CM QuickFire Rapid-i OEM and key stabilizer quality

[kaliuseruser]

1) My first question is about the manufacturer of Rapid-i, is it made by Costar or did they change the OEM ? china or taiwan ?

2) My second question is about the key stabilizer, it appears that the they changed the stabilizer from Costar to Cherry stabilizer, is this an indication that this new product will be of a less quality then the original ?

3) I know that Cherry stabilizer can different from one keyboard to another, so how does the Rapid-i Cherry stabilizer compare to other say like ducky 3 Cherry stabilizer ?

4) Some people report that Cherry stabilizer feel mushy to type on, what does the word "mushy" mean here, is it like easy to type on or what exactly ?

[duzeyao]

1/ It's made in China mainland
2/ It's of cherry stabilizers but the typing feel of long keys is kind of loose, compared to Cherry keyboards.
3/ Costar - Rapid-I - Cherry - Ducky imo, from loose to mushy.
4/ Well I think you won't be disappointed by the cherry stabilizers of Rapid-i. 

[CPTBadAss]

4) Some people report that Cherry stabilizer feel mushy to type on, what does the word "mushy" mean here, is it like easy to type on or what exactly ?

Mushy meaning it feels like there is extra resistance when you push down on the key. Typically when you press down on the key, you just feel the switch actuation. Some modifiers feel like there is extra resistance so the alphas don't feel the same as the modifiers. It's almost like your cap has some syrup in it and it's pushing back more than it should.

[kaliuseruser]

1/ It's made in China mainland

did they change their OEM or are they still manufactured by Costar ?

[kaliuseruser]

4) Some people report that Cherry stabilizer feel mushy to type on, what does the word "mushy" mean here, is it like easy to type on or what exactly ?

Mushy meaning it feels like there is extra resistance when you push down on the key. Typically when you press down on the key, you just feel the switch actuation. Some modifiers feel like there is extra resistance so the alphas don't feel the same as the modifiers. It's almost like your cap has some syrup in it and it's pushing back more than it should.

I think the only reason why QFR-i used Cherry stabilizer is because of backlit, which gives the impression that corsair stabilizer are indeed better for typing, this is just a speculation from my part, I'm by no means an expert in mechanical keyboards.
what do you think, does Costar stabilizer feel better to type on ?
Originally I settled to get a Das keyboard but after they changed their manufacturer I started looking for an alternative, now I'm trying to decide between QFR and QFR-i which one do you think is better for typing.

[CPTBadAss]

Well not every Cherry stabilizer feels the same and if you clip them, they're great. I prefer clipped Cherry stabilizers. As always, "better" is subjective and you'll have to decide for yourself.

QFR vs QFR-I? I wouldn't know because I've never tried a QFR-I for myself. And I haven't seen much information about the QFR-I. I will say that I like the QFR as long as I don't need to modify anything and keep it stock. It's not my favorite board to mod. The QFR-I looks nice though. If you're looking for a solid board, I'd look into getting a Ducky or Leopold. I own a Leopold and I've had Ducky boards in my possession for a long period of time. Really enjoyed those boards.

 I've also liked what I've seen from the KUL and WASD boards.

[kaliuseruser]

I don't plan to mod the keyboard, and from this typing video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ5eTQ6nhF4) the spacebar seems to work great, what do you think ?

The last thing I want to know is obviously the OEM, is it still Costar ?

[CPTBadAss]

what do you think ?

I will say that I like the QFR

The last thing I want to know is obviously the OEM, is it still Costar ?

I don't know. The Costar OEM is always confusing to me because they're essentially a middle man so I think there's varying Costar qualities. I could be wrong but that's what I remember...Regardless, I think it's a solid board.

[phoenix1234]

The last thing I want to know is obviously the OEM, is it still Costar ?

Yes, it's 100% Costa. You can see the keyboard code : CST-87-TENKEYLESS and it is exactly what on Costar side :
http://www.costar.com.tw/index.php?option=com_flexicontent&view=items&cid=52%3Amechanical-keyboard-or-keyboard-moduleoemodm-&id=69%3Acst-87-tenkeyless&Itemid=87&lang=en

[wes1099]

A little off topic, but does anyone know if the QFR-i has a replacable controller like the QFR? I like the cool backlighting stuff on the QFR-i but I don't want to get it if I can't make it fully programmable.

[Puddsy]

A little off topic, but does anyone know if the QFR-i has a replacable controller like the QFR? I like the cool backlighting stuff on the QFR-i but I don't want to get it if I can't make it fully programmable.

i don't think it has one yet

[wes1099]

A little off topic, but does anyone know if the QFR-i has a replacable controller like the QFR? I like the cool backlighting stuff on the QFR-i but I don't want to get it if I can't make it fully programmable.

i don't think it has one yet

Oh I know that. I just don't know if it even has a removable controller.

[Puddsy]

A little off topic, but does anyone know if the QFR-i has a replacable controller like the QFR? I like the cool backlighting stuff on the QFR-i but I don't want to get it if I can't make it fully programmable.

i don't think it has one yet

Oh I know that. I just don't know if it even has a removable controller.

technically speaking yes you can take it off

I don't think it's like an old school QFR one tho

might be a microcontroller because LEDs

[wes1099]

A little off topic, but does anyone know if the QFR-i has a replacable controller like the QFR? I like the cool backlighting stuff on the QFR-i but I don't want to get it if I can't make it fully programmable.

i don't think it has one yet

Oh I know that. I just don't know if it even has a removable controller.

Yeah, I was thinking that it was probably a tiny SMD chip like the one on my Quickfire TK, but I wasn't sure.

technically speaking yes you can take it off

I don't think it's like an old school QFR one tho

might be a microcontroller because LEDs

[kaliuseruser]

The last thing I want to know is obviously the OEM, is it still Costar ?

Yes, it's 100% Costa. You can see the keyboard code : CST-87-TENKEYLESS and it is exactly what on Costar side :
http://www.costar.com.tw/index.php?option=com_flexicontent&view=items&cid=52%3Amechanical-keyboard-or-keyboard-moduleoemodm-&id=69%3Acst-87-tenkeyless&Itemid=87&lang=en

where did you see the keyboard code CST-87-TENKEYLESS ? did you open a QFR-i and found that code inside it ?

[phoenix1234]

where did you see the keyboard code CST-87-TENKEYLESS ? did you open a QFR-i and found that code inside it ?

No, I didn't open it inside to seek for it. But the question was answered on this thread and on Amazon Q&A
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=60411.10
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Tenkeyless-Mechanical-Individual/forum/-/-/1?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B00JM61264
I think we can trust Q&A from CM rep at Amazon.

[kaliuseruser]

where did you see the keyboard code CST-87-TENKEYLESS ? did you open a QFR-i and found that code inside it ?

No, I didn't open it inside to seek for it. But the question was answered on this thread and on Amazon Q&A
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=60411.10
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Tenkeyless-Mechanical-Individual/forum/-/-/1?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B00JM61264
I think we can trust Q&A from CM rep at Amazon.

I think any person can put an answer in Q&A at amazon, what makes you think that the person that answered that question is a CM rep ?

Anyway, it would be cool if you could tell me how does the stablizers feel on your QFR-i.

[phoenix1234]

I think any person can put an answer in Q&A at amazon, what makes you think that the person that answered that question is a CM rep ?
Anyway, it would be cool if you could tell me how does the stablizers feel on your QFR-i.

Oh, I thought he is one of CM rep. He sounds quite certainly. You're right, we should just ignore that factor.

Anyway, if we can consider all Chinese manufacturers who produce led TKL and standard R1, likely it will lead to Vortex, Ducky Zero, Plum and perhaps Costar etc.

So we can at least assume Quick Fire Rapid-I is CST-87-TENKEYLESS until someone prove otherwise because the looks and the keycap OEM similar to Rapid and according to this http://deskthority.net/wiki/Costar
"Costar is alleged to not be a manufacturer; rather, they have been described as a middle-man between their customers and their manufacturers.[1]"

Regarding the stabilizers feel, I feel it is similar like Ducky Shine 3 because they are both Cherry Plate mounted stabilizers. Comparing between Ducky Shine 3 TKL and Rapid-I, I would prefer Ducky Shine 3 TKL because of it build quality to be honest, it's rock and solid but indeed, the price of Ducky Shine 3 TKL is more expensive.

[duzeyao]

1/ It's made in China mainland

did they change their OEM or are they still manufactured by Costar ?

Yep they changed the OEM to a mainland factory (I think it's the same as Ultimate and TK), NOT Costar.

[phoenix1234]

Yep they changed the OEM to a mainland factory (I think it's the same as Ultimate and TK), NOT Costar.

Do you have any evidence to back that up?
I doubt that because the last row of Ultimate and TK are abnormal while the Rapid-I is standard like Filco and Ducky (1.25 _ 1.25 _ 1.25 _ 6.25 _ 1.25 _ 1.25 _ 1.25 _ 1.25 _ 1_1_1).

The PCB is quite clean and neat:



The Controller is ARM Holtek like Ducky:


The Plate is quite nice and clean:



Overall the keyboard is similar to Costa





Source: http://www.modders-inc.com/cm-storm-quickfire-rapid-keyboard-review/

However, we have no confirmation from CM who is their OEM so it could be anyone. It could even be the Vortex or a disclosed OEM.

[duzeyao]

Yep they changed the OEM to a mainland factory (I think it's the same as Ultimate and TK), NOT Costar.

Do you have any evidence to back that up?
I doubt that because the last row of Ultimate and TK are abnormal while the Rapid-I is standard like Filco and Ducky (1.25 _ 1.25 _ 1.25 _ 6.25 _ 1.25 _ 1.25 _ 1.25 _ 1.25 _ 1_1_1).

The PCB is quite clean and neat:

Show Image

The Controller is ARM Holtek like Ducky:

Show Image

The Plate is quite nice and clean:

Show Image

Show Image

Overall the keyboard is similar to Costa

Show Image

Show Image

Source: http://www.modders-inc.com/cm-storm-quickfire-rapid-keyboard-review/

However, we have no confirmation from CM who is their OEM so it could be anyone. It could even be the Vortex or a disclosed OEM.

Yes I am 100% sure QFR-I is not manufactured by Costar (I had some communications with CM keyboard designer).
I'm not very sure however if it's produced by the same factory as TK though.

Anyway the build quality of QFR-I is good.  )