RGB Backlit TKL w/ MX Clear Switches - Does it exist?

[USAgent]

I'm leaning really hard to getting a Code TKL with mx clears, taking my Filco with browns to work. Does an RGB TKL w/ clears exist that has a nice minimalist look like the Code?

[SpAmRaY]

I don't think so, outside of having something custom.

[falkentyne]

I'm leaning really hard to getting a Code TKL with mx clears, taking my Filco with browns to work. Does an RGB TKL w/ clears exist that has a nice minimalist look like the Code?

Cherry doesn't make an RGB MX clear switch, so no.  it's impossible.
You would have to make one yourself and use a traditional RGB bulb like that used on Razer boards and the Ducky Disco, but those use Kailh (razer) and Greentech/KBT (Disco) switches.  Then you would have to have traces and a RGB controller....

[USAgent]

Hmmm, anything close then? I just feel like I really want clears since I love browns but could use a bit more resistance.

[falkentyne]

Nothing unless you mod a preexisting backlit RGB board with a white chassis, with SMD RGB LEDs on it already and solder in Zealios purple 62g switches yourself.

[dohbot]

It's not impossible, there just aren't any without need for some modification. By  replacing the stems in a preexisting RGB TKL you will get the board you are looking for. You just need soldering tools and skills and then just to desolder the switches and to replace the stem and solder them back in.

[USAgent]

Are there cheap parts I can practice soldering with, I don't want to mess up something new as I haven't soldered in ages. I'm not against having a project, it actually sounds quite fun. Do they sell keyboard assembly kits?

[falkentyne]

tl;dr is at the bottom.

You would have to find an old keyboard or ask someone for a half broken or old keyboard they don't use anymore (it has to work however!), with Cherry switches, then practice unsoldering and resoldering a switch and make sure it works.

Once you get good at that, you will need a SMD RGB keyboard (it must have SMD RGB LED's, but it does NOT have to be Cherry!  Outemus will work, so will Gaterons and SMD based Kaihua, but not bulb ased RGB Kailh switches) and then you will unsolder the existing switches and then solder on Zealios switches.  I don't know if all of the 60g+ Zealios switches are all clones of Cherry MX Clears (based on high tactile gaterons), as I don't have any, but if they are, you just put those on.

A Ducky Disco is RGB and since the PCB layer is single layer, it "would" be ideal but the RGB lights are not SMD's so they won't work and that's a huge problem.

So your first job is to find a keyboard with SMD RGB LED's that's a TKL.  You see the problem?

here's a RGB LED keyboard.  http://www.banggood.com/RK-RG-987-87Keys-RGB-Backlit-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard-Greentech-Switch-p-979482.html
But those aren't SMD RGB LED's so Zealios won't work.

Yeah see how difficult things are now?  Sometimes you just are better off waiting.

tl;dr:

However the Ducky Disco with KBT Browns is VERY close to a Cherry MX Clear.  The KBT browns have a lot more tactility than a regular MX brown but not quite as much as a clear but its close.
So.....My suggestion?

Buy a Ducky Disco KBT Brown.
Spray paint it white (not the keys).
Then buy a Year of the Goat white keycap replacement set.

This will feel like an Egro clear mod.  Hopefully you will be happy with this.

So again:
Get this.

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1540

spray paint the case white.

Then buy this.
https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1579

This will be the end result.  Pretend the case is white.  Ergo clear type brown switch.

http://imgur.com/a/JYn2e

It will look like this:
http://i.imgur.com/03x8fG0.jpg

https://www.keychatter.com/2015/12/30/review-mechanicalkeyboards-com-disco/#internal

[USAgent]

That's quite pretty what's that white board she is holding?

[falkentyne]

TKL White Ducky One.

[USAgent]

With black keycaps that'd match my pc quite nicely... really really like the Ducky Disco too though. Is there a thread for releases this year, don't want to get one of these and find out some hot new board comes out a week later.

[xtrafrood]

What about a board with RGB PCB mounted switches? Could in theory just desolder the LEDs and swap out the switch tops with gateron switch tops? Maybe install some SIP sockets  I don't see a board with that combination tho

[falkentyne]

With black keycaps that'd match my pc quite nicely... really really like the Ducky Disco too though. Is there a thread for releases this year, don't want to get one of these and find out some hot new board comes out a week later.

Stop worrying about spilled milk.  There's nothing to worry about at the moment.
There won't be any big new keyboards coming out for awhile, except the RGB Pok3r.

The next big thing should be an announcement of the next Duckies at Computex, or a demo of the Year of the Monkey, which obviously won't be out until after Summer, as well as some Asus and Corsair stuff.
And remember the original YOTG design which was shown at computex 2015 was nothing like the final one we got.

[USAgent]

Yeah I don't care for Pokers I want to go TKL for sure. You have me pretty close to sold on the Ducky Disco, I wish I could try the switch. I really wanted mx clear that's my hesitation, that and trying to find a replacement spacebar.

[xtrafrood]

Oh wow I am way off subject. I don't know why I was thinking of clear switch housing. Oddly enough my answer sort of remains the same. You could buy an RGB board, desolder the switches/LEDs and add cherry mx clear sliders to make an ergo clear keyboard.

[USAgent]

They have the ducky disco's on amazon with prime I just bought it since I had a gift card that covered it. Thanks falkentyne for showing me this!

[xtrafrood]

Hmmm, KBT switches huh? Interesting  I'm glad you got it figured out 

[USAgent]

Writing from my new Ducky Disco - this thing is really really nice. I dunno if it's because it's new or the switches are a little stiffer than browns but I'm def not bottoming out as much. I still think one day I'll get those mx clears but this was a great suggestion! 

 

[falkentyne]

Very glad you like it.

KBTalking brown switches are closer in tactility to Cherry MX clears than Cherry MX Browns.  It's very similar to an Egro clear (clear switch/stem with brown spring).  Not sure if the spring stiffness is identical to browns or slightly heavier.
If you want to mod it white, you can spraypaint the chassis, and then buy the Year of the Goat white replacement keycap set.

[xtrafrood]

Oh wow, I'm kinda liking that understated spacebar. Cool deal 

[file_id]

I have a MK DISCO in KBT Blue. Interesting that you say it's more like a Cherry MX Clear than a Brown, because I have Browns but love Clears. I might have to pick one up in KBT brown. My MX Disco came with 2 spacebars. One with just the disco and another with the MK logo.

[USAgent]

For the record I've never used clears, but based on reviews and videos and testing against my Filco with browns they are definitely not the same. They certainly have a bit more resistance than the Filco, enough of a difference that I am happy . I reached out to MK because mine did not come with the non-branded space bar.