over 2MM thick. Spherical profile.  Full aluminum chassis with carbon steel internal weight. total board net weight 8.4 +/- pounds. Detachable  USB 'C' (comes with an aviator cable). Made in S. Korea. It is not made by vortex as some had thought. It is "jobbed" out by a small California company in limited supply. For a target MSRP of $150USD this may be a good deal. I shall let everyone know once I receive it. Please do not refute any of my "specs" unless you can provide proof.  Thank you

[walie]

You're lying again.

[Leslieann]

Sounds like you have a prototype, review means different things to different people.

I suspect "Lubed" refers to the factory lube. Not only is it very labor intensive, Cherry would take issue with them messing with their switches since it could damage their brand and image should there be problems.


I'm going to bet $150 is a starting price, not the top end model because Cherry switches will take up too large of a chunk of that MSRP. If "review" and "lubed" are misunderstandings (I'm not blaming you Typo, translation isn't easy), how much of a stretch is it to think the MSRP is also a misunderstanding?

[typo]

No, it really has "modification" service option. I do not know how they get away with it. You are correct. My exact sample is like $600 LOL. I should have mentioned that. My bad. It "starts" at $150.  with a plastic case ETC.

Yes, prototype. It was sent out to reviewers. I got it from a friend at a review site. I begged them.  I speak English but not great. You speak another language too? for all I know we speak same Language!

I forgot to mention the base $150 board also has "CUCUDAI" switches, not cherry and is made in china as well. I guess you get what you pay for. I gather the "loaded" board is very limited like all Korean boards. I imagine they are basically "outsourcing" some Korean custom. which one I do not know. When it comes I may very well figure it out. The base $150 one has been available for some time and is currently. this new custom board option is new and will not be on their site officially  from what I am told for 12 weeks or so. So reviewers were supposed to return the board. what he did was told them he lost it. He was then charged the $680.00 for it. I paid him $1500.00 and begged him. Therefore I am obviously not going to state who it was. I am sure we broke at least one law here.

Seeing as I keep breaking my good boards trying to modify them and my supply is dwindling I really wanted this. My one awesome board, a Rama just up and died by itself. The IC it needs is proprietary so I cannot obtain it. That in itself is another shame because I was completely ripped off on the price of the board to begin with. It is my fault though. I paid it. It was sold out and they never come up for sale, so supply Vs. demand I guess. Still, he blatantly robbed me. Then 3 months later it quits and guy blocks my email!

[Leslieann]

I should have mentioned that. My bad.

Um, ya.
Pretty much invalidates everything in your first is BS.


Yes you both broke some laws and chances are good that your friend will not get another review board and as word spreads fewer and fewer companies will do so (it's a small industry), I hope the money was worth it to him. You don't have to state who it was, they already know and it won't be hard for others to figure it out.


And stop blaming that other guy for your other keyboard.
You decided it was worth that much money, not him (it was an auction). It worked fine when you got it, solid state electronics typically work or they don't, they don't typically work some then stop without some outside influence, even if it did, how would he have known the IC was going to fail in 3 months? I'm not blaming you, but you need to stop blaming him.

[typo]

I was not blaming him it broke! I was blaming him he blocked he blocked me before I ever even ever emailed him! Like he knew something was wrong? That part is indeed odd, no? I do get what you say though.

You are also right. I should not have opened my mouth about the review board. My friend will probably just shoot me if he sees this. In retrospect I was a real idiot to go say that in public. You are correct about that as well. Although I did not break any laws he did. Still it was not cool of me to accept it. No one is going to stop reviews. Perhaps to him, yes. Partially my fault indeed.


Nothing I said was BS. I simply failed to mention that it was a loaded model. Many companies offer "options" on their equipment.

Now you too?

[Leslieann]

{trimmed]
Although I did not break any laws he did.

Nothing I said was BS. I simply failed to mention that it was a loaded model. Many companies offer "options" on their equipment.

Stolen property, physical and intellectual for a start.

I never said all reviews would stop, I said your buddy would stop getting them.

The specs were not for a $150 keyboard, they were for a $600 keyboard and you doubled down saying not to refute the specs.
The specs didn't apply therefore it was B.S.

[typo]

Yes. you won Leslie. I should have kept my mouth shut. That is the entire problem with me. I have a big mouth. The board was supposed to be delivered today and was delayed. I wonder if someone got wind of it? Paranoid now. It is not really "stolen" because he paid them for it in full. Not intellect either as it was final product. Still, I was a real jerk.

[Maledicted]

Yes. you won Leslie. I should have kept my mouth shut. That is the entire problem with me. I have a big mouth. The board was supposed to be delivered today and was delayed. I wonder if someone got wind of it? Paranoid now. It is not really "stolen" because he paid them for it in full. Not intellect either as it was final product. Still, I was a real jerk.

You could whitewash all of your comments in this thread, as the title apparently alludes only to a board that's already on the market. Then you've got everybody's responses, but it would be pretty tough to piece things together that way. Wouldn't hurt to ask a mod to nuke the thread.

Whether or not it is considered stolen may depend on whether or not there was a contract involved, and the nature of that contract. If I remember right, Xbox developer and debug kits are basically temporarily rented out to game developers, testers, and reviewers. This is the case even though they used to pay exorbitant sums of money for them vs the cost of an almost identical retail console. M$ did this so that they could demand them back for destruction. I don't know that they've ever gone after anybody for breaking that agreement though.

I have an OG Xbox debug kit and 360 dev kit.

[Leslieann]

The board was supposed to be delivered today and was delayed. I wonder if someone got wind of it? Paranoid now.

It's a keyboard not the Hope Diamond, Corona's just raising hell with the system.

BTW,
I.P doesn't matter if it's been on the market for 19 years, it's still theirs.

Whether or not it is considered stolen may depend on whether or not there was a contract involved, and the nature of that contract. If I remember right, Xbox developer and debug kits are basically temporarily rented out to game developers, testers, and reviewers. This is the case even though they used to pay exorbitant sums of money for them vs the cost of an almost identical retail console. M$ did this so that they could demand them back for destruction. I don't know that they've ever gone after anybody for breaking that agreement though.

Some companies don't care and yeah, it depends on the contract, but it only applies to the parties who's names are on it, not a third party.

Apple and GM both would chase you down with a Sheriff, which they have done in the past, but those are big corporations with high powered lawyers on retainer and an expensive product, not a keyboard they were already reimbursed for.

[typo]

I think I am in the clear "only" because they accepted payment for it. this should have nullified any contract between them. However If they happen to read this thread I doubt that company at least, ever sends him an other board It was indeed my big mouth that caused this. however he said nothing to the effect of "keep it on the down low". which I then would have heeded. I figured barring such it was "open season". quite frankly I was a jerk to my buddy though. All I really did here is manage to hurt my friend. that is about it.

Quite frankly I should have waited 12 weeks like everyone. what I feared is that the "Korean" one was much more than 12 weeks just like all Korean boards. I doubt they fast track this in any way.
It is kind of cool though that they are offering a sort of "to order" Korean board. Check their website in like 4 months if you have any interest. Just do not tell them I sent you LOL.

[typo]

Hey. Leslie I apologize to you and the entire community for ruining the "sport".

[Maledicted]

Hey. Leslie I apologize to you and the entire community for ruining the "sport".

What is it that you're supposed to have ruined? How? Don't talk like that.

[Sup]

https://drop.com/buy/ikbc-mf108-aluminum-rgb-mechanical-keyboard-v3

 IKBC doesn't give a **** if he has a prototype this board was already being sold as pre order nothing hidden. People that bought it from drop should have gotten theirs. Also there where pre orders open on Amazon a month ago.


So nice 5 in existence bro there are hundreds out there in the wild. I think you meant 5 prototypes

[Leslieann]

Hey. Leslie I apologize to you and the entire community for ruining the "sport".

You didn't ruin anything and you don't owe me anything, I just want everyone to be safe.

IKBC doesn't give a **** if he has a prototype this board was already being sold as pre order nothing hidden.

You don't know that.

Sometimes a prototype has things in or on them that will not go to production, it could be code they won't or can't use for legal reasons.

Another reason is simply image.
Some companies do not want prototypes in the hands of people, it may not be perfect and they just can't have it being in the public without being correct. Corporate image matters big time to certain companies. Is it excessive? To you, but to them that is standard operating procedure. Intel has a press packet that specifically says you always have to put the little R after Intel, if you don't get the red color absolutely perfect Coca-Cola will make you destroy every sample you have.

[typo]

Leslie is right! The one at Drop is a nicer one but it is a made in Taiwan one. It is not the Korean custom one. what, if for instance they decided not to even go forth with the Korean option/ then what? I screwed up! that's what! this was not supposed to be known for 12+ weeks. I did not do them any favor. The one at Drop was like $250 not $680. Mine even has customized switches. I apologized to you guys. but big woop to IKBC! Leslie is right. I cannot argue that. I have a damn big mouth.

[walie]

I don't see why people are getting worked up over a prototype and all that drama.

There is no prototype, it only exists in typo's head.

[typo]

walie, could I pay you to be my therapist?

[Riverman]

It would be nice if they brought back the silver option for the V3.  I still kick myself for not buying a V1 in silver for my Mac.  I had the black one, and it was easily the heaviest keyboard I've ever owned, but the keycaps left something to be desired.  I'd get a silver one in a heartbeat if it came back.  WASD Keyboards has aluminum cases for their keyboards now, but the case alone is $160, about what an entire MF108 costs.

[walie]

I have no use for imaginary money.

[Leslieann]

WASD Keyboards has aluminum cases for their keyboards now, but the case alone is $160, about what an entire MF108 costs.

The fact that it's HALF  anything "comparable" should be a gigantic red flag.

[Riverman]

WASD Keyboards has aluminum cases for their keyboards now, but the case alone is $160, about what an entire MF108 costs.

The fact that it's HALF  anything "comparable" should be a gigantic red flag.

Possibly, but I did own an MF108 V1, and it was a very nice keyboard.  It didn't come across as cheaply made.  The Mistel Sleeker also comes in a machined aluminum case, and it doesn't even cost $200.

[Leslieann]

Possibly, but I did own an MF108 V1, and it was a very nice keyboard.  It didn't come across as cheaply made.  The Mistel Sleeker also comes in a machined aluminum case, and it doesn't even cost $200.

And when was the last time a Mistel was recommended on any keyboard centric forum?

I've argued before, a keyboard is not complicated, they all should function, you can shove an Ajazz into a nice looking case and make it seem premium. Doesn't make it a premium keyboard.

[typo]

Leslie, If they actually do go forth with the Korean option with all those options it is not "half" of anything but it is still a very good deal even for a Korean at the $680. If they keep it at $680. Watch them change it to over $900 if in fact they even do it. I am kind of betting they don't do it. That is why I grabbed it. The reason they may not do it is because they do not realize Korean production is as slow as snails. they need a lot of product now. This very well may not work out to their liking. I am betting they drop it. other companies have tried this and it did not work. You wait a year for one board. That is honestly why I grabbed it. Even if some law may have been broken. The likelihood they prosecute me for this is very slim since he paid for it. that means any outstanding breach of contract is now settled. I did pay him $1500. I agreed to. It was worth that. I think IKBC just does not understand this "game". It is in fact a $1,500 board.  I received it at 3PM. I would honestly say it is nicer than my other Korean's. It is really nice. It is so heavy, the kitchen scale read "error". I had to put it on the "people" scale. It came in at 26.8 pounds. That is nuts. The only other I know that heavy is the Illuminati. The key caps are not 3MM obviously. They are in fact about 2.25MM spherical. They actually seem to be from Cherry. Since they have the tell tale notch on the underside brace. I could be wrong of course. The switches I would gather do feel like a blue with a silent red spring, lubed and thin O-rings. I did not fully take it apart. The plate is thicker than usual. I guess stainless as stated. The LED's are in the switches as I prefer. What interested me is it has Cherry stabs that are heavily lubed and clipped. It is a typical Korean board other than the huge steel weight in the bottom. Pluss the case is stainless steel. So that must add a lot alone. The regular ones I gather are Aluminum. My case is shiny not colored. So I bet riverman would like it.

Now, of course walie will say this is rubbish and I have no such thing. You do not take monopoly money walie? I just find you to be a clown, walie. I listen to nothing you say. So go right ahead and waste your breathe. It matters none to me. you just can't shut up because you are a total loser. I bet you are 50 years old never had a girl friend and live in your mom's basement. Am I correct? Of course you will say no but I know I am right. I have pictures of where you live(inside). I am very keen. Yes, I stalk people.

Oh, as far as "do not refute" Blah, Blah. I retract that. Bash me. I was smoking a lot of crack at the time and forgot they have more than one version of the board. Or at least plan/planned to.
In fact, everyone just please flame the heck out of me. I love being the center of attention!

I honestly did not lie about what I received from UPS today but if you all want to challenge me on it, I would love for you all to do so!

[Maledicted]

... you can shove an Ajazz into a nice looking case and make it seem premium. Doesn't make it a premium keyboard.

I hate my Ajazz AK33. I loved the price, and features, but their blue clone switches are absolute trash ... and the RGB LEDs are giant through hole ones, so I'm having a hard time even mustering the resolve to try to desolder all of that and replace the LEDs with some kind of alternative so that box switches will fit.

[Leslieann]

I was smoking a lot of crack at the time

Were you on it when you wrote this post as well?

[typo]

I was joking Bro. I don't actually smoke crack. I just act like I do
I am finding it difficult to type on these switches. The "sound" is throwing me off. I am used to switches that just have their natural sound. Not an "induced" sound.
Otherwise, I will tell you this is one heck of a keyboard. I imagine the Taiwan one is very nice but nothing like this. I usually put double sided tape under my boards. It was not required here LOL.
I do now wish I had the illuminati but apparently it is vaporware.
I have a feeling they do not do this. for the reasons I said. they need a lot of units now. these corporate guys did not know 1 Korean board takes a year. Not going to work for them. unless they have some trick up their sleeve. Which would be very nice, and a game changer. This is quite frankly an end game grail quality board but of course I am not stopping here. that is if I live of course. My whole family came and I did not even die as expected! Bastards like me tend to live forever. We are put here to be a fly in everyone's ointment.

[walie]

I have on the way an IKBC MF108 V3. One of 5 in existence currently. They are "review" units. they will be available in 12 weeks. What I know. Cherry MX blues, Lubed and O-rings from factory. Cherry stabilizers cut and lubed. Full size board. RGB. LED's in switches. Soldered. .3" thick stainless plate. DS PBT key caps over 2MM thick. Spherical profile.  Full aluminum chassis with carbon steel internal weight. total board net weight 8.4 +/- pounds.

It is in fact a $1,500 board.  I received it at 3PM. I would honestly say it is nicer than my other Korean's. It is really nice. It is so heavy, the kitchen scale read "error". I had to put it on the "people" scale. It came in at 26.8 pounds.

Pluss the case is stainless steel. So that must add a lot alone. The regular ones I gather are Aluminum. My case is shiny not colored. So I bet riverman would like it.

So the keyboard morphed from full aluminum weighing 8 pounds to stainless steel weighing 26 pounds in transit. Makes sense.

Now, of course walie will say this is rubbish and I have no such thing. You do not take monopoly money walie? I just find you to be a clown, walie. I listen to nothing you say. So go right ahead and waste your breathe. It matters none to me. you just can't shut up because you are a total loser. I bet you are 50 years old never had a girl friend and live in your mom's basement. Am I correct? Of course you will say no but I know I am right. I have pictures of where you live(inside). I am very keen. Yes, I stalk people.

Maybe lay off the personal insults and threats when you run out of content.

[typo]

walie, you insult me much more than I insult you. I do not think I ever "threatened" anyone here? Man, you are odd. I do not mean that to be mean. I just don't get you.

On that note. These are nothing like regular blues go figure. I got a crash course in Korean with the manual. I could not figure anything out. This thing is rather complex. Or I am stupid. Go ahead walie.
I do not know why they don't translate the manual. the entire box is Korean. Maybe because it was a prototype. Did you know IKBC is a Korean company? I have a feeling then IKBC themselves are building these.
For $680 if I had waited it is a great deal I think. What I paid, so-so.

[Maledicted]

walie, you insult me much more than I insult you. I do not think I ever "threatened" anyone here? Man, you are odd. I do not mean that to be mean. I just don't get you.

On that note. These are nothing like regular blues go figure. I got a crash course in Korean with the manual. I could not figure anything out. This thing is rather complex. Or I am stupid. Go ahead walie.
I do not know why they don't translate the manual. the entire box is Korean. Maybe because it was a prototype. Did you know IKBC is a Korean company? I have a feeling then IKBC themselves are building these.
For $680 if I had waited it is a great deal I think. What I paid, so-so.

Did you try the instant translation function that uses your camera, in Google Translate? It might help, might not. It could have been my internet connection at the time, but it sure didn't help me with German on a box of potato dumplings. I have seen videos where it seemed to be quite effective.

[typo]

I cannot figure out how to use it? I am kind of stupid I guess LOL. Especially since I am a coder of all things!

I have to tell you though I am in love with this board! This is my grail. forget Topre! (Famous last words.....)

Luckily I found an English translation of this controller at least! Seems to work. otherwise I would be dead in the water. this is not like QMK. Everything is done on the board itself. It is very complex. there are FN 1,2,,3. Out of the box I thought it was DOA! It registered nada. I could not believe how heavy this is though. They were not kidding. I have not weighed it but darn. I think it is 31 pounds or something. I saw Kilos and just doubled it? I suppose I truly am inept. Take your turn walie. Thank you mal'.

[walie]

Just still lying.

[typo]

Well, walie what else would I do with keyboards? Eat them fo dinner? HEH, I swear you wrote "typing" and just changed it to "lying". Anyways, This right here is "grail" IMO Getcha 'ya some.

[walie]

Lol no thanks, I’m happy with my boards.

[typo]

Really, they are tasty! Heck, Jeff Dahmer liked brains. At least Keebs are Vegan. I approve.

[typo]

This is my final keyboard in my life. I am an old man. I know I have said this many times. It is not that big a deal. This is very nice, it suits me fine. I do not see why I need another. If it breaks I will repair it. Unless the controller breaks, which is unlikely. It is an interesting board. It is very complex just like QMK boards but everything is done on the board itself. Out of the box I thought it was DOA. I was lucky some kid translated the manual with deep searching. I know what I did is shameful. However my friends Attorney has stated no laws have been broken. Them accepting payment in full for the board thus nullified any supplied contractual obligation by them. He did mention it was morally bereft however. My apologies to the community here. My feeling is they may never produce this board. Although they just might, as IKBC is a Korean company. I am pretty sure that they, themselves had built this. All the PCB says IKBC no custom maker. Plus it is way too high tech 5 layer board for a custom. All SMD. the  led's are in the switches, so oem parts there. Although they are not stock Cherry switches. They feel and sound much different than standard MX blue. I like it. I  no longer go gaga over a keyboard. It is very nice. Suits me fine. I actually like it better than Topre go figure. It is my daily driver I guess for the rest of my life. Which should not be so long given my age. It is fine. The supposed part number was MF108V3-K2C if they ever make it. That could change though. I take it this one only comes with one kind of "signature" switches. As I said, it shall suffice for the rest of my life. I am sorry I pulled a jerk move and upset everyone. I knew fully well what I was doing and so did he. There is no excuse. Just an apology.
I just wanted to give an update, now that I have used it a week. It is my keeper. I do not need to look further. Maybe there is a better one. I do not care anymore. If they actually sell this board for what I mentioned I feel that it is a "steal". Even the regular one sounds very nice. that barely breaks a bill. how could you go wrong? I mean if you want a full size that is.

[Maledicted]

This is my final keyboard in my life. I am an old man. I know I have said this many times. It is not that big a deal. This is very nice, it suits me fine. I do not see why I need another. If it breaks I will repair it. Unless the controller breaks, which is unlikely. It is an interesting board. It is very complex just like QMK boards but everything is done on the board itself. Out of the box I thought it was DOA. I was lucky some kid translated the manual with deep searching. I know what I did is shameful. However my friends Attorney has stated no laws have been broken. Them accepting payment in full for the board thus nullified any supplied contractual obligation by them. He did mention it was morally bereft however. My apologies to the community here. My feeling is they may never produce this board. Although they just might, as IKBC is a Korean company. I am pretty sure that they, themselves had built this. All the PCB says IKBC no custom maker. Plus it is way too high tech 5 layer board for a custom. All SMD. the  led's are in the switches, so oem parts there. Although they are not stock Cherry switches. They feel and sound much different than standard MX blue. I like it. I  no longer go gaga over a keyboard. It is very nice. Suits me fine. I actually like it better than Topre go figure. It is my daily driver I guess for the rest of my life. Which should not be so long given my age. It is fine. The supposed part number was MF108V3-K2C if they ever make it. That could change though. I take it this one only comes with one kind of "signature" switches. As I said, it shall suffice for the rest of my life. I am sorry I pulled a jerk move and upset everyone. I knew fully well what I was doing and so did he. There is no excuse. Just an apology.
I just wanted to give an update, now that I have used it a week. It is my keeper. I do not need to look further. Maybe there is a better one. I do not care anymore. If they actually sell this board for what I mentioned I feel that it is a "steal". Even the regular one sounds very nice. that barely breaks a bill. how could you go wrong? I mean if you want a full size that is.

I don't think anybody cares what you did or did not do morally. That's up for subjective interpretation. If M$ had their way, all of their beautiful debug and dev kit consoles would be in landfills somewhere. Some things are worth saving.

You were talking about how you had some terminal illness not long ago, this has turned out to not be the case?

I can't imagine a scenario in which I would like MX blues, regardless of modification, but to each their own. I'm still baffled by how I actually liked them before I tried Alps SKCM, capacitive buckling spring, Space Invaders, NEC blue ovals, Kailh box thick clicks, etc. Better than rubber domes, to be sure, and the Gateron and Outemu blues actually almost approach a crisp and defined tactile event.

[typo]

Nah, Unfortunately I have Pancreatic cancer spreading. I am 73 though. I had a great life. Went to MIT 3 times! Plus was a Professor there. Good times. I never really adjusted to "normal" society. That is why I guess I say off the wall things. I did not hurt anyone at the end of the day with this. They gladly accepted payment in full for the keyboard. In fact they are likely to send him other review samples. They said they understand things happen! I know for a fact they do not read this forum so it is okay.  Even if they did, I really doubt that they care.

I tell you, these are nothing like stock blues. I do not know what is too them. I love them. I hate blues! These are not louder than silent reds. That should speak to how different they must be. In fact it does not actually say "blue" anywhere" I was told "custom tailored blues". That could be entirely wrong. They might in fact be something else altogether.

[d1gw33d]

So I just found geekhack and created an account.

This is the first thread I've read.

Wild.

[Maledicted]

So I just found geekhack and created an account.

This is the first thread I've read.

Wild.

Ha. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing. Typo's threads are always ... interesting. Take it for what you will, but they're not indicative of the whole.

Welcome to Geekhack.

[treeleaf64]

So I just found geekhack and created an account.

This is the first thread I've read.

Wild.

Ha. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing. Typo's threads are always ... interesting. Take it for what you will, but they're not indicative of the whole.

Welcome to Geekhack.

Yeah, Typo's threads are... let's say... out of the ordinary. His writing style is so recognizable you know it's him without looking to see who wrote the post. Pretty cool.

Also, Typo. best of luck fighting cancer. Good luck with your board.

[Maledicted]

Also, Typo. best of luck fighting cancer. Good luck with your board.

Yes, I echo what treeleaf64 says in this regard.

[typo]

I appreciate that guys. You can say what you want about me but cancer is not funny. I will be the first to admit I am often a complete jerk. I still don't think I deserved that much of a pay back.

Anyways, there is something odd about this board. I am not a slob. I even have white boards clean. This is a black and stainless board. It is a dirt magnet though. I think it may have a "charge".

[Anthixious]

No silver case option I heard? That blows.....