Author Topic: Deck Legend Frost Clear (Read 10141 times)

knotra · « **on:** Mon, 20 May 2013, 14:56:43 »

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=95

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=296

Hey guys,

I have been looking for a clear switch keyboard recently and i came across the deck legend frost tactile and the ducky shine II with clear switches but i already have a ducky shine II so i would rather get the deck but im wondering how good it is and if its worth the price?

Thanks in advance!!

tp4tissue · « **Reply #1 on:** Mon, 20 May 2013, 15:32:23 »

the only real advantage of the deck frost, is the "pbt" but that font is universally regarded as hellaz-ugly..

So... if YOU like the font, and wouldn't be embarrassed if someone came to your room and said it was ugly...

THEN, the PBT may be the choice...

typo · « **Reply #2 on:** Mon, 20 May 2013, 15:58:55 »

the keyboard is built like a tank. the thing is the mold of the double shot keys is very ugly. it looks like a couple of legos stuck together. however, if the legends do not wear off then I will be much happier than I was with abs lasered/printed keys. I found the cherry clears are the best switch I have used yet. that includes model m and topre. it is expensive. a realforce is only $35 more or so. it is made in usa where most other boards are made in taiwan/china. I actually think the fonts are really nice but the key mold process looks really ugly. as far as backlit there is no comparison to say a blackwidow. I have only had it four days but I can tell it is much better built than a das or ducky etc. it even has a pbt case. I do not even think topre has that. it is expensive but I feel you get what you pay for. once you decide on the best it just depends if you like cherry clears.

bazemk1979 · « **Reply #3 on:** Mon, 20 May 2013, 16:42:49 »

keycaps would never wear off on the deck, not the best looking keyboard out there with backlit option, but its the best built one quality wise, and best backlit keycaps quality wise. Kinda like IBM Model M with cherry switches and PBT dyesub keycaps for backlit, that's why its expensive...

SpAmRaY · « **Reply #4 on:** Mon, 20 May 2013, 16:44:31 »

I recently faced this decision and went with the ducky shine II. obviously if you have one you know what you would be getting with it.

There are some other options like the TG3 with clears that can be found occasionally in the classifieds and sometimes on ebay there is also a cherry german board I don't have the model off the top of my head that can be found sometimes for a little cheaper.

You could also wait for coolermaster and/or the wasd v2 code but I'm not sure if you want a full size board or tkl.

VesperSAINT · « **Reply #5 on:** Mon, 20 May 2013, 16:47:44 »

Just get the Ducky Shine II w/ Clears and put thin white PBT's like I did in my Youtube video. Not only does it feel 100x better but looks 100x better too. The thin white PBT's actually work better for the back lighting effect too because with the stock keycaps, you won't even the back lighting because your fingers cover it up. But with the thin white PBT's the light illuminates the entire keycap, making a pretty lighting effect. Obviously I only have a small amount of them on in this video and now the majority of my keyboard has them on. PBT's make a world difference in terms of how Clears feel.

knotra · « **Reply #6 on:** Mon, 20 May 2013, 19:24:52 »

Quote from: VesperSAINT on Mon, 20 May 2013, 16:47:44

Just get the Ducky Shine II w/ Clears and put thin white PBT's like I did in my Youtube video. Not only does it feel 100x better but looks 100x better too. The thin white PBT's actually work better for the back lighting effect too because with the stock keycaps, you won't even the back lighting because your fingers cover it up. But with the thin white PBT's the light illuminates the entire keycap, making a pretty lighting effect. Obviously I only have a small amount of them on in this video and now the majority of my keyboard has them on. PBT's make a world difference in terms of how Clears feel.

where can i get keycaps like those for pretty cheap?

knotra · « **Reply #7 on:** Mon, 20 May 2013, 19:27:13 »

Quote from: tp4tissue on Mon, 20 May 2013, 15:32:23

the only real advantage of the deck frost, is the "pbt" but that font is universally regarded as hellaz-ugly..

So... if YOU like the font, and wouldn't be embarrassed if someone came to your room and said it was ugly...

THEN, the PBT may be the choice...

Quote from: typo on Mon, 20 May 2013, 15:58:55

the keyboard is built like a tank. the thing is the mold of the double shot keys is very ugly. it looks like a couple of legos stuck together. however, if the legends do not wear off then I will be much happier than I was with abs lasered/printed keys. I found the cherry clears are the best switch I have used yet. that includes model m and topre. it is expensive. a realforce is only $35 more or so. it is made in usa where most other boards are made in taiwan/china. I actually think the fonts are really nice but the key mold process looks really ugly. as far as backlit there is no comparison to say a blackwidow. I have only had it four days but I can tell it is much better built than a das or ducky etc. it even has a pbt case. I do not even think topre has that. it is expensive but I feel you get what you pay for. once you decide on the best it just depends if you like cherry clears.

Quote from: bazemk1979 on Mon, 20 May 2013, 16:42:49

keycaps would never wear off on the deck, not the best looking keyboard out there with backlit option, but its the best built one quality wise, and best backlit keycaps quality wise. Kinda like IBM Model M with cherry switches and PBT dyesub keycaps for backlit, that's why its expensive...

i actually like the font on the keycaps so that shouldnt be a problems. im more interested in how the keycaps feel and how the quality of the keyboard compared to other big brands like filco, wasd, and ducky.

VesperSAINT · « **Reply #8 on:** Mon, 20 May 2013, 19:27:33 »

For cheap, your best bet is to put up a WTS thread on the classifieds. Otherwise, mechanicalkeyboards has Ducky PBT's, feng has them in his ebay store.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KBC-White-Printed-PBT-Cherry-MX-Key-Caps-104-keys-included-/330757195528?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item4d02aa4708

jabar · « **Reply #9 on:** Mon, 20 May 2013, 21:16:01 »

Quote from: knotra on Mon, 20 May 2013, 19:27:13

i actually like the font on the keycaps so that shouldnt be a problems. im more interested in how the keycaps feel and how the quality of the keyboard compared to other big brands like filco, wasd, and ducky.

I'm typing on my Deck Legend Frost tactile right now.

MX Clears are awesome. Browns feel almost linear by comparison. I can see why people go with an Ergo Clear mod since they do require a bit more force to actuate.

As for the keycaps, the feeling really depends on their texture. Some PBT keycaps have very nice texture which complements the more solid feeling of PBT. Although I bought this keyboard second-hand, the keycaps feel a bit less grippy than other PBT caps I've tried. However, since the legends are dyesubbed I can't feel the legends unlike lasered PBTs. The case is also PBT, a rarity these days, and has awesome texture and a nice contour. It is still a tank, and weighs closer to 2 kg (my estimate).

The Deck keycaps are the nicest when backlit, compared to Ducky and Max. The translucent PBT used spreads the LED light nicely and illuminates very evenly (with the exception of wide legends like 'Backspace').

What I do not like about the board is the lack of options. It's an old design now (c. 2005) and the lighting levels for the white Frost LEDs are off, BRIGHT ON and degrees of SUPER BRIGHT ON. Essentially no real brightness control. The keycaps are a flat profile which means more reach required for the upper rows; this works for some but not everyone. The cable is fixed and requires a mod to switch from USB <> PS/2.

The current list price sucks. It absolutely sucks. With the myriad of options in 2013 there is no way in hell it should remain in the $180 range. If I had the cash I'd rather spring for a Topre board than a full price Deck. For a good used price (sub $100) it's a great deal. They show up on eBay from time to time.

typo · « **Reply #10 on:** Mon, 20 May 2013, 21:49:30 »

well it seems to be built like a tank. one of my keys just burnt out after 4 days!

edit: loose solder,going to fix now. I think that is cherrys fault though as I think the switches come with the leds? nice thing about deck is they actually encourage us to make our own repairs and even modifications! who does that?

btw, I was wondering how this is not worth $200 but a topre is worth $235+? I swear I am not trolling just asking. yes, it is a cherry board but isn't it the best built one? I don't think it is fair to compare it to ducky and say it is overpriced. it is obviously built better. yeah the topre is worth the extra $35 but this is not a $100 board imo.

jabar · « **Reply #11 on:** Mon, 20 May 2013, 23:02:00 »

Quote from: typo on Mon, 20 May 2013, 21:49:30

btw, I was wondering how this is not worth $200 but a topre is worth $235+? I swear I am not trolling just asking. yes, it is a cherry board but isn't it the best built one? I don't think it is fair to compare it to ducky and say it is overpriced. it is obviously built better. yeah the topre is worth the extra $35 but this is not a $100 board imo.

It is a very good build but feature-wise it is dated compared to today's offerings. No, there aren't any PBT dyesubbed/doubleshot backlit caps out there yet but it's only a matter of time.

I don't think it's only worth $100 (I was emphasizing they can be had used for under $100), but around $150 would be much more reasonable. In fact, they used to retail around $150, and the Ice 82s around $120 until TG3 hiked the prices up in recent years.

typo · « **Reply #12 on:** Mon, 20 May 2013, 23:08:30 »

I am using it for coding and I prefer 105 keys. even over tkl. if you mean it does not have macro keys/media keys etc. yeah I see how that would matter to gamers. for a typing keyboard it is enough but that is not how it is being marketed. so I see what you mean. btw, the led is fixed already. I am skilled but still it took less than 20 minutes. I am also happy the board is serviceable to those that know how. a big plus of cherry mx is if a key goes the whole plate is not gone like on most other designs.

knotra · « **Reply #13 on:** Mon, 20 May 2013, 23:16:44 »

Quote from: typo on Mon, 20 May 2013, 21:49:30

well it seems to be built like a tank. one of my keys just burnt out after 4 days!

edit: loose solder,going to fix now. I think that is cherrys fault though as I think the switches come with the leds? nice thing about deck is they actually encourage us to make our own repairs and even modifications! who does that?

btw, I was wondering how this is not worth $200 but a topre is worth $235+? I swear I am not trolling just asking. yes, it is a cherry board but isn't it the best built one? I don't think it is fair to compare it to ducky and say it is overpriced. it is obviously built better. yeah the topre is worth the extra $35 but this is not a $100 board imo.

you also have to take into account that the deck keyboards have cherry mx switches which are in abundance where as there are very feel keyboards with topre switches.

and saying it is the best built keyboard around can be argued. the filco keyboards as well as the ducky can compete with the deck especially because of the lower choices in switches. the deck keyboards also dont have as much prestige compared to filcos and duckys.

jabar · « **Reply #14 on:** Mon, 20 May 2013, 23:31:55 »

Quote from: knotra on Mon, 20 May 2013, 23:16:44

the deck keyboards also dont have as much prestige compared to filcos and duckys.

Well, Deck is a bit older than Ducky, Vortex, really anyone except Filco and Topre (and Unicomp) in the modern mechanical keyboard market. They had some market presence but dropped off the radar when they never really updated their products.

It would be awesome if Deck kept the same style of the current PBT Deck case, improve the selection in keycaps, have more control over LED functionality and introduce hard programming.

knotra · « **Reply #15 on:** Mon, 20 May 2013, 23:35:38 »

Quote from: VesperSAINT on Mon, 20 May 2013, 19:27:33

For cheap, your best bet is to put up a WTS thread on the classifieds. Otherwise, mechanicalkeyboards has Ducky PBT's, feng has them in his ebay store.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KBC-White-Printed-PBT-Cherry-MX-Key-Caps-104-keys-included-/330757195528?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item4d02aa4708

Would the keycaps from WASDKeyboards have the same look? or something similar? i know they are ABS but i'm just wondering if they would have the same effect.

jabar · « **Reply #16 on:** Mon, 20 May 2013, 23:44:55 »

Quote from: knotra on Mon, 20 May 2013, 23:35:38

Would the keycaps from WASDKeyboards have the same look? or something similar? i know they are ABS but i'm just wondering if they would have the same effect.

KBC is OEM profile, same as Ducky and (I believe) WASD. Any differences would be in thickness (those KBC are not thick PBT) and texture. That KBC set should be 100% compatible with 104 boards like the Ducky or Filcos.

Deck has a wonky bottom row: 1.25/1.25/1.25/6/1/1/1/1/1 as opposed to the new universal standard 1.25/1.25/1.25/6.25/1.25/1.25/1.25

PS: geeky_feng is feng here on GH, you can PM him instead of going through eBay if that set is something you're interested in. Ducky also has some replacement backlit ABS sets and PBT sets on mechkeyboards.com but they might be low on stocks.

typo · « **Reply #17 on:** Tue, 21 May 2013, 01:51:51 »

cherry clear is very nice but it is not topre. if the hhkb was backlit I would have bought another one of those. on the other hand if all the led's go kaput I am not going to be happy. other than that all pbt is a nice touch. I can see how it is no longer competitive for a gaming keyboard as intended. however for typing it is pretty good. honestly better than my filco and das with blues. it is built better too. I can say that because I own them. of course time will tell. perhaps it will fall apart like a Porsche lol. on the other hand it is completely serviceable per switch. that is what is nice about cherry boards. plus das and filco do not wish for us to take them apart. tg3 would like us to take them apart so long as we are not dodos with an iron.

shifted · « **Reply #18 on:** Fri, 31 May 2013, 11:21:34 »

I have a Deck Legend Ice Linear keyboard and one thing to note about deck legend keyboard is the space bar is kind of lower or at a weird angle vs the rest of the keys. It's actually kind of annoying to me because my typing position has my thumb pressing right on edge of the space bar rather than the flat part. I am hoping a new spacebar from WASD will make it better (After some research a space bar from WASD will not work). I can get a picture of the strange angle tonight.

Edit - Here are the pics. Sorry about the quality, they were taken with my phone but you can very clearly see the difference in angle/height of the space bar.

Also, be aware there is light bleed around the keys on deck keyboard since the keys are made from two parts. Here is a link of what I mean. This is easily fixed with black nail polish but it can be annoying on a $180 keyboard.

http://www.deckkeyboards.com/lightleakage.php

Deverica Wolf · « **Reply #19 on:** Fri, 31 May 2013, 13:19:34 »

My Deck Toxic Black switch is the best-made keyboard I own. It's built like a tank and you could kill someone with it. The LEDs are awesome and the keycaps are better than Filco's in every category (nicer to touch etc...). In comparison to my Filco Camo., they feel similar but I think the Deck's black switches may actually feel nicer to press. We're talking a top of the line keyboard that is worth the money in every way as long as you like what's you're buying. The flat profile is kind of weird though which is why I sometimes think of selling it. It is a beauty. Price went way up on it, huh?

typo · « **Reply #20 on:** Sat, 01 June 2013, 19:29:32 »

i am putting on my flame suit now. i bought this to replace a wearing realforce. from what i can tell so far this will outlast 5 topres. the space bar is lower but i actually feel that and the flat profile are improvements upon other cherry boards. i just wish with all they threw at this they used a pbt spacebar. however i have had it 11 days and no shine on the spacebar. my filco and das were already shiny by then. plus if it does break it is not only completely serviceable they encourage you to do so!

jabar · « **Reply #21 on:** Sat, 01 June 2013, 20:35:31 »

The spacebar is ABS and a different profile than the universal profile used on the rest of the keys. As a result it is very awkward.

typo · « **Reply #22 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 12:04:31 »

that is what I said above lol. however I find the overall layout and feel awesome. compare to a filco or das I like it much better. what I did say is I wish the spacebar was pbt.

Schattendolch · « **Reply #23 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 19:01:19 »

i think deck boards look extremely ugly, if i were buying clears i'd go with something else if possible

i know clears are rare tho

typo · « **Reply #24 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 19:14:15 »

looks is a matter of opinion. you cannot deny it is quality. at first I was pretty unhappy with how it looked but now I really like it. the legends are fine with me. the way the caps fit together is kind of wonky but built to last that way.

Photekq · « **Reply #25 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 19:18:26 »

Quote from: VesperSAINT on Mon, 20 May 2013, 16:47:44

Just get the Ducky Shine II w/ Clears and put thin white PBT's like I did in my Youtube video. Not only does it feel 100x better but looks 100x better too. The thin white PBT's actually work better for the back lighting effect too because with the stock keycaps, you won't even the back lighting because your fingers cover it up. But with the thin white PBT's the light illuminates the entire keycap, making a pretty lighting effect. Obviously I only have a small amount of them on in this video and now the majority of my keyboard has them on. PBT's make a world difference in terms of how Clears feel.

I think you have the same cheap ass tripod that I do.

dante · « **Reply #26 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 19:33:20 »

I had a Deck Legend Frost last year and returned it for the following reasons:

1) The thing pinged. I'm not talking one or two keys but the ENTIRE board pinged. Just to be clear: There was NOT one key that didn't ping!
2) MX Clears on this board are NOT quiet. I was expecting them to be pretty silent but mine had some sort of chorus of spring action going. Wasn't going to work as an office board.
3) Excessive 12-15 keycap backlight bleed. Complete UNACCEPTABLE on a $200ish (after shipping) board.

I've typed on a Leopold and Keycool 87 both with MX Clears and they were far better experiences.

jwaz · « **Reply #27 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 19:41:50 »

They're retail price is ridiculous IMO and it shows in their resale value. Love how disgustingly 90s they are though

PointyFox · « **Reply #28 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 19:45:42 »

Aren't they just rebranded TG3s?

Photekq · « **Reply #29 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 19:47:12 »

Quote from: PointyFox on Sun, 02 June 2013, 19:45:42

Aren't they just rebranded TG3s?

Other way round I thought.

typo · « **Reply #30 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 19:52:24 »

it is made by tg3 in the usa. all cherrys make noise. plain and simple another cherry board is not built better save for Korean customs. this is overpriced but people pay $300 for a rubber dome? oh no....I didn't just go there

dante · « **Reply #31 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 19:57:26 »

Quote from: typo on Sun, 02 June 2013, 19:52:24

it is made by tg3 in the usa. all cherrys make noise. plain and simple another cherry board is not built better save for Korean customs. this is overpriced but people pay $300 for a rubber dome? oh no....I didn't just go there

True, the Cherry MX is not a silent switch. However when it comes to MX Clear the Leopold/Keycool's I tried were much quieter than the Deck.

Regarding your comment about the high price of domes - Realforce does in one way warrant that in it is the only Rubberdome on the market that has a standard 87 ANSI layout. Before that the closest you could get is a IBM RT3200 Space Saver and even that got hosed because the navigation cluster was all crammed together.

jwaz · « **Reply #32 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 20:22:56 »

Quote from: typo on Sun, 02 June 2013, 19:52:24

it is made by tg3 in the usa. all cherrys make noise. plain and simple another cherry board is not built better save for Korean customs. this is overpriced but people pay $300 for a rubber dome? oh no....I didn't just go there

You're trying to defend the retail price of Deck's mediocre build and Cherry based switch vs Topre which have a fantastic build quality? Apples and Oranges. Topre boards hold their value post retail much better.

I'd trade 'thock' for 'ping' any day

PointyFox · « **Reply #33 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 20:31:33 »

Quote from: JesuswasaZombie on Sun, 02 June 2013, 20:22:56

Quote from: typo on Sun, 02 June 2013, 19:52:24
it is made by tg3 in the usa. all cherrys make noise. plain and simple another cherry board is not built better save for Korean customs. this is overpriced but people pay $300 for a rubber dome? oh no....I didn't just go there

You're trying to defend the retail price of Deck's mediocre build and Cherry based switch vs Topre which have a fantastic build quality? Apples and Oranges. Topre boards hold their value post retail much better.

I'd trade 'thock' for 'ping' any day

Switches have nothing to do with cost. They're cheap.

typo · « **Reply #34 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 20:34:35 »

in another thread people with a lot of posts called it the best currently made "keyboard". it sure looks so to me. I am sorry I was a jerk about it though.

dante · « **Reply #35 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 20:50:13 »

The problem is a lot of people associate "heavy" with "quality."

jwaz · « **Reply #36 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 20:53:12 »

If cops use 'em they must be good. right?

typo · « **Reply #37 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 20:55:28 »

it is a pbt case. ds pbt keys. heavy and quality. what other board made today has a pbt case?

I see I am preaching to the wrong crowd. others agree with me.

jabar · « **Reply #38 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 22:15:48 »

The "best" keyboard is part of TG3/Deck's marketing campaign. Sure back in 2005 it was the only readily available backlit option. Not the case today.

VesperSAINT · « **Reply #39 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 23:20:45 »

Quote from: Photekq on Sun, 02 June 2013, 19:18:26

I think you have the same cheap ass tripod that I do.

Olympus? Even if not, it's probably some generic model that's rebranded by multiple companies.

Photekq · « **Reply #40 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 23:22:05 »

Quote from: VesperSAINT on Sun, 02 June 2013, 23:20:45

Quote from: Photekq on Sun, 02 June 2013, 19:18:26
I think you have the same cheap ass tripod that I do.

Olympus? Even if not, it's probably some generic model that's rebranded by multiple companies.

I have no idea what mine's called. All I know is the legs are the same shame and colour.

VesperSAINT · « **Reply #41 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 23:23:22 »

It's pretty cheaply made but it does the job and decently sturdy

Photekq · « **Reply #42 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 23:24:21 »

Quote from: VesperSAINT on Sun, 02 June 2013, 23:23:22

It's pretty cheaply made but it does the job and decently sturdy

Yeah. Mine's fine. I didn't want to spend £50 on a tripod so I bought the cheapest one I could find

typo · « **Reply #43 on:** Sun, 07 August 2016, 04:43:20 »

i know this is a very old post. i just wanted to give a happy update. they replaced the first bad board i had for 4 days back in 2013. i have had this board as my main board since then. it has been on 24/7. i have treated is very,very poorlty. it is stuffed with cat hair and beverages. it still works perfectly. not sticking at all. lights as bright as first day. i ended up back then preferring this to my topre full height keys which was my other high end board. i watched them build this board in kenosha wisconsin. unfortunately now they are mad ein china afaik. for me at least this thing has been bullet proof. ymmv of course. ii like the font a lot in fact. the very large font with the backlighting makes for a very legible uh, deck. that is, if you want to see the keys. pretty much the opposite of bare keys. anyways this probably ends up lasting longer than a model m. it is a tank as i originally said. i much prefer the action over other cherry switches as well. not just the keys are pbt but the entire case. it is on a metal plate. so this is most likely the reason it has not failed. of course being double shot and dyesub the fonts have not worn at all. supposedly the space bar is not pbt but mine is not one bit shiny. i have hundreds of thousands perhaps millions of keystrokes on this. they are also nice folks in kenosha. tg3 is stil made there afaik. again, ymmv on this. don't blame me if you pay a premium for one of these and it goes kaput. since my first one was bad out of the box. i probably would forgo one of the new chinese ones. perhaps better options there. you still can get this if you want but it is over 200 bucks usd new. to me it is a direct competitor with topre if you like the switches so hence the cost. if a used one was cheap i would just go that route if you wanted it. not sure if for once i had good luck or this is just what they were. watch now it will break lol.

News:

Author Topic: Deck Legend Frost Clear (Read 10141 times)