Yet Another Xarmor Bites The Dust

[Xibal]

So batches with low 100's as their serial number are failing much faster then the other batches

[The Solutor]

So batches with low 100's as their serial number are failing much faster then the other batches

 
A dimmer led has nothing to do with the batch number, unless they changed provider of the component in the meantime.

BTW is obviously more easy to find a failed led from 106 of them, which are always on, than in a poorer keyboard like a filco where the leds are just 2 or 3 and are mostly off.

[Xibal]

Probably abit more clarification is needed for this thread like is it the last 3 digits of the serial number or the first 3. Otherwise sounds like another one of those "objective" threads.

[The Solutor]

I presume the last three (mine is 171).

I suoppose that nothing is changed on the LED side, they are not overpowered by design, given that ther are 106 leds and that they ahve to stay on the 500mA limit they are powerd @ less than 5mA for each led (which is 1/4 of what an average blue led can manage) so the only variable is the led maker, Is pretty obvious that a 0.50$ LED is unthinkable on a backlit keyboard, so is impossible to have military quality LEDs for that application. Unless iOne want to sell keyboards with topre's prices.

[Xibal]

Mine is 146, I purposely delayed getting it when it first came out cause of those risks

[The Solutor]

Are these guys getting warranty or customer service, or are these boards being binned?  I could use a board's worth of blue springs.

 
Are all the filcos with the weared legends binned ? If yes, must be a big environmental treat...

[Xibal]

haha, these threads crack me up

[noodles256]

wats an xarmor

[The Solutor]

i would think not, the filco's are likely all sporting doubleshot or PBT keys by now.

 

At least the ninja solved the problem, no legends = no wearing.

Xarmor must  follow this way, and build the first lightless retroilluminated keyboard, no LEDs=no risk of failed LEDs.

[The Solutor]

The orange text means it's a link.

 
The orange means  four bundled wasd keys...:becky:

[The Solutor]

wats an xarmor

 
It's something that when is broken becomes a filco...

[woody]

At least the ninja solved the problem, no legends = no wearing.

Don't think so - the clear-coat if present, will wear equally.

[The Solutor]

Don't think so - the clear-coat if present, will wear equally.

 
I mean they solved the deleted legends problem.

Wearing is obviously still there...

[BucklingSpring]

For a keyboard with serial numbers in the low 100's there sure are a LOT of these at OCN.

Maybe I missed it but I didn't see serial numbers in your reference.

Can you tell me what I'm suppose to look at?

Here's my Beaver shot for you ;-)

[The Solutor]

Maybe I missed it but I didn't see serial numbers in your reference.

Can you tell me what I'm suppose to look at?

Here's my Beaver shot for you ;-)

Show Image

Last three digit, as I supposed, yours is 13th.

[BucklingSpring]

Last three digit, as I supposed, yours is 13th.

Hum... Not sure we can only consider the last three digit.
I was told the the U9BL came first with a dot on the spacebar, then a second batch came out with a line.
I was also told to avoid the first batch (Dotted) at all cost. I'm pretty sure the two batches can also be differenciated by the SN.

Maybe it's the first 3 digits  ;-)

Any how... Still no issues with mine. But it's only couple months old.

[woody]

IMHO, Filco keycaps are great for pad printed ones, perhaps the best I've seen so far. The offenders are:
 - people with acidic or similar abusive sweat
 - people with calluses
 - people with hard fingernails whose fingernail gets in contact with the keycap surface
And those who apply too much force during (rage) play. These groups are wearing off the clear-coat faster, and perhaps the pad-printed legend, but that's rare I think. Given how the same types of people wear off dyesubbed or doubleshot keycaps, there is nothing to complain about.

On the other hand, I have worn the decals off the expensive diNovo Edge, and my Filco stays like new. The clear-coat gives a nice unique feel, too.

[The Solutor]

Hum... Not sure we can only consider the last three digit.
I was told the the U9BL came first with a dot on the spacebar, then a second batch came out with a line.
I was also told to avoid the first batch (Dotted) at all cost. I'm pretty sure the two batches can also be differenciated by the SN.

Maybe it's the first 3 digits  ;-)

Any how... Still no issues with mine. But it's only couple months old.

 

Other digits are identical to mine

[BucklingSpring]

so, basically, fewer features, fewer failures?  sounds like a sound business principal

Unfortunately, simple and reliable doesn't win business cases. Feature rich and prone to failure do (As long as it's not a health hazard)

In the Electronic world, the fewer moving parts the better.

[The Solutor]

IMHO, Filco keycaps are great for pad printed ones, perhaps the best I've seen so far. The offenders are:
 - people with acidic or similar abusive sweat
 - people with calluses
 - people with hard fingernails whose fingernail gets in contact with the keycap surface
And those who apply too much force during (rage) play. These groups are wearing off the clear-coat faster, and perhaps the pad-printed legend, but that's rare I think. Given how the same types of people wear off dyesubbed or doubleshot keycaps, there is nothing to complain about.

On the other hand, I have worn the decals off the expensive diNovo Edge, and my Filco stays like new. The clear-coat gives a nice unique feel, too.

 

Woody, seriously.

I couldn't care less if a 160$ keyboard lose its legends in three months.

I cited it just to aid some people a bit in short of memory.

[BucklingSpring]

Other digits are identical to mine

And do you have a dot or a line on your spacebar?

[The Solutor]

so, basically, fewer features, fewer failures?

http://www.overclock.net/13389100-post8.html

[The Solutor]

And do you have a dot or a line on your spacebar?

 
Line, I presume all brown keyboards are from the newer generation (i bought it by purpose).

[The Solutor]

I'm afraid I someone has an IT emergency, and he think that I'm the superhero of the day.

So I have to go.

Ripster get his life easier today...:wave:

[BucklingSpring]

I sent a PM to Phaedrus2129 asking for a higher resolution of his U9BL label. He got the dotted one.
The more I look at it the more I think it's the first 3 digit. :-)

We'll see.

[Phaedrus2129]

I sent a PM to Phaedrus2129 asking for a higher resolution of his U9BL label. He got the dotted one.
The more I look at it the more I think it's the first 3 digit. :-)

We'll see.

 
Mine was #99 of the first production batch. Ricercar has that one now.

[BucklingSpring]

Mine was #99 of the first production batch. Ricercar has that one now.

099 your first 3 digits?

[Phaedrus2129]

First three or last three, forget which.

[BucklingSpring]

First three or last three, forget which.

 LoL I demand your original full resolution picture :-)

[Phaedrus2129]

Found it!



Edit: Auto-resized...

Link:
http://www.deviantart.com/download/175212538/u9bl_12_by_Phaedrus2401.jpg


100500099

[BucklingSpring]

Found it!
100500099

100 5 00099 (5 MX Blue?)
110 1 00013 (1 MX Brown?)

It makes sens to read it that way:
Yours would be the 99th of that batch
And mine the 13th of that other batch

If any other U9BL owners in the room, please post your Serial Number :-)

[Xibal]

The Solutor and I already did in the first page but here is the full serial for mine

110 1 00146

[BucklingSpring]

The Solutor and I already did in the first page but here is the full serial for mine

110 1 00146

Yours would be U9BL-S with a line on the spacebar.
I wonder if "110 5 XXXX" exists ie a U9BL with blue switches and also with a line on the spacebar.

So far I think most XArmor with problems have the DOT on the spacebar.

As collectible goes and as opposed to most keyboards, I think a used and fully working XArmor will worth more than a XArmor NIB.

[The Solutor]

I'm starting to wonder if Xarmor serial numbers will ever break 500

You should join a so exclusive club

[Phaedrus2129]

Dug through my old conversations with the XArmor sales folks when I was doing the review, and then product testing. Found this:

Serial Number 10 (year made), 05 (project batch month). Last 5 digit is the unit number. you have the # 99 made. total 1000 units has been made on this batch.

[BucklingSpring]

Dug through my old conversations with the XArmor sales folks when I was doing the review, and then product testing. Found this:

In other words, you need both Model and SN to know what you are dealing with since the SN isn't enough. Ok.

I'd be curious to hear what ErgoGeek has to say about XArmor RMA rates.
Is it really any worst than other comparable products?

[The Solutor]

Is it really any worst than other comparable products?

 
Comparable products are just two atm.

BWU and Deck legend. None of them is sold by ergogeek

[BucklingSpring]

Comparable products are just two atm.

BWU and Deck legend. None of them is sold by ergogeek

I know Deck's had early issues. It was just an opportunity to prove their after sale service.
We can complain all we want for their weird footprint and ugly fonts. The Decks are rock solid and the keys don't wear.
 
Plus Decks has been there for a while.

BWU sucks and is relatively new. Razer service is horrible.

So between the 3 on the market, it seams that the XArmor has more in common with the BWU than the Deck.
The big question is... Do the horror stories we hear about the XARmor only applies to their early runs.

I hope the Zibal 60 will comes with Deck's quality or better.

[The Solutor]

I know Deck's had early issues. It was just an opportunity to prove their after sale service..

 
It's easier to provide a better aftersale service when you sell a similar product for a lot of more money.

Apple has a better customer service than most of the other PC/cellphone brands but their products are double priced.

I couldn't care less if HTC has a poorer service than Apple when I payed my Desire Z 399€ when an Iphone is sold at 700€.

Plus Decks has been there for a while.

This helps the new customers but not helps a lot the older ones.

Every product is used to improve over time.

I was sure that Xarmor was the best product of its category and I'll not change my mind until Zibal will be out.

And even in that moment I'll have to see the real cost and how it performs.

P.S. Other than that my specific U9 is unique a no other cherry board can match its mix of feature and typing pleasure (and was just the first mod, stay tuned...     )

[ricercar]

Found it!

Show Image

Edit: Auto-resized...

Link:
http://www.deviantart.com/download/175212538/u9bl_12_by_Phaedrus2401.jpg


100500099

 
hey! That's my underwear!

[Corland]

My replacement UBL-9S (brown) has a serial ending in 401. Since X-Armor decided to trash me here, I am keeping the board rather than trying to sell it, but using it on a secondary box and NEVER taking the keycaps off. It was nice of them to send me a whole new board, but I was out of a keyboard for more than a month (counting shipping both ways)

[BucklingSpring]

It's easier to provide a better aftersale service when you sell a similar product for a lot of more money.

What are you talking about?

Deck Legend retails at 169.00
XArmor U9BL-S retails at 199.00... For a iOne clone, this is not a bargain. I wonder why ErgoGeek is giving such a great discount on the XArmor. Maybe they are trying to get rid of them as fast as possible?

One thing I just noticed... After only two months of use, the XArmor's large keys are starting to wobble more than what they should. They have weak stabilizers and I expect them to fail before long if pressed off center (time will tell). I went back to both my Decks (MX Black and MX Clear) . After two years, the large keys on the Decks are not wobbly at all and there is no difference in feel if the keys are pressed off center or not.

XArmor certainly found creative ways to shave costs.
http://www.xarmor-usa.com/

[Xibal]

Haha you actually believe it was retailing for $199, it's a marketing trick, jack up the price put on a discount makes people think they are getting a saving cause that's how uninformed people buy. If they were actually retailing $199, Xarmor would of gone under faster than bin laden going under to Pakistan.

[The Solutor]

Haha you actually believe it was retailing for $199, it's a marketing trick, jack up the price put on a discount makes people think they are getting a saving cause that's how uninformed people buy. If they were actually retailing $199, Xarmor would of gone under faster than bin laden going under to Pakistan.

 
I'm not so sure.

Make an average product superexpensive and people will think that the product is something exclusive. Topre docet (just to look at the kb market only)

[Xibal]

That's abit of a gamble, especially in the modern day keyboard industry, the average consumer will think WTF!! at such an expensive keyboard and probably won't buy it. But Topre's use capacitive switches and by the sound of how to remove their key caps, keyboard must be pretty expensive anyway.

[BucklingSpring]

Haha you actually believe it was retailing for $199, it's a marketing trick, jack up the price put on a discount makes people think they are getting a saving cause that's how uninformed people buy.

I know the trick very well. I'd be curious to see how much the first backlit XArmor were sold at.

I didn't buy mine at 135 because of the discount. I got it because I thought it was a decent price for a "feature rich" backlit clone.

Here's how I see it now U9BL(2010)Pound for pound, $ for $ the Deck is of much better quality.

Although I'm a Razer hater, some of their products tend to improve over time. You call them for a problem and they will deny Razer's responsibility even under torture. Meanwhile, if it is indeed Razer's problem, they will fix it sooner or later by firmware or hardware (Whatever works). The BWU will probably be a much more mature product in 2 more years down the road.

Meanwhile, if the XArmor keys maintain their state (do not get wobbly to the point they fail when pressed off center) then it is still a decent product for the price (135).

When I get bored of a keyboard, I usually put it back in its box and shelf it. For the XArmor, I think I'm going to lend it to a gamer friend just to see how reliable this thing is.

[Phaedrus2129]

I know the trick very well. I'd be curious to see how much the first backlit XArmor were sold at.

$159.99 I believe, which then quickly dropped to $139.99 within a month or two.

[BucklingSpring]

Thanks to Solutor for bouncing me around... Here's what I'm talking about when I say there is a problem with XArmor Stabilizer design...

Few people have reported breaking XArmor keycaps while removing them. I didn't break any but I noticed increased wobbleling since I got the keyboard. Which lead me to think that the plastic is too soft.

Pictures worth 1000 of words. Here's a Deck VS XArmor shift key photo shoot.

This is what I call XArmor weak stabilizer crap:

Have you seen the gauge of the metal bar on this thing? It's so small I would not use them as paper clips. Then what the f is this tiny little piece of sh!t insert to hold the stabilizer?

You think you can look me in the face and tell me this is not cheap plastic without laughing?

Deck vs XArmor keycaps... Plastic quality difference is obvious (Deck on top, XArmor under)


Now just compare the bases. Again Deck on top and more cheap thin XArmor plastic under.



Hugh... Close ups are gross. Sorry for the hairy shots...

I hope I will be able to put this ridicule insert back in place without breaking anything.

[noodles256]

i had no trouble with my blackwidow in the 3 months I owned it. I actually liked it better than my Filco

just wish it came tenkeyless

[The Solutor]

I've already replied on the other thread, btw there's already a wiki (and a poll) about the difference of costar/filco style stabilizers and the cherry ones.