QuickFire TK Stealth vs Plum MX 96

[dr_habu]

Like I wrote in my introductory post – I decided to get a mechanical keyboard. I knew that I wanted cherry MX brown switches(I don't really care about gaming, but I know that blues are too loud for me), and I knew exactly what I kind of layout I wanted. The problem was that I couldn't find the keyboard with the right layout, so I decided to build my own. I'm an engineering student and it didn't seem too hard.
Just as I was finalizing the plate design I stumbled upon CM Storm QuickFire TK Stealth which seemed perfect for me. Well, it turned out that it's pretty much impossible to buy it these days. I even wrote an email to CM, and one of their representatives informed me that this keyboard is unavailable in Europe because of a patent issue. As it turned out Filco holds a European patent for side printed key caps(which is totally stupid if you ask me).



After trying to locate a used QF TK Stealth for about a week I decided to look for alternatives. Turned out Plum MX 96 offered more features and pretty much the same basic layout, however it didn't have stealth keycaps(which for me is a downside). On the up side it seems like it does use standard key cap sizes(AFAIK QF TK uses non standard space) which means that I could possibly get a dark gray blank key cap set, use this method to add windows to some of the keycaps, and then use water transfers to add legends of the fronts of the key caps.



At this point I'm torn. I'm sure some of the people here have had both of those keyboards, so maybe it's obvious to you which one of those keyboards is better? Plum 96 is a bit cheaper, and to me it seems like it's better thought out, but QF TK Stealth looks sexier out of the box, and I wouldn't have to mess with it, but then again I've heard that the paint peels off of the key caps on the non stealth version and I'm not sure if it's the same with Stealth.

Should I keep trying to find a (possibly used) CM Storm QuickFire TK Stealth, or should I just contact qtan and get Plum 96?

Please help 

Mod Edit: Reuploaded images to imgur because of reports of images being blocked by antivirus programs.

[dr_habu]

I just wanted to add that both this Red Scarf III layout and this Lightsaver layout are even better than they layouts on QuickFire TK stealth and Plum MX 96, but for now I won't be buying Red Scarf or Lightsaver because they're a bit too expensive for a first mechanical keyboard, and I think that part of the reason why they cost as much as they do is because of all the backlighting features that I wouldn't be using anyway(I don't like backlit keyboards to say the least), so I don't think it would make much sense.

[julayyy]

Since I have a cmstorm tk, I just want to say that it's an amazing keyboard but changing my keycaps have been a pain. It's hard finding a 6.5 space bar and the rest of the bottom rows so it limits me from buying keysets that I want but at the same time I guess I'm saving money since it prevents me from buying keysets.

I never tried the plum but my best suggestion is to get the plum and buy side printed keycaps since the bottom row is standard on the plum and you get the size factor you want

[dr_habu]

Thanks for your input!

What about the paint reportedly flaking from the stock QF TK keycaps? Also, I've heard that on some models(those with earlier firmware versions) the num pad enter key doesn't work when num lock is off.

I know that MX Browns aren't the favourite switch type on GH, but I think that it's a good start and there's nothing stopping me from moding the keyboard that I decide to buy and switching to zealios or something else later on.

[0100010]

I would pick the Plum 96, due to bluetooth.

[julayyy]

Thanks for your input!

What about the paint reportedly flaking from the stock QF TK keycaps? Also, I've heard that on some models(those with earlier firmware versions) the num pad enter key doesn't work when num lock is off.

I know that MX Browns aren't the favourite switch type on GH, but I think that it's a good start and there's nothing stopping me from moding the keyboard that I decide to buy and switching to zealios or something else later on.

When numlock is of and you're just using the arrow keys, the enter key doesn't work.  The enter key only work when you're using the numpad.

As for paint flaking off stock keycaps, that I would not know about since I switched my keycaps 1 month in using it. 

As for browns, they were the first switch type I used and I didn't really liked it much but everyone has their own preferences.  If you're into modding then you go do that.  If I knew how to mod keyboard, I would have changed my TK from reds to clears already x]

If I knew about the Plum 96, I think I would have gotten that over the CM Storm TK due to the standard bottom row. Price wise, they're kind of similar in range or well the one I'm looking at.  Overall, the TK is still a great keyboard to use in general.

[hyp36rmax]

It will be a challenge trying to source a Quickfire TK Stealth as this keyboard really does have a limited availability.  You're better off sourcing side-printed key caps.  This is speaking for my days working with CM in the USA office, which was very recent.  It wasn't even available in the US let alone the limited run in the EU region due to the patents.

[dr_habu]

I would pick the Plum 96, due to bluetooth.

It's kind of nice that it provides an option to use it in wireless mode, but I'll definitely just connect it through a ps/2 adapter(or a custom cable).

As for browns, they were the first switch type I used and I didn't really liked it much but everyone has their own preferences.  If you're into modding then you go do that.  If I knew how to mod keyboard, I would have changed my TK from reds to clears already x]

If I knew about the Plum 96, I think I would have gotten that over the CM Storm TK due to the standard bottom row. Price wise, they're kind of similar in range or well the one I'm looking at.  Overall, the TK is still a great keyboard to use in general.

Could you tell me why you'd like to switch to clears? I know it's totally subjective but I'd just like to hear your opinion.
Your post is very helpful, and I'm starting to lean towards the Plum now.

It will be a challenge trying to source a Quickfire TK Stealth as this keyboard really does have a limited availability.  You're better off sourcing side-printed key caps.  This is speaking for my days working with CM in the USA office, which was very recent.  It wasn't even available in the US let alone the limited run in the EU region due to the patents.

Thanks for replying to my post!
It's awesome that you decided to share this kind of information! It definitely paints a more detailed picture of the weird situation with QuickFire TK Stealth availability(or lack thereof).
I'm actually amazed that Cooler Master didn't decide to dispute that patent. I have a feeling that it might be because they recently lost a patent dispute with Asetek and they got burned hard enough that they were afraid of repeating that outcome.
But that still doesn't explain why QuickFire TK wasn't even available in the US in the first place. Was there some kind of issue with the keyboard that I don't know about?


I'm leaning more and more towards the Plum MX 96, but it would be very nice if someone with that keyboard gave me their opinion about this as well.

[dr_habu]

I have realised that if I buy the plum 96 I can easily make it my own. I can easily change the indicator led colour, or even swap switches without soldering because they're pcb mounted(so I can easily switch to Cherry MX clears or Zealios later on). Not to mention the fact that the key caps are standard size.

I'll probably get a version with blue switches(not browns like I initially intended), but as far as I can tell Plum currently only uses black switches from cherry, the other variants(reds/browns/blues) are source from Gateron.
I don't mind Gateron switches(actually I suspect that I might like them better than MX Blues), but I'm a little bit worried that it might be tricky to install a Cherry mx switch into a Gateron base.

[julayyy]

^ for the question above, I think the reason why I wanted to switch out my reds to clear is because clear has a better typing experience due to the tactile feel? I use my tk at work since I need the numpad but wanted a compact keyboard and I have a v60 with clears at home that I use mainly to game. So it's kind of flopped?

Reds are better for gaming while clears are better for typing and that's why I want to change the switch on my tk. I tend to bottom out a lot when I type and my coworker haven't complain but did state that I type like an angry typer so I'm trying to not bottom out anymore but reds are hard to tell since there's no tactile feedback. Anyway, when I'm tech savvy enough maybe I'll look into molding but that won't happen for awhile.

Also, Goodluck with your plum! Tell us how you like it after you get it

[dr_habu]

Thanks! I'll definitely share my impressions once I get it.

What I realized yesterday was that the Plum 96 is currently only manufactured with Cherry MX Black switches, so my earlier statement that other variants are using Gateron switches was incorrect.
This is very unfortunate because it complicates things for me.

The way I see it I'll have two options after getting Plum 96 with Cherry MX Black switches:

• Get a set of 100 Gateron blue switches and replace the MX Blacks with Blue Gaterons
• Get a set of 100 Cherry MX Clears and replace the MX Blacks with Clears

The first option is somewhat cheaper and I'll have blue switches, the second option is slightly more expensive but it'll actually allow me to use either vanilla MX Clears or panda clears(whichever I happen to like more), and I'll be able to just order a set of springs to move to ergo-clears later on.

The thing is that I've tried Blues and I know that I like them, I also think that I might like Clears, but I might be wrong about that.

Any input will be greatly appreciated.