Author Topic: Going to Taiwan next month, any suggestions on where to go to try out some switches? (Read 3344 times)

winterfellj · « **on:** Fri, 23 December 2011, 14:05:17 »

Anyone here been or is from Taiwan?
I need to find where I can go to try out of mech keyboards.
I know that KBC, Ducky, and possibly Noppoo are all Chinese based companies that could and should have shops in Taiwan. Where I can buy and try some different switches. I'm also wondering if there are any shops there that might also demo Topre switches. I know the language well enough to get around, but the only time I've been in Taiwan was while I was a kid so I don't the area at all. I will also write out full reviews of my findings.

pitashen · « **Reply #1 on:** Fri, 23 December 2011, 14:25:23 »

You could try Armygroup's retail store in Taipei. They would let you try out different keyboards. Interestingly they don't offer Ducky boards.

KBC and Noppoo are China based, and I doubt the availability of those brands in Taiwan. Some retailers might import some of those brands but they are by no mean officially on sale in Taiwan as far as I am aware of.

Generally, Guang Hua Shang Chang (光華商場） is probably where you want to hang around finding mech boards.

Some of the recommended store in that area would be:

金鍵盤
格雷力按
改裝軍團 (Armygroup)

pitashen · « **Reply #2 on:** Fri, 23 December 2011, 14:32:11 »

Quote from: ripster;476839

See the WW Shopping Wiki.

I added a shop and pic.

rip, those are online shopping guides... especially the ones for Taiwan..

winterfellj · « **Reply #3 on:** Fri, 23 December 2011, 16:24:58 »

thanks for the info pitashen. i will definitely check those places out.

are the places you mentioned like the army group near Guang Hua Shang Chang (光華商場）?
I went to that place when I was very young to get video games, but I don't recall if that's the same place for computer parts? I wasn't very interested in computers back then.

laffindude · « **Reply #4 on:** Fri, 23 December 2011, 16:42:11 »

http://www.urmap.com/map?qs=%E5%85%89%E8%8F%AF%E5%95%86%E5%A0%B4(%E5%85%89%E8%8F%AF%E6%95%B8%E4%BD%8D%E6%96%B0%E5%A4%A9%E5%9C%B0)

http://kbk.tw/
http://www.armygroup.com.tw
Both of these stores are <3 min walk from that new main shopping building.

pitashen · « **Reply #5 on:** Fri, 23 December 2011, 21:10:21 »

Quote from: winterfellj;476878

thanks for the info pitashen. i will definitely check those places out.

are the places you mentioned like the army group near Guang Hua Shang Chang (光華商場）?
I went to that place when I was very young to get video games, but I don't recall if that's the same place for computer parts? I wasn't very interested in computers back then.

Ya, armygroup is in there.

It was famous for its video games AND PC parts AND all kinds of pirated stuff. I went there once when I was little and bought a CD supposedly full off pirated games/apps. Went back home, popped the CD in and found out it was a blank. lol. The whole Plaza is now relocated to a new location. The old district was teared down a few years ago.

falerus · « **Reply #6 on:** Sat, 24 December 2011, 10:01:06 »

oh wow i didn't realize i was so close (only 2 MRT stops away...). does anyone know if you can haggle there? i've read that you can haggle in hong kong at small businesses; not sure about taiwan.

laffindude · « **Reply #7 on:** Sat, 24 December 2011, 12:29:58 »

Only a little bit. The competition is pretty fierce. But yes, if you paid sticker, you paid too much. You can save a few pennies if you cross shop. I don't waste my time chasing after the last dollar of discount.

laffindude · « **Reply #8 on:** Sat, 24 December 2011, 13:06:15 »

Gold keyboard/Keyboard King carry Filcos, Topre, Cherry, and various other stuff. They don't do internet sale though. Strictly over the counter. They also do keyboard repair and have parts.

falerus · « **Reply #9 on:** Sun, 25 December 2011, 01:47:54 »

Keyboard King was closed (either due to xmas or it being a Sunday). Armygroup had Topre, MX Blue/Black/Red/Brown on display. Worth checking out imo.

They are not hard to find if you enter the chinese names in Google Maps. Armygroup was a little harder - it is on the second floor of a building and I didn't see any signs for them on the outside of the building. The directory on the first floor of the building does have them listed though.

As mentioned above, they are very close to the electronics mall and the MTR station.

laffindude · « **Reply #10 on:** Sun, 25 December 2011, 06:24:52 »

There is another electronics mall thing across from Taipei main station south exit. (Nova)
I recommend Ximending for walking around. There are audio and camera shops in the back streets.

kaiserreich · « **Reply #11 on:** Tue, 27 December 2011, 10:19:39 »

Quote from: ripster;476935

Nope, the last one has a storefront.

(Attachment Link) 35823[/ATTACH]

I'll add these others as well but be specific what brands they carry please.

This shop has some 87U in boxes stacked near the display keyboards.
Display keyboards includes FILCO/Cherry/DAS/Ducky/CM storm.
Pretty helpful storekeeper, but I left after trying some ALPS Ducky.
Opposite/nearby this store is Ducky's office.

Armygroup is located near a very busy intersection, on the 2nd floor, opposite Guang Hua Digital Mall.
Not hard to locate, once you figure out how they look like from Google Maps. The first floor is a courier company, armygroup is on the 2nd floor.
The entrance is to the side of a building, where it is guarded.

Human · « **Reply #12 on:** Tue, 27 December 2011, 10:23:13 »

Hmm, hows the 87U priced in Taiwan?

kaiserreich · « **Reply #13 on:** Wed, 28 December 2011, 03:56:59 »

9000 NTD from inpad

Human · « **Reply #14 on:** Wed, 28 December 2011, 09:24:38 »

Quote from: kaiserreich;478853

9000 NTD from inpad

Thx.
And it isn't really much cheaper, LOL...

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Author Topic: Going to Taiwan next month, any suggestions on where to go to try out some switches? (Read 3344 times)