Backlit with Costar stabilizers?

[dcarwin]

New to mech boards. My new work keyboard is a Quickfire Rapid (browns). I'm very happy with it.  I needed back-lighting for playing games the in the dark and my old Saitek isn't bright enough to see any more, so I just bought a Ducky Star 3 (mx browns).

I was sorely bummed when I hit the Enter key. Hard to press and mushy.  I did not know there'd be so much difference for my little pinky[1]. I know it's my own fault for not test-driving Cherry stabilizers vs Costar, so I'll stop whining. I greased the stabilizer but not much change.

Question: Is there a (mx brown) keyboard out there with Costar stabilizers that has back lighting?  Maybe a board with unlit stabilized keys - i.e. only small-keys are lit?

Thanks


[1]don't care much about the space bar, I smash that thing

[esoomenona]

Are you familiar with soldering?

[esoomenona]

I ask because of this: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34759.0

Doing this modification to the stabilizers completely changes the feel of them, for the positive.

[Photekq]

moose, if you've got a board that uses pcb mount cherry stabilisers then that will work a treat (eg older poker/pure models).. but I don't know of a TKL board that uses pcb mount stabilisers. That mod does nothing to the feel of plate mount cherry stabs, i've tried it.

[esoomenona]

I don't see why it wouldn't do anything to the feel of plate mount stabs, aside from them sitting higher up off the PCB. alaric confirms in that thread that the inserts are the same on both PCB and plate mount.

But then I've never tried it myself, so...

[Photekq]

I don't see why it wouldn't do anything to the feel of plate mount stabs, aside from them sitting higher up off the PCB. alaric confirms in that thread that the inserts are the same on both PCB and plate mount.

But then I've never tried it myself, so...

On pcb mount the bottom of the stems actually hit the PCB. Those parts you cut off dampen the landing. On plate mount I'm pretty sure they're constantly suspended by the wire, and don't come in contact with anything (i could be wrong though).. Anyway, the mod definitely did nothing for me on plate mount :/ although I would like to hear from other people who've tried it too.

[dcarwin]

moose, if you've got a board that uses pcb mount cherry stabilisers then that will work a treat (eg older poker/pure models).. but I don't know of a TKL board that uses pcb mount stabilisers. That mod does nothing to the feel of plate mount cherry stabs, i've tried it.

I did read that thread when I got the board, and it looked interesting. I can solder, but per Photekq, is the mod applicable to this board?

[Photekq]

moose, if you've got a board that uses pcb mount cherry stabilisers then that will work a treat (eg older poker/pure models).. but I don't know of a TKL board that uses pcb mount stabilisers. That mod does nothing to the feel of plate mount cherry stabs, i've tried it.

I did read that thread when I got the board, and it looked interesting. I can solder, but per Photekq, is the mod applicable to this board?

I'll re-try it now and get back to you.. uno momento por favor.

[esoomenona]

I suppose there's always finding a Universal TKL plate, installing that, then putting Costar stabs on?

Other than that, I can't really think of one. The Code was close, though it had Clears... but that's sold out.

[esoomenona]

How do you feel about 60%?

[Moosecraft]

Razer blackwidow stealth edition? Even though it's frowned upon around here I think it is the only backlit costar board afaik.

[Photekq]

The mod actually does work.. I think I must've tried it previously when it wasn't mounted on a PCB. I tried it mounted on a PCB now and it feels nice.

If I were you OP I would go for the mod (maybe some lube on it at the same time)

[dcarwin]

How do you feel about 60%?

I don't follow you on what 60% means. (?)

[Photekq]

How do you feel about 60%?

I don't follow you on what 60% means. (?)

It's the size of the keyboard. 100% - full board, 80% - tenkeyless, 60% is just the alphanumerics, no arrows, no f-row etc.

[esoomenona]

How do you feel about 60%?

I don't follow you on what 60% means. (?)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8311/7895277966_e66e9d8b60_b.jpg

PCB mounted (no plate) Cherry stabs (easy to clip mod), backlit, and you can find in Browns with different color lighting, I'm sure.

[esoomenona]

The mod actually does work.. I think I must've tried it previously when it wasn't mounted on a PCB. I tried it mounted on a PCB now and it feels nice.

If I were you OP I would go for the mod (maybe some lube on it at the same time)

That's good to know. Thanks for checking again, Photekq. I had a feeling the results would be similar. Maybe not as pronounced as with PCB mount, but at least noticeable.

And a good suggestion on the lubing!

[Photekq]

That's good to know. Thanks for checking again, Photekq. I had a feeling the results would be similar. Maybe not as pronounced as with PCB mount, but at least noticeable.

And a good suggestion on the lubing!

No worries. It's made me feel a bit better. I was dreading having to use plate mounted stabs on my phantom.. Once you go PCB you never go back.. but I think I can live with these modded plate mounts

[Danule]

WASD Code.  Should be coming out in browns supposedly.

[dcarwin]

WASD Code.  Should be coming out in browns supposedly.

Thanks, Watching for this. Something to look forward to, especially if I beef my ducky.

[MKULTRA]

moose, if you've got a board that uses pcb mount cherry stabilisers then that will work a treat (eg older poker/pure models).. but I don't know of a TKL board that uses pcb mount stabilisers. That mod does nothing to the feel of plate mount cherry stabs, i've tried it.

Most Korean customs with a plate your PCB mounted stabs.

[Dreamre]

That's good to know. Thanks for checking again, Photekq. I had a feeling the results would be similar. Maybe not as pronounced as with PCB mount, but at least noticeable.

And a good suggestion on the lubing!

No worries. It's made me feel a bit better. I was dreading having to use plate mounted stabs on my phantom.. Once you go PCB you never go back.. but I think I can live with these modded plate mounts

So when you remove the stabilizers, do you need to desolder that one switch in between?

[Photekq]

That's good to know. Thanks for checking again, Photekq. I had a feeling the results would be similar. Maybe not as pronounced as with PCB mount, but at least noticeable.

And a good suggestion on the lubing!

No worries. It's made me feel a bit better. I was dreading having to use plate mounted stabs on my phantom.. Once you go PCB you never go back.. but I think I can live with these modded plate mounts

So when you remove the stabilizers, do you need to desolder that one switch in between?

On the spacebar you can kinda do it without desoldering but it's tricky. On the other stabilised keys it's practically impossible without desoldering.

[esoomenona]

I bet it's not so impossible. I wish I had a keyboard with plate mount Cherry stabs to experiment with...

[Dreamre]

That's good to know. Thanks for checking again, Photekq. I had a feeling the results would be similar. Maybe not as pronounced as with PCB mount, but at least noticeable.

And a good suggestion on the lubing!

No worries. It's made me feel a bit better. I was dreading having to use plate mounted stabs on my phantom.. Once you go PCB you never go back.. but I think I can live with these modded plate mounts

So when you remove the stabilizers, do you need to desolder that one switch in between?

On the spacebar you can kinda do it without desoldering but it's tricky. On the other stabilised keys it's practically impossible without desoldering.

Thanks for the quick reply! Also, how do you remove the stabilizers on a plate mounted keyboard? Sorry for asking this noob question if this question has been asked before .

[Dreamre]

I just did the clip mod and it makes a world of a difference.

All you need to do is to desolder that one switch. Now it feels like costars :0!

[Photekq]

I just did the clip mod and it makes a world of a difference.

All you need to do is to desolder that one switch. Now it feels like costars :0!

Great to hear that it worked! Enjoy!

[Dreamre]

I just did the clip mod and it makes a world of a difference.

All you need to do is to desolder that one switch. Now it feels like costars :0!

Great to hear that it worked! Enjoy!

Thanks for the help ! Much appreciated.

[stancato9]

Sorry for the necro bump but I need help. On my plate mount cherry stab inserts, there are no extra pieces to cut off. I'm really confused as to how to do this mod.. Can someone help me out? I see a few people in this thread have done it with plate mounted stabs. Thanks.

[Photekq]

Sorry for the necro bump but I need help. On my plate mount cherry stab inserts, there are no extra pieces to cut off. I'm really confused as to how to do this mod.. Can someone help me out? I see a few people in this thread have done it with plate mounted stabs. Thanks.

Post a photo?

[CPTBadAss]

Sorry for the necro bump but I need help. On my plate mount cherry stab inserts, there are no extra pieces to cut off. I'm really confused as to how to do this mod.. Can someone help me out? I see a few people in this thread have done it with plate mounted stabs. Thanks.

(From a photekq PM)

Your inserts probably look like that?

Make them look like this.

Since you have a plate mount housing, they'll probably fall out since the plate mount housings are different from the PCB mount ones (Pic from Ripster). So then on the bottom of your plate where the stabilizer housings are, tape a bit of cardboard/plastic to cover the bottom hole:


(From a photekq PM)

I think the Cherry PCB mounted stabilizer clip mod works because you clip off the little legs (shown in the DT post) and the insert is free to hit down on the PCB. Since you have a plate mounted housing, it has nothing to hit down on so the taped cardboard/plastic cover gives the stabilizer something to hit again to feel solid. Otherwise it will just fall out and feel loose.

Edited for clarity.

[Photekq]

CPT, i have tried the clipping mod on plate mount stabilisers, with no kind of cardboard etc. All I did was clip it, nothing else. It greatly improved the feel, just like with pcb mount. I think that even on plate mount the bottom of the inserts hit the PCB, so clipping has the same effect.

Also, can't believe you still have those photos  )

[CPTBadAss]

I swear I saw a picture of a mod with plate mounted stabs where they taped something on the bottom...I could be wrong but I'm going to go with my (poor) memory. You can always just try it without taping anything first stancato9. If it works like photekq says, then everything's cool. If not, tape something on the bottom.

[stancato9]

Thanks for the responses. My stabs look nothing like the ones in any of those pics.. I need to get some pictures up later on so it will be easier.

[CPTBadAss]

(From here)

Do they look like that by chance?

[stancato9]

No no. That's costar

[Photekq]

Thanks for the responses. My stabs look nothing like the ones in any of those pics.. I need to get some pictures up later on so it will be easier.

You know those pictures are of the UNDERSIDE of the stabilisers, right? You have to actually remove them from the board before you can modify them.

[stancato9]

Yes. I have spare stabilizers on hand. They are not on the board.

[Photekq]

Right.. very strange that they look nothing alike. Will await pictures.

[stancato9]

Right.. very strange that they look nothing alike. Will await pictures.

I'm specifically talking about the insert pieces that go into the housing. They don't have the little legs or anything.

[CPTBadAss]

Yeah I think we should just wait for pictures before guessing anymore.

[stancato9]

Yeah I think we should just wait for pictures before guessing anymore.

Yeah I'll get them up later. I only have my sister's iPhone cam to take pics with so hopefully it can capture the details. 

[stancato9]

Made an album with a few pics. Maybe I'm just uneducated or blind but they look different.

http://imgur.com/a/O14nd

The pics are rotated badly. Let me know if you want me to rotate and reupload. Thanks.

[Photekq]

Made an album with a few pics. Maybe I'm just uneducated or blind but they look different.

http://imgur.com/a/O14nd

The pics are rotated badly. Let me know if you want me to rotate and reupload. Thanks.

Hmm, odd. They have the same insert as the old PCB mount stabilisers I have from a Nixdorf PCB. You won't need to modify them. They'll feel like clipped ones right off the bat.

[stancato9]

Made an album with a few pics. Maybe I'm just uneducated or blind but they look different.

http://imgur.com/a/O14nd

The pics are rotated badly. Let me know if you want me to rotate and reupload. Thanks.

Hmm, odd. They have the same insert as the old PCB mount stabilisers I have from a Nixdorf PCB. You won't need to modify them. They'll feel like clipped ones right off the bat.

I got these from Whiskytango so it's possible that they could be. I'm glad you validated it though. I thought I was going crazy not being able to do a simple mod. 

[Photekq]

I got these from Whiskytango so it's possible that they could be. I'm glad you validated it though. I thought I was going crazy not being able to do a simple mod. 

That explains it then. They will be from an old WYSE board.

[stancato9]

I got these from Whiskytango so it's possible that they could be. I'm glad you validated it though. I thought I was going crazy not being able to do a simple mod. 

That explains it then. They will be from an old WYSE board.

Looks like I won't have to do anything than. Awesome. 

[CPTBadAss]

Hooray for happy endings XD

[SpAmRaY]

Made an album with a few pics. Maybe I'm just uneducated or blind but they look different.

http://imgur.com/a/O14nd

The pics are rotated badly. Let me know if you want me to rotate and reupload. Thanks.

Hmm, odd. They have the same insert as the old PCB mount stabilisers I have from a Nixdorf PCB. You won't need to modify them. They'll feel like clipped ones right off the bat.

I got these from Whiskytango so it's possible that they could be. I'm glad you validated it though. I thought I was going crazy not being able to do a simple mod. 

Haha I started to ask where you got them! Glad it's sorted.

[C5Allroad]

Maxkeyboard has a backlit board on costar stabs.  It's on their nighthawk series.

[terran5992]

Maxkeyboard has a backlit board on costar stabs.  It's on their nighthawk series.

Code keyboards as well