Ducky Shine III or Deck Hassium??

[miroslav]

Hey Guys,

Just wanted to ask you guys I'm getting another board tomorrow and I'm not sure which one I should get, either a Ducky Shine III or Deck Hassium. I've tried Deck Hassiums before but I can't really tell the difference between that or the Ducky. I'm also curious as to whether the Deck is plate mounted because I've come to the understanding that they're not and that they're only dual PCB.

Thanks!

[Doesntknowwhattosay]

I would choose the ducky over deck all the time just because of the font they use.

[Tempest790]

I would choose the ducky over deck all the time just because of the font they use.

This.

[qwack]

Same here.

[FoxWolf1]

I'm also curious as to whether the Deck is plate mounted because I've come to the understanding that they're not and that they're only dual PCB.

No, it is plate mounted.

I would go with the Deck that situation...PBT doubleshot caps (assuming you get the US version) vs ABS, good onboard configurability, and anyway I won't buy another Ducky after what happened with my 1008XM.

[acantha]

I would choose the ducky over deck all the time just because of the font they use.

This.

totes. too bad you can't take the keys off. that would make the font on the caps a nonissue. </sarcasm>

[Justintoxicated]

easy one, deck.

[minho]

Ducky fo sho. Don't know what backlighting options Hassium has, but the font and the lighting already make the Ducky a hella cool board.

[Justintoxicated]

Ducky fo sho. Don't know what backlighting options Hassium has, but the font and the lighting already make the Ducky a hella cool board.

The US deck has pretty much all the same options plus the backlighting effects are programmable if your into that.  But the US model deck's caps are doubleshot PBT, so hands down better than laser etched ducky caps.

OP You should also look into the Maxkeyboard Blackbird, while not as wild on lighting options it's  a quality board and also has doubleshot keycaps although they are abs doubleshot, they do have a better font and look really good in person.  I was pretty sure the Deck is plate mounted, but maybe do a google search on that one.  The blackbird certainly is though.

[dante]

I'd pick Deck - for my personal reason(s):

1. An integrated wrist rest is available.
2. Hardwired cable
3. Programmable
4. While the keyboard is made in Asia, I'm sure a few dollars stick around in Wisconsin.  Might be important someone who lives/dies by: BUY MURRICAN.
5. Between ABS and PBT I prefer ABS.  However, between double shot PBT and painted backlit ABS - I'll take the PBT.

[Hyde]

lol just in this thread there's already 5 sales Deck lost because of font.  Why do they so insist on their "branding"?

[dante]

lol just in this thread there's already 5 sales Deck lost because of font.  Why do they so insist on their "branding"?

They may revisit changing the font if Ducky rolls out backlit doubleshot PBT.  The Deck division of TG3 is probably a "hole in the wall" ... when developing the new boards they probably had to make cutbacks somewhere.  Ie: Keep the same keycap construction and change the font?  Or improve the keycaps and keep the same.

Maybe down the road when word gets out and they receive more scathing reviews they will reconsider.

[Justintoxicated]

I'd pick Deck - for my personal reason(s):

1. An integrated wrist rest is available.
2. Hardwired cable
3. Programmable
4. While the keyboard is made in Asia, I'm sure a few dollars stick around in Wisconsin.  Might be important someone who lives/dies by: BUY MURRICAN.
5. Between ABS and PBT I prefer ABS.  However, between double shot PBT and painted backlit ABS - I'll take the PBT.

So maybe double abs is the way to go then?

[minho]

I'd pick Deck - for my personal reason(s):

1. An integrated wrist rest is available.
2. Hardwired cable
3. Programmable
4. While the keyboard is made in Asia, I'm sure a few dollars stick around in Wisconsin.  Might be important someone who lives/dies by: BUY MURRICAN.
5. Between ABS and PBT I prefer ABS.  However, between double shot PBT and painted backlit ABS - I'll take the PBT.

So maybe double abs is the way to go then?

WHICH YOU CAN GET FOR CHEAP AND SUPER SEXY in the TaiHao group buy. Check out my signature! 

[Justintoxicated]

I'd pick Deck - for my personal reason(s):

1. An integrated wrist rest is available.
2. Hardwired cable
3. Programmable
4. While the keyboard is made in Asia, I'm sure a few dollars stick around in Wisconsin.  Might be important someone who lives/dies by: BUY MURRICAN.
5. Between ABS and PBT I prefer ABS.  However, between double shot PBT and painted backlit ABS - I'll take the PBT.

So maybe double abs is the way to go then?

WHICH YOU CAN GET FOR CHEAP AND SUPER SEXY in the TaiHao group buy. Check out my signature! 

But those won't illuminate the letters?  Or are you saying that those are shot with an opaque white like these? 
http://www.maxkeyboard.com/images/overview/Blackbird-TKL-KEY-CAPS-920.jpg

I think the blackbird keycaps illuminate so well do to the post being part of the opaque injection.

[minho]

I'd pick Deck - for my personal reason(s):

1. An integrated wrist rest is available.
2. Hardwired cable
3. Programmable
4. While the keyboard is made in Asia, I'm sure a few dollars stick around in Wisconsin.  Might be important someone who lives/dies by: BUY MURRICAN.
5. Between ABS and PBT I prefer ABS.  However, between double shot PBT and painted backlit ABS - I'll take the PBT.

So maybe double abs is the way to go then?

WHICH YOU CAN GET FOR CHEAP AND SUPER SEXY in the TaiHao group buy. Check out my signature! 

But those won't illuminate the letters?  Or are you saying that those are shot with an opaque white like these?
http://www.maxkeyboard.com/images/overview/Blackbird-TKL-KEY-CAPS-920.jpg

Nope, won't illuminate the letters. I still prefer the TaiHao ones personally though because of better color choices - plain white on black is a little dull for my tastes, and I prefer an "underglow" backlighting effect also.

[Justintoxicated]

I'd pick Deck - for my personal reason(s):

1. An integrated wrist rest is available.
2. Hardwired cable
3. Programmable
4. While the keyboard is made in Asia, I'm sure a few dollars stick around in Wisconsin.  Might be important someone who lives/dies by: BUY MURRICAN.
5. Between ABS and PBT I prefer ABS.  However, between double shot PBT and painted backlit ABS - I'll take the PBT.

So maybe double abs is the way to go then?

WHICH YOU CAN GET FOR CHEAP AND SUPER SEXY in the TaiHao group buy. Check out my signature! 

But those won't illuminate the letters?  Or are you saying that those are shot with an opaque white like these?
http://www.maxkeyboard.com/images/overview/Blackbird-TKL-KEY-CAPS-920.jpg

Nope, won't illuminate the letters. I still prefer the TaiHao ones personally though because of better color choices - plain white on black is a little dull for my tastes, and I prefer an "underglow" backlighting effect also.

Yea more options would be great there is a seriously limited market for double shots  with translucent plastic.  The blackbird keycaps have plenty of underglow, and the board itself has lights on the side too which leaves a pretty cool effect.

[rowdy]

I would choose the ducky over deck all the time just because of the font they use.

I would choose the ducky over deck all the time just because of the font they use.

This.

Same here.

In the Asia-Pacific region, they use Arial (or something very similar) for the legends.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=53503.0

[BucklingSpring]

DECK VS DUCKY? When I asked myself the same question I went Deck all the way because Deck has better keycaps.

In the Asia-Pacific region, they use Arial (or something very similar) for the legends.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=53503.0

True but but on these Deck is using the same ABS caps that you will find on a Ducky.
The reason I chose Deck over Ducky when I was debating this question earlier this year is because Deck had better keycaps.

SIDE NOTE: I don't give a duck about Deck fugly fonts.

[miroslav]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. I decided to go with the Ducky Shine III w/ MX Blacks. When I went into the store yesterday to check the Deck, it actually didn't have PBT keycaps so I was a bit sad

Note: I will still purchase Deck keyboards regardless just to add to my collection, I mean who can have enough mechanical keyboards right?

[rowdy]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. I decided to go with the Ducky Shine III w/ MX Blacks. When I went into the store yesterday to check the Deck, it actually didn't have PBT keycaps so I was a bit sad

Note: I will still purchase Deck keyboards regardless just to add to my collection, I mean who can have enough mechanical keyboards right?

A good choice

[minho]

who can have enough mechanical keyboards right?

Hear, hear

[berserkfan]

lol just in this thread there's already 5 sales Deck lost because of font.  Why do they so insist on their "branding"?

They may revisit changing the font if Ducky rolls out backlit doubleshot PBT.  The Deck division of TG3 is probably a "hole in the wall" ... when developing the new boards they probably had to make cutbacks somewhere.  Ie: Keep the same keycap construction and change the font?  Or improve the keycaps and keep the same.

Maybe down the road when word gets out and they receive more scathing reviews they will reconsider.

We've had plenty of debates about this before, including with Deck's people.

They are 100% aware that almost everyone hates their font. Those who do not hate their font are indifferent to it.

They don't care a damn about that.

End of story.

Some businesses don't care about pleasing potential customers, because they already have some solid contracts eg with police departments. Even though I suspect Deck could make 2x as much money easily, they are exercising their constitutional right to make less money.

[BucklingSpring]

They are 100% aware that almost everyone hates their font. Those who do not hate their font are indifferent to it.

They don't care a damn about that.

End of story.

Well put. As a die hard Deck fan, I think you are absolutely right.

[berserkfan]

Even though I suspect Deck could make 2x as much money easily, they are exercising their constitutional right to make less money.

I thought this was the more funny part of my reply. 

[Cangai]

I went with the Deck Hassium Pro (US version). I wanted Double Shot PBT keycaps, and didn't really want to buy them after market. The font doesn't really bother me because I don't look at my keys anyway these days. Note the Asian region one shipped to Oceania is ABS), it is distinctively different as it has a Helvetica keycap style).

There is  this option though - Vortex's Double Shot Illuminated caps look sweet.

I think Ducky also makes most of their money coming out with "shine" successors. Mechanical keyboards don't really wear out. The keycaps do if they are ABS, but that's about it. They've created a model for people to "upgrade" where there was not one. For me a keyboard lasts multiple computers.

Believe it or not the idea of having a number "1, 2, 3, 4" makes people feel like theirs is old and then they buy a new one. A lot of shine 3 owners were shine 2 owners and so on. The shine 4 is due out soon and no doubt people will trade in/buy an additional keyboard for their collection. I think Ducky spends a fair amount on marketing, (sexy girls) etc rather than letting the product speak for itself.

Where as with Deck, you can just upload your own script to the keyboard. There are script libraries and their language is documented in the manual on their download site.

The plate mounting Deck uses also makes it trivial to replace a faulty switch.

[C5Allroad]

I think the Ducky is $20 cheaper. And nicer font to me.

[Cangai]

I think the Ducky is $20 cheaper. And nicer font to me.

If shiny worn keycaps are your thing then I guess - as the Ducky boards use ABS keycaps that wear. The Ducky DK9008G2 does have PBT Dye Sublimated keycaps, but they're still not as good as your Double PBT ones. Mechkb did a comparison a while back. Also the Dye Sublimated ones that Ducky sell are not transparent, so if you put them in a Shine you won't see the legend at all. You're better off going with blank ones in that case.

Given how much aftermarket keycaps are the $20 extra for it coming with Double Shot PBTs is a bargain.

Now if only they came with the legend style used on those Vortex Caps it would be truely perfect.

[C5Allroad]

I think the Ducky is $20 cheaper. And nicer font to me.

If shiny worn keycaps are your thing then I guess - as the Ducky boards use ABS keycaps that wear. The Ducky DK9008G2 does have PBT Dye Sublimated keycaps, but they're still not as good as your Double PBT ones. Mechkb did a comparison a while back. Also the Dye Sublimated ones that Ducky sell are not transparent, so if you put them in a Shine you won't see the legend at all. You're better off going with blank ones in that case.

Given how much aftermarket keycaps are the $20 extra for it coming with Double Shot PBTs is a bargain.

Now if only they came with the legend style used on those Vortex Caps it would be truely perfect.

I haven't had an issue with my shine 3

I wouldn't mind finding a set of stock hassium caps though.

[tbc]

the guy writes like he's a 'paid shill' or wants to be one lol

[Cangai]

I think the Ducky is $20 cheaper. And nicer font to me.

If shiny worn keycaps are your thing then I guess - as the Ducky boards use ABS keycaps that wear. The Ducky DK9008G2 does have PBT Dye Sublimated keycaps, but they're still not as good as your Double PBT ones. Mechkb did a comparison a while back. Also the Dye Sublimated ones that Ducky sell are not transparent, so if you put them in a Shine you won't see the legend at all. You're better off going with blank ones in that case.

Given how much aftermarket keycaps are the $20 extra for it coming with Double Shot PBTs is a bargain.

Now if only they came with the legend style used on those Vortex Caps it would be truely perfect.

I haven't had an issue with my shine 3

Show Image

I wouldn't mind finding a set of stock hassium caps though.

I really like those Vortex caps. I wonder if the spacebar will be compatible? The spacebars on the Decks are apparently ABS, I read that is because they tend to warp.

the guy writes like he's a 'paid shill' or wants to be one lol

Sorry already have a day job, nothing to do with keyboards either. (C/C++ developer).

[C5Allroad]

I think the Ducky is $20 cheaper. And nicer font to me.

If shiny worn keycaps are your thing then I guess - as the Ducky boards use ABS keycaps that wear. The Ducky DK9008G2 does have PBT Dye Sublimated keycaps, but they're still not as good as your Double PBT ones. Mechkb did a comparison a while back. Also the Dye Sublimated ones that Ducky sell are not transparent, so if you put them in a Shine you won't see the legend at all. You're better off going with blank ones in that case.

Given how much aftermarket keycaps are the $20 extra for it coming with Double Shot PBTs is a bargain.

Now if only they came with the legend style used on those Vortex Caps it would be truely perfect.

I haven't had an issue with my shine 3

Show Image

I wouldn't mind finding a set of stock hassium caps though.

I really like those Vortex caps. I wonder if the spacebar will be compatible? The spacebars on the Decks are apparently ABS, I read that is because they tend to warp.

the guy writes like he's a 'paid shill' or wants to be one lol

Sorry already have a day job, nothing to do with keyboards either. (C/C++ developer).

Hmmm, interesting. I didn't know that they warped. I'll have to look into that. You could always just buy a 6.25 space bar anyway.
I would assume that it's compatible since the hassium looks like to have to the same layout as the shine.

[Cangai]

Hmmm, interesting. I didn't know that they warped. I'll have to look into that. You could always just buy a 6.25 space bar anyway.
I would assume that it's compatible since the hassium looks like to have to the same layout as the shine.

That's what I gathered too, I wonder if the pole position is in the right place? I noticed the deck key has extra three poles unused. Yet there's only one pole on the actual board and a stabilizer on either end. Maybe that's so you can put the deck spacebar on a nonstandard board like the Leopold FC700R TKL?

The Leopold FC500R spacebar is supplied for comparison (both are exactly the same length). The FC500R uses a standard spacebar.

[C5Allroad]

Hmmm, interesting. I didn't know that they warped. I'll have to look into that. You could always just buy a 6.25 space bar anyway.
I would assume that it's compatible since the hassium looks like to have to the same layout as the shine.

That's what I gathered too, I wonder if the pole position is in the right place? I noticed the deck key has extra three poles unused. Yet there's only one pole on the actual board and a stabilizer on either end. Maybe that's so you can put the deck spacebar on a nonstandard board like the Leopold FC700R TKL?

Show Image

The Leopold FC500R spacebar is supplied for comparison (both are exactly the same length). The FC500R uses a standard spacebar.

Well, if it's a 6.25 I assume that it would fit.

[Cangai]

I got these measurements:

I was able to reproduce the numbers on this page with the Leopold board. I did only measure it with a ruler.