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Vortex Ikbc F-104 Mechancial Keyboard (Doubleshot PBT Keys) $59 + Shipping (MX Black Switches)

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Vortex Ikbc F-104 Mechancial Keyboard (Doubleshot PBT Keys) $59 + Shipping (MX Black Switches)
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Lmr626 on 06/09/2014 - 10:59 mechkb.com (911 clicks)
Last edited 06/09/2014 - 17:18

Hi all,

I think this is a great deal for a mechanical keyboard with doubleshot PBT keycaps. PBT is the hardest-wearing material that is commonly used to make keyboard keys (it is what was used on the original IBM Model M keyboards, if anyone remembers those). Doubleshot means that the keycaps are two bits of plastic molded together (the key, and the actual font on the key).

Considering you can spend over $100 for just a set of PBT keycaps by themselves, I think this is a good deal.

The cheapest option is with MX Black switches (linear and non-clicky), the other options are $20 more (still a good deal). Standard shipping for me is $9, but there are other options also (or you can pickup from Silverwater)

Probably the only negative with this keyboard is the font- might not be to everyone's tastes. Also, note that it is NOT backlit.

Here's an image album with some detailed photos: http://imgur.com/a/KEA61

Edit: Just noticed that is has actually been this price before https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/153073
Also I overstated the cost of the keycaps by themselves- looks like they have been as cheap as $29

Edit 2: Extra info from the store rep:

Vortex F-104 for $79/$59 for Cherry MX Black + postage

This is a basic but very durable mechanical keyboard. We recommend this for basic - typing - budget usage.

Deck Hassium (non-pro) for $109/$89 for Cherry MX Black + Postage

This is a backlit mechanical keyboard - also very durable, with multimedia shortcuts and software-free macros - yeah, the font is a bit 'interesting' but you can't really go past it at this price ;)

Computing Computer Peripheral Keyboard Mechanical Keyboard

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closed Comments

  • spirobouras on 06/09/2014 - 11:15

    It's coming up as $79 for me? Would be a good deal either way.

    • mr626 on 06/09/2014 - 11:17
      +1

      You only get it for $59 if you select the MX black switches from the drop down when ordering. Other switch types are $79 (which is what I paid for one with MX Blue switches)

      • spirobouras on 06/09/2014 - 23:04

        My bad. Great deal, my experience with Cherry MX browns from MechKB is very good.

  • AssociatedRoland Chen @ Mech KB on 06/09/2014 - 11:38
    +2

    Hey everyone, I'm a bit busy but if you have any questions drop me a pm or comment and I'll try my best to get back to you :)

    • mr626 on 06/09/2014 - 11:39

      Thanks dropping by rep :)

    • elusive on 06/09/2014 - 17:14

      Would you happen to know its weight? I already have a nice kb with MX Browns, but it's a tad heavy to be portable.

  • bonbon on 06/09/2014 - 13:56
    +1

    thinking whether getting this or deck hassium, to upgrade from Rosewill 9100 blue from mwave, which I found the quality below par, even when compared with leopold.

    • AssociatedRoland Chen @ Mech KB on 06/09/2014 - 17:16

      Bit surprised, Rosewill has a reasonable reputation in the 'states, what problem did you encounter with it bonbon?

      • bonbon on 06/09/2014 - 20:08

        Key caps and casing feels very cheap and thin. I compare this rosewill board only with Leopold FC500R and few coolermaster board I have.
        By the way I found this Rosewill Apollo 9100x share the same hardware with one of Max Nighthawk X8, just different label.

        • AssociatedRoland Chen @ Mech KB on 06/09/2014 - 20:21

          For the Apollo and Nighthawk:- same manufacturing plant, same enclosure, I'm not sure about the internals.

    • belongsinforums on 06/09/2014 - 19:44

      My Rosewill is still new and sometimes keys get stuck. Does that happen to you? Backlighting is fine so far though

      • AssociatedRoland Chen @ Mech KB on 06/09/2014 - 20:00

        What Cherry MX Switch have you got tomkun01? Do you have a key cap puller? Have you tried pulling the key caps off the 'stuck' keys and seeing if the switch itself (without the key cap on) gets stuck?

        • belongsinforums on 06/09/2014 - 22:16

          Rosewill rk9100xr, cherry blue. The keys only get stuck occasionally..not enough to bother me..yet. I don't have a key cap puller and haven't bothered opening it up. Thanks though

        • AssociatedRoland Chen @ Mech KB on 06/09/2014 - 22:46
          +1

          @tomkun01: Yeah - Cherry MX Blue. Basically, the two most common stuck key problems we see are: 1) malformed key cap where a plastic protrusion gets 'stuck' and sticks the key or 2) a Cherry MX Blue issue where the clicky mechanism gets stuck and the key doesn't rise all the way to the top. I'm surprised to hear it happen to you though, both are pretty rare in our experience.

  • marcozmitch on 06/09/2014 - 15:08
    +1

    Information about different types of Cherry keys. Things I only learnt and may help others in their purchase decision.
    http://www.keyboardco.com/blog/index.php/2012/12/an-introduc…

  • twwyt on 06/09/2014 - 16:15
    +1

    +1 for mechkb service. bought a Filco TKL a couple months ago and it was at my door 1500km away within 12 hours.

  • AssociatedRoland Chen @ Mech KB on 06/09/2014 - 17:15

    Hello everyone, the following two items are on sale:

    Vortex F-104 for $79/$59 for Cherry MX Black + postage

    This is a basic but very durable mechanical keyboard. We recommend this for office/typing/entry-level usage.

    Deck Hassium (non-pro) for $109/$89 for Cherry MX Black + Postage

    This is a backlit mechanical keyboard - also very durable, with multimedia shortcuts and software-free macros - yeah, the font is a bit 'interesting' but you can't really go past it at this price ;)

    Sale ends Friday, 12th September.

    -OP, feel free to update your post with this info, especially the expiry date. :)

    • mr626 on 06/09/2014 - 17:26
      +1

      Thanks for the extra info, have updated post

    • Coastal0 on 07/09/2014 - 22:38

      Cheers rep,

      I now have bought my first backlit mechanical keyboard. Yay :)

      Edit; Spelling

      Comment; Startrack Air cheaper than AusPost! Awesome.

      • AssociatedRoland Chen @ Mech KB on 07/09/2014 - 23:19

        Yeah, Star Track is Cheaper than AusPost to some parts of AU - surprised me as well.

    • marcozmitch on 07/09/2014 - 23:45

      What is the difference between the pro and non-pro models?

      • AssociatedRoland Chen @ Mech KB on 08/09/2014 - 01:11
        +1

        The Pro model has more aesthetically pleasing (but less durable) ABS key caps with Helvetica font - it also has various LED lighting effects that the non-pro model does not have.

  • bhter on 06/09/2014 - 17:36

    59 for a mechanical keyboard with doubleshot pbt keycaps, that's indeed a deal. Bought a tenkeyless keyboard from them not long ago, and it's really great.

  • dafatha on 07/09/2014 - 04:42
    -1

    Is this the price before tax?

    • AssociatedRoland Chen @ Mech KB on 07/09/2014 - 08:35

      This price is GST inclusive. If you encounter some issues where the system tries to add tax at checkout, please drop me a PM so I can look into it (it shouldn't and it hasn't for our other customers.)

  • garylau on 10/09/2014 - 14:21
    +1

    bought one Ikbc on Sunday and received it today. very well made and heavy. loving it!

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