KBDFans fully assembled.

lilotus · 10 Jun 2020, 23:52

Hello I am new to this,
First of all, because I am new to this forum I am gonna introduce myself. My name is Victor aka. lilotus or m4ntr, I mostly play video games like CSGO. I am 15 years old and come from germany. I love customising stuff especially if I can do it myself. I am currently using a really bad Logitech K520 that is 5 years old and slowly killing itself. I thought myself that it is time for a new and nicer keyboard this time.

I want to get my first custom keyboard and found this: https://kbdfans.com/collections/fully-a ... -keyboard? and this: https://kbdfans.com/collections/fully-a ... -dz60-pcb? on the KBDFans website. I wanted to know, if its a good value deal or not? And if so what should I configure on their site? and do you know if it is possible to get a ISO-DE layout there?

I hope someone can help me with this.

lilotus · 11 Jun 2020, 00:36

ntv242 wrote: 11 Jun 2020, 00:27 But since you said you like to get into customizing your own keyboard, perhaps it should be better to but parts and soldering equipment to assemble it yourself?

I was thinking about soldering it myself, but I don't even know which parts I would have to choose when shopping for them and I need an ISO layout.

lilotus · 11 Jun 2020, 00:36

Do you think the KBDFan TOFU would be a good choice too?

lilotus · 11 Jun 2020, 11:53

Thanks a lot!
On KBDFans there are 3 different plates there is Brass, Alu and Polycarbonate, what is the difference between all of them?
And there are 2 different Stabs, Cherry and GMK Screw in, whats the difference there?

I know that its not possible to sum it up all in one post.

lilotus · 11 Jun 2020, 13:45

The thing that bothers me the most is the size of the keyboard, because when I play csgo I have hotkeys for auto buy weapons and stuff like that and muting myself in discord, I normally do that on function keys and at page down. I was thinking about just getting a 6 key keyboard for my hotkeys. And for choosing switches, which do you prefer, Gateron Yellow or CherryMX Red Silent, before getting tips on switches, I wanted to get the novelty cream, but now I don't really know anymore---

kelvinhall05 · 11 Jun 2020, 16:09

ntv242 wrote: 11 Jun 2020, 14:59 A lot of people like mx red because it is light. I don;t like it also because it is too light for my taste. Gat yellow is more of my weighting. But to be sure really you should get a bunch and try them out.

Choosing switches is another headache in itself, if you are confident in reading reviews then go for it. If not I think you can buy a cheap hot swap board like GK61 to try them out, and sell it later when you figure it out.

This exactly, if you can't try some out in person, you basically have to blindly trust reviews and hope you agree with them.

kmnov2017 · 11 Jun 2020, 16:44

lilotus wrote: 11 Jun 2020, 13:45 ... And for choosing switches, which do you prefer, Gateron Yellow or CherryMX Red Silent, before getting tips on switches, I wanted to get the novelty cream, but now I don't really know anymore---

Do not buy switches before you try them on first. Neither take anyone's advice on switches - since your personal preferences are your own.

lilotus · 11 Jun 2020, 18:36

The only switches we have in germany are Cherrys, Razers and GX. So I would need have to order them.

kmnov2017 · 11 Jun 2020, 18:43

lilotus wrote: 11 Jun 2020, 18:36 The only switches we have in germany are Cherrys, Razers and GX. So I would need have to order them.

You have to go to a keyboard meetup and try the swtiches first. The next keyboard meetup will take place in Frankfurt -(Mechanicon 2020 - the biggest in Europe) in November 2020.

lilotus · 11 Jun 2020, 19:06

kmnov2017 wrote: 11 Jun 2020, 18:43 You have to go to a keyboard meetup and try the swtiches first. The next keyboard meetup will take place in Frankfurt -(Mechanicon 2020 - the biggest in Europe) in November 2020.

Oh, thank you. I didn't even know that there are keyboard meetups in germany.

kmnov2017 · 11 Jun 2020, 19:20

lilotus wrote: 11 Jun 2020, 19:06
kmnov2017 wrote: 11 Jun 2020, 18:43 You have to go to a keyboard meetup and try the swtiches first. The next keyboard meetup will take place in Frankfurt -(Mechanicon 2020 - the biggest in Europe) in November 2020.
Oh, thank you. I didn't even know that there are keyboard meetups in germany.

There was one in Berlin last February

kmnov2017 · 11 Jun 2020, 19:26

Btw, you can also buy small quantities of switches to test first. Get a cheap G80 from a flea market or eK and use that as a test board to solder in trial switches.
Also with regards to your question on ISO DE - the keyboard in itself has no language setting of its own. Language setting is set on your computer. Only the visual layout and whats printed on your keys is what differentiates the language layouts.

lilotus · 11 Jun 2020, 19:32

kmnov2017 wrote: 11 Jun 2020, 19:20
lilotus wrote: 11 Jun 2020, 19:06
kmnov2017 wrote: 11 Jun 2020, 18:43 You have to go to a keyboard meetup and try the swtiches first. The next keyboard meetup will take place in Frankfurt -(Mechanicon 2020 - the biggest in Europe) in November 2020.
Oh, thank you. I didn't even know that there are keyboard meetups in germany.
There was one in Berlin last February

I live in Berlin...

lilotus · 11 Jun 2020, 19:33

kmnov2017 wrote: 11 Jun 2020, 19:26 Btw, you can also buy small quantities of switches to test first. Get a cheap G80 from a flea market or eK and use that as a test board to solder in trial switches.
Also with regards to your question on ISO DE - the keyboard in itself has no language setting of its own. Language setting is set on your computer. Only the visual layout and whats printed on your keys is what differentiates the language layouts.

I know, but I almost find no keycaps that are ISO layout.