Ultimate quality keyboard 2012

[zer0n]

Right, got a little spare cash this month and in need of some new peripherials. Have been doing research for a while now and think I have decided on the features I want in a keyboard. As is always the way however, I can't seem to find any manufacturers that implements all these features. So any advice would be appreciated. Brief is (in order of importance):

Must be constructed of high quality materials:

• No ABS plastics, PBT or better ftw.
• Dye sublimated and laser etched or double-shot injected molding for keycap printing.
• Cherry MX (Clear-prefer)/Buckling Spring/White Alps or Topre switches.
• Minimum 6KRO.
• Illuminated, preferably each key individually.
• Don't care about macro buttons but cool.
• and finally Windows key lock would be awesome.

If you can think of something I have left out that would make this even more "ultimatey" then please let me know.

Current ideas:
Deck Legend http://www.deckkeyboards.com/product_info.php?products_id=96
no windows lock or macros (not a biggy) - resellers only, hard to acquire.
Corsair Vengeance http://www.corsair.com/vengeance-k90-performance-mmo-mechanical-gaming-keyboard.html
not full mech' (important part is) - keys probably ABS and simply dyed (info is scarce).

ty in advance :help:

[Djuzuh]

Are you sure you need illuminated? And can't window key lock be implementd thanks to software options ?

Keycaps are secondary, you can always buy another (prettier) set if you wear them out.

[Typhaeon]

I'd say a Realforce, but you said "a little" spare cash.

[zer0n]

Are you sure you need illuminated?

Oh aye - has to be illuminated as I'm in the dark as much as I can. ;]

window key lock...

Too true, handy but defo not a must.

Keycaps are secondary...

tbh I never considered that. Started browsing some more posts on here and did come across alot of peeps discussing replacing caps with metal equivalents and alike, so ye' this is defo and option. Although if the quality could be high from the off-set this would be great.

Do you have something in mind?

[zer0n]

I'd say a Realforce, but you said "a little" spare cash.

lol - googling ;]

FYI atm the desk and corsair are around £100

[darksakul]

FYI Both keyboards use ABS plastic the keycaps, And both keyboard keys are sub dye print. ABS plastic is much more common than you think.

Deck's keycaps look like double shots as each key maked from 2 different colors of plastic, but they are a outter black part and a inner white part.
Then the White area gets dyed in such a fashion that all the negative space (space that is not the legends/characters) are dye, leaving the undyed parts the characters/image and which let light though.

Minimum 6KRO.
Why not go for a keyboard that has or supports PS/2 connections (older style round serial connector) and many PS/2 connectors support NKRO, which are all the keys can be still registered while pressed.

[zer0n]

lol - googling ;]

FYI atm the desk and corsair are around £100

Ye' they very look nice. Ticks all boxes except for being illuminated :pout:

[zer0n]

Hey dark,

Deck defo use PBT, part of their main selling point:

31. What kind of plastic are Deck products made from?
Keycaps and housings are made from a polycarbonate plastic (PBT) with the exception of the spacebars which are made from ABS plastic.

Aye everyone uses ABS, which sucks. I make them shiny in a week and after a month your missing half your letters and numbers. Shocking peeps pay £100+ to likes of Razer who use the cheapest of the cheap.
This is why I'm here. Options seem a little low if you actually want quality. Looks like you have to go for simplicity to get quality. No macros, no lighting, no cool designs etc.

PS/2 vs USB
Considering that too. PS/2 ftw in terms of NKRO but at the kind of prices I'm looking at I'm only going to be able to afford one and hot swapping aint so hot on PS/2. TBF though thinking about it now I would probably look at getting PS/2 and using a KVM.

[laffindude]

Corsair has rubber domes.

[zer0n]

Corsair has rubber domes.

Only Macro keys, F'keys and numpad are dome - rest are mech (the important ones)

[zer0n]

Clears are nice switches don't get me wrong; but they are not for everyone.  I think they are lusted after because they are hard to get.

Ye noticed that aswell. More the fact that I batter the hell out of my keys. The clear/white ones report as brown but stiffer - sounds perfect but I've never actually pressed one.

[mich]

Oh aye - has to be illuminated as I'm in the dark as much as I can. ;]

The non-illuminated ones are darker.

[zer0n]

The non-illuminated ones are darker.

Smart arse! XD

[laffindude]

Only Macro keys, F'keys and numpad are dome - rest are mech (the important ones)

I thought we're looking for ultimate keyboard.

[stingrae]

I thought we're looking for ultimate keyboard.

No we are looking for a Catherine wheel that connects to the computer lol!

Seriously what is the illumination for in 3 months you can easily learn to type in colemak without looking at the keyboard .

I can't help but think the ultimate keyboard ends up being a KBC Race(did I get the right one?) (illumination) or a Noppoo Choc mini (really nice keycaps). Also gosh cherry clear fad or did you experience them !?

[zer0n]

I thought we're looking for ultimate keyboard.

Indeed ;]

Looking for the ultimate kb within spec that is available on market. I'm sure there are are million threadnaughts discussing the "ultimate kb" with no requirments but I do have some, (which imo opinion contribute towards what would make "the ultimate kb"),  want backlights, mech keys and high quality materials. The Corsair (example btw) fulfills much of the criteria so having things like f keys none mech but having a metal body and leds and after looking again, a beautiful design - no grooves or holes collecting crumbs, nice - it is closer to spec than, for example a Leopold or the Maltron

Am yet to find a single kb that has all the features I want. :sad:

[stingrae]

Indeed ;]

Looking for the ultimate kb within spec that is available on market. I'm sure there are are million threadnaughts discussing the "ultimate kb" with no requirments but I do have some, (which imo opinion contribute towards what would make "the ultimate kb"),  want backlights, mech keys and high quality materials. The Corsair (example btw) fulfills much of the criteria so having things like f keys none mech but having a metal body and leds and after looking again, a beautiful design - no grooves or holes collecting crumbs, nice - it is closer to spec than, for example a Leopold or the Maltron

Am yet to find a single kb that has all the features I want. :sad:

It's funny because I am sure a lot of people here would put the corsair in the pile they'd kill with fire...heh but that's your loss I think leopold is a much better board than corsair quallity wise.

http://www.maxkeyboard.com/max-keyboard-nighthawk-x8-blue-backlit-mechanical-keyboard.html //never heard of it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61QoyZptDDs

[zer0n]

lol hey stingrae

No we are looking for a Catherine wheel that connects to the computer lol!

Seriously what is the illumination for in 3 months you can easily learn to type in colemak without looking at the keyboard .

I can't help but think the ultimate keyboard ends up being a KBC Race(did I get the right one?) (illumination) or a Noppoo Choc mini (really nice keycaps). Also gosh cherry clear fad or did you experience them !?

Got to light up. I can't count the amount of times I lean towards my keyboard at 3am and mash keys trying to find the right one for my purpose. Fair enough when it comes to gaming and typing lite up keys are useless, everything is done by touch, but pretty much every day I fumble in the dark for the right key. Having lights on a kb doesnt make it good and similiarly having light on it doesnt make it crap. If someone pimped a Maltron with led's it can only add to its awesomeness.

KBT Race - nice, not seen that one. Need to find some specs on it.
Noppoo Choc mini, reports as nice in white version but moving onto the black backlite version and they drop the keycap quality ;[ Will do a little more research on the backlite version, if I can find any ;p

tbh thats the first two small kb's I've seen that are even close to spec.

It's funny because I am sure a lot of people here would put the corsair in the pile they'd kill with fire...heh but that's your loss I think leopold is a much better board than corsair quallity wise.

Oh I'm sure they would (any particular reason?) but those people don't want the features I do and would probably throw it away as it has extra keys and lights up.

I did see that "Max" keyboard and found at least 3 identical others rebranded, was going to ask if anyone had any experience with any of them? The only thing I didnt like about them was they dont advertise what materials they use which makes me think is all cheap plastic.

[Djuzuh]

Filco against corsair is like mercedes against nissan 350 Z. Both are good. Depends on what you want.

Also, what keys can't you find in the dark? °°

[zer0n]

Filco against corsair is like mercedes against nissan 350 Z. Both are good. Depends on what you want.

Also, what keys can't you find in the dark? °°

Indeed.

err.. usually symbols, from "p" "l" "m" right and the occassional alpha numeric when its getting that late and my mind 90% coffee. :tea:

[zer0n]

Has no one here seen, own, have experience of the Deck boards?

[Djuzuh]

I find Decks really ugly. But they are good keyboards nonetheless.

[jellowiggler]

Only Macro keys, F'keys and numpad are dome - rest are mech (the important ones)

And the center block and ESC.  Nice board, too bad about the stupid. grrrr.

[zer0n]

I find Decks really ugly. But they are good keyboards nonetheless.

Ye' I agree whole heartdly Djuzuh with the style, or lack there of, one reason I'm looking for others, but you can't argue with their sales pitch. Like the idea that they support modding aswell.

Apart from the lack of macors (which some defo prefer) and them using ABS for the spacebar, they really do have the "best" (at least meeting all my requirments) of everything.

[zer0n]

And the center block and ESC.  Nice board, too bad about the stupid. grrrr.

Hey Jellow - aye this is very true. Was just readin' another review on the Corsair and the user did complain that it would have been better if the Escape and Delete keys were also mech.

[LaPoune]

I have both a deck and a corsair...I don't really like the corsair because of the non mech keys (and no these are not only the important ones, delete for exemple is also rubber dome which I hate with a passion)...It does look very good though appart from the macro cluster which for some reason is plastic. The keycaps are also bad, they seem to use transparent caps with a coating on it...no idea how long they will last (I'm really not sure about this it's only the impression that I get, they definitely feel cheap). I personally wouldn't buy that board again...too much obvious cost cutting in the wrong places.

To make the deck look better I bought the police version on ebay for cheap and harvested the keycaps (the deck ones look silly). Quality wise it's very nice. I'm talking about the tenkeyless here...

Edit: Just saw the posts above me about the delete key...

[zer0n]

To make the deck look better I bought the police version on ebay for cheap and harvested the keycaps (the deck ones look silly). Quality wise it's very nice. I'm talking about the tenkeyless here...

Hi LaPoune, hehe np.
Great someone with experience of both boards! Aye bummer to here about the Corsair as that is cheaper and the metal is appealing but I was defo leaning towards the deck.
lol had a look at the replacement keys you used and the board is more than the Deck! ;p apart from the font on the keys what were the keys actually like?

btw - the Corsair and Deck were the only examples I could find that are high quality plastic illumiated mechanical keys, do you know of anything else suitable?
KBT Race and Noppoo Choc mini have also been suggested but I'm unsure of the material quality yet, still researching.

"Max" keyboard also been brought up but this is a rebranded board that is no doubt shoddily built again still processing.

[agor]

If your looking for the "Ultimate Quality" keyboard, don't buy chinese.

Filco or Realforce

[zer0n]

Aye but they don't have led versions ;[

[agor]

Who needs them shiny lights anyway.

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[cmadrid]

Get a WASD keyboard when they get the PBT keycaps in, and buy a small LED strip you can mount near your keyboard to light it up when you need?

[urbanus]

Got to light up. I can't count the amount of times I lean towards my keyboard at 3am and mash keys trying to find the right one for my purpose.

Thinking laterally, what about one of those small USB LED lamps?  Positioned discreetly, it might even be a less intrusive alternative to a glowing keyboard.

Having lights on a kb doesnt make it good and similiarly having light on it doesnt make it crap.

I suppose, but it might prevent you from settling on a keyboard that was otherwise perfect.  Having mandatory criteria in one category may necessitate you making compromises in some other.

[zer0n]

hehe nice agor - I'm just not that epic ;p

Anyone seen the Zibal by Mionix http://www.mionix.net/page.php?al=zibal60

[Elrick]

Oh aye - has to be illuminated as I'm in the dark as much as I can. ;]

Okay, I suppose you still use a Monitor?

If so, then why do you need illuminated keyboard?  The light from the monitor is enough to illuminate my Filco with all white PBT's.  Hence no need for any illuminated keyboards which suck.

I always laugh when I hear from newbs wanting lighted keyboards because it means you don't have a monitor nearby.  Or you have one that's over 100 inches in size situated some 20 feet away from you.

[Djuzuh]

Illuminated keyboards are really nice and change a lot. And it's more confortable than with only your monitor. There is no need to call somebody a noob just because they are interested in some features that you obviously aren't.

[zer0n]

Aye I hear you urbanus and am willing to compromise a little its all a case of which is the easier compromise. It is however a shame that I still have to compromise considering the amount of manufacturers out there.

The corsair is a comprimise in mech keys for e.g. but after comments from owner here I've binned that option.
The deck compromises on general design, ugly and although I'm not after macro keys persay, it has none. It is also hard to get hold of expensive and going to cost me more eventually when I replace those dodgy key fonts.

Am surprised no-one is modding the popular mechanicals like filco etc with LED's.

[zer0n]

Okay, I suppose you still use a Monitor?

If so, then why do you need illuminated keyboard?  The light from the monitor is enough to illuminate my Filco with all white PBT's.  Hence no need for any illuminated keyboards which suck.

I always laugh when I hear from newbs wanting lighted keyboards because it means you don't have a monitor nearby.  Or you have one that's over 100 inches in size situated some 20 feet away from you.

Aye cheers Dj, odviously Elrick, its a choice of personal preference, however alot of things can contribute towards such decisions.

Yes I use a montior, 3 in fact. My main screen sits on a 1ft mechanical arm just over 1ft above my desk. This means the light from my main screen doesnt hit the board when its in typing position. In addition my monitors are intentionally not bright and I have personalised my desktop to be significantly darker.

In any case, I could be half blind and using a 7" screen, the reason is not important. If you know of a board that meets my criteria please share.

[alaricljs]

Am surprised no-one is modding the popular mechanicals like filco etc with LED's.

Modding LEDs into a board is rather problematic because you really can't just go drilling a ton of holes without screwing up the existing traces.  The other issue is finding backlightable keycaps at reasonable prices.  The only options I've seen have been those smoky-clear caps w/ white print.  Not your usual backlit style and not necessarily readable.

[zer0n]

Hey alaricljs, I thought as much and ye those smokey ones sound terrible.

[Elrick]

This means the light from my main screen doesnt hit the board when its in typing position. In addition my monitors are intentionally not bright and I have personalised my desktop to be significantly darker.

In any case, I could be half blind and using a 7" screen, the reason is not important. If you know of a board that meets my criteria please share.

I too have a very Dark Desktop, even Firefox is in it's Black-mode for me.  Yes I am also prone to night blindness so my screen (24in) is my sole lighted instrument in my room.  I have no other lights except the screen.  Hence the White PBT's really do stand out.  There is a fundamental truth out there that all current lighted keyboards are just painted black and only allow the non-painted parts to shine through.  I had a K90 and the paint did eventually wear away and the light just made certain keys brighter, very annoying.

Maybe only a Deck keyboard would suit as it's a double-shot lighted keyboard, but your choice again will be limited to Clears and Blacks only.

[kainu7]

I'd say you are going to have to compromise. I don't think you will be able to find the "ultimate keyboard" within your requirements.

[alaricljs]

Maybe only a Deck keyboard would suit as it's a double-shot lighted keyboard, but your choice again will be limited to Clears and Blacks only.

Deck is not doubleshot, it is a 2 part cap however.  The lit part is still a milky white plastic with paint on top.  The paint is thicker than other backlit keys.  Interestingly, SP makes them.

[Elrick]

Deck is not doubleshot, it is a 2 part cap however.  The lit part is still a milky white plastic with paint on top.  The paint is thicker than other backlit keys.  Interestingly, SP makes them.

Thanks for that.  So basically you can't get away from painted key-caps.  I personally hate painted keycaps, and I stupidly thought that the US made Deck was the one to go for.  Looks like there is simply nothing out there of high quality which is truly unfortunate for anyone chasing an illuminated keyboard.

[zer0n]

Aye it sounds like no one has yet made the keyboard I'm looking for yet.

Have been squinting at the screen considering what I'd need to buy to create these specs and the keys are defo the falling point. Just no-one making decent backlit keys. If they really are so much cheaper to make painted ones you should get 5x replacments to meet the lifecycles of the body and switches ;p

The 2 part cap you talk about alaricljs, can you elaborate please? and sry SP?

[alaricljs]

Signature Plastics, the people making all those doubleshot (DS) keys in the group buys.

The skirt of the key is black plastic and it is attached to the 2nd piece (top of key/legend and stem).  I think they are sonically welded, but I've never held one so cannot be sure.

[ekw808]

There is no such thing as a illuminated keyboard with PBT stock, they all use abs, the deck keyboard keys are double shot as in the white clear part is half the mold and a black mold is made on top of that to outline the letters. Get a ducky shining and buy some keycaps like everyone else. Illuminated keyboards restricts your options pretty heavily.

[Exort]

I'd say a Realforce, but you said "a little" spare cash.

Realforce have ABS spacebar.

[Typhaeon]

Realforce have ABS spacebar.

PBT everything else.  Who cares about the spacebar unless you're buying keycap sets for $110 from EK?