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7 Things to consider when buying a new keycap set

7 Things to consider when buying a new keycap set

The Kapco Feb 3, 2023

When buying a new keycap set, there are several factors to consider to ensure that the keycaps are compatible with your keyboard and will provide a satisfying typing experience. Here are a few things to consider when buying a new keycap set: Compatibility: Make sure that the keycap set is compatible with your keyboard's layout and switch type. This includes the size of the keycaps, the profile of the keycaps and the type of stems the keycaps have. Material: Keycaps are available in a variety of materials, including plastic, rubber, and metal. Each material has its own unique characteristics and benefits. Plastic keycaps are the most common and are available in a wide range of colors and designs. Rubber keycaps are more comfortable to type on and are resistant to wear and tear. Metal keycaps are durable but can be heavy and expensive. Profile: The profile of the keycaps can affect the typing experience. Keycap profiles, such as Cherry, OEM, SA, DSA, XDA, etc are the most common profiles, each of them has a different shape and height, that can affect the typing experience, it's recommended to try different profiles before making a decision. Design: Consider the design and color of the keycaps. Some keycap sets are available in a variety of colors and designs, such as solid colors, patterns, or custom designs. Some keycap sets are designed to match a specific theme, such as a video game or movie. Brand: Look for keycap sets from reputable brands to ensure that they are of high quality and will last a long time. Price: Consider the price of the keycap set and compare it to other sets. Some keycap sets can be expensive, but they may be made of higher-quality materials or have a unique design. Reviews: read reviews from other users, they can provide valuable information about the product's quality, compatibility, and user experience. In summary, when buying a new keycap set, it's important to consider the compatibility, material, profile, design, brand, price and reviews of the keycap set to ensure that you are getting a high-quality product that is compatible with your keyboard and will provide a satisfying typing experience.

Why different keycaps can make my keyboard sound different?

Why different keycaps can make my keyboard sound different?

The Kapco Feb 2, 2023

Different keycaps can affect the sound of your keyboard in several ways. Here are a few examples: Material: The material of the keycaps can affect the sound of your keyboard. For example, keycaps made of ABS plastic can produce a "pingy" sound, while keycaps made of PBT plastic can produce a "thocky" sound. Additionally, metal keycaps can produce a different sound than plastic keycaps. Profile: The profile of the keycaps can also affect the sound of your keyboard. For example, keycaps with a higher profile can produce a louder sound because they are taller and will bottom out more easily. Dampening O-Rings: Dampening O-Rings are small rubber rings that can be placed on the keycap's stem to reduce the sound of the switch when it bottoms out. They can help to make the keyboard quieter, but they can also change the sound of the keyboard. Stabilizer: The stabilizer is the mechanism that keeps the larger keys (spacebar, enter, etc) stable and aligned, lubing the stabilizer can make them smoother and reduce the sound of the keyboard. Surface: The surface of the keycap can affect the sound of the keyboard, a glossy keycap will produce a different sound than a matte keycap. Switch lubing: lubing the switch can also affect the sound of the keyboard, it can make it smoother and quieter, but it can also change the sound of the keyboard. In summary, different keycaps can affect the sound of your keyboard in several ways, such as material, profile, dampening O-rings, stabilizer, surface, and switch lubing. It's worth noting that the sound of the keyboard is a personal preference, some people like a louder and "pingy" sound, while others prefer a quieter and "thocky" sound. It's recommended to try different keycaps and listen to the sound before making a decision.

Why you need a deskmat!

Why you need a deskmat!

The Kapco Jan 12, 2023

Deskmat is important, because

What color of mechanical keyboard switches should I choose (as a beginner)?

What color of mechanical keyboard switches should I choose (as a beginner)?

The Kapco Jan 12, 2023

Brown switches are often recommended for beginners because.....

Choosing the Right Keycap Profile

Choosing the Right Keycap Profile

The Kapco Aug 3, 2021

When choosing the perfect keycap set, an important customization option to consider is the keycap profile you intend on using. A keycap profile refers to the overall shape of the keycap on a row of given row, some keycaps are flat or some are rounded. Besides, each row of keys has different height to allow for a concave or sloped shape over the entire keycap set. There are few different types of keycap profile such as OEM, Cherry, DSA, XDA and SA.   OEM Firstly, OEM is a sculpted keycap that can be found on most keyboard and the main ideas behind “sculpted” keycap sets are ergonomics and aesthetics. The sculpted keycap sets to be easier to type on since it is easier to feel where your fingers are on the board if the heights vary. Sculpted is usually preferred by most people as it is a best and most comfortable keycap profile.   Cherry Secondly, Cherry and OEM profile keycaps are very similar in design and sculpt. However, Cherry profile keycaps are designed with a popular layout and slightly shorter and are harder to come by when searching for custom keycaps. It is approximately half the height of OEM profile.   DSA Thirdly, DSA is a non-sculpted uniform keycap with a spherical top. With DSA profile, you can expect pleasantly textured surfaces, slightly shorter profile for a flatter look across all row.     XDA Fourthly, XDA is a uniform keycap across different row and designed with a medium height profile. XDA profile keysets usually feature unique legend fonts and have a special surface shape that is more like a spherical shape.   SA Fifthly, SA has a tall height profile with slightly spherical and angled top. In term of practicality, the high profile may be a bit more difficult to type on, but the SA profile provides a vintage look and unique sound with each keystroke that are responsible for its die-hard fans.     As with all aspects with customizing your mechanical keyboard, the “best” keycap profile for you is subjective and depends on your personal preference.