CMStorm QFR and Ducky 1087XM

[shogrran]

As some of you might now from a previous thread I opened I am looking for a rather cheapo keyboard to use at work.

I already own a CMStorm Quickfire Rapid - Browns which I really like and satisfied with as my main keyboard.

News...

They did a price drop on the CMStrom QFR - Blues here, its being offered for just exactly 70USD. Less seven dollars from its original price. They also just recently offered the Ducky 1087XM at 52USD.

I know there is a lot of you that hate duckies for their quality and stuff (i don't really hate it but I just don't like it) But remember guys, I am just looking for a 2nd keboard for work. Something that doesn't necessarily be top notch quality. I guess I can sacrifice a little on the quality part. The difference between the two is a huge 18USD. (huge for me as I am dirt poor compared to some of you guys). 18USD here can buy me about three full meals in a decent fastfood restaurant. I also not up to buying the same brand and model again even if it is a different switch. Its like getting two shoes of the same brand and look just because the other pair has a different sole -- my analogy. I guess I would very much like to try the alps and to get an overall different keyboard when it comes to looks.

What I would also like is a totall noisy clackity-clack keyboard. It just fits my personality. I know how the blues sound as I have had a Razer BW before plus I have also tried the CMStorm QFR in a store, but compared to the green alps, which is noisier? I would very much like to irritate my officemates.

Anyway, I'll try them both when I go to the store. I'll weigh my options carefully.

[Magna224]

The ALPS are more rackity, I like it that way too. My Ducky XM is on loan to a friend right now and I'm using my CMstorm as my main keyboard.

[Magna224]

The white linear ones?

[shogrran]

Went to the store earlier today.

This is just my opinion. Ducky sucks.

It was a no contest really even for a 70USD to 52USD price difference. The spacebar in the ducky is so wobbly even rubber dome keyboards have a right to laugh at its construction. The alps switches are ok. But those are alps' concern. I don't know what ducky makers were thinking when they made this keyboard actually but its really a piss poor job in my opinion. The plastic of the chassis felt cheap thin and uneven. Cable included isn't braided. The space-bar was the worst space-bar I have ever felt even in all my years of experience with cheap 10USD rubber domes.

I really would have wanted to buy an alps switch keyboard. The sound is "clakier" than blues in my opinion and gives you that satisfying feeling like popping bubble wrap.

I ended up just buying a headset. I already have a qfr... i didn't like to buy another one even for a different switch. Better luck next time for a better green alps board.

It was worthwhile trying out the ducky keyboard though, it made me appreciate that I got the qfr in the first place. All of a sudden I appreciate my qfr even more.

[zirb]

[...] I would very much like to irritate my officemates.

[...]

What about an IBM Model M?

When you get a good deal on eBay you might even get it under 50 bucks.
All problems solved: quality, moneyz and clickyclack-ness!

[shogrran]

What about an IBM Model M?

When you get a good deal on eBay you might even get it under 50 bucks.
All problems solved: quality, moneyz and clickyclack-ness!

Shipping is a problem.

Right now the best option is to get another qfr but with blue switches. But that is too boring.

[zirb]

Shipping is a problem.

Right now the best option is to get another qfr but with blue switches. But that is too boring.

Why's that a problem?
-> Ordering a Filco Tenkeyless is also a problem then?

Your signature says you have an BWU, why don't you use that at work as long as you keep searching?
Also your signature tells me that you have your CM Quickfire with Browns or is that just a mistake? (you said in OP, that you have one with Blues)

[shogrran]

Why's that a problem?
-> Ordering a Filco Tenkeyless is also a problem then?

Your signature says you have an BWU, why don't you use that at work as long as you keep searching?
Also your signature tells me that you have your CM Quickfire with Browns or is that just a mistake? (you said in OP, that you have one with Blues)

I wouldn't get a filco for a secondary keyboard. That would be too expensive.

Ordering anything internationally is a problem for me. I do not want anything to do with my country's customs department. (plus I am a cheapskate who doesn't want to pay for shipping anyway)

Not sure where i said I have one with blues. I have the qfr with browns and I am happy with it. Its just that I don't want to get a second keyboard of the same brand and same looks.

[zirb]

I guess your options are really limited then

A lot of people here have the same keyboard twice... or more often. When you get the CM Quickfire with Blues it wouldn't really be the same keyboard though. Just think about it, you said yourself that Ducky isn't want you want! By the looks, the Quickfire is your only option then.

You said it in OP - line2.

[shogrran]

I guess your options are really limited then

A lot of people here have the same keyboard twice... or more often. When you get the CM Quickfire with Blues it wouldn't really be the same keyboard though. Just think about it, you said yourself that Ducky isn't want you want! By the looks, the Quickfire is your only option then.

You said it in OP - line2.

oh sorry my mistake. Its brown. Edited Thanks!

Its brown.

If I ever buy another qfr I'd probably go for the mx red. coz it looks different.

[lightsout714]

Went to the store earlier today.

This is just my opinion. Ducky sucks.

It was a no contest really even for a 70USD to 52USD price difference. The spacebar in the ducky is so wobbly even rubber dome keyboards have a right to laugh at its construction. The alps switches are ok. But those are alps' concern. I don't know what ducky makers were thinking when they made this keyboard actually but its really a piss poor job in my opinion. The plastic of the chassis felt cheap thin and uneven. Cable included isn't braided. The space-bar was the worst space-bar I have ever felt even in all my years of experience with cheap 10USD rubber domes.

I really would have wanted to buy an alps switch keyboard. The sound is "clakier" than blues in my opinion and gives you that satisfying feeling like popping bubble wrap.

I ended up just buying a headset. I already have a qfr... i didn't like to buy another one even for a different switch. Better luck next time for a better green alps board.

It was worthwhile trying out the ducky keyboard though, it made me appreciate that I got the qfr in the first place. All of a sudden I appreciate my qfr even more.

I'm pretty sure that is the budget model for ducky. Not really sticking up for them but supposedly that board is worse then the others (which I hear aren't all that good either but never owned one.)

[Ahlitah]

I really like the Ducky 1087XM! nice and loud and clacky!

The Build quality is not very good though, which makes its even more creeky. And the white ALPS in the caps lock and num luck feel AWFUL and out of place.

[FoxWolf1]

I have a Ducky 1008XM (full-size equivalent of the 1087XM). When I first got it, I was a little bit troubled by my initial impression of its quality, but as I've gotten used to it, I've really come to like it. The green ALPS are very nice; sometimes, I press keys for no reason other than to make them click. I'd be reluctant to trade it in for something quieter and/or less tactile.

[FoxWolf1]

I have one nickel. It's Australian, which is kind of odd, since I've never been to Australia. I may have to try buying something with cash one of these days...

[Ahlitah]

Even with the quality lacking on the Ducky. I still really like the Green ALPS! Best noisy board I have to annoy everyone around you!

What no on has done the Ripometer on the Ducky's Green ALPS yet?

If not guess I could see if I could find some CDN nickels and do some testing on the regular Green ALPs key and on the white ALPS on the modifier key.

[sordna]

Do you have a good digital scale? If so, just put the keyboard centrally on the scale, zero it, and test the forces for both activation and bottom out (by pushing whatever key falls over the center of the scale). Oh, and set it to grams please :-)

[Ahlitah]

I have a digital scale I use for ebay.

would that work?

this is the model

http://www.amazon.com/Ultraship-Electronic-Digital-Shipping-Kitchen/dp/B000JQTVLY

[sordna]

Hmm, it says 0.1 ounce resolution, so about 3 grams resolution. Wow it's high capacity at 75lb. Why don't you try it? I use a smaller 5KG scale with 1 gram resolution. Either way it should be more accurate and easier than stacking coins! Just push the key very slowly and watch the reading to capture the activation point. On a tactile switch the highest reading right before actuation is the number we want!

[Ahlitah]

Hmm..

okay I did some testing, but I doubt its very accurate.

I am getting between 35 - 45g on activation force. It avgs out to 45g, on most trys. It bottoms out on about 55g.

I couldn't find any nickels around either, If I find some I might update my results later.

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[sordna]

Ok, 45 must be it. I've seen people report these are lighter than blues, while other people reported they are heavier! If 45grams of pressure make these switches click, then they are lighter than blues.

[Ahlitah]

Well, I was using this keyboard before I got my QF with Blues. And the Blues felt alot heavier when I first tried them out.

[sordna]

I like watching the Nickels drop better.

You'll feel like Sir Isaac Newton instead of Bill Gates.

Plus it's a LOT more accurate.

Not at all, unless you have a crappy scale. If a switch needs 46g for actuation, you will need 50g worth of nickels, and your results will be off by 4g. In contrast if you have a scale with 1g accuracy, there is less margin for error, plus you can always validate your scale with some 10g and 50g reference weights (or even nickels as reference weights).

[shogrran]

I have a Ducky 1008XM (full-size equivalent of the 1087XM). When I first got it, I was a little bit troubled by my initial impression of its quality, but as I've gotten used to it, I've really come to like it. The green ALPS are very nice; sometimes, I press keys for no reason other than to make them click. I'd be reluctant to trade it in for something quieter and/or less tactile.

I don't really have a problem with the alps switches. I like them. They sound nice. I think I like their sound as I like mx blue sound. Its like a squishy squishy sound and as I mention, gives you the same satisfaction as popping through bubble wrap.

But then again, its not the alps that were a problem. The board construction is just horrible horrible! Didn't look so good just looking at the board - really looked like cheap plastic. Like the plastic found in cheap dollar-store toys.

I agree though that the qfr blues felt heavier than the green alps. But I'm thinking its just caused by the over all 'solidity' in construction of the qfr over the 1087. I dunno if its some other value oriented 1087xm. It might be ... but even so, I also tried ducky 1008 and they weren't any good either.