Quickfire Rapid or Ducky Zero?

[makaseo]

Hey guys, first post here with a question.

I ordered a Quickfire Rapid with Blues about a week ago, I found an Amazon sale for $55. Thing is, it stopped working a couple days after I got it--the mini-USB port is dead.
I originally wanted to get it replaced by either Amazon or CM Storm (whichever replies first), but then I discovered the Ducky Zero on MechanicalKeyboards for $75.

I wanted to ask you guys whether it's worth getting the Quickfire refunded and spending the extra 20-ish bucks on the Ducky. I've only heard awesome things about Ducky and Filco. The extra 10key on the Ducky is a non-issue for me as well, I don't really mind.

Would be great to hear some of your thoughts, thanks!

[linuxid10t]

I'd say it depends on if you want the 10 key or not.  It is also only $66 on Amazon for the QFR with Blues.  Pretty tough choice.

[makaseo]

Yeah, I'm having a hard time choosing. I mentioned in my original post, though, that 10key isn't a huge deal for me at all, I'm pretty neutral about it. I'm more on the fence about things like build quality or the cables. :<

[tp4tissue]

Get it replaced by AMAZON... they're much faster, and don't screw you on shipping.

Ducky Zero, your  F...ed if it dies on you, nothing can be done.

[tauburn]

buy both on amazon and return whichever one you dont want since it's free to do so

[makaseo]

buy both on amazon and return whichever one you dont want since it's free to do so

Unfortunately, the Ducky isn't available on Amazon.

[dieseldog49]

Rapid all the way, love mine!

[tp4tissue]

it's very unlikely that you'd get 2 broken rapids after you square the failure rate.

[makaseo]

Does anyone know which has the better build quality?

[Halverson]

With the zero coming out so recently, I don't think we have nearly enough time to judge it.

[jabar]

Ducky Zero, your  F...ed if it dies on you, nothing can be done.

A slow tech support response but it does exist.

[tp4tissue]

Ducky Zero, your  F...ed if it dies on you, nothing can be done.

A slow tech support response but it does exist.

like I said, Nothing can be done.

[Hyde]

I think I read a review saying that since Ducky improved their entry level line up but is planning to keep the pricing the same, so they have to cut corner somewhere.  The corner they cut is changed manufacturing location from Taiwan to China.

While we don't have any solid proof of the quality yet but considering the change of manufacturing location and cherry stabilizer (Ducky) vs costar stabilizer (QFR).

I'd say go with QFR it sounds like a proven safer choice.

For those that can read Chinese, here's the review on Ducky Zero:  http://iqmore.tw/ducky-zero-series-dk2108-mechanical-keyboard-review

[makaseo]

Would it be smarter to just save up a bit more and go for a $90 DK-9008G2 Pro?

[1839cc]

Then you might as well consider Leopold too.

[makaseo]

Then you might as well consider Leopold too.

Where can I find those online?

[Sai]

Would it be smarter to just save up a bit more and go for a $90 DK-9008G2 Pro?

save some more and go for Filco. !! 

[makaseo]

Would it be smarter to just save up a bit more and go for a $90 DK-9008G2 Pro?

save some more and go for Filco. !! 

I'd like to try and stay under $100 if at all possible. :<

[Sai]

Would it be smarter to just save up a bit more and go for a $90 DK-9008G2 Pro?

save some more and go for Filco. !! 

I'd like to try and stay under $100 if at all possible. :<

ok. you can get leopold from here - http://elitekeyboards.com/

[Hyde]

Because CM Storm products have relatively few faults and the Ducky Zero is so new it's easier to recommend the QFR.

However, I think it's very ignorant to insinuate that Chinese people can't produce a decent keyboard.

Yeah I do agree that we can't just assume all keyboards made in China are bad.  Though it happened to Das Keyboard after the change of OEM (drop of quality).  And statistically speaking for mechanical keyboards so far most of the Taiwanese made ones (Costar) seems to have less quality control issue compare to the China made ones (iOne).  But then again there are always exceptions I guess.

But the biggest factor is still that QFR is a proven product (out for a while now) and we know little about the new Ducky Zero.  Realistically it sounds like QFR is still the safer choice.

[jlewisnj]

For those that can read Chinese, here's the review on Ducky Zero:  http://iqmore.tw/ducky-zero-series-dk2108-mechanical-keyboard-review

That review looks like it's using all the pics from this overview post http://www.overclock.net/t/1343893/ducky-zero-series-dk2108..

I just got my Ducky Zero in last friday and personally I'm impressed with it for a no frills mech keyboard..

Very solid build, nice heft to it (2.6lbs) no flex or any cheap feeling to the construction.. I took the jump considering the name and price, figured Ducky wouldn't put out a crap keyboard..

Of course time will tell, but for a $75 price point it seems like a winner..

[tp4tissue]

I think I read a review saying that since Ducky improved their entry level line up but is planning to keep the pricing the same, so they have to cut corner somewhere.  The corner they cut is changed manufacturing location from Taiwan to China.

While we don't have any solid proof of the quality yet but considering the change of manufacturing location and cherry stabilizer (Ducky) vs costar stabilizer (QFR).

I'd say go with QFR it sounds like a proven safer choice.

For those that can read Chinese, here's the review on Ducky Zero:  http://iqmore.tw/ducky-zero-series-dk2108-mechanical-keyboard-review

I read the review... There's a continuance of racist bigotry in the usual taiwanese way... can't be avoided... )

And it's honestly a poorly written review, but I mean tech reviews are always like that in China.

the Takeaway, for those who can't read Chinese:

Dual layer PCB
Plate properly grounded
Made in China

3 pages just to say those 3 things, the rest is drivel common to EVERY mech keyboard review EVER.

[davkol]

It seems QC on QFR has dropped a bit lately—there's a recent rant by I guess rootwyrm or someone somewhere—but considering the support, I'd give it one more chance.

[XTF]

It's a shame the QFR doesn't have a menu key and the Ducky Zero has only one Windows key. Can't they make a board that has both keys?

Does the new Ducky have a PS/2 adapter?

[CM-Rajiv]

I'll add a bonus to the QFR purchase ...if you have any concerns or questions, I'm here to help.

[XTF]

I'll add a bonus to the QFR purchase ...if you have any concerns or questions, I'm here to help.

Hi Rajiv,

I'd like to know when I could get a QFR with context menu key.

[Warduke]

I have never used a Ducky so I can't comment on that but I do have a QFR and I love it.

[ShakeR]

Ducky Zero, your  F...ed if it dies on you, nothing can be done.

A slow tech support response but it does exist.

like I said, Nothing can be done.

MechanicalKeyboards.com is taking over RMAs for Ducky (all models) in the US. It's still in transition at the moment, but service / response time will be 100 x better than it is now.

While we don't have any solid proof of the quality yet but considering the change of manufacturing location and cherry stabilizer (Ducky) vs costar stabilizer (QFR).

I need to take one apart, but I know the stabilizers are different in the Zeros. Fairly sure it's not Cherry, but I don't think it's Costar either.

[ShakeR]

There are some indications from ShakeR that the Zero uses improved stabilizers and that if they are well received they can be carried to the rest of the brand.  I think from a business perspective this is weird and should have been silently rolled out.  Do you think I'm going to buy a brand new non-Zero Ducky if nicer stabilizers are on the way?  Hell no.

This may never happen.  So you may be waiting a while

This is a big part of the reason everyone keeps their stock so low.

Poor Cherry stabilizers... Can't catch a break.  I will concede the break in time is basically non-existent on the Costar stabilizers which is nice.  It is so much easier to change out caps on the Cherry's though.