Filco, Ducky, QPAD? Caps and other questions

[lukeren]

So I decided to dive in and get me a mechanical keyboard.
As a pure coincidence, so did one of my colleagues, and luckily our company paid for one we could test.

It had to be the cheapest available, so we got the QPAD MK-50.
This keyboard should be able to give an impression of what a mechanical keyboard was, even though it might not be the highest quality.
I've had it for a few days, and I'm liking it very much, though there is (of course) some issues.
First off, there's a custom Q on the q-key, which stands out and doesn't really look that good, the same Q is on the spacebar, slightly bigger.
The caps doesn't really feel good, it feels as if they are really thin. The letters on them are printed on, which tells me it's only a matter of time untill there's no letters left.
The frame of the keyboard (the top) is covered in some weird textured plastic, which I'm pretty sure will wear off and make the keyboard very ugly, very fast.

That being said! I love typing on it! It's a great feeling, and for that alone I can forgive the above issues.
If I have to buy one for myself, I'd much prefer it not having these issue and I wouldn't mind paying for it (which I have to, since I want a DK/Nordic ISO layout).

I've been looking at Filco and Ducky.
Filco seems to be no-nonsense, really basic and expensive, but everyone seems to think they're great keyboards, and really, I don't need macro keys and media keys, they're nice to have, but in no way essential to me.
Ducky seems a bit more "gaming" oriented, with some very, let's say "creative", colorschemes and some media keys.

I've settled on blue switches since that's what this MK-50 has and I like them just fine. Considered brown, but there's not really a chance we'll get another test keyboard

So! My questions are these:

Is there a significant difference of the caps on Ducky (been looking at Shine 2 and G2Pro) and Filco (Majestouch-2)?
What about the build quality of them?
Has anyone had a chance to try all of the above, if so, what was their impression?

I've been reading up on this for a week, on this forum and other places, but I haven't been able to find answers to these questions.

[jonathanyu]

I have used both ducky shine2 and filco majestouch2
I like the filco much more than ducky. The feeling of the key that have stabilizer( space bar, enter, etc) is much better than ducky. but they are both great board.
If you don't have a budget limit, and you like backlit, ducky is a good choice.
If you don't need a backlit, filco is your choice

[rowdy]

Welcome to Geekhack!

Ducky is fine - you can get with backlighting, or get a Ducky Zero without backlighting (much cheaper, too).

Filco is considered one of the better mechanical keyboards, but really most of them will last you for many years to come.

No idea specifically about the keycaps on the QPAD, but you can fairly simple replace the keycaps on any mechanical keyboard.  Go for thick PBT keycaps with dyesub legends will last nearly as long as the keyboard, without shining.

Note that it is slightly more difficult to find keycap sets that are backlight-friendly.

[Lu_e]

So! My questions are these:

Is there a significant difference of the caps on Ducky (been looking at Shine 2 and G2Pro) and Filco (Majestouch-2)?
What about the build quality of them?
Has anyone had a chance to try all of the above, if so, what was their impression?

Ducky G2Pro sometimes have PBT keycaps; http://www.mechanicalkeyboards.com/search.php?switch_id=ALL&size=ALL&keyword=g2pro&in_stock=on

The first board on that page does, as well as the 'grey' and 'dark grey' keycapped boards have PBT. Ducky also uses cherry style stabilizers which can feel different or mushier than costar style 'open wire' plastic insert stabilizers, out of the box. (you can apparently mod cherry style for better feel)

Build quality... Filco is the quality others are compared to. I've also heard some great things about their customer service.

I've only a lot of experience with costar stabilizers, on my 'filco clone' CMStorm QuickFire

If you can afford it I would consider getting a Filco ninja. It should last a very long time and the printed legends will have no chance of fading.

[lukeren]

Thanks for the responses guys. Helps a lot!
I don't care about backlighting, so if I could get a Ducky Zero, that would be great, but I can't seem to find it with a Nordic layout anywhere?
I'll even settle for just ISO, but all I can find is ANSI.

[tns]

if you were aiming backlights and having backlights keycaps...

Ducky S2 keycaps : Let's say they're quality wise : fine, but you'll enjoy the esthetic light <3 (for some people, not talking about all GH)
Filco MJ2 : I like it better
PBT : it really is better, but you won't have the esthetic backlight

edit : oh too bad for Nordic layout :/ I think you won't find it

EDIT2 : oh~~~~ good for him

[lukeren]

I bit the bullet and ordered a Filco Ninja Majestouch2 from keyboardco.com, I didn't want to settle and then regret it later on

Here's hoping it'll be here before the weekend

[bahamot]

if you were aiming backlights and having backlights keycaps...

Ducky S2 keycaps : Let's say they're quality wise : fine, but you'll enjoy the esthetic light <3 (for some people, not talking about all GH)
Filco MJ2 : I like it better
PBT : it really is better, but you won't have the esthetic backlight

edit : oh too bad for Nordic layout :/ I think you won't find it

They've ducky nordic layout here: here

[tns]

I bit the bullet and ordered a Filco Ninja Majestouch2 from keyboardco.com, I didn't want to settle and then regret it later on

Here's hoping it'll be here before the weekend

Pretty sure you'll evolved into being an enthusiast

I've settled on blue switches since that's what this MK-50 has and I like them just fine. Considered brown, but there's not really a chance we'll get another test keyboard

You'll want to try every switches one day

[lukeren]

I think I will too
For now though, I'll have to make do with the blues, but browns are next on my list!
Red and black are out, I've tried them on various gaming boards, and I really don't like them.

And it seems like I'll have it today! TNT says it's already in country and on the way out to me

[uJalled]

Enjoy the Filco! I couldn't imagine my computer without mine

[lukeren]

I got it yesterday and I've been glued to it since

This really is a whole other class of keyboard!

[rowdy]

I got it yesterday and I've been glued to it since

This really is a whole other class of keyboard!

Congratulations!

Glad to hear it