Worth it to spend extra on a Filco Majestouch TKL over a CM Storm QFR?

[Northwolf1]

Hi,
I just wanted to know if it would be worth it to spend an extra $20-30 on a Filco Majestouch TKL over the CM Storm QFR? Is there a difference, since they are both made by Costar?

Thanks.

[rowdy]

You decided against the Ducky?

Filco used to be the keyboard recommendation of choice for people who wanted no backlighting and didn't mind spending a little extra.  The QFR is a great board at less cost.

Either would be a fine choice.

The Filco IIRC does not have a removable cable, but the QFR does, if that affects your decision at all.

[Northwolf1]

No, I have not really decided against the Ducky yet. I just realized that my desk would become a bit crowded with a full size board, so I looked at other options. I heard that Ducky was going to make a TKL version of the One soon, but it's just so tempting to rush and get a mechanical keyboard right away.

[Lokomotivet]

I really like the matte finish on QFR and as you said, both are made by costar.
My only beef with QFR is that its LEDs are low quality and some will probably die out on you. It that doesn't bother you or you don't care about LEDs/backlight, or you are willing to solder on some new ones then QFR is the right choice IMO.

Where did you find the info on TKL versions of the Ducky One?

[Northwolf1]

I really like the matte finish on QFR and as you said, both are made by costar.
My only beef with QFR is that its LEDs are low quality and some will probably die out on you. It that doesn't bother you or you don't care about LEDs/backlight, or you are willing to solder on some new ones then QFR is the right choice IMO.

Where did you find the info on TKL versions of the Ducky One?

For the QFR, I meant the non backlit version. Isn't the backlit version the rapid-i?
And for the TKL Ducky One I got it from their facebook. https://web.facebook.com/DuckyKeyboardsUk

[Lokomotivet]

I really like the matte finish on QFR and as you said, both are made by costar.
My only beef with QFR is that its LEDs are low quality and some will probably die out on you. It that doesn't bother you or you don't care about LEDs/backlight, or you are willing to solder on some new ones then QFR is the right choice IMO.

Where did you find the info on TKL versions of the Ducky One?

For the QFR, I meant the non backlit version. Isn't the backlit version the rapid-i?
And for the TKL Ducky One I got it from their facebook. https://web.facebook.com/DuckyKeyboardsUk

Oh snap, I mixed up QFR with QFR-i.
Well I still think that the QFR is more worth it IMO. Personally I'd go for the QFR-i because it has cherry stabilizers and I like those more then costar. Easier to switch caps and the lighter spacebar makes it easier for your thumb. Ducky has also cherry stabilizers.
Thanks for the link!

[bocahgundul]

I think the quickfire is more worth than the filco for the price the problem with the qfr is the crazy coolermaster branding and the rubber like case

[Lokomotivet]

I think the quickfire is more worth than the filco for the price the problem with the qfr is the crazy coolermaster branding and the rubber like case

QFR-i doesn't have any obnoxious branding on it! Another reason to aim for that in case you wanna go for cherry stabilizers.
I personally like the matte/rubber like case, feels more solid compared to my Ducky Shine 3 that feels and looks like a cheap plastic toy.

[rowdy]

Older QFR had the extra branding, but later models did not.

The QFS I am using now only has the CM logo on the back edge, near where the cable comes out.

Also the rubber coating can tend to show up oily fingerprints very well.

[Lokomotivet]

Older QFR had the extra branding, but later models did not.

The QFS I am using now only has the CM logo on the back edge, near where the cable comes out.

Also the rubber coating can tend to show up oily fingerprints very well.

Hmm, true, now that I look at my job driver (QFR-i). )

[strict]

If you ever plan to desolder/swap the switches get the Filco, the dual-sided PCB on it is much nicer than the single sided PCB on the QFR. A dual sided PCB will withstand multiple heat cycles without issue whereas a single sided PCB will tend to have issues with the traces lifting off after being heated too many times or if you use too much heat.

[1deeg]

If you ever plan to desolder/swap the switches get the Filco, the dual-sided PCB on it is much nicer than the single sided PCB on the QFR. A dual sided PCB will withstand multiple heat cycles without issue whereas a single sided PCB will tend to have issues with the traces lifting off after being heated too many times or if you use too much heat.

I bought some Zealios with the intent of throwing them in a QFR, but now I'm reconsidering. Are most keyboards really not suitable for swapping switches more than once? Should I buy a better quality / custom one? Customs are so expensive..

[clacktalk]

get a qfr + frosty flake to have a programmable tkl. the costar stabs are very annoying, but if you don't swap caps that often, it's not a dealbreaker

the only way to do

[RickyJ]

If you ever plan to desolder/swap the switches get the Filco, the dual-sided PCB on it is much nicer than the single sided PCB on the QFR. A dual sided PCB will withstand multiple heat cycles without issue whereas a single sided PCB will tend to have issues with the traces lifting off after being heated too many times or if you use too much heat.

This.  The QFR pcb isn't great, but it does the job for a stock board.  I didn't lift any pads with my Hakko 808, but I could definitely tell it wouldn't accept much heat.  I've worked on lots of pcbs, single layer/sided are always the worst.