Ducky VS Filco

[Kira]

Hey guys, I'm pretty new  on this forum. I've been doing a LOT of research on mechanical keyboards trying to decide which would be the best for me. I game just as much as I type so no doubt I went with the Cherry MX Brown switches over the Blues which I hear have trouble with double and triple taps. Since I play a lot of UT3, this would not be ideal.

Anyways, I purchased a Majestouch Tactile Touch "Otaku" NKRO and will be receiving the keyboard this Saturday.

But then I came across these "Ducky" keyboards which apparently have much better keycaps than Filco's which I hear start to shine after only a month of use. But what really drew me towards the Ducky keyboard was the fact that it has a detachable cable which means if the cable ever breaks, I can always replace it with a new one. And if I am to use a keyboard for 5+ years, the Ducky would definitely be more durable. It's also much cheaper than the Filco keyboard.

The Filco costs 120-134 while the Ducky 'tenkeyless' costs only 87 dollars. But now the real problem is getting it into the states! I dunno how much shipping would cost from China but that would probably bring the price even.

I'd like to know what you guys think about these two keyboards. Should I just wait for my Filco? Maybe even "mod" it so it too could have a detachable cable, or should I cancel my order and get the Ducky keyboard (which I probably won't have for another 2 weeks).

I'm really anxious to try out a mechanical keyboard! Right now I type 90WPM on a Razer Tarantula. I already feel like I'm being held back by the rubber domes so I should see the benefits of a mechanical keyboard.

Here's the link to the Ducky keyboard that I'm planning on getting.

http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done&tt=url&intl=1&fr=bf-res&trurl=http%3A%2F%2Fitem.taobao.com%2Fitem.htm%3Fid%3D7284573558&lp=zh_en&btnTrUrl=Translate

Anyone know what kind of switches this keyboard uses?

[Phaedrus2129]

I did research on this too. I'd prefer the Ducky over a Filco, but expect shipping to push it north of $150.

[washuai]

Depending on the Ducky, it can come with blacks, blues, or browns.  Yea, buying service, returns issues, etc. - I'd stay stick with the Filco.  It'll cost you less overall and be more supported.

[Superfluous Parentheses]

Cables are easy enough to replace if you have to.

Personally, I'm more interested in that HHKB-like thing with cherries that we've only seen pictures of so far.

[WhiteRice]

We should get in touch with deal extreme and see if they can get keycaps

[Kira]

Thanks for the quick reply guys =)

I think I'll stick with the Filco then and maybe order some keycaps in the future.

Cables are easy enough to replace if you have to.

Personally, I'm more interested in that HHKB-like thing with cherries that we've only seen pictures of so far.

Cables are easy to replace on the filco? I guess taking it apart won't be much of a hassle but I'm a nub when it comes to keyboard internals.

Let's say my cable did break somehow (which probably won't happen), how would I replace it?

[Kira]

Here are some pictures of the Ducky Keyboard...

The main reason I want this keyboard.




























Now I'm having doubts xD That is one good looking keyboard!

[Superfluous Parentheses]

Cables are easy to replace on the filco? I guess taking it apart won't be much of a hassle but I'm a nub when it comes to keyboard internals.

Let's say my cable did break somehow (which probably won't happen), how would I replace it?

I'm not familiar with filco internals, but at a guess, they probably use some kind of cheap standard connectors to fix the cable to the PCB, or solder it down directly. In either case, you can fairly easily get a new cable and solder it back onto the PCB or solder/whatever it to a compatible connector, or just spice a new cable internally to the old one, [or get a new cable that includes the connector, but that would probably require some searching].

Sure, it's not as easy as getting a new mini-usb cable, but it shouldn't be hard to do, and basic soldering irons are cheap.

[Kira]

I'm not familiar with filco internals, but at a guess, they probably use some kind of cheap standard connectors to fix the cable to the PCB, or solder it down directly. In either case, you can fairly easily get a new cable and solder it back onto the PCB or solder/whatever it to a compatible connector, or just spice a new cable internally to the old one, [or get a new cable that includes the connector, but that would probably require some searching].

Sure, it's not as easy as getting a new mini-usb cable, but it shouldn't be hard to do, and basic soldering irons are cheap.

I wish I knew how to solder xD I'm sure I can get it done but it would be pretty messy. Now imagine if I could fit a USB-MINI USB converter right inside the keyboard so that it would work just like the Ducky keyboards!

[Superfluous Parentheses]

I wish I knew how to solder xD I'm sure I can get it done but it would be pretty messy. Now imagine if I could fit a USB-MINI USB converter right inside the keyboard so that it would work just like the Ducky keyboards!

AFAIK, a mini usb connector is just a smaller connector for the exact same signal, so you can probably do that (though I thought Filcos are actually PS/2, I'm not sure - if they are, it's certainly possible to put a PS/2 bus in there). I'd guess modifying the case and providing a stable fitting for the connector are going to be more work than just soldering, whatever the connector is.

[jnsjr]

@ripster - I lol'd at the rubber ducky. great pic.

@kira - thanks for all the great ducky pics.  i'm in a similar situation to you, and will probably break down and get a filco as well. let us know your impressions of the filco when you can!

[woody]

Ducky seems to suffer from mold nubs on the keycaps.
I'd stay away from mini/micro-USB connectors, but that is more of a personal grudge.

But the OP touched an important question - is there source for non-shiny keycaps for the Filco/MX blue? Just want to know what backup solutions are there.
________
medical marijuana card

[MissileMike]

You could search ebay for a cherry board with lasered keycaps.  You should be able to pick one up for around 30$.  Looking at them right now, the filco caps seem a bit taller, though.  Has anyone tried this?

I have had my filcos for a couple weeks now, and no shining so far.

As for the Ducky, it's probably just a matter of time before they show up here in the states.

[WhiteRice]

You know where I think there is a market? DIY keyboard kits. Order a bunch of cases, pcbs, keyswitches and caps. Let people pick and choose what they want.

For instance, "I want a red tenkeyless, so I get a red case and pcb, pick the switches I want, keycaps too."

Send it in pieces let the person solder it together, or for a premium build it and send it.

[pang0011]

You could search ebay for a cherry board with lasered keycaps.  You should be able to pick one up for around 30$.  Looking at them right now, the filco caps seem a bit taller, though.  Has anyone tried this?

Cherry 2-shot keycaps and Filco's are compatible despite the difference in height, in my case I could replace all keycaps of my Filco with Cherries except the CapsLock key.

You mean like the squirrelly KBTalking keyboards?  Actually those never did appear here.

Distribution remains a big problem for the more exotic keyboards, even in the age of globalization.

Honestly, for those MIC/MIT keyboards I would always suggest waiting for reviews to see the comments first before you actually consider buying them.  I don't mean to say there are problems with these keyboards, in fact I will buy one anyway, but this is just a personal suggestion to our American friends.

They remind me of my exams when I was a student, we called them "necessary evil" : P

[Kira]

@ripster - I lol'd at the rubber ducky. great pic.

@kira - thanks for all the great ducky pics.  i'm in a similar situation to you, and will probably break down and get a filco as well. let us know your impressions of the filco when you can!

Good to know I'm not the only one =) I'm getting it tomorrow, can't wait! Only thing bothering me right now is the key caps but we'll see how the keys turn out after a good 2-3 weeks of use.

Cherry 2-shot keycaps and Filco's are compatible despite the difference in height, in my case I could replace all keycaps of my Filco with Cherries except the CapsLock key.

That's exactly what I want to do once I get the Filco. Just curious as to what Cherry board you purchased. Looking around in the forums I believe ripster had a thread up on replacing the Filco keyboard with Cherry key caps but I recall him needing to use more than one board for all the keys.

BTW, that keyboard looks AMAZING!!

[pang0011]

Just curious as to what Cherry board you purchased. Looking around in the forums I believe ripster had a thread up on replacing the Filco keyboard with Cherry key caps but I recall him needing to use more than one board for all the keys.

BTW, that keyboard looks AMAZING!!

The keycaps are pulled out from a G80-3000, you could try searching on ebay, I believe there are more choices on ebay than where I bought mine.

[skartt]

I bouhgt a ducky with mx black - need to check the model number in the office on monday.
(Fullsize + 4 extra keys above numblock. black with black legend.)

They seem to have some sort of keycap problem, as i got a second set of keycaps for free due to some known issues.

[Kira]

I bouhgt a ducky with mx black - need to check the model number in the office on monday.
(Fullsize + 4 extra keys above numblock. black with black legend.)

They seem to have some sort of keycap problem, as i got a second set of keycaps for free due to some known issues.

Nice, make a review of the keyboard if you can =) I think that's the only thing this forum is missing, a Ducky keyboard review.

[pang0011]

I saw a Ducky with a funky misaligned spacebar.  Might have just been the pic though.

That one is in the USA now in possession of one of the Geekhackers, I have got 2 Ducky 108, both had been shipped to North America in June already.

As told, Ducky will release a white Ducky87 very soon with various choices of keycaps, this one is what they call "apple white", I am planning to buy one, but indeed after reviews are available.

[pang0011]

When she squeezes my Rubber Ducky it makes noise...

I think she’s just like many of us who work very hard to learn English and western cultures.  Speaking of western culture, I like Homer Simpson so much, boorish but ingenious, I’ll never feel boring with him : )