deskthority

Hello everyone,

I am looking to buy my first mechanical keyboard. I actually posted here before, questioning if I should purchase the Filco Majestouch 2 Ninja. After posting, I realised I still had a lot of missing knowledge about keyboards, even after having researched for months beforehand. So since then I have been researching much more and have changed my mind about some things. I no longer want a numpad as I wish to purchase a larger mousepad so I can use a lower mouse sensitivity for FPS gaming, having no numpad will free up some room for this. I also changed my mind about which key switch I would prefer. I went from wanting Cherry MX Browns to wanting Cherry MX Reds, the reason for this is because I would rather have a 'specialised' switch i.e Cherry MX Blue's or Buckling Spring switches are specialised for typing and Cherry MX Reds are specialised for gaming. I see Cherry MX Browns or Blacks as something in-between or 'non-enthusiast'.

Anyway, I have finally found something that meets my new preferences whilst having a reasonable price of £100. The Ducky DK-9087G2 Pro TKL with white PBT keycaps in ISO UK layout. Do you know anything about this keyboard? I didn't find much information about it but I know Ducky is a solid brand. I also don't know what type of lettering method this keyboard has, anyone know?

The only things I wish this keyboard did/didn't have are:
-No hole for the LED on the Caps Lock & Scroll Lock
-Thick PBT instead of regular PBT
-Numpad on the left because I'll miss it (not really an issue though)

Picture: (I couldn't find a good UK ISO picture so this will have to do)


TL;DR: What are the cons of a Ducky DK-9087G2 Pro TKL with white key caps?

Also, please don't suggest buying a Topre keyboard because it's just way out of my budget, I would love one but I can't justify the pricetag.

Ducky does have left handed keyboards, apparently. So you can have your numpad on the left. But Ducky's availability is flaky in Europe. Especially as it's update season and the 2013 models are on their way.

Don't worry about caps. PBT is a good place to start, but you can always buy a better set if and when you ever feel like it. The group buys around here are always very tempting.

And red switches: much better than brown! But that's the thing with switches: everyone has their own taste. I like blue the best of Cherry's four common MX colours, then red and black both tied. I wouldn't call black any less specialised than red though. They're both linear. The only difference is weight. Purely a taste preference.

Anyway, Ducky's a decent choice. You're headed in a perfectly reasonable direction.

Compared to a Filco there are no real cons…..maybe even more advantages like PBT caps, some lightning, DIP switch with some useful options, mini usb connector. On the other side, as Filco being the “mother of modern mechanical keyboards” its way more common and lots of modding stuff (e.g. like alu cases or programable controller) are mainly based on the Filco and might be not 100% working with a Ducky board.
So feature wise this Ducky board is better. Modding wise a Filco should be the better choice.

Actually no cons on that KB from my point of view.
Believe me when I say that pbt/thick pbt are the best caps available!

The missing numblock is definately a pro not a con! You have more precious mouse space on your desk!
I'd go further and say this KB in 60% would be killer, but not having dedicated arrow keys is a nogo for some people!

I'd go for it!

Edit: MX red is a dream to type on!

Muirium wrote:Anyway, Ducky's a decent choice. You're headed in a perfectly reasonable direction.

Great, thanks.

BimboBB wrote:So feature wise this Ducky board is better. Modding wise a Filco should be the better choice.

This is ideal for me since I want to buy something that I am happy with without buying extra mods etc. This board seems like it was made for me Thanks for the info.

cookie wrote:Actually no cons on that KB from my point of view.

I'd go for it!

Thanks, I think I'm going to order this soon before it goes out of stock!

And keep one thing in mind, PBT is kick ass my friend. If you don't like key shining and this awkward feeling they give you, then stick with PBT, they are simply the best switches of all! If you really need legends I can tell you that dyesup has verry nice contrast and will not war off! So don't be fooled by ABS Doubleshots, they are nice but thet turn shiny with time and this simply sucks!

I'd still say, go for it!

PBT switches? Are you drunk again Cookie? At this hour?

PBT does indeed kick arse: for caps. And dyesub is the equal of double shot for durability and sharpness. Double shot gives you more colour choices, but right now it pretty much spells ABS and that means shine. PBT has superior texture over the long haul.

The Ducky has lasered legends, not dyesub, unless I am mistaken. But that's an aesthetic detail that doesn't mean much. Especially if you get a nice set of thick PBT caps in the future. May I suggest sphericals!

CAPS! Awww my fault sorry!

PBT All the way, only difference between dyed and lasered caps is that you can maybe feel the lasering, the surface with dyesub caps is even and nice! But I wouldn't mind the lasered letter, as long as there is no shine I am happy

Cheers guys