I just received my Keycool 87 from QTan's store. I'm rather impressed that I ordered it on the 9th and received it on the 12th. From Guangzhou, China to Wisconsin in three days is pretty cool. I've created a Flickr gallery with some visual comparisons between the Ducky & the Keycool. Both are white LED models since I'm not a fan of colored LED keyboards. The Ducky has brown switches and the Keycool has blacks. I've never had a black board before, and I wasn't sure I'd like it. So far, I actually prefer typing on the blacks, although I'm getting used to not having any tactility other than bottom out, which I'm actually finding I do less (probably due to the heavier weighting).
Both - Min Bright by
adfrost81, on Flickr
Some differences to note between the two:- The Keycool actually remembers the LED setting on wake, which I really like. Its a minor thing, but the Ducky forgets the setting, and it's kind of annoying. I understand this was fixed in the Shine 2
- The White LED color temp is more neutral on the Ducky, and more blueish on the Keycool
- On the Ducky, all keys are white backlit. On the Keycool, everything is white except Caps Lock & Scroll Lock, which are orange. I understand this varies based on the primary LED color
- On the Ducky, the LEDs have a round lens. On the keycool, it's square
- There are no special modes on the Keycool. Just brightness adjustment.
- 5 Brightness levels on the Ducky vs 3 on the Keycool. The Ducky gets brighter, and I typically use it on setting 2. On the keycool, it looks like I'll be using it on maximum.
- The legends are much more attractive on the Ducky. The serif font on the Keycool is rather ugly and there's some variance on height and width of the font. PrtSc and ScrLk are especially ugly.
- On the Ducky, all modifier legends are under the primary legend. On the Keycool, they are next to the numbers on the number keys. It looks a little odd, but ensures both legends are fully backlit.
- Fit & finish is better on the Ducky, but the Keycool isn't far behind. The biggest difference so far is the quality of the keycaps, in favor of the Ducky.
- The case is squared-off on the Ducky, and angled-off the on the Keycool. I prefer the Keycool.
I've wanted a backlit tenkeyless for a while now. I use this PC for gaming 80% of the time, and I do take my rig on the road on occasion. It will be nice to have a smaller footprint keyboard. Ducky Channel is now advertising the
DK9087 Shine 2 as "coming soon", but who knows when it will show up for purchase outside of Taiwan. For now, I think this board will suffice.
Take a look at the gallery, and let me know what you think. Save the comments about backlit keyboards. Some of us like them...deal with it.
