Ducky Keyboards - Are they really all that?

[SILTECH786]

It's a bit hard to test my new P2 Optical Brown keyboard without internet, locking me out of most games and preventing me from putting it through it's paces with a usual round of post-whoring here.

And not having access to the manual or software limits what I can do even more.

So basically I am currently limited to giving the most basic of initial impressions.
And that impression is favourable.

Let's perhaps get the negatives out of the way first.
Unlike the Redragon Yama this doesn't feel like getting a 3K keyboard for half that money. It definitely does feel cheaper.
It's especially apparent with LEDs where long keys like Shift are only half illuminated.
And how the wrist rest is non-removable (probably the keyboard's biggest minus).
The sillyness of also printing WASD on the arrow key cluster (although a different key-cap to the actual WASD keys).
And the only thing in the box besides the keyboard was a keypuller.
The top of the keyboard juts out towards the bottom, an interesting aesthetic choice but one that may trouble some desks.


Now on to the more favourable:
It has a volume roller (a BIG plus for me).
Whilst non-removable the wrist rest isn't sized or positioned in such a way that I mind having it on there permanently. It's just a piece of completely untextured plastic but seems comfortable enough.
I'm not sure whether it's spill-proof but it follows a spill-proof design aesthetic. Instead of the brushed metal you get on many premium boards these days the surface is instead a matte rough gray and I really like it. Very different to everything else out there and goes very well with my gray Roccat Kone Aimo mouse.
The font used on the keycaps is pretty good, not a little offputting like on the Redragon (and some Corsairs)
The keyboard feet come out with a violent clack but they are big and just about the best I've seen on a keyboard, at least among my very limited sampling of boards.
The keyboard is really solid and planted. It will not budge, it will not flex. (maybe because with the wrist-rest it has a larger than usual footprint)

And the switches, oh my freaking word, the switches, are absolutely divine. I'm not a fan of clicky switches, the only thing that should click is my mouse, not my keyboard. So I chose the brown version of the optical switches and I love them. Here the keyboard does not remotely feel cheap, it feels like pure quality, especially in combination with that planted feeling. They're smooth and fast, faster even than the animation in the few games I could test actually registers and completes. Typing on them is a dream. And they're quiet, quieter even than I'd say most membrane keyboards are. Pretty sure my WPM on this would be higher than the Yama. Optical is definitely the future, I'm done with standard mechanical aside from maybe trying a Ducky to find out what the fuss is. Only optical/opto-mechanical for me from now on.


Whether it'll last? Eh. Who knows. I doubt the LEDs will and I'm sure the caps will wear like usual but the rest of the keyboard isn't giving me any indication I'll need to part with it anytime soon.

Bottom line is I don't think you can do better than it under 1K. And even climbing to 2K it's still good enough to feature.

And how well the software works and what additional surprise function's might be found on the keyboard I unfortunately can't answer yet.

I Vote keyboard reviewer position should be awarded to you sir for your honest clean no nonsense approach

 

[PandaAttack1]

It's a bit hard to test my new P2 Optical Brown keyboard without internet, locking me out of most games and preventing me from putting it through it's paces with a usual round of post-whoring here.

And not having access to the manual or software limits what I can do even more.

So basically I am currently limited to giving the most basic of initial impressions.
And that impression is favourable.

Let's perhaps get the negatives out of the way first.
Unlike the Redragon Yama this doesn't feel like getting a 3K keyboard for half that money. It definitely does feel cheaper.
It's especially apparent with LEDs where long keys like Shift are only half illuminated.
And how the wrist rest is non-removable (probably the keyboard's biggest minus).
The sillyness of also printing WASD on the arrow key cluster (although a different key-cap to the actual WASD keys).
And the only thing in the box besides the keyboard was a keypuller.
The top of the keyboard juts out towards the bottom, an interesting aesthetic choice but one that may trouble some desks.


Now on to the more favourable:
It has a volume roller (a BIG plus for me).
Whilst non-removable the wrist rest isn't sized or positioned in such a way that I mind having it on there permanently. It's just a piece of completely untextured plastic but seems comfortable enough.
I'm not sure whether it's spill-proof but it follows a spill-proof design aesthetic. Instead of the brushed metal you get on many premium boards these days the surface is instead a matte rough gray and I really like it. Very different to everything else out there and goes very well with my gray Roccat Kone Aimo mouse.
The USB cable has TWO Velcro cable ties on it. Haven't seen that on anything else.
The font used on the keycaps is pretty good, not a little offputting like on the Redragon (and some Corsairs)
The keyboard feet come out with a violent clack but they are big and just about the best I've seen on a keyboard, at least among my very limited sampling of boards.
The keyboard is really solid and planted. It will not budge, it will not flex. (maybe because with the wrist-rest it has a larger than usual footprint)

And the switches, oh my freaking word, the switches, are absolutely divine. I'm not a fan of clicky switches, the only thing that should click is my mouse, not my keyboard. So I chose the brown version of the optical switches and I love them. Here the keyboard does not remotely feel cheap, it feels like pure quality, especially in combination with that planted feeling. They're smooth and fast, faster even than the animation in the few games I could test actually registers and completes. Typing on them is a dream. And they're quiet, quieter even than I'd say most membrane keyboards are. Pretty sure my WPM on this would be higher than the Yama. Optical is definitely the future, I'm done with standard mechanical aside from maybe trying a Ducky to find out what the fuss is. Only optical/opto-mechanical for me from now on.


Whether it'll last? Eh. Who knows. I doubt the LEDs will and I'm sure the caps will wear like usual but the rest of the keyboard isn't giving me any indication I'll need to part with it anytime soon.

Bottom line is I don't think you can do better than it under 1K. And even climbing to 2K it's still good enough to feature.

And how well the software works and what additional surprise function's might be found on the keyboard I unfortunately can't answer yet.

Objectively... the speed of an optic switch is nothing more than a gimmick though. The only real difference at the moment is the lack of friction, increased cycles to failure and possible actuation point? You have brown switches, so they should be tactile, going by the standard naming convention of keys. So in your case, your only advantage for using an optical over a traditional mechanical switch would be cycles to failure? Is that really a metric to warrant this statement: "...I'm done with standard mechanical..."?

 

[Spectaitor]

There's nothing more irritating than hearing the incessant clicking of a mechanical keyboard over TS or Discord while my friend goes mental flaming noobs in Dota. Granted I haven't used a mechanical other than someone else's, but, just knowing they are so noisy puts me off them.

 

[PandaAttack1]

There's nothing more irritating than hearing the incessant clicking of a mechanical keyboard over TS or Discord while my friend goes mental flaming noobs in Dota. Granted I haven't used a mechanical other than someone else's, but, just knowing they are so noisy puts me off them.

You get a wide variety. W I D E variety. The cheaper the keyboard, the more clunky, loud and obnoxious it is. A proper board with mx blues, arguably the loudest switch, is actually is not that loud in db. Not much more than a normal membrane keyboard. It's the bottoming out of the keycaps against the backplate that makes the most noise. Using switches such as red etc makes almost no noise if you don't bottom out the keycaps... Also having a decent board placed on a mousepad makes very little noise.

Tell your friend to push to talk. Teamspeak etiquette is a thing, and if we don't work together to spread the word; who knows where the world will end up?

 

[SCHUMI4EVER]

Objectively... the speed of an optic switch is nothing more than a gimmick though? Your only real difference is the lack of friction and increased cycles to failure? You have brown switches, so they should be tactile, going by the standard naming convention of keys. So in your case, your only advantage for using a optical over a traditional mechanical switch would be cycles to failure? Is that really a metric to warrant this statement: "...I'm done with standard mechanical..."?

They activate sooner/faster, granted that may be by design rather than a signature of the switch type (althought most opticals seem to mention this so it could be just part of the nature of opticals).

Is there really a metric for smoothness/speed at this level? Hmm probably not. Although I'd think that if you were to hammer the same key for a set period you would probably produce a few more key strokes/typed letters on the optical than the standard mechanical.

It's more like difference between Hz in excess of 144. More something you feel than you can quantify.

And I'm not alone. Back when I still had internet and was doing some research on optical I found a Youtube vid where a guy did a test on Doom with his sister and another random and both preferred the optical keyboard and said it was faster without knowing which was which. Granted I don't know what the standard mechnical was but still.


All I know is I don't want to ever again spend money on a slower more cumbersome switch. And I know I'll get the experience I want from other opto-mechanicals whereas it could be the same or it could be worse with a standard mechanical. So I'm done with the standard stuff.

 

[PandaAttack1]

They activate sooner/faster, granted that may be by design rather than a signature of the switch type (althought most opticals seem to mention this so it could be just part of the nature of opticals).

Is there really a metric for smoothness/speed at this level? Hmm probably not. Although I'd think that if you were to hammer the same key for a set period you would probably produce a few more key strokes/typed letters on the optical than the standard mechanical.

It's more like difference between Hz in excess of 144. More something you feel than you can quantify.

And I'm not alone. Back when I still had internet and was doing some research on optical I found a Youtube vid where a guy did a test on Doom with his sister and another random and both preferred the optical keyboard and said it was faster without knowing which was which. Granted I don't know what the standard mechnical was but still.


All I know is I don't want to ever again spend money on a slower more cumbersome switch. And I know I'll get the experience I want from other opto-mechanicals whereas it could be the same or it could be worse with a standard mechanical. So I'm done with the standard stuff.

Which switches have you had the opportunity to test and try?

edit:
By speed, I assume you are referring to the actuation point of the switch, not the latency? There are many switches that are super quick and smooth, that are not optic.

I guess there is no real metric for smoothness. But there are comparisons. Which is all we require to establish a rapport.

The way your switch feels and the reason you like it, is not because it is an optical switch, that is merely the trigger mechanism, it is everything ELSE that the switch is. The spring tension, the actuation point, the friction coefficient, the total length of travel, the cap weight... Those are properties that attribute to how a switch feels.

Part of your argument for why 'opto-mechanical' switches are superior cannot be based on the fact that 'you are not alone'. Which you base off an opinion on some dude who forgot to mention what the other
'normal' key was? A commercially available super light key at the moment is a cherry mx silver... I guarantee you that it will feel lighter and smoother than your current board.

You can make a normal mechanical switch feel just as smooth as your optical switch. It has very little to do with the trigger mechanism. I will mention though, that if you did all the tricks for a super smooth switch on an optical switch, you will probably end up with a smoother switch. Just because there are less components that add friction inside the switch.

The current optical switched boards all happen to be very smooth at the moment, but that is an attribute to the actual switch, not the trigger mechanism. Your last statement is false, you can make those switches harder to press than a rock if you want to. Again, not to do with the trigger mechanism.

Don't attribute your love for your new switches to its trigger mechanism, its a lot more than that.

 

[SCHUMI4EVER]

Which switches have you had the opportunity to test and try?

See now that's where things fall apart because the answer to that is basically none.

This is my second non-membrane keyboard (well technically my third if you count the 90's buckling-spring IBM keyboard). I've yet to experience any Cherry switch actually.

So yes, as a reviewer I fall flat. It's all based on abstract research. But as an everyday user that shouldn't count against me because 98% of us have to make our purchasing decisions that way (especially locally). There's only so much money to go around and I can only go where my limited research says I'd be least likely to waste money. Which means sticking with a combination of what I know I like and what further research suggests I should also like. And that's why I can make a statement like that.
(And also because I'm unlikely to need another keyboard for 2 years at least by which time I expect far more opticals).

Otemu Purple switches are said to be somewhere between a red and a brown. And I thought those switches were amazing. Therefore I definitely favour red or brown over other switch types. And I think these optical brown switches are even better. Therefore I clearly prefer optical to standard mechanical. Unfortunately that's all I have to work on.


And I suspect I'd further like low profile keys for even less travel, but there's no way to get or test that yet in optical land. And even in standard mechanical land very few opportunities so far. But maybe some day I'll proclaim that as the future.

 

[PandaAttack1]

See now that's where things fall apart because the answer to that is basically none.

This is my second non-membrane keyboard (well technically my third if you count the 90's buckling-spring IBM keyboard). I've yet to experience any Cherry switch actually.

So yes, as a reviewer I fall flat. It's all based on abstract research. But as an everyday user that shouldn't count against me because 98% of us have to make our purchasing decisions that way (especially locally). There's only so much money to go around and I can only go where my limited research says I'd be least likely to waste money. Which means sticking with a combination of what I know I like and what further research suggests I should also like. And that's why I can make a statement like that.
(And also because I'm unlikely to need another keyboard for 2 years at least by which time I expect far more opticals).

Otemu Purple switches are said to be somewhere between a red and a brown. And I thought those switches were amazing. Therefore I definitely favour red or brown over other switch types. And I think these optical brown switches are even better. Therefore I clearly prefer optical to standard mechanical. Unfortunately that's all I have to work on.

I made an edit to my previous reply. Provides insight to why I say you should not attribute your switch success story to 'optical technology'.

 

[SCHUMI4EVER]

I made an edit to my previous reply. Provides insight to why I say you should not attribute your switch success story to 'optical technology'.

Hmm, it seems to be though that opticals lend themselves to speed very well. Otherwise why would all the switches currently be smooth fast switches with shorter travel?. I doubt we will ever see a black optical switch, unless optical completely takes over and they have to cater to those that prefer slower harder to press switches.

Whereas mechanicals have to be specifically re-engineered for more speed. We haven't had silver/speed switches since day one and their adoption is still pretty low among keyboard makers out there from what I can tell. In generally though they aren't super smooth and fast switches, they just have an alternate switch type that is.


And then once you add pressure sensitive basically analog optical switches to the list which I'm sure we will see more of in the years to come standard mechanical completely loses it's footing.

 

[PandaAttack1]

Hmm, it seems to be though that opticals lend themselves to speed very well. Otherwise why would all the switches currently be smooth fast switches with shorter travel?. I doubt we will ever see a black optical switch, unless optical completely takes over and they have to cater to those that prefer slower harder to press switches.

Whereas mechanicals have to be specifically re-engineered for more speed. We haven't had silver/speed switches since day one and their adoption is still pretty low among keyboard makers out there from what I can tell. In generally though they aren't super smooth and fast switches, they just have an alternate switch type that is.


And then once you add pressure sensitive basically analog optical switches to the list which I'm sure we will see more of in the years to come standard mechanical completely loses it's footing.

I agree, that naturally an optical switch is simpler to make smooth. It also makes little sense to make an optical switch 'harder' to press. Unless for the sake of robustness...

There are over 130 normal mechanical switches available... You would be ignorant to say that you will not find a switch you enjoy more than your current switch among them.

When pressure sensitive switches become a thing, you will get them in the normal variety as well. It is not the 'optical technology' that allows it possible.

If you still want to attribute the smoothness of your switch to its trigger type, so be it. 🤷🏻‍♀️

 

[SCHUMI4EVER]

I agree, that naturally an optical switch is simpler to make smooth. It also makes little sense to make an optical switch 'harder' to press. Unless for the sake of robustness...

There are over 130 normal mechanical switches available... You would be ignorant to say that you will not find a switch you enjoy more than your current switch among them.

When pressure sensitive switches become a thing, you will get them in the normal variety as well. It is not the 'optical technology' that allows it possible.

If you still want to attribute the smoothness of your switch to its trigger type, so be it. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Fair enough.

However you also need to view things from the non-keyboard enthusiast view. To the keyboard enthusiast there may be 130+ distinct switches ranging from the phenomenal to the kind that's so low quality that membrane is probably preferable, to the kind that seemingly only has 2-3 fans in the entire world.

But to non-keyboard enthusiast, the average SA gamer who I assume will read what I wrote and who is buying from Rebeltech, Wootware or Takealot, he's got a choice of about 8 switches.
In fact generally just 2, red or blue.
Then sometimes you've got the "full" MX range of blue, red, brown, black and speed. Then you get the chinese "like" switches, as in blue-like, red-like (often Kail-H copies from what I understand).
Then you get the "unique" switch, something like Romer-G, membranical, the new special low profile ones, Razer greens, titan switches etc. They're all the same category because all the average person knows about them is that they're not Cherry-MX and that they're generally found on just one or two keyboards from a specific manufacturer.
And now finally you get optical.

Actually that's probably already too much of a breakdown for the average consumer, though that's beside the point.

And among this range of choices optical stands head and shoulders above the competition. Maybe the one or two silvers we can get are equal but in general you'll be picking something up with an inferior switch in terms of speed and smoothness.

So yes, I do definitely still want to stand by that.

 

[PandaAttack1]

Fair enough.

However you also need to view things from the non-keyboard enthusiast view. To the keyboard enthusiast there may be 130+ distinct switches ranging from the phenomenal to the kind that's so low quality that membrane is probably preferable, to the kind that seemingly only has 2-3 fans in the entire world.

But to non-keyboard enthusiast, the average SA gamer who I assume will read what I wrote and who is buying from Rebeltech, Wootware or Takealot, he's got a choice of about 8 switches.
In fact generally just 2, red or blue.
Then sometimes you've got the "full" MX range of blue, red, brown, black and speed. Then you get the chinese "like" switches, as in blue-like, red-like (often Kail-H copies from what I understand).
Then you get the "unique" switch, something like Romer-G, membranical, the new special low profile ones, Razer greens, titan switches etc. They're all the same category because all the average person knows about them is that they're not Cherry-MX and that they're generally found on just one or two keyboards from a specific manufacturer.
And now finally you get optical.

Actually that's probably already too much of a breakdown for the average consumer, though that's beside the point.

And among this range of choices optical stands head and shoulders above the competition. Maybe the one or two silvers we can get are equal but in general you'll be picking something up with an inferior switch in terms of speed and smoothness.

So yes, I do definitely still want to stand by that.

I hear what you are saying about the average consumer, and it is true. But before you give such a harsh sentence to all but optical switches...

You should really consider taking a proper cherry mx red/brown board for a spin. I think you would change your view.

Not otemu or the like. An authentic cherry mx red board. Something premium from Corsair, Ducky or even DAS.

I've always considered you someone extremely logical, but it surprises me immensely that you've taken such a hard stance on this, considering your complete lack of experience in the field.

 

[Ninja Sandwich]

Can we open a debate thread for @PandaAttack1 and @Mast3rBlast3r xD
I'd love to read it all in one go, instead of sifting trough other "clutter" comments haha.

 

[SCHUMI4EVER]

I hear what you are saying about the average consumer, and it is true. But before you give such a harsh sentence to all but optical switches...

You should really consider taking a proper cherry mx red/brown board for a spin. I think you would change your view.

That's the plan. Once I get some more funds again...and my internet. I'll give Cherry-MX AND Ducky a final shot with either some red or brown switches.

I really don't see myself changing my mind though. I'll be very surprised if that's the case.

 

[PandaAttack1]

That's the plan. Once I get some more funds again...and my internet. I'll give Cherry-MX AND Ducky a final shot with either some red or brown switches.

I really don't see myself changing my mind though. I'll be very surprised if that's the case.

Sorry Mast3r, I should really stop editing my comments until you respond. I did an edit again.

 

[PandaAttack1]

That's the plan. Once I get some more funds again...and my internet. I'll give Cherry-MX AND Ducky a final shot with either some red or brown switches.

I really don't see myself changing my mind though. I'll be very surprised if that's the case.

You've made this statement:

"And among this range of choices optical stands head and shoulders above the competition. Maybe the one or two silvers we can get are equal but in general you'll be picking something up with an inferior switch in terms of speed and smoothness."

Do you not think your opinion is completely based on your experience with your previous Otemu Purple?

I can't help but feel that saying things like MX Silver switches are inferior in terms of speed and smoothness to your Gamdias switches is rather ignorant. Gamdias switches definitely do not stand head and shoulders above cherry switches.

 

[SCHUMI4EVER]

Sorry Mast3r, I should really stop editing my comments until you respond. I did an edit again.

Haha yes.

Anyways I am mostly logical yes
And I feel I can say it because I know the others have more travel, aside from silver and titan, and those new squished Cherrys from Corsair. So they're already fighting an uphill battle with longer longer travel and slower actuation.
A hurdle which is logically based on the the numbers that I don't see them recovering from.

But I'll be sure to let you know if I ever find out I'm wrong.

 

[SCHUMI4EVER]

You've made this statement:

"And among this range of choices optical stands head and shoulders above the competition. Maybe the one or two silvers we can get are equal but in general you'll be picking something up with an inferior switch in terms of speed and smoothness."

Do you not think your opinion is completely based on your experience with your previous Otemu Purple?

I can't help but feel that saying things like MX Silver switches are inferior in terms of speed and smoothness to your Gamdias switches is rather ignorant. Gamdias switches definitely do not stand head and shoulders above cherry switches.

Umm...I didn't say silver is inferior (I said it was equal). I'm just barely counting it because there are so few of them.
Also I didn't mean Gamdias switches in general, just their optical ones. I completely expect those found on P1 and P3 keyboard ranges to be inferior to Cherrys and perhaps even Otemu.

But no they're based on my experience with the Otemu AND the numbers. If the numbers are inferior based on my preference for speed I don't see how the switches wouldn't be. I'd never base it purely off my own subjective experience with a single switch type.

 

[PandaAttack1]

Haha yes.

Anyways I am mostly logical yes
And I feel I can say it because I know the others have more travel, aside from silver and titan, and those new squished Cherrys from Corsair. So they're already fighting an uphill battle with longer longer travel and slower actuation.
A hurdle which is logically based on the the numbers that I don't see them recovering from.

But I'll be sure to let you know if I ever find out I'm wrong.

Where do you live?

Oh boy you are in for a treat... The day you get to type on 62g Orange Helios lubed switches... Boy oh boy.

Umm...I didn't say silver is inferior (I said it was equal). I'm just barely counting it because there are so few of them.
Also I didn't mean Gamdias switches in general, just their optical ones. I completely expect those found on P1 and P3 keyboard ranges to be inferior to Cherrys and perhaps even Otemu.

But no they're based on my experience with the Otemu AND the numbers. If the numbers are inferior based on my preference for speed I don't see how the switches wouldn't be. I'd never base it purely off a subjective experience with a single switch type.

I misread your statement. I guess after awhile I read anything in a manner that supports my narrative. Very bad I know.

I just ordered a Hermes P2 which I will be collecting tomorrow. I am struggling to have this discussion, not having felt the switch personally.

I will report my findings here if you're keen to hear them?

 

[SCHUMI4EVER]

Where do you live?

Oh boy you are in for a treat... The day you get to type on 62g Orange Helios lubed switches... Boy oh boy.

Sadly nowhere near you or I'd have tried our your selection of keys ages ago (even though most of them are blues collected from old broken keyboards on here ).
Probably before ever purchasing a new keyboard.

I just ordered a Hermes P2 which I will be collecting tomorrow. I am struggling to have this discussion, not having felt the switch personally.

I will report my findings here if you keen to hear them?

Definitely.
Knowing I'm wrong and where to aim next would be amazing, rather than having to make guestimates all the time. Or that I'm right

 

[PandaAttack1]

@Mast3rBlast3r,

Hmmm, I now have an interesting board in my collection. My initial impression is that it is somewhat quieter than my corsair K70 lux that I am using at the office at the moment, or it just sounds different... Hard to tell. But I don't want to do a board comparison...

The switches. I fondled and pressed the buttons a bunch on the drive home. The board was strapped in the passenger seat and it felt like I was slowly pushing my hand closer and closer to what would be a beautiful woman's absolute territory, if it was woman and not a box with a keyboard inside...
The keys are squishy... Squishier than anything I own. As to smoothness.... They feel exactly like cherry mx browns, with slightly, EVER so slightly softer springs and a shorter total throw. In a blind test I would probably identify them as soft cherry mx browns. Which already exceeded my expectation at their price point.

I will be using the keyboard the rest of tonight and tomorrow at the office. After that I will give a more conclusive comparison to switches I own. At the moment, it feels like a softer brown.

 

[PandaAttack1]

I have a roomate who also loves and prefers Cherry Mx Blues. (yes, we have nearly 10 x mx blue keyboards between the two of us....)
I will have him try the board as well with no knowledge of our discussion. Would be interesting to hear his thoughts.

edit:
WHY, I repeat, WHY is the left windows button a function button? I use that button A LOT on windows to bring up cortana or the search bar... On my MacBook you use that button for CMD, which is equivalent of control in windows. Now I need to flash the chip on the board.

 

[crumbs]

edit:
WHY, I repeat, WHY is the left windows button a function button?...

Does this make your eye twitch?

 

[PandaAttack1]

Does this make your eye twitch?

Yes!

But that board is beautiful...

 

[crumbs]

Yes!

But that board is beautiful...

The dark grey version is even more so...

 

[PandaAttack1]

The dark grey version is even more so...

The second picture looks amazing. Love those dark red keys.

What are they? Do you have one?

 

[PandaAttack1]

At OP,

I sincere apology for hi-jacking your thread today. I hope that you will forgive me.

 

[crumbs]

The second picture looks amazing. Love those dark red keys.

What are they? Do you have one?

I have a white/cream version. I actually ordered the grey version but got shipped a white one. It was too much of a hassle to return it to the US so I've just kept it.
The red keys are aftermarket caps according to the post I took the photo from.

 

[Keyboard Kulture]

@Mast3rBlast3r
Are you telling me that the you have never owned or even tried a Cherry based keyboard, and are sharing all of your opinions with everyone else on this thread purely by doing research on the net and pulling little bits of info here and there, then coming to a conclusion and running with that.
How on earth can you make statements about keyboards you have never tried, let alone never owned or lived with for more than a period of time.
Sorry, I'm not trying to start an argument, but you have some of the strongest opinions I have come across on this forum, but you've never ACTUALLY tried any of the technology you are making these statements about or against!
@Ninja_Theory

 

[Ninja_Theory]

I love my Ducky madly and I don't foresee that love affair dwindling anytime soon. But I'm just gonna drop this here quickly... My god, the Vulcan's Titan switches are awesome. They're light and fast, and they just ooze quality.