Backlit keyboard backlight uniformity

[visi]

After sluthing the forums trying to find a good backlit keyboard I settled for the CM Trigger. I must say that the typing on it is wonderful and feels solid and no keys rattling. There is one big issue though and I'm not sure if I have a defective board (haven't heard back from CM), or if all the backlit keyboards exhibit this problem--the keys are not evenly backlit.

upload pics

Anyone else with this type have this issue or should I just expect this sort of thing from a backlit keyboard?

[IvanIvanovich]

Are the led actually brighter, or is the keycap more 'clear' on those keys?

[Lastpilot]

^ I would guess that the LEDs are uneven since the light leakage from underneath the keycaps is inconsistent.

[tp4tissue]

I heard you have to buy the separate Wall adapter if you want to make the Light EVEN... the USB doesn't have enough power.

[visi]

Are the led actually brighter, or is the keycap more 'clear' on those keys?

I've tried switching the caps around same problem. It has to be the LEDs themselves that are not same.

I heard you have to buy the separate Wall adapter if you want to make the Light EVEN... the USB doesn't have enough power.

Well just tried that with a spare 5V adapter and it turned off and now it won't turn on...

Now only to figure out if I will replace or refund...

[rowdy]

I don't know how much of a comparison it is, but both my Ducky Shines backlighting is even across the board.

You might have a defective board

[rootwyrm]

Are the led actually brighter, or is the keycap more 'clear' on those keys?

I've tried switching the caps around same problem. It has to be the LEDs themselves that are not same.

I heard you have to buy the separate Wall adapter if you want to make the Light EVEN... the USB doesn't have enough power.

Well just tried that with a spare 5V adapter and it turned off and now it won't turn on...

Now only to figure out if I will replace or refund...

You need a very specific 5V adapter for the Trigger. CM Support can tell you the right one. But the behavior indicates that the board is indeed, defective, most likely. At low-medium, they should be equal.

[tp4tissue]

Are the led actually brighter, or is the keycap more 'clear' on those keys?

I've tried switching the caps around same problem. It has to be the LEDs themselves that are not same.

I heard you have to buy the separate Wall adapter if you want to make the Light EVEN... the USB doesn't have enough power.

Well just tried that with a spare 5V adapter and it turned off and now it won't turn on...

Now only to figure out if I will replace or refund...

You need a very specific 5V adapter for the Trigger. CM Support can tell you the right one. But the behavior indicates that the board is indeed, defective, most likely. At low-medium, they should be equal.

Um... are you sure the 5v adapter has to be "specific?"

It just has to have enough amps right? which shouldn't be much considering it's powering leds.

amazon, has a post about a 2amp adapter being "enough"

If the adapter you used is "not" enough, then it would Fry the ADAPTER, not the keyboard..

While the "other way around" if the Adapter is capable of say 4amps, then it's fine, because the keyboard will only draw what it needs.

[poochi41]

I am having similar issues with my Ducky Shine II keyboard and its because the LED's are not bin sorted for their brightness at the factory where they make them. Whoever is manufacturing these boards are doing some poor quality control and they need to address the issue. I bought my keyboard through mechanical keyboards.com and I am having a very difficult time trying to get an RMA because they sent me an address without a zip code which is so shady to guy named Michael Wang. If push comes to shove I can get some surface mounted led's replaced into this board myself or solder in the correct resistor myself because obviously they screwed up.

[cobraj]

Worst case scenario, just turn the LEDs off?
I personally prefer not to have them haha =D

[rowdy]

But those who buy backlit keyboards generally want the backlighting, so turning it off isn ot the most optimal solution.

I haven't heard of this much, if at all before, and both my Ducky Shines (both version 1) have fairly even backlighting.

If it is a blindingly obvious variation in backlighting, maybe see if you can exchange the keyboard.

[firebt]

But those who buy backlit keyboards generally want the backlighting, so turning it off isn ot the most optimal solution.

I haven't heard of this much, if at all before, and both my Ducky Shines (both version 1) have fairly even backlighting.

If it is a blindingly obvious variation in backlighting, maybe see if you can exchange the keyboard.

That's fairly noticeable.  Is it like that on all brightness settings? I've actually heard quite a few things about backlit keyboards not maintaining their backlit uniformity, even over time.  The wall adapter thing seems unnecessary.  My Ducky Shine II the keys are all pretty uniform, but ultimately it would have a lot to do with QC of the LEDs.  If they LEDs are from a good manufacturer, most of them should be uniform, but again, not every manufacturer does that, especially if you are buying bulk LEDs in the 10,000s.