Please help this noob! Replacement keycaps for QFR

[last_sd]

Hey guys,

Thanks to your help(http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=46800.0)
I got my first mech keyboard last weekend - CM QFR with MX BLUE

I am loving the sound and the feel.
Still trying to learn how not to bottom out while typing.

Many of you suggested that QFR is a great budget board but it would be much better with higher quality key caps than the stock one.

I don't plan to buy key caps right away, but I want to learn about them and slowly start monitoring prices. So when a good deal comes, I don't just blindly buy it and regret it.

I have skimmed though the show off your QFR thread, and read the intro about different type of key caps.
But there are so much information as well as aberrations that it is overwhelming. 

I would take any suggestion, what keycaps you like, what's the usual price range, etc.
I am a total noob when it comes to keycaps(or mech keyboard in general) so any advice is good.

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: oh if it helps, I am in Canada. I know a lot of items are only available in CONUS or cost more to ship here. I prefer buying things locally or at least ship from Canada.

EDIT2: My focus is mainly on performance(quality and nice feel), aesthetics isn't that important to me (as long as it is not ugly/rainbow vomit)

[Badwrench]

Getting rid of the stock QFR caps is a great way to go.  Anything you pick will be better. 

I would keep it simple and cheap for a first set:  http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/item/pbt-key-caps/104-pbt-white-side-printed-key/lid=19686618

[CPTBadAss]

GMK or Cherry ABS doubleshots. Cherry doubleshots harvested from like an MY7000 can be had for relatively cheap.

Edit: if you go to the Keycaps subforum, you can find a huge list of vendors/places to buy keycaps from

[rowdy]

Vortex white PBT from techkeys (preorder) - http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=43034.0

Some don't like the italic font, but they are PBT and white and relative inexpensive

I'd get a set like that (snaps his fingers) but I have too many group buys coming to fruition around now.

[last_sd]

GMK or Cherry ABS doubleshots. Cherry doubleshots harvested from like an MY7000 can be had for relatively cheap.

Edit: if you go to the Keycaps subforum, you can find a huge list of vendors/places to buy keycaps from

Sorry for the late reply guys.
When you say harvested it means you took it from some other keyboard right?
So some of the old stock key caps are better than the new key caps that are sold by itself?

[last_sd]

Getting rid of the stock QFR caps is a great way to go.  Anything you pick will be better. 

I would keep it simple and cheap for a first set:  http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/item/pbt-key-caps/104-pbt-white-side-printed-key/lid=19686618

Vortex white PBT from techkeys (preorder) - http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=43034.0

Some don't like the italic font, but they are PBT and white and relative inexpensive

I'd get a set like that (snaps his fingers) but I have too many group buys coming to fruition around now.

Both white key caps look real nice. Not sure which is better.

OT: is there a better key cap puller than the plastic one that came with QFR?
The stock one feels like I am pulling it wrong and require more force than I think I should apply.
So I didn't pull the key out because I was scared of damaging it.

[CPTBadAss]

1) When you say harvested it means you took it from some other keyboard right?
2) So some of the old stock key caps are better than the new key caps that are sold by itself?

1) Yes
2) Personal preference. The old Cherry thick ABS doubleshots are the same as the new GMK doubleshots. You can usually get the old Cherry doubleshots for cheaper though.

OT: is there a better key cap puller than the plastic one that came with QFR?

I've heard horrible things about the plastic pullers. Get a wire puller. My favorite is the one from TechKeys.us.

[last_sd]

OT: is there a better key cap puller than the plastic one that came with QFR?

I've heard horrible things about the plastic pullers. Get a wire puller. My favorite is the one from TechKeys.us.

Maybe I will get this
http://www.ncix.com/search/?categoryid=0&q=key+puller
I can pick it up locally(no shipping ) and also get some key caps.
Unless the key puller from TechKeys.us is actually better than the one included above.

[CPTBadAss]

Link isn't working but I'm sure it'll be fine. I'm just being super nit-picky. My favorite pullers are the MKC and TechKeys pullers.

[last_sd]

Link isn't working but I'm sure it'll be fine. I'm just being super nit-picky. My favorite pullers are the MKC and TechKeys pullers.

How about now?
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=82734&vpn=FKBAP2&manufacture=Filco

[CPTBadAss]

Nope.

But the Filco puller is nice.

[last_sd]

Nope.

But the Filco puller is nice.

Interesting.
Basically NCIX Canada site.

Comes with
2 sets of arrow/wasd keycaps (Yellow & Blue or other color) front inscription
1 red Esc keycap
3 Filco keycap (black, white, red)
2 black bigger kecap(assuming for ctrl)
1 Key puller

for $25

Not sure if the key caps they come with are any good/useful(just says Filco caps) but more the better right?

EDIT: Found the actual description.
The third accessory pack from Filco contains:- 1 set of green 'W', 'A', 'S' and 'D' keys, 1 set of orange 'W', 'A', 'S' and 'D' keys, a red 'Filco' logo printed escape key, a black 'Filco' logo printed escape key, a beige 'Filco' logo printed escape key, a red 'ESC' printed escape key, 2 black blank Windows keys, and a Filco key puller. The keys are designed for Filco Majestouch and Tenkeyless keyboards with Cherry switches, these keys will however fit all Cherry MX switches (they are slightly taller than the standard keys on a G80-3000 but have the same slope/angle to the key tops.). Replacing the keys is easy, simply pull your old keys off with the key puller, and push your new keys on.

[CPTBadAss]

Again, the Filco puller is fine and will work very nicely. The Filco caps? They're so-so.

[Hypersphere]

I've tried many different types of keycaps. Doubleshot ABS from vintage Cherry keyboards or new sets from Originative look great, but ABS tends to feel sticky or clammy. In contrast, PBT keycaps tend to feel dry. I prefer the feel of PBT keycaps, but it is harder to find nice-looking PBT keycaps than doubleshot ABS keycaps. So, I would check Originative from time to time to see if they get some new PBT sets in stock. Otherwise, if I were buying them now, I would probably go with a thick dye sub PBT set from geek_feng on eBay. If you are okay with the white side-printed keycaps suggested earlier, then this would be a good buy from Qtan on his online store.