Author Topic: Filco majestouch-2 vs Ducky Shine 2 vs Ducky Shine 3 (Read 23745 times)

Phillip_J_Fry · « **on:** Thu, 25 July 2013, 16:32:39 »

Hello Everyone!

I beg your pardon for my stupid question, but I haven't owned mechanical keyboard before and now decided to buy one with brown switches.
I can not decide between these three models. What pros and cons of these keyboards?
costar stabilizers vs cherry stabilizers?
If I decide to buy ducky - should I wait for shine 3 or go with shine 2?
And maybe the main question: Where to buy?

I'm from Belarus (It's far from US

but maybe I will find somebody to bring me keyboard from there)

Thanks in advance for the answers!

unnatural · « **Reply #1 on:** Thu, 25 July 2013, 16:49:41 »

I can't really describe the difference of cherry and costar stabilizers, but if I had too I would say that costar stabilized keys feel slightly less mushy compared to cherry. As for deciding between shine 2 and 3, the main differences are the lighting modes, and its really up to you whether you feel like you need the lighting features the shine 3 offers. Another factor to consider is: because the shine 3 is coming out soon you may not be able to find the color+switch combination you prefer for the shine 2.

All three are great keyboards, If you don't really need or wan't back-lighting go with the filco. If you do decide whether the new lighting features the shine 3 has is worth paying the extra money as opposed to just picking up the 2.

Phillip_J_Fry · « **Reply #2 on:** Thu, 25 July 2013, 17:03:12 »

unnatural, Thank you =)
I think I don't need backlight so much because it's very harmful for eyes to sit before the monitor without light (backlight it's just a plus). All I need is a good quality =)

Can you suggest online shop for filco and ducky?
Is there any online shop that can deliver keyboard before this Sunday?

Hyde · « **Reply #3 on:** Thu, 25 July 2013, 17:28:02 »

Yeah personally I prefer Costar stabilizer. Cherry stabilizer feel like it has a cushioned landing, but all the other keys will have a hard crisp landing. So Costar stabilizer feel more consistent with other keys.

For Ducky, check to see if http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/ will ship to you. If not check NCIX.ca see if they ship international. But otherwise it almost feel like you might have better luck buying from Asia locations. (The above 2 are North America)

For Filco you can get it from Keyboard Company from UK http://keyboardco.com/ and it's not too far from you.

You might want to phone / e-mail them to see when they can deliver it.

Good luck !!!

unnatural · « **Reply #4 on:** Thu, 25 July 2013, 17:28:54 »

Not sure If I could recommend any place that will ship before this Sunday, but I've heard good things about keyboardco.com which is based in the UK and sells filco keyboards. If you're looking for a shine2 pchome.com's global site ships pretty much everywhere and has pretty damn good prices. Pchome is based in Taiwan so if a shine is what you choose you may want to read up on your countries custom laws (some people on this site have had problems with huge custom fees).

unnatural · « **Reply #5 on:** Thu, 25 July 2013, 17:30:34 »

Quote from: Hyde on Thu, 25 July 2013, 17:28:02

Yeah personally I prefer Costar stabilizer. Cherry stabilizer feel like it has a cushioned landing, but all the other keys will have a hard crisp landing. So Costar stabilizer feel more consistent with other keys.

For Ducky, check to see if http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/ will ship to you. If not check NCIX.ca see if they ship international. But otherwise it almost feel like you might have better luck buying from Asia locations. (The above 2 are North America)

For Filco you can get it from Keyboard Company from UK http://keyboardco.com/ and it's not too far from you.

You might want to phone / e-mail them to see when they can deliver it.

Good luck !!!

wow you beat me too it

)

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #6 on:** Thu, 25 July 2013, 17:31:24 »

I have typed on a Ducky Shine 2 and own a Filco Majestouch 2 and would say they're pretty comparable. I would prefer my Filco though. Like people said before, you can try keyboardco.com. I don't remember how MechanicalKeyboards.com handles their international shipping but they have very friendly representatives here who you can talk to.

rowdy · « **Reply #7 on:** Thu, 25 July 2013, 17:48:09 »

Cherry stabilisers make it somewhat easier to swap keycaps.

Depending on how tight the inserts are, it might be considerably easier to swap with Cherry stabs.,

SkyCorrigan2 · « **Reply #8 on:** Thu, 25 July 2013, 17:54:34 »

I live in Chicago and received my Filco from KeyboardCo in four days. Great customer service... Answered all my questions immediately and even threw in a key cap puller and some red wasd keys.

tormentor · « **Reply #9 on:** Fri, 26 July 2013, 01:33:55 »

I'd wait for the Shine 3. I'm in the same boat as you looking at my first mechanical keyboard and like you I've also chosen brown switches. Patience is a virtue, I know how you feel just wanting a keyboard now and both the shine 2 and majestouch seem like awesome keyboards. I think I read somewhere the Shine 3 is supposed to have the same stabilizers as the Ducky Zero. I'm pretty new to this and I don't know how they differ. I may be just wrong all together. Someone, please correct me if I am. However if I am correct, is it any different?

Phillip_J_Fry · « **Reply #10 on:** Fri, 26 July 2013, 04:35:57 »

unnatural, Hyde and others

Thank you very much for your comments!

http://keyboardco.com/ -- don't see filco on brown switches =( (not ninja)

bMind · « **Reply #11 on:** Fri, 26 July 2013, 05:00:10 »

Quote from: Phillip_J_Fry on Fri, 26 July 2013, 04:35:57

http://keyboardco.com/ -- don't see filco on brown switches =( (not ninja)

try here

http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/uk-filco-majestouch-2-nkr-tactile-action-keyboard.asp

Phillip_J_Fry · « **Reply #12 on:** Fri, 26 July 2013, 05:34:40 »

Quote from: bMind on Fri, 26 July 2013, 05:00:10

Quote from: Phillip_J_Fry on Fri, 26 July 2013, 04:35:57
http://keyboardco.com/ -- don't see filco on brown switches =( (not ninja)

try here

http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/uk-filco-majestouch-2-nkr-tactile-action-keyboard.asp

We are out of stock, but expecting more stock on Monday the 16th of September =/

bMind · « **Reply #13 on:** Fri, 26 July 2013, 06:15:42 »

aww..sorry..didn't catch that 'Out of stock' information..

Danule · « **Reply #14 on:** Fri, 26 July 2013, 07:37:04 »

It depends on if you like backlighting or not. I have yet to try a Ducky so I don't know how the cherry stabalizers feel but I can say with confidense that Filco is very good quality.

bahamot · « **Reply #15 on:** Fri, 26 July 2013, 08:50:00 »

I have both filco and ducky shine2. I prefer ducky over filco because the filco arrived with broken keycaps on 'k'.
and the backspace key has squeeky sound ... all these made me feel ducky has better quality over filco.

Danule · « **Reply #16 on:** Fri, 26 July 2013, 09:34:00 »

well the keycap could have been damaged in shipping, The squeak can be fixed with some lube.

Phillip_J_Fry · « **Reply #17 on:** Fri, 26 July 2013, 10:25:45 »

Quote from: Danule on Fri, 26 July 2013, 09:34:00

well the keycap could have been damaged in shipping, The squeak can be fixed with some lube.

So it's common issue for this key?

Mainian · « **Reply #18 on:** Fri, 26 July 2013, 10:28:57 »

God, they still have a MJ2 / Ducky Shine 2 and Ducky Shine 3 in the year 3000?

Owning both a MJ2 and a Ducky, I'd say MJ2. Additionally, I hate full back lighting... so I'm partial to the MJ2 out of the 3 options.

Danule · « **Reply #19 on:** Fri, 26 July 2013, 10:53:38 »

Quote from: Phillip_J_Fry on Fri, 26 July 2013, 10:25:45

Quote from: Danule on Fri, 26 July 2013, 09:34:00
well the keycap could have been damaged in shipping, The squeak can be fixed with some lube.

So it's common issue for this key?

I havent had any issues with mine

Photoelectric · « **Reply #20 on:** Fri, 26 July 2013, 10:54:48 »

I have both, Filcos and Shine II TKL, and I can't say that one is better than another in any way. Some minor differences, however:

* Both keyboards have their keycaps "start" at ~1.8cm over the surface of the table at the front, and both casings are at almost exactly 3cm tall at the back, as measured from the surface of the table with feet down. But the Filco has a different tilt for the switch plate orientation, where on the Ducky, all the caps look like they almost float over the surface of the casing, whereas on the Filco, they sink in progressively more toward the back. So basically you end up with a more horizontal profile on the Filco and a slightly more slanted profile on the Ducky (it follows the curve of the case). I personally like the typing profile of my Filco more, laying it flat on my desk and using a wrist rest.

* Ducky Shine has some sort of soft ABS (or maybe nylon?) caps coated with [generally] black soft-touch coating, and the difference between those caps vs. stock Filco caps is quite significant in terms of how they feel. Ducky's caps feel soft and dampening. Filco caps are more standard thin ABS plastic and feel harder with less dampening from bottoming out.

* Stabilizers: Cherry on the Ducky and Costar on the Filco. I think they feel about the same to me, but Costar stabilizers sound more crisp.

* Backlighting: even if you swap out the stock Shine caps and go with some darker caps that don't pass any light through, I like the effect of LED glow around the caps over the plate. I normally keep backlight on the lowest setting, just for that glow effect. That said, I can't say that I prefer Ducky over my Filcos or the other way around. I like to have both

Phillip_J_Fry · « **Reply #21 on:** Fri, 26 July 2013, 13:48:56 »

Quote from: Photoelectric on Fri, 26 July 2013, 10:54:48

I have both, Filcos and Shine II TKL, and I can't say that one is better than another in any way. Some minor differences, however:

* Both keyboards have their keycaps "start" at ~1.8cm over the surface of the table at the front, and both casings are at almost exactly 3cm tall at the back, as measured from the surface of the table with feet down. But the Filco has a different tilt for the switch plate orientation, where on the Ducky, all the caps look like they almost float over the surface of the casing, whereas on the Filco, they sink in progressively more toward the back. So basically you end up with a more horizontal profile on the Filco and a slightly more slanted profile on the Ducky (it follows the curve of the case). I personally like the typing profile of my Filco more, laying it flat on my desk and using a wrist rest.

* Ducky Shine has some sort of soft ABS (or maybe nylon?) caps coated with [generally] black soft-touch coating, and the difference between those caps vs. stock Filco caps is quite significant in terms of how they feel. Ducky's caps feel soft and dampening. Filco caps are more standard thin ABS plastic and feel harder with less dampening from bottoming out.

* Stabilizers: Cherry on the Ducky and Costar on the Filco. I think they feel about the same to me, but Costar stabilizers sound more crisp.

* Backlighting: even if you swap out the stock Shine caps and go with some darker caps that don't pass any light through, I like the effect of LED glow around the caps over the plate. I normally keep backlight on the lowest setting, just for that glow effect. That said, I can't say that I prefer Ducky over my Filcos or the other way around. I like to have both

So now I realized that I have to buy at least both....and maybe shine 3 when it's available in stores...

Photoelectric · « **Reply #22 on:** Fri, 26 July 2013, 13:51:03 »

Haha, welcome to GH where you want every keyboard you lay your eyes upon (well, almost!)

Phillip_J_Fry · « **Reply #23 on:** Sun, 28 July 2013, 16:49:24 »

Quote from: Photoelectric on Fri, 26 July 2013, 13:51:03

Haha, welcome to GH where you want every keyboard you lay your eyes upon (well, almost!)

=)) But which one should be the first?)

Photoelectric · « **Reply #24 on:** Sun, 28 July 2013, 16:54:08 »

Go for a Ducky

It's got everything. Including media keys. And you can turn off the backlight if you don't want it.

Phillip_J_Fry · « **Reply #25 on:** Sun, 28 July 2013, 16:55:16 »

Quote from: Photoelectric on Sun, 28 July 2013, 16:54:08

Go for a Ducky It's got everything. Including media keys. And you can turn off the backlight if you don't want it.

Should I wait for Ducky Shine 3?)

Photoelectric · « **Reply #26 on:** Sun, 28 July 2013, 17:04:43 »

I don't see any reason to wait for it if you can find a Shine II for a good price now. The two keyboards will be basically the same, unless you mean to do a lot of those fancy backlight modes. I played with my backlight modes on my Shine II, didn't bother to program anything fancy in with programming buttons, and switched to steady backlight at the lowest setting. Reactive lighting was fun for about a few days.

Phillip_J_Fry · « **Reply #27 on:** Sun, 28 July 2013, 17:12:01 »

Quote from: Photoelectric on Sun, 28 July 2013, 17:04:43

I don't see any reason to wait for it if you can find a Shine II for a good price now. The two keyboards will be basically the same, unless you mean to do a lot of those fancy backlight modes. I played with my backlight modes on my Shine II, didn't bother to program anything fancy in with programming buttons, and switched to steady backlight at the lowest setting. Reactive lighting was fun for about a few days.

I'm going to buy keyboard for work (programming)

So I will be using only 2 modes maybe.
But I can't find shine 2 with brown switches (http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/) and filco (http://www.keyboardco.com/) =(

Photoelectric · « **Reply #28 on:** Sun, 28 July 2013, 17:16:50 »

You can order from Taiwan also, but... small price difference really, so either the Classifieds here, or wait a bit for Shine III from MK.com, unless you need TKL.

http://global.pchome.com.tw/english/?mod=store&func=style_show&SR_NO=SBAE0W&show=1&tm=e&page=1

Tea = Brown.

Phillip_J_Fry · « **Reply #29 on:** Sun, 28 July 2013, 17:21:34 »

Quote from: Photoelectric on Sun, 28 July 2013, 17:16:50

You can order from Taiwan also, but... small price difference really, so either the Classifieds here, or wait a bit for Shine III from MK.com, unless you need TKL.

http://global.pchome.com.tw/english/?mod=store&func=style_show&SR_NO=SBAE0W&show=1&tm=e&page=1

Tea = Brown.

I don't mind buying tkl version. What can you say about Leopold?

Photoelectric · « **Reply #30 on:** Sun, 28 July 2013, 17:22:29 »

Also nice keyboards. Apparently non-standard stem locations on the stock spacebar, so you might have trouble replacing it. But otherwise should be very good.

Phillip_J_Fry · « **Reply #31 on:** Sun, 28 July 2013, 17:26:50 »

Quote from: Photoelectric on Sun, 28 July 2013, 17:22:29

Also nice keyboards. Apparently non-standard stem locations on the stock spacebar, so you might have trouble replacing it. But otherwise should be very good.

stem locations on the stock spacebar -- What does it mean?

Photoelectric · « **Reply #32 on:** Sun, 28 July 2013, 17:28:18 »

Means that other spacebar of the same size may not fit onto the Leopold of your choosing.

Phillip_J_Fry · « **Reply #33 on:** Sun, 28 July 2013, 17:31:27 »

Quote from: Photoelectric on Sun, 28 July 2013, 17:28:18

Means that other spacebar of the same size may not fit onto the Leopold of your choosing.

=/ hmm... thanks for this note!

Phillip_J_Fry · « **Reply #34 on:** Sun, 28 July 2013, 17:36:26 »

http://global.pchome.com.tw/ -- all keyboards come with Chinese symbols?

Photoelectric · « **Reply #35 on:** Sun, 28 July 2013, 17:44:08 »

If you don't see "English" in the drop down menu, it's not in stock. Chinese characters are secondary, however, the main English legend is still there, and I think it looks cool. I got my Ducky from there.

Grim Fandango · « **Reply #36 on:** Mon, 29 July 2013, 01:50:35 »

I prefer the feel of costar stabilizers. It is a little more work if you want to switch keycaps, but in my opinion not so much extra work that it should affect you decision.

Though I also think this is really subjective. I have seen some people on this forum who say they prefer Cherry stabilizers.

You need to make sure whether or not you want a backlit keyboard. Answering that question will make your decision easier. I feel like you can not really go wrong with either. I myself went with Filco.

Phillip_J_Fry · « **Reply #37 on:** Mon, 29 July 2013, 02:05:06 »

Quote from: Grim Fandango on Mon, 29 July 2013, 01:50:35

I prefer the feel of costar stabilizers. It is a little more work if you want to switch keycaps, but in my opinion not so much extra work that it should affect you decision.

Though I also think this is really subjective. I have seen some people on this forum who say they prefer Cherry stabilizers.

You need to make sure whether or not you want a backlit keyboard. Answering that question will make your decision easier. I feel like you can not really go wrong with either. I myself went with Filco.

Some months ago I was going to buy Ducky Shine 2 but when I heard that Ducky was going to release Shine 3 - I've began to wait for Shine 3...
Month ago I've read (a discussion on geekhack) that Filco is more solid and has better quality than Ducky (and that they have different stabilizers).... And was ready to buy Filco...
Now... I can't find neither Filco nor Ducky in stock =/

rowdy · « **Reply #38 on:** Mon, 29 July 2013, 02:16:41 »

Quote from: Phillip_J_Fry on Mon, 29 July 2013, 02:05:06

Quote from: Grim Fandango on Mon, 29 July 2013, 01:50:35
I prefer the feel of costar stabilizers. It is a little more work if you want to switch keycaps, but in my opinion not so much extra work that it should affect you decision.

Though I also think this is really subjective. I have seen some people on this forum who say they prefer Cherry stabilizers.

You need to make sure whether or not you want a backlit keyboard. Answering that question will make your decision easier. I feel like you can not really go wrong with either. I myself went with Filco.

Some months ago I was going to buy Ducky Shine 2 but when I heard that Ducky was going to release Shine 3 - I've began to wait for Shine 3...
Month ago I've read (a discussion on geekhack) that Filco is more solid and has better quality than Ducky (and that they have different stabilizers).... And was ready to buy Filco...
Now... I can't find neither Filco nor Ducky in stock =/

Depends where you are, I suppose.

http://www.mechanicalkeyboards.com/search.php?keyword=ducky&switch_id=ALL&size=ALL&man=ALL&key_plastic=ALL&interface=ALL&cord_length=ALL&usb_kro=ALL&ps2_kro=ALL&x=-1233&y=-318&in_stock=on

Phillip_J_Fry · « **Reply #39 on:** Mon, 29 July 2013, 03:58:28 »

Quote from: rowdy on Mon, 29 July 2013, 02:16:41

Quote from: Phillip_J_Fry on Mon, 29 July 2013, 02:05:06
Quote from: Grim Fandango on Mon, 29 July 2013, 01:50:35
I prefer the feel of costar stabilizers. It is a little more work if you want to switch keycaps, but in my opinion not so much extra work that it should affect you decision.

Though I also think this is really subjective. I have seen some people on this forum who say they prefer Cherry stabilizers.

You need to make sure whether or not you want a backlit keyboard. Answering that question will make your decision easier. I feel like you can not really go wrong with either. I myself went with Filco.

Some months ago I was going to buy Ducky Shine 2 but when I heard that Ducky was going to release Shine 3 - I've began to wait for Shine 3...
Month ago I've read (a discussion on geekhack) that Filco is more solid and has better quality than Ducky (and that they have different stabilizers).... And was ready to buy Filco...
Now... I can't find neither Filco nor Ducky in stock =/

Depends where you are, I suppose.

http://www.mechanicalkeyboards.com/search.php?keyword=ducky&switch_id=ALL&size=ALL&man=ALL&key_plastic=ALL&interface=ALL&cord_length=ALL&usb_kro=ALL&ps2_kro=ALL&x=-1233&y=-318&in_stock=on

Only one Zero S model + Shine 3 pre-order...
I'm looking for Shine 2/3 and Filco only. (brown switches)

rowdy · « **Reply #40 on:** Mon, 29 July 2013, 05:30:29 »

Ok then, Shine 2 is generally unavailable as all the vendors sold off their old stock, and Shine 3 does not seem to be generally available yet.

Phillip_J_Fry · « **Reply #41 on:** Mon, 29 July 2013, 06:07:05 »

Quote from: rowdy on Mon, 29 July 2013, 05:30:29

Ok then, Shine 2 is generally unavailable as all the vendors sold off their old stock, and Shine 3 does not seem to be generally available yet.

yes... I've found some filco (in uk amazon - 196.970 USD =/
and in Canada for $139.99 + $57.23 (shipment to UK, where my friend can pickup it and can bring it to me in Belarus...)
=/

Phillip_J_Fry · « **Reply #42 on:** Thu, 08 August 2013, 05:52:49 »

I was going to order filco tkl from keyboardsco but found out that Ducky Shine 3 is available on mechanicalkeyboards
the end price of these to keyboards are almost the same ($200) but ducky will ship 12 days (my friend will be in UK from 12 till 22 August)...
I don't know what to do =(

Also I see new Real Force Type Heaven (the end price for me will be $200 too) Is this keyboard worth buying?)

How does topre switches feel in comparison with ms cherry brown?

Thanks!

News:

Author Topic: Filco majestouch-2 vs Ducky Shine 2 vs Ducky Shine 3 (Read 23745 times)