DAS Keyboard 2 + 3 combined...

[DamienG]

Okay, so this is a typing test of my DAS 2 keycaps (mostly) on my DAS 3 keyboard.

I loved the initial feel on the DAS 2 but the noise and overall build of the keyboard was bad. The case amplified the noise so much so that putting the raw pcb on a bit of foam on a desk was quieter... Putting on red o-rings only maginally helped.

DAS 3 felt more solid, USB hub and less massive silly surround but the keys were just terrible, not to mention the finish.

So the difference is partly down to the caps on the DAS 2 being lovely POM vs ABS on the DAS 3. And the DAS 3 feeling better where the keyswitches are plate mounted vs the PCB mounted DAS 2.

So I just swapped the key caps over.... mostly they fit (both keyboards are ISO layout and Cherry blues) however there are a few annoying differences.

1. The DAS 2 has additional non-switched black stems held in place and activated by the bar. The DAS 3 has white guide stems that fall out and have to be re-attached... they are very tricksy.

2. The DAS 2 has a Cherry green for the space bar, the DAS 3 has a blue. Not a major problem but the space bar doesn't fit anyway.

3. The DAS 2 caps-lock key is split-level and the DAS 3 won't fit because the stem is aligned differently.

The rest of the keys fit but the backspace doesn't feel right and most of the larger keys just feel bad.

At this point I should just give up on blue and get a tenkeyless brown (or a 75%).

[)amien

[Hyde]

Das 2 uses cherry stabilizers.  Das 3 could either use Costar stabilizer (older model) or cherry stabilizer (newer model).  But it sounds like yours has Costar stabilizer so it's probably the older model (which is a good thing).

So yes the spacebar and capslock will most likely not fit like you said.  But I'm not sure what you mean by "larger keys just feel bad".  I thought typically people prefer the Costar stabilizer large keys.

Also what you can do is get a set of PBT keycaps from ebay if you think the stock ABS feel horrible.

For the price it's like you said maybe you should just get a QuickFire Rapid MX Brown.  Though I'm still puzzled why you'd want to "give up on blue", because keycap material and switch type are 2 different things.

[DamienG]

Thanks for the info!

The backspace for example feels very odd, like the key isn't stabilised right. I suspect it may be because the stabilizers are a tight fit on some keys. The numeric-pad 0 for example will stick down for a second no matter how many times I try and refit it.

Thinking I might give up on blues because I can't get the feeling I want quite right.  I want the solid feeling of Topre with a slightly clicky/tactile response.

[)amien

[Hyde]

Ahhhh I've had that happen to me before too, I couldn't quite figure it out but I suspect it's the stem rubbing against the switch housing.  Not too sure what you can do with that.  Also might help if you can show me pictures.

As for the "feel", based on your description I think you're right that mx brown will be the closest to what you're looking for.  Otherwise...... uh...... get a Topre lol.

[jwaz]

So the Das II is a Cherry G80-3000, hence the green in the spacebar, lack of plate and the switch placing on the capslock and spacebar.

The Das 3 was made by Costar, the famous filco OEM, so it has their stabs and switch spacing.

Maybe try an Ergo clear switch? If you like Topre I don't think brown will have enough tactility for you.

[IvanIvanovich]

Yes, and ergo clear will be easy for you to try in your das II, you just need to source some clear stems and replace the blue stems with them keeping the current blue spring. It is very easy to pop open the swithc housing to do this on pcb mount. Give you an easy way to try it before commiting on more labor intensive desolder, change switch and solder on plate mount das 3, or other board.

[DamienG]

Thanks for the ideas! I'll definitely try some of these alternate stems before I splash out on another kb.

[)amien