Got my Deck Legend Frost (tactile) last week...

[cathode]

... And I like a lot of things about it, but as this is my first mechanical keyboard, I don't really have much to compare it to.

However, It seems like the quality of the keyboard is way below the $185 pricetag it has. I have at least 10 keys that have *strong* backlight bleed (seems to be a common issue with Deck keyboards), and at least another 15-20 keys with moderate or minor bleed. I also don't really like the feel of the keys, I assumed the keys would look / feel the same as the double-shot keycaps on 'oldschool' keyboards. Additionally, the lighting is highly uneven on some of the keys, for example 'backspace' and the other keys with word legends on them. I also have noticed that this particular unit has an extremely bad problem with 'ping' or 'ringing', nearly every key pings/rings even with a light touch.

If I were to return this for a refund, what would be a suitable replacement? I'd really like something with backlighting, and a built-in wrist rest would also be appreciated. Additionally, my available time to play games has recently dropped to nearly zilch, so 95% of the time I will be typing/coding. I'm not 100% sold on Cherry MX Blue switches as I don't feel like i'd enjoy the clicky sound.

In summary:
1. Backlighting (i just like it)
2. Ergonomics (not like a Kinesis, but comfortable)
3. 95% for typing / coding.
4. Asthetics
5. Durable (no decal key legends!)

[reaper]

Backlit you say, head over to iMav's pre-order thread and get yourself a spot for a Vortex Race w/ brown switches (tactile, non-clicky).  As for wristrest, contact Eric Barney for a quote.  I'm pretty sure you won't be disappointed.

Btw, if I haven't said it before..  welcome to Geekhack! =P

[cathode]

Thanks. I did some more poking around and it seems like nobody really makes what I want. Or else, I'm too picky, which is a possibility.

I read some reviews of a few other backlit mechanical keyboards and saw that it seems to be common to use clear plastic or translucent ABS, with a black paint or coating over it, and then laser-etched the paint away to make the key legend. This is what my old Saitek Cyborg keyboard had, and every key where my fingernails would make contact with the key (e.g. shift keys, spacebar, C, V, N, M, and a few other keys) had almost all the paint/coating scraped off over time.

As far as a wrist rest goes, I was hoping for something along the lines of the Steelseries 7G, a 1-piece affair, not a detachable rest. I think i might just end up making my own replacement housing/casing with the integrated wrist rest I want.

[Deverica Wolf]

Hmmmmm, I love the feel of the Deck's key-caps for gaming and typing. They're better than Filcos IMO. The problem for me is the flat profile. Boo.....

Maybe a Ducky Shine in Clears? I am not sure what is even going on with that, though.