Looking for Backlit Keyboard

[Lycoth]

Hi there,

So recently I got a Full size Filco Majestouch 2. It's pretty awesome, I got it because all I used it for is gaming. Nowadays though, I hardly use it for gaming, and moreso just for typing and working.

I still game, but only casually so i'm a lot less specific about which keycaps I get. (Currently using Cherry MX Browns).

Originally I wasn't bothered about getting a backlit board or I would have gone with a ducky. I can touch type so it was never an issue however as of recent i've started using things that require a lot of modifiers, notably with Photoshop and other similar programs, that i'm starting to wish I did have a backlit.

Anybody have some suggestions? I previously had a Steelseries with Blacks, Razer Blackwidow with Blues, and now my Filco with Browns. I like the Filco most, but I don't specifically care about sticking with Cherry MX.

Thanks guys :3

Edit: I'd prefer to have a full size instead of a Tenkeyless. I quite often use the numkey.

Edit 2: I did look at the new Logitech G710+. It seems suck good value for money. Anybody know much about it as far as quality and manufacturer goes?

[jabar]

Ducky is your best bet for quality. You won't get the same level of LED and switch selection with any other manufacturer. I do like my Max Nighthawk, but others here don't like them because of its OEM. It's still a very good keyboard.

Maybe wait til Ducky Shine 3s come out? They'll be a bit cheaper than the current Shine IIs.

[Photoelectric]

My only gripe with my Ducky Shine is the strobe light like effect from glancing across the backlit caps in peripheral vision.  They seem to blink at high frequency or some such.  Never experienced this effect before with other keyboards, LED fans, or LED strips until the Ducky, and I remember someone else posted a similar experience.  Not sure if it's due to some combination of USB interface and Ducky's controller. 

I seem to have solved this issue by plugging the keyboard into a different USB port! Neat   No negatives about Ducky Shines from my corner now!

[rowdy]

Ducky Shine

Maybe a Ducky Zero Shine if low cost is important.

Or wait for Shine 3.

[Surnia]

My only gripe with my Ducky Shine is the strobe light like effect from glancing across the backlit caps in peripheral vision.  They seem to blink at high frequency or some such.  Never experienced this effect before with other keyboards, LED fans, or LED strips until the Ducky, and I remember someone else posted a similar experience.  Not sure if it's due to some combination of USB interface and Ducky's controller. 

I seem to have solved this issue by plugging the keyboard into a different USB port! Neat   No negatives about Ducky Shines from my corner now!

The joys of PWM. Used to preserve the LED's tint, while allowing dimmable controls; side effects are as you say. Some LED things tend to use current-control for brightness levels, however it can lead to tint shifting. Are you using the same brightness level, or is it maxed? Maxed won't be using PWM but if its at a lower brightness, you might see it again.

[Photoelectric]

Thank you--I was wondering if it was something like that.  No, it's on the minimum brightness now, and is still not flickering any longer--not that it was flickering noticeably before, but I could tell in peripheral vision that the flickering was happening at some high but still perceptible frequency.  Now, I cannot detect the flicker anymore.  Neither on the lowest setting nor on the brightest.  It's plugged into a different USB port since the change occurred, so my guess is, it was something to do with power delivery.  I basically had to keep backlighting off, as it was very irritating, but now it's all good.

Been using those front USB sockets for lots of stuff all the time for file transfers and charging--didn't realize there'd be a difference for plugging in a backlit keyboard.  Once my silver USB cable arrives, I'll plug the keyboard into the motherboard properly.

[jabar]

Maybe a Ducky Zero Shine if low cost is important.

Or wait for Shine 3.

Shine 3 = Ducky Zero Shine

[fateswarm]

If you're going to stick it on a laptop or any weak PSU be prepared for potential power supply issues on such keyboards that may require a powered hub.

Some of them violate the USB standard and some of them barely satisfy it and require an external supply for full features.

[fateswarm]

I did look at the new Logitech G710+. It seems suck good value for money. Anybody know much about it as far as quality and manufacturer goes?

I didn't get it because I wanted a tenkeyless but I'm sure from everything I see and hear and I know from Logitech that it is amazing for the form factor. I don't personally like the form factor though, it's huge, with unnecessary media keys I never use and even more unnecessary function keys (As if I didn't already ignore F keys  ).

But Logitech for me is a Wizard on plastic and steel. Their input devices have proven time and again that take efficiency and optimization to the highest and then some level. I can't even find a $10 Logitech product that isn't spectacularly good value for the money. I have a G700 and I think it does a "disservice" to their business at how amazingly robust it is and still works perfectly after years with my clumsiness.

It's sad though that even their Marketing department is so good that knows that the keyboard market is niche and that kids mainly notice that mice should be good and not keyboards so their range is extremely limited. 

[rowdy]

Maybe a Ducky Zero Shine if low cost is important.

Or wait for Shine 3.

Shine 3 = Ducky Zero Shine

Link?

Interesting if it is.

[Lycoth]

Thanks guys,

Looks like I've narrowed it down to the Logitech G710+ or a Ducky Shine. Tough decision. A friend of mine says the Logitech is great, but it's his first Mechanical so it's hard to base a decision just on his opinion.

[Lastpilot]

I'm actually in a similar boat. Photoshop on a 60% is tough! Also looking forward to the new Ducky Shine series.
So if it's between Logitech and Ducky, my vote goes to Ducky.

Shine 3 = Ducky Zero Shine

Whattttttt? I seriously do not think this is the case.

[Grim Fandango]

The Duckies are the common suggestion here. One other thing you could do is get a different color keycap. I have to use a lot of modifiers as well, for programming and working with Latex. My White keycaps with grey font allow me to see and use the keyboard even under less than ideal lighting without any issue.

[fateswarm]

I secretly hope more people buy the G710 so their Marketing department decides to use Logitech's wizardry on more keyboards (especially if they go to Topre or Topre-cloning) but I still know the gaming community still lacks knowledge of the existence of good and bad keyboards, unlike the case for mice.

[SpAmRaY]

Thanks guys,

Looks like I've narrowed it down to the Logitech G710+ or a Ducky Shine. Tough decision. A friend of mine says the Logitech is great, but it's his first Mechanical so it's hard to base a decision just on his opinion.

I think what you've got their is comparing two completely different keyboards, I think the thing to ask yourself is what do you want to see sitting on your desk.

If you want macro keys etc go with the logitech but if you want a normal looking keyboard with back-lighting go ducky. There are obvious other differences but I'm just trying to break it down as how I would look at it.

I can vouch for the awesome back-lighting on the ducky shine II!

I secretly hope more people buy the G710 so their Marketing department decides to use Logitech's wizardry on more keyboards (especially if they go to Topre or Topre-cloning) but I still know the gaming community still lacks knowledge of the existence of good and bad keyboards, unlike the case for mice.

Logitech is purely marketing to gamers, as had been said many times most gamers don't use Topre boards, and I honestly do not think you would ever see Logitech make anything Topre and/or Topre like......they may make a frankenstein rubber dome/mechanical switch combo but it would only be a gimmick.

I realize Logitech was the first mainstream company to make a mechanical keyboard that is somewhat unique using orings etc etc but going Topre...yeah...I don't see that ever happening.

[Lycoth]

I secretly hope more people buy the G710 so their Marketing department decides to use Logitech's wizardry on more keyboards (especially if they go to Topre or Topre-cloning) but I still know the gaming community still lacks knowledge of the existence of good and bad keyboards, unlike the case for mice.

Pretty much the case with me. I've never used a Logitech Keyboard before. And as in the UK we can't really try keyboards before we buy them it makes me uneasy.

I'll look around for a Ducky then I think. Preferably I'd like a white Backlit in Chinese layout, but man, do they seem hard to find!

Thanks all!

Edit: Just found that Ducky make full sets of key caps for the Shine boards, so that solves my language issue! Thanks :3

[Lycoth]

Hi guys,

Sorry to Necro, just wanted to give an update.

I decided I'd go for the Ducky, quality was just worth a lot more to me. Not only that but I found this when I was looking around. It's pretty hard to find suppliers for the UK without paying massive amounts for shipping and import tax.

http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/info_30149.html

Fell in love with it. It's everything I've always wanted in a Ducky

I've emailed them to make sure they can still get them in stock as I know some people are having issues, but I really hope they can.

Thanks all!

[Photoelectric]

Good choice!  I love my Ducky

[Lycoth]

Good choice!  I love my Ducky

Thanks, I hope I like it!

They said it's a new model so they have no problems getting them in. So excited now :3

[Photoelectric]

I *think* it's a limited edition Shine II.  There's also one with a white case and pink keycaps.  And you should be able to buy those caps separately in gray, white, pink, and purple colors.

From Ducky Nordic on Deskthority:

source: http://deskthority.net/marketplace-f11/ducky-nordic-keyboards-keycaps-projects-and-misc-stuff-t4718-240.html

[Lycoth]

Ooer thanks very much. My decision was between the Orange Backlight and the Blue, definitely glad I got the blue now i've seen the pictures.

And yeah, I figured I could likely get the caps seperately as Ducky make them, but it just adds to the overall cost so being able to get it all in 1 was nifty. As I said, getting things in the UK without paying a huge amount of import tax and shipping is near impossible for some of these keyboards. Especially for somebody new to the whole thing like me. I hardly know where to look

[Photoelectric]

I've seen the Ducky blue described as a very cool slightly black-light like blue.  Like with a hint of purple.  Should be interesting.

[rowdy]

I'm tempted to get blue backlighting next - this description of the colour makes me want one even more.

[Surnia]

If its a blue backlight with a hint of purple, that actually means it leans slightly into the UV range... fluorescent items will glow their respective colours.

I'd actually start to wonder about UV effects on the keycaps, but that would be an effect that's a good while down the line.

[Lycoth]

I'm tempted to get blue backlighting next - this description of the colour makes me want one even more.

When I get the keyboard I can try and post some good pictures of the backlighting colour if you'd like.

[Photoelectric]

I'm tempted to get blue backlighting next - this description of the colour makes me want one even more.

When I get the keyboard I can try and post some good pictures of the backlighting colour if you'd like.

Yes, post it here

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44203

[rowdy]

Pictures are always welcome