Choosing a keyboard (Ducky Shine 3 or Filco Majestouch 2)

[iCalum]

Hey guys, recently I ruined my Filco Majestouch 2 (soda strikes again!) and am looking to get a new keyboard. I have been looking around and have scouted out the best options being another Majestouch 2, Ducky Shine 3 or maybe even one of the Realforce Topre's. I was hoping someone could help me solve this dilemma. The switches I will be using are browns unless i get a Topre of course, I have not tried any other switches other than browns and am open to replacement suggestions.

Thanks for reading and hope you can help me out

[Candyflip]

I am getting a Filco myself but only because I don't need/like backlighting. If I need backlit keyboard I would definitely go with the Ducky the build quality is solid. Other thing you should know ducky uses Cherry stabilizers for the bigger keys like space, enter, shift etc. and people find them mushy compared to costar ones which Filco and more common MX keyboards use. For the Topre board I can't comment but only to say if you have the budget why not, especially the RF I like the TKL layout with topre switches. Also I should mention that I like blues over browns, if their sound is not a problem which it is for most people I'd say at least try them they feel quite nice, I don't like the linear switches but that ofc is a personal preference. If you haven't tried other switches than the browns buy a cheap switch tester to feel the difference between them and find the ones that suit you the most.

[C5Allroad]

This is actually pretty tough to say. Ducky is solid, so is Filco... Do you need backlighting?

[tuxsavvy]

You haven't mentioned you tried Topre keyboard yet you seem open into willing to try Topre. So why not give it a shot and see how you like Topre? Comparing two Cherry MXs that are both equally impressive is probably going to be a real tough choice especially when one is used to typing on Cherry MX but having no experience with Topre yet open to try one.

As for mostly how backlit keyboards go, it might even be interesting to temporarily hold back on backlit keyboard until the new Cherry MX RGB comes out. I guess when and if that happens that may probably be a a real game changer.

Filco imo has been around longer than Ducky, and that is sort of where I would be willing to put my money on if I were to be forced to choose one of the two keyboard brands you named. I also have a soft spot for Ducky for a few personal reasons but for brand sake wise (due to however long the company has been around) I would lean more on Filco. In other words I have no qualms with Ducky but because Filco has been around longer I tend to stick with a brand that has been around longer considering that it won't necessarily disappear quicker (if that ever happens).

[genkidama]

I'd also recommend a switch test kit so you can see and feel all the switches there is. It's difficult to tell you about what kind of switch would suit you as it's just personal preference. For my part I like browns a lot, I tried blacks and they were too heavy for me. I never tried the other switches, but I bet you've already read into them. Still a tester kit would be the best option if you can get one.

As for the board, what is the price difference between those two for you? For my part the Filco was much more expensive than the Ducky Shine 3, that's why I bought the Shine 3 for me. I've read a lot about the build quality and Ducky and Filco seems to be on par on this. So it won't matter which you take because they both have good quality boards. I'm writing this on my Shine 3 and I'm loving every second of it, it's really a pleasure after a long time on rubberdomes.
So if the Ducky is cheaper than the Filco go for it as you can turn of the backlightning if you don't need it and can turn it on if you need it

Maybe you want to look into the Ducky G2 Pro Series as they are with PBT keycaps and PBT are quite the good stuff to have, but they lack the backlightning feature. Or if you want backlightning and the Ducky Shine 3 is too expensive for you, you might wanna look into the Ducky ZERO Series as they offer backlightning features but with less backlightning modes as the Shine 3 has.

Hope I could help you out

[terran5992]

Filco for quality
Ducky for backlit

[Phagocytosis]

Filco for quality
Ducky for backlit

exactly my rationale. I'd also add that ducky is a lot cheaper than Filco if that's a factor too

[eth0s]

Ducky vs. Filco vs. RealForce?

Easy choice:  Get the RealForce.

Ducky is still poor quality, AFAIK.  LED backlighting is for tweens.  You don't need it or want it.  If you have to look down at your keyboard in the dark, you either can't type or are very bad at gaming, or both.

Filco is great.  But you already had one.  Try something new.

Plus, if you take the Filco apart and clean it, it might come back to life.  Or you can get a modded controller maybe, if that's been shorted out.  Or try to hire somebody here who can fix it.  One of these nerdy geniuses will be able to fix it, no matter how damaged it is.  But I don't know how much money they will charge you, so I guess that's your only problem.  (Plus shipping costs.)

[Linkbane]

Ducky vs. Filco vs. RealForce?

Easy choice:  Get the RealForce.

Ducky is still poor quality, AFAIK.  LED backlighting is for tweens.  You don't need it or want it.  If you have to look down at your keyboard in the dark, you either can't type or are very bad at gaming, or both.

Filco is great.  But you already had one.  Try something new.

Plus, if you take the Filco apart and clean it, it might come back to life.  Or you can get a modded controller maybe, if that's been shorted out.  Or try to hire somebody here who can fix it.  One of these nerdy geniuses will be able to fix it, no matter how damaged it is.  But I don't know how much money they will charge you, so I guess that's your only problem.  (Plus shipping costs.)

You don't know what you're talking about.
Ducky has one of the highest qualities of all the keyboards out there, and in your opinion professional League players don't need backlighting also, but they have it, because it's obviously useful. I type quite proficiently, and backlighting is extremely helpful. especially when gaming. When you insult people for using backlight, you make no sense whatsoever, it's just like insulting someone for having a lamp on their desk. Just stop with this ignorance, please.

[syNRG]

I have the Majestouch 2, but I want to try the Shine 3.
So we're all clear here, essentially the difference between the Filco and Ducky is the backlight?
May I also quickly ask, why is Filco more expensive than Ducky? I mean Ducky has a backlight and still costs less? Could someone please explan this to me?
Thanks

[tuxsavvy]

I have the Majestouch 2, but I want to try the Shine 3.
So we're all clear here, essentially the difference between the Filco and Ducky is the backlight?
May I also quickly ask, why is Filco more expensive than Ducky? I mean Ducky has a backlight and still costs less? Could someone please explan this to me?
Thanks

I am guessing the only reason for difference in pricing most likely has to do with the brand name (mainly). I think from memory Filco keyboards are manufactured in Taiwan (even though they are headquartered in Japan). Ducky is headquartered in Taiwan but I am unsure where they manufacture their keyboards from. If say it is China then maybe the differences could also be related to labour.

These are my speculations, I have neither of those keyboards so I wouldn't know right off the bat.

[rowdy]

Why not all three?

[iCalum]

Why not all three?

I don't really want all three right now. I don't see the need to get them all at once but eventually maybe I will

Ducky vs. Filco vs. RealForce?

Easy choice:  Get the RealForce.

Ducky is still poor quality, AFAIK.  LED backlighting is for tweens.  You don't need it or want it.  If you have to look down at your keyboard in the dark, you either can't type or are very bad at gaming, or both.

Filco is great.  But you already had one.  Try something new.

Plus, if you take the Filco apart and clean it, it might come back to life.  Or you can get a modded controller maybe, if that's been shorted out.  Or try to hire somebody here who can fix it.  One of these nerdy geniuses will be able to fix it, no matter how damaged it is.  But I don't know how much money they will charge you, so I guess that's your only problem.  (Plus shipping costs.)

My Filco still is functional the switches are just extremely sticky which I have tried to fix Im just not really sure how to go about it and I want to try out some more keyboards.

Thanks for all you guys reply's Im still looking into all 3. The ducky is a similar  price for me as shipping is not an issue for the Filco as im in the UK. I cant find anywhere other than an ebay shop for the Ducky here in the UK.

[Danule]

just tried a ducky with blacks, very solid and smooth. I have to say the quality appears to be on par with filco.  Do make your decision on weather or not you want backlite or wire / cherry stabalizers.  I find the cherry ones on the ducky are rather nice and solid feeling.  I am not sure how they would feel on a lighter switch such as a red or brown through.

[osi]

Ducky vs. Filco vs. RealForce?

Easy choice:  Get the RealForce.

Ducky is still poor quality, AFAIK.  LED backlighting is for tweens.  You don't need it or want it.  If you have to look down at your keyboard in the dark, you either can't type or are very bad at gaming, or both.

Filco is great.  But you already had one.  Try something new.

Plus, if you take the Filco apart and clean it, it might come back to life.  Or you can get a modded controller maybe, if that's been shorted out.  Or try to hire somebody here who can fix it.  One of these nerdy geniuses will be able to fix it, no matter how damaged it is.  But I don't know how much money they will charge you, so I guess that's your only problem.  (Plus shipping costs.)

You don't know what you're talking about.
Ducky has one of the highest qualities of all the keyboards out there, and in your opinion professional League players don't need backlighting also, but they have it, because it's obviously useful. I type quite proficiently, and backlighting is extremely helpful. especially when gaming. When you insult people for using backlight, you make no sense whatsoever, it's just like insulting someone for having a lamp on their desk. Just stop with this ignorance, please.

Linkbane,

Just wondering but could you expand a little bit on how you find your backlighting helpful? I'm assuming you don't look at your keys since you stated you have high proficiency.

Also, not a troll

[Candyflip]

I cant find anywhere other than an ebay shop for the Ducky here in the UK.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/ I think they have the Shine 3

[kansas city shuffle]

Hey guys, recently I ruined my Filco Majestouch 2 (soda strikes again!) and am looking to get a new keyboard. I have been looking around and have scouted out the best options being another Majestouch 2, Ducky Shine 3 or maybe even one of the Realforce Topre's. I was hoping someone could help me solve this dilemma. The switches I will be using are browns unless i get a Topre of course, I have not tried any other switches other than browns and am open to replacement suggestions.

Thanks for reading and hope you can help me out

If you're coming from Browns I'd say get a Realforce. Unless you prefer the clicky feel of the MX Blues, you can't go wrong with Topre unless you of course have another soda spill.

[rowdy]

Ducky vs. Filco vs. RealForce?

Easy choice:  Get the RealForce.

Ducky is still poor quality, AFAIK.  LED backlighting is for tweens.  You don't need it or want it.  If you have to look down at your keyboard in the dark, you either can't type or are very bad at gaming, or both.

Filco is great.  But you already had one.  Try something new.

Plus, if you take the Filco apart and clean it, it might come back to life.  Or you can get a modded controller maybe, if that's been shorted out.  Or try to hire somebody here who can fix it.  One of these nerdy geniuses will be able to fix it, no matter how damaged it is.  But I don't know how much money they will charge you, so I guess that's your only problem.  (Plus shipping costs.)

You don't know what you're talking about.
Ducky has one of the highest qualities of all the keyboards out there, and in your opinion professional League players don't need backlighting also, but they have it, because it's obviously useful. I type quite proficiently, and backlighting is extremely helpful. especially when gaming. When you insult people for using backlight, you make no sense whatsoever, it's just like insulting someone for having a lamp on their desk. Just stop with this ignorance, please.

Linkbane,

Just wondering but could you expand a little bit on how you find your backlighting helpful? I'm assuming you don't look at your keys since you stated you have high proficiency.

Also, not a troll

I know the question was not aimed at me, but I am kinda in the same boat.

Sometimes I am working on something to one side of the keyboard, and want to lean over and press a couple of keys to check something without having to sit properly in front of it, and given that I generally work in dim areas, backlighting is extremely useful.

Also I tend to game in low light, and pressing the occasional function key, or learning the key layout for a new game, backlighting also helps.

[Linkbane]

Ducky vs. Filco vs. RealForce?

Easy choice:  Get the RealForce.

Ducky is still poor quality, AFAIK.  LED backlighting is for tweens.  You don't need it or want it.  If you have to look down at your keyboard in the dark, you either can't type or are very bad at gaming, or both.

Filco is great.  But you already had one.  Try something new.

Plus, if you take the Filco apart and clean it, it might come back to life.  Or you can get a modded controller maybe, if that's been shorted out.  Or try to hire somebody here who can fix it.  One of these nerdy geniuses will be able to fix it, no matter how damaged it is.  But I don't know how much money they will charge you, so I guess that's your only problem.  (Plus shipping costs.)

You don't know what you're talking about.
Ducky has one of the highest qualities of all the keyboards out there, and in your opinion professional League players don't need backlighting also, but they have it, because it's obviously useful. I type quite proficiently, and backlighting is extremely helpful. especially when gaming. When you insult people for using backlight, you make no sense whatsoever, it's just like insulting someone for having a lamp on their desk. Just stop with this ignorance, please.

Linkbane,

Just wondering but could you expand a little bit on how you find your backlighting helpful? I'm assuming you don't look at your keys since you stated you have high proficiency.

Also, not a troll

Ah, such politeness, It's actually mostly because I game in the dark, as being a student and athlete kind of takes away all of my time to play. Other than that, when in the dark I sometimes have trouble getting orientated if I can't even see the WASD keys (which I keep lit all the time, full backlighting is less often used). I think that the lighting modes on the Shine are really cool, though, so I look forward to making a video of me typing 150 wpm on that with reactive. 

[Candyflip]

Ducky vs. Filco vs. RealForce?

Easy choice:  Get the RealForce.

Ducky is still poor quality, AFAIK.  LED backlighting is for tweens.  You don't need it or want it.  If you have to look down at your keyboard in the dark, you either can't type or are very bad at gaming, or both.

Filco is great.  But you already had one.  Try something new.

Plus, if you take the Filco apart and clean it, it might come back to life.  Or you can get a modded controller maybe, if that's been shorted out.  Or try to hire somebody here who can fix it.  One of these nerdy geniuses will be able to fix it, no matter how damaged it is.  But I don't know how much money they will charge you, so I guess that's your only problem.  (Plus shipping costs.)

You don't know what you're talking about.
Ducky has one of the highest qualities of all the keyboards out there, and in your opinion professional League players don't need backlighting also, but they have it, because it's obviously useful. I type quite proficiently, and backlighting is extremely helpful. especially when gaming. When you insult people for using backlight, you make no sense whatsoever, it's just like insulting someone for having a lamp on their desk. Just stop with this ignorance, please.

Linkbane,

Just wondering but could you expand a little bit on how you find your backlighting helpful? I'm assuming you don't look at your keys since you stated you have high proficiency.

Also, not a troll

Ah, such politeness, It's actually mostly because I game in the dark, as being a student and athlete kind of takes away all of my time to play. Other than that, when in the dark I sometimes have trouble getting orientated if I can't even see the WASD keys (which I keep lit all the time, full backlighting is less often used). I think that the lighting modes on the Shine are really cool, though, so I look forward to making a video of me typing 150 wpm on that with reactive. 

you actually typed the 154 wpm on your sig? 

[Linkbane]

Ducky vs. Filco vs. RealForce?

Easy choice:  Get the RealForce.

Ducky is still poor quality, AFAIK.  LED backlighting is for tweens.  You don't need it or want it.  If you have to look down at your keyboard in the dark, you either can't type or are very bad at gaming, or both.

Filco is great.  But you already had one.  Try something new.

Plus, if you take the Filco apart and clean it, it might come back to life.  Or you can get a modded controller maybe, if that's been shorted out.  Or try to hire somebody here who can fix it.  One of these nerdy geniuses will be able to fix it, no matter how damaged it is.  But I don't know how much money they will charge you, so I guess that's your only problem.  (Plus shipping costs.)

You don't know what you're talking about.
Ducky has one of the highest qualities of all the keyboards out there, and in your opinion professional League players don't need backlighting also, but they have it, because it's obviously useful. I type quite proficiently, and backlighting is extremely helpful. especially when gaming. When you insult people for using backlight, you make no sense whatsoever, it's just like insulting someone for having a lamp on their desk. Just stop with this ignorance, please.

Linkbane,

Just wondering but could you expand a little bit on how you find your backlighting helpful? I'm assuming you don't look at your keys since you stated you have high proficiency.

Also, not a troll

Ah, such politeness, It's actually mostly because I game in the dark, as being a student and athlete kind of takes away all of my time to play. Other than that, when in the dark I sometimes have trouble getting orientated if I can't even see the WASD keys (which I keep lit all the time, full backlighting is less often used). I think that the lighting modes on the Shine are really cool, though, so I look forward to making a video of me typing 150 wpm on that with reactive. 

you actually typed the 154 wpm on your sig? 

I try not to joke around with that. Here.

[osi]

Ducky vs. Filco vs. RealForce?

Easy choice:  Get the RealForce.

Ducky is still poor quality, AFAIK.  LED backlighting is for tweens.  You don't need it or want it.  If you have to look down at your keyboard in the dark, you either can't type or are very bad at gaming, or both.

Filco is great.  But you already had one.  Try something new.

Plus, if you take the Filco apart and clean it, it might come back to life.  Or you can get a modded controller maybe, if that's been shorted out.  Or try to hire somebody here who can fix it.  One of these nerdy geniuses will be able to fix it, no matter how damaged it is.  But I don't know how much money they will charge you, so I guess that's your only problem.  (Plus shipping costs.)

You don't know what you're talking about.
Ducky has one of the highest qualities of all the keyboards out there, and in your opinion professional League players don't need backlighting also, but they have it, because it's obviously useful. I type quite proficiently, and backlighting is extremely helpful. especially when gaming. When you insult people for using backlight, you make no sense whatsoever, it's just like insulting someone for having a lamp on their desk. Just stop with this ignorance, please.

Linkbane,

Just wondering but could you expand a little bit on how you find your backlighting helpful? I'm assuming you don't look at your keys since you stated you have high proficiency.

Also, not a troll

Ah, such politeness, It's actually mostly because I game in the dark, as being a student and athlete kind of takes away all of my time to play. Other than that, when in the dark I sometimes have trouble getting orientated if I can't even see the WASD keys (which I keep lit all the time, full backlighting is less often used). I think that the lighting modes on the Shine are really cool, though, so I look forward to making a video of me typing 150 wpm on that with reactive. 

Cool. Thanks for the response