deskthority

Firstly, some background: This will be my first mechanical KB. I've been researching around trying to get a grasp on the endless info available about keyboards and I feel like I am ready to buy one. I know for sure I want a black keyboard, blue LED backlit (if I HAD to choose, otherwise I don't care whether or not it is backlit), with either cherry MX red or cherry MX brown switches. I'd also like to stay around $100 as I don't have much expendable income. Also, I live in the US.

I know I am definitely interested in more compact style, symmetrical keyboards like the KBT Race and KBT Pure but my issue with the Race is the red board that the keys sit on (sorry idk the correct terminology ) seems like it is very visible from the videos I've seen.

Thus, I decided I might have to go with the Pure just so I won't have to see the board in the background. With the KBT Pure, I haven't noticed any red boards behind the keys but from what I've read they all seem to have Pad Printed keys so I'm worried that the letters will fade quickly (I had this issue with a siig rubber dome kb and I never want to deal with that again). Also, the KBT Pure doesn't have dedicated arrow keys but I might be able to live with that.

1.) How does the lettering on the Race and the Pure keyboards hold up? Is Pad Printed an issue? (example of "pad printed" in the description here http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/ind ... tail&p=303 )

2.) Is there anything that is symmetrical and compact like the KBT Race that includes the arrow keys but is mounted on a plate so that there isn't a different colored board showing in the background? Would rather have something that doesn't have logos plastered all over it. Keys with letters that won't fade is a huge plus as well as buying from some place that has some sort of warranty so I won't be screwed if something stops working.

3.) I'd really like the option of being able to put on custom keys (might only change the escape key). Are there lots of keys available for the KBT Pure?

If you guys tell me the Pure is shitty, my second option is the Leopold listed here: http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php? ... =fc200rtab

1.) Are there lots of custom keys available for the Leopold? Or are all cherry keys the same size (ie will fit various keyboards as long as they have cherry switches)

That's it for now. I'm sorry if this post was long-winded but the more I read about mech KBs the more specific I get about what I want. Learning about mech KBs was a curse, especially when I was supposed to be studying instead of looking these KBs up.

EDIT:
So now I've come across another issue that I need you guys advice on before I drop money on a keyboard: that is, the different types of keys and the way they are made. I was reading this thread ( http://deskthority.net/news-reviews-f4/ ... 63-30.html ) and ripster's (that guy is everywhere, wtf) comment about vortex keys not being dyesub and I'm guessing that means the KBT Pure's keys will start to shine and eventually wear through? Or am I not understanding this correctly?

1.) Have you guys had this issue with the KBT Pure?

2.) Are there any companies that make compact, symmetrical keyboards that don't have logos all over them, that have custom keys available with reputable sellers, that manufacture their keys in a way that they won't start to shine quickly and fade through and look like a giant piece of garbage within months?

Unrelated, but I can't find a black KBT pure, blue backlit, brown/red cherry MX switch for sale anywhere. Apparently mechanicalkeyboards.com will have some in stock but they don't state when.

Though being a newbie aroung, you will have to wait for pros I think I can answer some questions. There is a new pure pro with arrow keys dedicated (this is spanish layout):

Also they jus released new layout (uk, de, fr, es) I dont know which you need.
The fade out keys it seems that happens to a lot of printed keycaps with more or less time, unless it is not doubleshots or engraved keys. Maybe I am wrong.

The custom keycaps all keycaps for cherry MX fits into any cherry MX switch, now you will have to deal with specific strange layout size as in compact keyboards e.g: in kbt pure there are some keys that are not "standard size" and are a bit smaller, esp modifiers are different from one board to another, but the fitting system is the same. Previous pure or not pro have a smaller keycaps on the right side I think it was ~ symbol, but maybe I am wrong.

I cant personally tell you about the quality of pure but I bought one last week from the new pure pro and I am expecting to be sent as it was a spanish GB.

I hope I have lighted you with some help. And if anybody think I am wrong on something please go ahead.

Hey, thanks for the input. I did not know about the Pure Pro but it looks amazing.

I live in the US so I'm not really familiar with different layouts. Which type of layouts would I be able to use?

edit: Where did you buy yours? Only website I found was kbtpure.com (http://kbtpure.com/kbtpure/kbt-pure.html) and they are selling it for about $143 with $13 in shipping =(

Hi.
Glad I helped you. The layout you use is ANSI (I guess, it is the one used in US) and the one used mainly in Europe is ISO, then there is different key config, as qwerty, azerty, qwertz etc. A standard keyboard Ansi has 104 keys and ISO has 105, it has one more key: the next one on the left shift, the enter shape is different, and it has alt gr modifier. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_layout
I bought in the url you pointed. AFAIK in US there is a wider choice for mech boards than there is in Europe. And it will be cheaper to get.
Let s see if some US fellow can give you a better advice. This is more an european focused forum, but everyone is welcomed or maybe on geekhack or reddit you could get a better feedback.

whatsabri wrote:Thus, I decided I might have to go with the Pure just so I won't have to see the board in the background. With the KBT Pure, I haven't noticed any red boards behind the keys but from what I've read they all seem to have Pad Printed keys so I'm worried that the letters will fade quickly (I had this issue with a siig rubber dome kb and I never want to deal with that again). Also, the KBT Pure doesn't have dedicated arrow keys but I might be able to live with that.

Welcome to DT!

I wouldn't put too much emphasis on the colour of the PCB (printed circuit board). It is not that visible under normal lighting conditions. The pictures where you see the red PCB really stand out are taken with flash.
A more important point are the key caps. AFAIK all KBT board have the same kind of caps printing: they are made out of milky white, translucent plastic surrounded by a black coating. The letters are engraved in the coating allowing the back light to shine through. All of this is the clear-coated. Unfortunately, this clear coat can wear off after some intensive use, see e.g. here:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40393.0

Do you really need the backlight? If I had a choice of the boards mentioned in your post I would go for the Leopold.

oh wow, thanks. now I definitely won't buy from vortex. is it just the backlit Pure's that fade or are they all like that?

as for back lighting, glad you asked because I really don't care whether or not it is back lit. if the kb has LEDs on it though I prefer for it to be blue so it matches my setup.

thanks for your advice. would the leopold keys fade like the way the Pure's fade? longevity of the kb is important for me. also if you have any alternatives in mind I would be glad to check it out as long as they're not difficult to find!