Ducky Shine 4

[Findecanor]

Having an angular underside like that is a common design trick to make something look slimmer than it really is. Having the borders wider makes it easier to engineer that. Several other keyboard makers have used that trick, including Cherry for their MX-board 3.0. Plus, the bevels allow you to get a better grip when you need to lift the case.
But if they are serious in making the keyboard slimmer, they could switch to Cherry-profile keycaps... Just sayin'.

But glossy plastic... Please no! That is as outdated and tacky as blue and white translucent plastic by now. I hope that this is just an early prototype.

I  also don't like the slanted sides, especially the feet at the back. It reminds me of Razer BW...
I hope they are not thinking "Razer is selling more than us, we have to design our keyboards to be more like Razer". No, Razer sells more because 1) their keyboards are cheaper, and 2) they are more aggressively marketed.

[OnTheBrink]

Nice size for having a numpad. I'd like to see the TKL though. And matte option please. Fingerprints are so 2008.

[Sissy]

That looks really quite awful, the fact it's Glossy is bad enough.

[C5Allroad]

Ew.....
Those rubber steps look like it can be removed and lower the board...
Don't like what ducky is doing with this unless this is some sort of economic cheap board.

I imagine the shine series will continue and this will run along the zero shine.

Has anybody seen a sort of Razer look to this board? Shiny and weird shape...

[Zeal]

Angled USB port in this new design for stress relief. I wonder if they had problems where the previous shines would have their female mini b's snap off?

[OnTheBrink]

Ew.....
Those rubber steps look like it can be removed and lower the board...
Don't like what ducky is doing with this unless this is some sort of economic cheap board.

I imagine the shine series will continue and this will run along the zero shine.

Has anybody seen a sort of Razer look to this board? Shiny and weird shape...

Nah, it reminds me of the Dell rubber dome for some reason.

[C5Allroad]

Angled USB port in this new design for stress relief. I wonder if they had problems where the previous shines would have their female mini b's snap off?

Are talking the cable or connector? I haven't had an issue, I move my keyboard every two weeks to my fathers house, cable is fine.

[xxghostxx]

i kinda want one i love my shine 2 but some media keys would be nice 

[CPTBadAss]

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wohh dat logo

I *really* don't like those hard legs. I prefer the flip out legs so I can adjust the angle myself.

[Halverson]

Show Image

wohh dat logo

I *really* don't like those hard legs. I prefer the flip out legs so I can adjust the angle myself.

I like your hard legs ;)

[Awful]

If they do this with a tkl and it has the nobs, I may buy one.

[tbc]

i have no idea where they would put knobs on a TKL.

[Zeal]

i have no idea where they would put knobs on a TKL.

It'll either be a full size exclusive feature, or we'll get two micro knobs in between the arrows & del/ins cluster.

[zflamewing]

So far I'm not a fan.  I prefer to lay my keyboards flat which would mean a custom case.  I'm curious to see where it goes and if this is a glimpse of Year of the Horse.

[strict]

i have no idea where they would put knobs on a TKL.

It'll either be a full size exclusive feature, or we'll get two micro knobs in between the arrows & del/ins cluster.

I sincerely hope they are not so committed to this knob business that they would start cramming tiny ones anywhere there is free space. I cant think of a single function that a knob could perform that couldn't be done at least as well with a Fn+Key combo.

[nubbinator]

Has anybody seen a sort of Razer look to this board? Shiny and weird shape...

It's like Razer and Das Keyboard had an abortion.  It's such an ugly board that looks cheap and ugly.  While it's nice to see some Dip switches, the case design is just terrible.

[C5Allroad]

Has anybody seen a sort of Razer look to this board? Shiny and weird shape...

It's like Razer and Das Keyboard had an abortion.  It's such an ugly board that looks cheap and ugly.  While it's nice to see some Dip switches, the case design is just terrible.

More like a failed abortion....

[tbc]

i have no idea where they would put knobs on a TKL.

It'll either be a full size exclusive feature, or we'll get two micro knobs in between the arrows & del/ins cluster.

I sincerely hope they are not so committed to this knob business that they would start cramming tiny ones anywhere there is free space. I cant think of a single function that a knob could perform that couldn't be done at least as well with a Fn+Key combo.

volume control. knobs kick the **** out of fn buttons.  i say that because thats how it is on the shine 3 and it makes me miserable

[qwack]

volume control. knobs kick the **** out of fn buttons.  i say that because thats how it is on the shine 3 and it makes me miserable

Just make a script with AutoHotkey : modifier key + wheel mouse. You won't have to reach for a knob that you don't need anymore.

[nubbinator]

Knobs are clunky, ugly, and a waste of space.  If you want independent volume control, put a slider on the side or back or have a small and unobtrusive wheel that barely sticks out...like you had on CD players and Walkmen.

Thay said, Fn layer FTW.

[OnTheBrink]

The sad part is I really like the case design and the fact it looks a bit low profile.

If they just gave the case a matte option and allowed the legs to be removable and got rid of those knobs, I'd be in for a TKL version.

Instead of trying a shiny material for their case they should have just went with a newer higher quality matte finish. I've always liked that rubberized matte finish some peripherals like the Razer mice use. Perhaps that is too expensive to put on an entire case? 

[qwack]

Is it not what Cooler Master uses on its keyboards ? I like the material for a mouse, but I prefer hard plastic for a keyboard. On that kind of large surfaces, rubber is hard to keep clean.

[Justintoxicated]

i have no idea where they would put knobs on a TKL.

It'll either be a full size exclusive feature, or we'll get two micro knobs in between the arrows & del/ins cluster.

I sincerely hope they are not so committed to this knob business that they would start cramming tiny ones anywhere there is free space. I cant think of a single function that a knob could perform that couldn't be done at least as well with a Fn+Key combo.

One handed quick volume adjustments?  I miss the wheel on my G15 for just that reason, holding FN plus another key isn't exactly very fast....

[tbc]

volume control. knobs kick the **** out of fn buttons.  i say that because thats how it is on the shine 3 and it makes me miserable

Just make a script with AutoHotkey : modifier key + wheel mouse. You won't have to reach for a knob that you don't need anymore.

once again....not a knob. especially not a dedicated knob that does one thing and that I don't have to touch when I don't care to.  it's not like it actually gets in the way (physically or because I thought it did something else).

there's alot to be said for keeping UI consistent everywhere.

look at it this way:

does dedicated audio equipment use buttons or knobs?  well for me, every piece of consumer equipment (ala dacs/amps) i've seen uses knobs for volume control.


consistency that doesn't cause ambiguity is always a good trait.

[C5Allroad]

volume control. knobs kick the **** out of fn buttons.  i say that because thats how it is on the shine 3 and it makes me miserable

Just make a script with AutoHotkey : modifier key + wheel mouse. You won't have to reach for a knob that you don't need anymore.

once again....not a knob. especially not a dedicated knob that does one thing and that I don't have to touch when I don't care to.  it's not like it actually gets in the way (physically or because I thought it did something else).

there's alot to be said for keeping UI consistent everywhere.

look at it this way:

does dedicated audio equipment use buttons or knobs?  well for me, every piece of consumer equipment (ala dacs/amps) i've seen uses knobs for volume control.


consistency that doesn't cause ambiguity is always a good trait.

But you're talking about a keyboard.....
I never touched my volume knob on my K90. Useless thing to add to a board.
My volume is always at 16% never need to change it.

[qwack]

once again....not a knob. especially not a dedicated knob that does one thing and that I don't have to touch when I don't care to.  it's not like it actually gets in the way (physically or because I thought it did something else).

there's alot to be said for keeping UI consistent everywhere.

look at it this way:

does dedicated audio equipment use buttons or knobs?  well for me, every piece of consumer equipment (ala dacs/amps) i've seen uses knobs for volume control.


consistency that doesn't cause ambiguity is always a good trait.

With this mindset, I guess you hate using a FN layer too?

As a musician relying on hardware to control my DAW and plugins, I know the value of a properly designed physical interface and can appreciate when a dedicated knob comes in handy. But when I am using my computer for anything else, I find the AHK script extremely useful and intuitive, as it lets me change the volume without having to reach for a knob (or a slider on the screen).

I'm not saying it is the best way to do it, just that if you really need to control the volume easily, you might want to give it another chance.

[strict]

Boom! ... problem solved ... it even clicks like a mouse. No need to clutter keyboards with knobs. 

[C5Allroad]

I was actually looking at that. I don't think they make the drivers for win7 anymore?
Last I checked, was when I was buying my shine 3 and was freaking out like I need media keys! Autohotkey to the rescue!

[Justintoxicated]

once again....not a knob. especially not a dedicated knob that does one thing and that I don't have to touch when I don't care to.  it's not like it actually gets in the way (physically or because I thought it did something else).

there's alot to be said for keeping UI consistent everywhere.

look at it this way:

does dedicated audio equipment use buttons or knobs?  well for me, every piece of consumer equipment (ala dacs/amps) i've seen uses knobs for volume control.


consistency that doesn't cause ambiguity is always a good trait.

With this mindset, I guess you hate using a FN layer too?

As a musician relying on hardware to control my DAW and plugins, I know the value of a properly designed physical interface and can appreciate when a dedicated knob comes in handy. But when I am using my computer for anything else, I find the AHK script extremely useful and intuitive, as it lets me change the volume without having to reach for a knob (or a slider on the screen).

I'm not saying it is the best way to do it, just that if you really need to control the volume easily, you might want to give it another chance.

That's great except my computer is pretty locked down at work and will likely not allow me to run such things.

[Premonition]

Man, it would be incredible if it came with the underneath lights like the LightSaver. Not a fan of the gloss either, but mostly I'm wondering how they'll fit those knobs onto a TKL!

[tribade]

I don't know how I feel about this one.  I actually liked the newish Das design, and it seems like Ducky is trying to adopt something a little bit similar but with a glossy finish.  Ew 

It'll probably look really cool if they do a limited edition aluminum case, though.

[octo]

Omg, didnt like that glossy, also, I'm looking for an used brown switch Shine 3 to buy...

[berserkfan]

Thank you, Ducky, for taking a page from Razer with that shiny casing.

And thank you again, for learning from Azio Levetron how to put in volume knobs.

Now why don't you 'make' your own special switches from Kailh?

I think I'll stick with my IBM buckling springs.

btw for those who are unhappy at my negativity, let me assure you, I'm all positive about this.  ) I won't be spending money on this so it's a very good thing.

[Mooby]

Not my cup of tea, but there's enough classic looking keyboards out there.

[JunkFace]

Thank you, Ducky, for taking a page from Razer with that shiny casing.

And thank you again, for learning from Azio Levetron how to put in volume knobs.

Now why don't you 'make' your own special switches from Kailh?

I think I'll stick with my IBM buckling springs.

btw for those who are unhappy at my negativity, let me assure you, I'm all positive about this.  ) I won't be spending money on this so it's a very good thing.

I can't stand reflective stuff on my desk at all, if you're being sarcastic, which I suspect you are, I'm in the same boat.

[James35]

At first, I was thinking about the reflective case as just a cosmetic preference, but the more that I think about it, I agree with JunkFace.  If I lay my cell phone flat on the desk in front of me, the reflection is distracting when I scroll through web pages. etc.

[thesentinel]

I would never buy this. Though, it's not like we're at a shortage of black blocks for keyboards anyways.

[berserkfan]

I'm all positive about this.  ) I won't be spending money on this so it's a very good thing.

I can't stand reflective stuff on my desk at all, if you're being sarcastic, which I suspect you are, I'm in the same boat.

Exactly. I don't like the keyboard they are making, so I won't buy it, so I'll save money. Let's hope Ducky 5 boasts 'self-made' aka Kailh switches. I'll save my money again until Ducky 6.

[HendyZone]

it's not glossy



picture from Ducky Booth on Computex, Taipei 2014

[divito]

Brightness and volume, interesting.

[rowdy]

it's not glossy

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picture from Ducky Booth on Computex, Taipei 2014 ;)

The knobs are.

[Candyflip]

I think its a cool board, there are way too many classic looking keyboards on the market already. I don't use knobs so I am not sure if people who use will like them, it looks out of place on a  keyboard to me.

[C5Allroad]

it's not glossy

Show Image

picture from Ducky Booth on Computex, Taipei 2014 ;)

Interesting.....
Is that different colored LEDs, I can't really tell....

[JinDesu]

it's not glossy

Show Image

picture from Ducky Booth on Computex, Taipei 2014 ;)

Interesting.....
Is that different colored LEDs, I can't really tell....

Yeah, looks it. I see blue, magenta, and orange.

[C5Allroad]

it's not glossy

Show Image

picture from Ducky Booth on Computex, Taipei 2014 ;)

Interesting.....
Is that different colored LEDs, I can't really tell....

Yeah, looks it. I see blue, magenta, and orange.

Could it mean? Could it mean ducky has some form of rgb, or just ruin my dreams and have separate LEDs on each switch?

[bazh]

So those ridiculous huge knobs are really a thing now? So stupid yet so fugly (you too, Das 4)

[berserkfan]

it's not glossy

Show Image

picture from Ducky Booth on Computex, Taipei 2014 ;)

Ugh; I have a whole load of keyboards being SIP modded for me by other people now precisely so that I can have different-colored LEDs.

Now Ducky produces something that can produce any color I want just by soft-programming it?

But that said, I don't agree with their ABS keycap options, I dislike the two big round things (nob to knobs!)... hope to save money not buying Ducky Shine 4, so that I have money for Ducky Shine 5...

[bazh]

look like bi-color LEDs, unless they uses Kailh...

[C5Allroad]

look like bi-color LEDs, unless they uses Kailh...

Does kailh allow for two LEDs to fit?

[bazh]

look like bi-color LEDs, unless they uses Kailh...

Does kailh allow for two LEDs to fit?

no, but 5mm RGB LEDs can fit in