Just About Ready to Order my First Mechanical Keyboard

[rocknrob]

Hi All,

I'm new here but I've been reading different threads for about a week researching mechanical keyboards and I've learned a lot.

So I've narrowed it down to the following:

Ducky DK9008 S
WASD
Filco Majestouch-2
Das Keyboard III
Deck Legend

I'm partial to the Ducky and Deck because of the backlighting. I tend to work late into the night and at my age I don't see myself suddenly becoming a touch typist. Unfortunate as it is I can't type without looking at the keyboard. And I would be lying if I said I didn't like the look of a well backlit keyboard.

I'll most likely go with a Cherry Brown but still considering blue and most likely a full sized 104 key, though I am open to a tenkeyless if it looks good.

What I would like is factual opinions on the above keyboards. What I mean is, I want to hear from those who have actually used these keyboards. It's useless to say one is better than another if you haven't used both. I'd also like to know which of these keyboards has the best build quality. I know the switches are supposed to last 50 million strokes but that doesn't necessarily mean the rest of the keyboard will. I know I can change the key caps but which of the above keyboards has the best quality key cap out of the box?

Will keyboards with the same switches feel the same? In other words will a Das with Cherry brown switches feel the same as a Filco with Cherry brown switches?
is there a big difference in the clicky sound between Cherry browns and Cherry blues?

Which of the above keyboards is made by Costar?

I use a computer all day (and sometimes all night) so I guess typing is the primary purpose. I do however also like to game and mostly FPS games like Call of Duty 1 thru 4, Batman: Arkham City, Deus Ex, Mafia II, LA Noire and many many others.

I've had so many interruptions I lost my train of thought. I know I have other questions but I can't think of them now:mmph:

Thanks in advance for your input

[anselben]

Out of these I've only used the Das, but from what I can tell it seems that when you are picking out between the WASD board, the filco, and the Das it all comes down to you as to which one you like best. From what I've heard they seem to be on par as far as build quality goes. I use the blues, and while most people have said they don't like the tactile bump while gaming I personally don't mind it what so ever. I haven't really heard a lot about the Ducky or the Deck other people can comment on those. If you can deal without backlighting and still be perfectly happy, I'd say pick from the WASD, Filco, and Das and just see which one suits you the best.

[darksakul]

I had a Deck Legend, it one of the sturdiest, heaviest keyboards I ever had. The thing is quite tough and they are hard to break.  I can probability use the Deck Legend as a hammer to smash apart other keyboards how tough the construction is.
And Deck has a awesome warranty program that covers (some) failed mod attempts. I voided mine via trying to re-wire it.
Even when the warranty is expired or voided they will still repair the keyboard (for a price). I only broke a Deck Legend by doing some "minor' rewiring for a mod and blew out a integrated circuit somewhere, meaning you have to physically tamper with it to really break it. The keys are 2 part dye sub keys, outer part is black, inner part is white and transparent enough to let light though and the dye sub printing covers all the negative space of the key leaving behind a white legend.
The Deck Legend switches are plate mounted and uses industrial grade LEDs for lighting. Also all the keys are individually lit with its own LED, so if one light does fail the whole keyboard isn't effected.

How the switches are mounted will effect the keys feel and sound, as well as the thickness of the keycaps. A sturdier heavier base will dampen sound more. If noise is a problem for you, consider Cherry MX Black, There are reds but reds have a light switch like browns but none of the tactile feel.

I don't own but I have tried a Filco, Das and not WASD but a similar keyboard made by the same OEM manufacturer (same construction different branding). With the same switches they are about the same, although DAS with its gloss surface is a finger print magnet. I believe Costar makes Abs M1, Filco (expect for the wireless and keypads), WASD, Tt Meka G1, Zero and Das key boards
Deck is a subsidiary of TG3

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?30709-What-OEM-makes-WASD-keyboards/page2

[Squelos]

I believe all boards quoted here are quite solid.
Do you really need a full size board ? Ive done away with the numpad, which is actually quite useless for most things. I dont input all that many numbers, so having that extra space is really nice for us right handers. It allows you to bring your arms together.

Keyboards with the same switches dont necessarely feel the same. The build comes into account, and also does the keycap. It may sound weird, but from one keycap to another, it wont feel the same.
The stabilizers are also important to take into account.

The WASD and filco are made by costar. Not sure about the others.

Regarding keycaps, hum, well, I think the filco might ship with the best keys. But in any case, if you are looking for good keycaps, you will have to go for a set of PBT keycaps, double shots, or POM keys.
The wasd keys are pretty good, the coating on them makes them last long enough for ABS keycaps, but I find them a tad too slick. A more ruggy texture would be appreciated .

[rocknrob]

Out of these I've only used the Das, but from what I can tell it seems that when you are picking out between the WASD board, the filco, and the Das it all comes down to you as to which one you like best. From what I've heard they seem to be on par as far as build quality goes. I use the blues, and while most people have said they don't like the tactile bump while gaming I personally don't mind it what so ever. I haven't really heard a lot about the Ducky or the Deck other people can comment on those. If you can deal without backlighting and still be perfectly happy, I'd say pick from the WASD, Filco, and Das and just see which one suits you the best.

If I decide to go without the backlight I think I'm leaning towards Das. I'm not crazy about the glossy finish but it's the only keyboard that has a USB hub and that is very useful to me. Among other things I can plug in one of those small USB lamps to make up for no backlight.

I had a Deck Legend, it one of the sturdiest, heaviest keyboards I ever had. The thing is quite tough and they are hard to break.  I can probability use the Deck Legend as a hammer to smash apart other keyboards how tough the construction is.
And Deck has a awesome warranty program that covers (some) failed mod attempts. I voided mine via trying to re-wire it.
Even when the warranty is expired or voided they will still repair the keyboard (for a price). I only broke a Deck Legend by doing some "minor' rewiring for a mod and blew out a integrated circuit somewhere, meaning you have to physically tamper with it to really break it. The keys are 2 part dye sub keys, outer part is black, inner part is white and transparent enough to let light though and the dye sub printing covers all the negative space of the key leaving behind a white legend.
The Deck Legend switches are plate mounted and uses industrial grade LEDs for lighting. Also all the keys are individually lit with its own LED, so if one light does fail the whole keyboard isn't effected.

How the switches are mounted will effect the keys feel and sound, as well as the thickness of the keycaps. A sturdier heavier base will dampen sound more. If noise is a problem for you, consider Cherry MX Black, There are reds but reds have a light switch like browns but none of the tactile feel.

I don't own but I have tried a Filco, Das and not WASD but a similar keyboard made by the same OEM manufacturer (same construction different branding). With the same switches they are about the same, although DAS with its gloss surface is a finger print magnet. I believe Costar makes Abs M1, Filco (expect for the wireless and keypads), WASD, Tt Meka G1, Zero and Das key boards
Deck is a subsidiary of TG3

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?30709-What-OEM-makes-WASD-keyboards/page2

The Deck Legend sounds like a heck of a keyboard. I would love for someone who's used Ducky to chime in with their thoughts.

I believe all boards quoted here are quite solid.
Do you really need a full size board ? Ive done away with the numpad, which is actually quite useless for most things. I dont input all that many numbers, so having that extra space is really nice for us right handers. It allows you to bring your arms together.

Keyboards with the same switches dont necessarely feel the same. The build comes into account, and also does the keycap. It may sound weird, but from one keycap to another, it wont feel the same.
The stabilizers are also important to take into account.

The WASD and filco are made by costar. Not sure about the others.

Regarding keycaps, hum, well, I think the filco might ship with the best keys. But in any case, if you are looking for good keycaps, you will have to go for a set of PBT keycaps, double shots, or POM keys.
The wasd keys are pretty good, the coating on them makes them last long enough for ABS keycaps, but I find them a tad too slick. A more ruggy texture would be appreciated .

As I said above the USB ports put the Das at the head of the pack. It's too bad none of the others have them.

If I was to choose one of the backlit keyboards are there better quality caps I can buy considering the characters would have to be semi transparent?

Also can anyone recommend maybe one or two other backlit and non backlit keyboards still high in quality but with USB ports? Honestly I forgot about that feature when I made my list of finalists.

[ekw808]

I would go with ducky =), there are alot more options like LED colors the font on the Deck is not my personal favorite, and I do not like the keycap profiles for the deck legend, they are all flat I believe. If you do not need a full keyboard you can check out the race keyboard which also has backlighting from either the group buy or from Feng. USB ports are nice but lets be honest, sooner or later you are gonna buy a usb port which will suit all your needs, prolly a 3.0 one at that so while the usb ports on the keyboard are useful they will be neglected sooner or later especially if you plan on buying a new monitor with usb ports eventually as well. The 4 extra buttons are pretty useful on the ducky, I use the calculator alot and those other buttons are pretty convenient as well.

[NYC]

go with filco

[rocknrob]

Pulled the trigger on a Ducky White Backlit with Cherry Browns. Should get it by the end of the week. FWIW I'll create a post for my first mechanical keyboard experience.

[anselben]

Pulled the trigger on a Ducky White Backlit with Cherry Browns. Should get it by the end of the week. FWIW I'll create a post for my first mechanical keyboard experience.

I was going to say that maybe after you get the Das you wouldn't mind the glossy finish too much after all. If you still did then they have a 30 day return no questions asked. But congrats on your buy hope you like it!

[StaCT13]

Just want to chime in and welcome you to the wonderful world of Geekhack and mechanical keyboards! You'll thank us, but your wallet won't!

Anyways, I think your choice was quite respectable. The higher end Duckys are really solidly built, and Cherry browns are a great starter switch. I have done a blind and deaf test of both browns and blues, and they feel amazingly similar (I couldn't tell them apart). The really distinctive click of blues seems to trick your brain into thinking it's more tactile. Whatever you do, just stick with the switch for a week, and you'll learn to love its strengths. When I got my first mech (the browns I'm typing on right now), I was expecting more, and to be honest, was disappointed. Key feel is a very sensitive thing, and after about 3 days, I couldn't imagine going back to my cheap Dell rubber dome.

Two more quick things: don't let people scare you into thinking backlighting is evil. Keys are often more durable than people make out (you don't hear thousands of people ever come on and post "Hey! I've been using my keyboard for a year and it's still in perfect condition!"). Also, don't expect to come out of here without a lot of cash missing. I came in only to research a well built mechanical keyboard. Right now, I'm up to 3 boards and looking into buying a $300 one, along with several others.

I wish you luck.

[Crake]

Mionix seems nice. Has 2 year warranty I think.  USB passthrough ports, backligting. Costar made. http://www.mionix.net/page.php?al=zibal60. Has an optional wrist pad.  

Black switches (I kept reading blacks are heavy but I tried one and it seemed good too me - blue and brown seem weak to me.)

I saw one at Fry's. Only thing I did not like was the big cable but I guess with media controls and USB ports, it has to be big.

Is there a Fry's near you? Fry's sells them as well as Amazon and NewEgg.

[rocknrob]

I was going to say that maybe after you get the Das you wouldn't mind the glossy finish too much after all. If you still did then they have a 30 day return no questions asked. But congrats on your buy hope you like it!

Yeah it was a tough choice but I have a Logitech DiNovo Edge which is mostly black glossy and I was constantly cleaning it. That's something I didn't want to do on an every day keyboard. I still use it from the couch when watching videos as it's a great little Chiclet style keyboard but not for every day.

Just want to chime in and welcome you to the wonderful world of Geekhack and mechanical keyboards! You'll thank us, but your wallet won't!

Anyways, I think your choice was quite respectable. The higher end Duckys are really solidly built, and Cherry browns are a great starter switch. I have done a blind and deaf test of both browns and blues, and they feel amazingly similar (I couldn't tell them apart). The really distinctive click of blues seems to trick your brain into thinking it's more tactile. Whatever you do, just stick with the switch for a week, and you'll learn to love its strengths. When I got my first mech (the browns I'm typing on right now), I was expecting more, and to be honest, was disappointed. Key feel is a very sensitive thing, and after about 3 days, I couldn't imagine going back to my cheap Dell rubber dome.

Two more quick things: don't let people scare you into thinking backlighting is evil. Keys are often more durable than people make out (you don't hear thousands of people ever come on and post "Hey! I've been using my keyboard for a year and it's still in perfect condition!"). Also, don't expect to come out of here without a lot of cash missing. I came in only to research a well built mechanical keyboard. Right now, I'm up to 3 boards and looking into buying a $300 one, along with several others.

I wish you luck.

Thanks for the warm welcome:)

I don't scare easy, LOL!! Before I registered I spent a week maybe more reading a lot of different threads around here and it became very clear very fast that there's a group of users who consider anything more than CAPS lock LED to be beneath them and if you're too stupid to understand why you should not have the right to own a mechanical keyboard and should probably stop procreating immediately LOL:rolleyes:

I stopped having children about 22 years ago so I think I'm good in that regard :tongue1: The rest I'll just ignore :lalala:

Getting back to my choice, as I said above it was a tough choice. I kept going between a tenkeyless filco, Das and Ducky/Deck. The Decks were just a bit more than I wanted to spend but I can see one creeping onto my desktop in the future. The Deck 82 is just God awful ugly. I don't see how anyone can like that keyboard. Maybe the pictures do it an injustice and it might look better in person but I somehow doubt it.

I eliminated the Das for the reason above, glossy nuf said.

So it really came down to the filco tenkeyless in white vs the Ducky full with either yellow or white LED. In all the pictures and videos the Ducky looks gorgeous and a backlight was high on my want list. The filco in either black or white looks very nice but for that price I would like a few more features. I actually toyed with getting the CM Storm Rapid for about a day but I didn't want to get red switches for my first keyboard. It was either brown or blue. The Ducky pretty much hit everything on my want list except for a USB port but I can live without it. I also emailed MechanicalKeyboards.com with a few questions and one of the nuggets I managed to get was that they will be getting PBT backlit caps in the coming months ($40-$45 for 104 key set) which pretty much nailed it for me. To be honest, if Deck had Cherry Brown or Cherry Blue there's a good possibility I may have went with one of those. As it is they only have Black or Clear switches at the moment.

And if I'm going to be honest here, I already know that I will be buying a white filco in the not too distant future making you 100% correct about spending more than wanting to:thumb:

So now I'm just waiting for delivery of my new Ducky. I just know I'm going to love it. Oh and by the way, if the Cherry Blue was in stock in white, blue or yellow LED I'm 90% sure I would have went with that. But that's cool, from everything I read I think the Cherry Brown was the better choice for me.

[rocknrob]

Mionix seems nice. Has 2 year warranty I think.  USB passthrough ports, backligting. Costar made. http://www.mionix.net/page.php?al=zibal60. Has an optional wrist pad.  

Black switches (I kept reading blacks are heavy but I tried one and it seemed good too me - blue and brown seem weak to me.)

I saw one at Fry's. Only thing I did not like was the big cable but I guess with media controls and USB ports, it has to be big.

Is there a Fry's near you? Fry's sells them as well as Amazon and NewEgg.

I did actually look at this board and if it wasn't for the green backlight I would have given it some more consideration. It was also early on in my research and I happened to see a video review/comparison between the Mionix and Razer BlackWidow. Now keep in mind this was early in my research. The guy doing the review gave the BlackWidow much higher marks than the Mionix for build, feel of the keys, macros and one or two other things.

When I learned that the Razer wasn't all it was made out to be I figured the Mionix couldn't be very good if the Razer came out on top in a head to head comparison. I did take a second look at it but that green backlight really turned me off so I excluded it from my list pretty quickly.

[rocknrob]

Wiser words have never been spoken at Geekhack.

Welcome!

And good Lucky with Ducky!

 

What the hell is that supposed to mean?

[funxion]

Just ignore ripster...

A small amount of people have had bad experiences. From what everyone here has gathered, finding the right keyboard for YOU is trial and error because no one really knows what you want other than yourself. I happened to have found what I was looking for when I purchased my first board, the Filco Ninja MJ2 TKL with browns, and am very happy. Others have had different experiences. Just hang around, let us know how it goes, and if it's not for you, you can either return it (if there's a return policy) or sell it in the Classifieds sub-forum!

Looking forward to hearing how it goes!

[rocknrob]

Best handled by PM.  I'm still on 30 day probation.

I don't intend on PM'ing you. I just don't care for your snide remark. I don't care for your passive aggressive remarks that are a deliberate attempt to create doubt in my mind. I don't see why you would do that to a new member of the forum and especially a new member who just purchased his first mechanical keyboard. I think it's a really ****ty thing to do.

Luckily for me it doesn't matter what you think or say since I not only did my research but am confident in my decisions regarding purchases and in my abilities to instinctively know whom to avoid and ignore and whom to listen to and take advice from. You sir are the former.

Just ignore ripster...

A small amount of people have had bad experiences. From what everyone here has gathered, finding the right keyboard for YOU is trial and error because no one really knows what you want other than yourself. I happened to have found what I was looking for when I purchased my first board, the Filco Ninja MJ2 TKL with browns, and am very happy. Others have had different experiences. Just hang around, let us know how it goes, and if it's not for you, you can either return it (if there's a return policy) or sell it in the Classifieds sub-forum!

Looking forward to hearing how it goes!

Thanks and it's like anything else you buy. Some purchases are going to be great experiences and others, not so much. It goes with the territory. Anyone buying anything tech related should be prepared for disappointment. Whether an iPhone or a cheap flash drive or a 60" TV. It is what it is.

And I'll definitely post my experience after I have it for few days.

Thanks for you support too!!

[Typhaeon]

Wow, could you possibly be any more oversensitive?

ripster meant that Duckys aren't of the best quality compared to your other choices.

[Nighted]

[rocknrob]

Wow, could you possibly be any more oversensitive?

ripster meant that Duckys aren't of the best quality compared to your other choices.

That may be true but it would have been a lot more constructive and helpful to just tell me straight out what to look for. To say "Good luck" and then almost as an afterthought "You'll need it", is not him trying to be helpful. I'm sorry you can't see that but it's true.

I'm no kid. I've been around and have experienced a lot and I'm a pretty damn good judge of character. His comment was off base.

[Nighted]

^ Ever judge yer own character?

[MyNameIsFinn]

Duckys have been known to have quality issues, ripster was pointing that out, a bit rudely, however its no reason to get mad at him.


Sent from my iPhone using an iPhone

[rocknrob]

Absolutely. I know my faults. I take stock in myself, my actions and my decisions all the time.

Look, I'm new here so you don't know me but I speak my mind. If you read my OP then you know I spent some time reading different threads around here. I've seen plenty of ripster's threads to get a pretty good handle on the guy.

[MyNameIsFinn]

Absolutely. I know my faults. I take stock in myself, my actions and my decisions all the time.

Look, I'm new here so you don't know me but I speak my mind. If you read my OP then you know I spent some time reading different threads around here. I've seen plenty of ripster's threads to get a pretty good handle on the guy.

If you know him than you know not to indulge him by answering, just ignore everything he says


Sent from my iPhone using an iPhone

[Nighted]

I've seen plenty of ripster's threads to get a pretty good handle on the guy.

lol, ok. Just try not to be so serious! Have a good day!

[rocknrob]

If you know him than you know not to indulge him by answering, just ignore everything he says


Sent from my iPhone using an iPhone

Agreed, that was my first and last response to him.

[rocknrob]

Now THAT...is funny!!! :pound:

[rocknrob]

So I received my Ducky Shining keyboard today and here are some early thoughts. I'll do a more thorough review in a separate thread.

First thing I did was check every single key on the keyboard to make sure it was working and not defective in any way, as far as keys were concerned anyway. I'm happy report the keyboard works perfectly.
All lighting effects work as advertised. All extra function keys also work as intended. The lighting has a number of settings which I'll get into in the full review.

My overall first impression in all honesty is meh. There's nothing wrong with the keyboard per se, I just expected a bit more quality feel for the price. It’s heavy enough for sure but the feel of the ABS keys is cheap. To be honest I kind of expected this. I knew ABS keys probably weren’t what I would ultimately want.

I'm contemplating ordering a filco from Amazon so I could have them side by side. Does anyone know what kind of keys the filco Majestouch 2 comes with (What material)?

[MyNameIsFinn]

It comes with just the filco, also duckys quality is known to be meh, you were warned

[rocknrob]

It comes with just the filco, also duckys quality is known to be meh, you were warned

Show me one reply where I was warned PRIOR to me ordering it?

It's not a bad keyboard overall and as I said above I expected the keys to be what they are.

And what do you mean "comes with just the filco"?

[MyNameIsFinn]

Show me one reply where I was warned PRIOR to me ordering it?

It's not a bad keyboard overall and as I said above I expected the keys to be what they are.

And what do you mean "comes with just the filco"?

It comes with what is pictures

[rocknrob]

It comes with what is pictures

I still don't understand what you're talking about? What pictures?

[smknjoe]

I'm new around these parts as well and got a Ducky 1087 (Browns) a while back. They are $79 from tigerimports before shipping. I agree the quality isn't great, but I have had no problems with it either. I quickly got a Leopold TKL Otaku (Blues) after that and it's been great. It exudes quality and the blues feel very good. It's comes with PBT keycaps and the boards are about $110.00.

If I'm not mistaken the Filcos CURRENTLY ship with ABS keys, but someone posted there is supposed to be a new Filco coming out with PBT keys. The reason i was looking at KBco instead of Amazon was because I wanted a TKL with black switches.

Edit: I don't know what Finn is talking about either.

[rocknrob]

I'm new around these parts as well and got a Ducky 1087 (Browns) a while back. They are $79 from tigerimports before shipping. I agree the quality isn't great, but I have had no problems with it either. I quickly got a Leopold TKL Otaku (Blues) after that and it's been great. It exudes quality and the blues feel very good. It's comes with PBT keycaps and the boards are about $110.00.

If I'm not mistaken the Filcos CURRENTLY ship with ABS keys, but someone posted there is supposed to be a new Filco coming out with PBT keys. The reason i was looking at KBco instead of Amazon was because I wanted a TKL with black switches.

Amazon only has them in white right now. But are you sure they come with ABS?
And as far as the overall feel I'm actually getting used to it and it's starting to feel a lot better. I was using my MacBook Pro mostly and that keyboard feels really solid compared to a lot of other stuff I've typed on.

I think I could probably hold out until the PBT keys come out for the Ducky. I'm still contemplating getting the filco from Amazon as I don't mind white at all.

[rocknrob]

Actually they do have a black one but only black switch.

[smknjoe]

Thanks, I don't know how I missed that. I'm not positive about the filco keys, but I'm pretty sure. Definitely get a second opinion.

I agree the Ducky isn't bad, but compared to the Leopold there is quite a difference. It's mostly aesthetic from what I can tell. The leo is more refined looking, weighs more, and the keys feel better.

[smknjoe]

But are you sure they come with ABS?

This guy seems to be reputable http://www.keyboardlover.com/popularkeyboards.php

[rocknrob]

This guy seems to be reputable http://www.keyboardlover.com/popularkeyboards.php

Thank you I've seen that but that page hasn't been updated and I'm pretty sure that's the older version not the Majestouch 2. You might be right but I just want to be sure before I order anything else. If I order anything else. I'm actually starting to really dig this Ducky

[rocknrob]

I just verified that you are indeed correct on this page the keys are ABS

[rocknrob]

Ignore that.

The new LEOPOLDs are what will come with lasered PBT keys.

Here:
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?25167-No-Shift-Sherlock-New-Leopolds-Thick-PBT-Keys-Sherlock-Observations&p=588647&viewfull=1#post588647

Thanks when are these supposed to become available? And do you know if Das keyboards are ABS or PBT? Any others?

[Lu_e]

Das are thought to be a mix of plasty if I remember right