A Coded DeckMaster? Wouldn't that be just Ducky?

[saturnotaku]

I'm in need of yet another keyboard. Requirements are simple: Backlit, Tenkeyless, and Mac friendly. I have it narrowed down to the CODE 87, Deck Francium Pro, CoolerMaster Quick Fire Rapid-i, and Ducky Shine 3. I'm looking at the MX Clear version of the CODE while all others would be MX Brown.

At this point, I'm leaning toward the CODE because I really want to try MX Clears. It's arguably the most Mac friendly, and I really like the use of Helvetica for the legends. I don't know how good it will be for gaming, though. The Deck gets consideration for its keycaps. The legends are ugly, but I could live with them. I'm also not a fan of the Storm's legends, but CoolerMaster builds a quality keyboard. The Shine 3 gets a ton of praise here so I don't want to leave it off the list. I will never use the crazy backlighting modes so that's not a factor.

I realize opinions will be all over the place, but all feedback is welcome.

[jameslr]

Given all of those requirements - every single board meets them all. They're all decent quality boards. What's going to be the deciding factor is the switch type. If you're dead set on MX clear then your only option is to go with the Wasd Code. My next MX board will definitely be MX Clear, and probably a KUL ES87. My only problem with any of those keyboards is keycap quality. After being spoiled on high quality aftermarket caps for a while it's hard to go back to cheap, thin ABS.

[CPTBadAss]

I vote for the Shine 3. I was really impressed with Duckys after I modded a Ducky OMG edition Keyboard.

[saturnotaku]

Given all of those requirements - every single board meets them all. They're all decent quality boards. What's going to be the deciding factor is the switch type. If you're dead set on MX clear then your only option is to go with the Wasd Code. My next MX board will definitely be MX Clear, and probably a KUL ES87. My only problem with any of those keyboards is keycap quality. After being spoiled on high quality aftermarket caps for a while it's hard to go back to cheap, thin ABS.

Thank you for your response. From what I've seen, the CODE's layout, design, and Mac friendliness are its most attractive qualities. I think it's going to come down to it and the Deck. The Francium has the superior caps. The board I use at work has PBTs and MX Browns, and it's a pleasure to type on. If Deck would have used the legends it puts on its Australia/Asia market model on the North American caps, I wouldn't even be asking the question.

[davkol]

What about WASDv2 (or Code, if you like) with PBT doubleshots (Vortex?)...? If you get such keycaps, you'll have lettering with good contrast all the time, while keeping the cool backlighting #swag.

[SpAmRaY]

If you don't want backlighting and just want a TKL with clears definitely go with the KUL.

[inanis]

If you go with the CODE, you will certainly want better caps. I have had mine for only a few months and both the "E" and the "S" keys have had the black coating rub off. Plus they don't really feel all that good to start off with. I love the board, I hate the caps. I will be replacing them very soon.

[saturnotaku]

If you don't want backlighting and just want a TKL with clears definitely go with the KUL.

No backlighting is not an option.

If you go with the CODE, you will certainly want better caps. I have had mine for only a few months and both the "E" and the "S" keys have had the black coating rub off. Plus they don't really feel all that good to start off with. I love the board, I hate the caps. I will be replacing them very soon.

I will definitely consider new caps if and when the time comes. What are you planning to use as a replacement? I would want something that doesn't interfere too much with the backlighting.

After some more internal debate and research, I went ahead and ordered the CODE. It simply had the best combination of features while meeting all my other requirements. I've used MX Black switches enough in the past where the extra weight of the Clears shouldn't be an issue. I'm not 100% crazy about the Costar stabilizers, but if they annoy me enough, some Super Lube will do the trick.

[inanis]

I will definitely consider new caps if and when the time comes. What are you planning to use as a replacement? I would want something that doesn't interfere too much with the backlighting.

I'm going to get some Ducky caps for the time being, they have some backlight friendly caps. However, in the end I don't much care if the legends shine through or not (or if there are legends at all, really). I have a Poker II with backlightling and the stock white PBT caps (also to be replaced soon, preferably with blanks) and it doesn't bother me that the legends don't shine through. I rather like the glow around the cap itself vs. through it.

Edited to add: Congrats on the new purchase! I'm sure you will enjoy it. The clears are great to type on!

[FrostyToast]

PBT keycaps aren't really that much of a MUST.
Go with the ducky if you want backlighting and good caps.

I wouldn't go with the francium.
Backlighting on ugly ass legends defeats the point of backlight compatible caps.

[saturnotaku]

I'm going to get some Ducky caps for the time being, they have some backlight friendly caps. However, in the end I don't much care if the legends shine through or not (or if there are legends at all, really). I have a Poker II with backlightling and the stock white PBT caps (also to be replaced soon, preferably with blanks) and it doesn't bother me that the legends don't shine through. I rather like the glow around the cap itself vs. through it.

Edited to add: Congrats on the new purchase! I'm sure you will enjoy it. The clears are great to type on!

Is there someplace I can purchase Ducky caps? FleaBay seems the most likely suspect, and I'm sure I could put a want ad here. If push came to shove, I could purchase a Ducky and swap the caps around, keeping it as a spare or something.

[larsjuhljensen]

Is there someplace I can purchase Ducky caps? FleaBay seems the most likely suspect, and I'm sure I could put a want ad here. If push came to shove, I could purchase a Ducky and swap the caps around, keeping it as a spare or something.

Your timing is very fortunate - there is an ongoing drop of Ducky PBT caps on Massdrop:
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/ducky-pbt-108-key-set

[inanis]

You could check http://mechanicalkeyboards.com for Ducky Shine keycaps. I'm at work, and they block basically everything from here so I can't tell you for sure what they have, but I know they carry them. Other sites do as well, and Ebay is always an option (not necessarily my first choice either, but not all sellers are bad). There are other Ducky caps that don't have shine through for the legends, which are not the "Shine" series - you can find examples of those on www.massdrop.com - I can't provide the full URL b/c I'm in the office (stupid filtering rules). Those are PBT.

[saturnotaku]

I might pick up this set from Qtan. I like the legends, and it's reasonably priced.

[dorkvader]

I might pick up this set from Qtan. I like the legends, and it's reasonably priced.

keep in mind that the KBC "smoke" keycaps are thin pad-print ABS. They do look great, though.

[saturnotaku]

Yeah, I know, but none of the other PBT sets I looked at online were doing it for me. Qtan has white Shine ones that came closest. If they were black or dark gray, I would buy them without hesitation. Guess I'll have to keep checking back on a regular basis to see if stock is updated.

[jameslr]

You'll be waiting a while. I don't think they've gotten stock in better than a year. I was checking for quite a while last year, but nothing.