Ducky One III SF keyboard review: And it was all yellow

Worth When Reviewed

$109

Greatest Costs Immediately: Ducky One III SF keyboard

$109

Ducky may sound like a foolish identify for a model, but it surely’s a severe one amongst keyboard fanatics. The small Taiwanese firm has been making high-end mechanical boards for 15 years, and it’s considered a dependable provider of pre-built boards that may rival even boutique builders. So after they provided me a evaluate unit, in fact I mentioned sure…after which I mentioned, “ship the yellow one.” 

The marginally complicated One III is Ducky’s flagship keyboard design, provided in full-size, TKL, “mini” 60 %, or the extra accessible 65 % seen on this “SF” mannequin. Full of high-quality parts and dazzling LEDs, it’s a powerful and tight package deal, to say nothing of its colourful angular exterior.

However two issues let down this in any other case glorious keyboard: the switches (bog-standard Cherry MX Browns) and the software program (completely nothing).

Ducky One III SF design and options

The very first thing that jumps out at you in regards to the One SF III, or no less than this one specifically, is that it’s extraordinarily yellow. Don’t fear, this board and its different sizes can be found in a rainbow of colours, plus some fantastic particular editions like Doom and Fallout.

Michael Crider/Foundry

Michael Crider/Foundry

Michael Crider/Foundry

And the sweetness isn’t simply skin-deep: These are high-quality PBT keycaps with double-shot legends, which means they really feel nice in your fingers and so they’ll by no means put on out. I ought to observe that Ducky made the marginally odd selection so as to add a stabilizer to the shrunken proper Shift key. Which may make discovering suitable alternative keycaps, which is already difficult with the considerably odd 65 % format, much more so. 

Within the field I used to be shocked to discover a handful of additional keycaps, permitting you some selection with a splash of white and pink. The round Ducky emblem cap is a pleasant contact, as is the distinctive branded keycap puller and matching yellow braided cable. The sense of fashion extends right down to yellow foam beneath the metallic deck, and even yellow stabilizers.

Michael Crider/IDG

Michael Crider/IDG

Michael Crider/IDG

Even the keyboard’s case, which is normally pretty nondescript and boxy, will get somewhat aptitude and flare. The edges jut out at distinctive and pleasing angles, and the underside includes a printed metallic plate together with the double-stage keyboard ft. The keyboard has a grab-bag of superior options, together with hot-swap swap sockets for additional customization, inside foam for sound dampening, and intensive choices for macro recording and programming. 

Ducky claims that the keyboard has “good weight distribution and heart of gravity,” which is sweet, I assume. However take into account that it is a system that typically doesn’t transfer round loads. It additionally claims “balanced tuning” for the stabilizers, not that I seen something notably outstanding about them.

How is the typing and gaming efficiency?

In truth, there’s nothing notably outstanding in regards to the switches or the typing expertise, both. Whereas the keycaps are glorious and properly textured, they’re let down by the switches beneath them. 

Ducky went with tactile (small bump, no click on) Cherry MX Brown switches for this model of the One III. Whereas there are a number of swap choices on supply, all of them are pretty previous Cherry choices: Black, Blue, Crimson, Pace Silver, or Silent Crimson. All are serviceable…and that’s about it. Avid gamers would in all probability want linear switches (pink or silver), because the tactile bump of the browns makes them somewhat slower on the set off.

Michael Crider/IDG

Michael Crider/IDG

Michael Crider/IDG

To be frank, there are much better switches accessible on the market to characteristic on a high-end keyboard, and even one with a mid-range worth like this one. There’s nothing incorrect with the switches, it’s simply that the competitors has raised the bar far above this stage. Razer and Corsair supply custom-tuned lubed switches from the manufacturing facility, small manufacturers like Keydous supply unique switches from the manufacturing facility. Even the Kailh BOX switches accessible within the 8BitDo Retro Keyboard and the sub-$50 G.Talent KM250 are smoother and higher. 

I get the sensation that Ducky, as a notable model in and of itself, goes with Cherry’s tried-and-true switches for his or her model enchantment. And once more, there’s nothing incorrect with MX Browns. But it surely’s form of like your grandpa insisting that he drive nothing however Ford vehicles, when a Tacoma is each extra dependable and cheaper. 

Michael Crider/IDG

Michael Crider/IDG

Michael Crider/IDG

Word that you may swap out the switches for any customary MX-compatible switches you like. However for a keyboard on this worth vary, you need to count on good switches — not merely sufficient ones — out of the field. 

Software program…or lack thereof

One other factor you need to count on in case you’re paying triple digits for a keyboard is a few form of possibility for software program. Be it custom-made or merely suitable with an open customary like VIA, there must be a way for customers to program the format of the keyboard. 

And with the Ducky One III, there’s…it simply isn’t software program. Along with the big selection of choices within the operate layer (such because the considerably busy Fn-Alt-T to change to a brand new backlight mode), you’ll be able to program {custom} layouts by way of a posh set of macro features. 

Take, for instance, my normal behavior of setting Web page Up and Web page Right down to quantity up and quantity down. To try this on the One III SF, I must carry out the next, in line with the guide: 

1. Press Fn + Alt + 2 to activate the second profile, as the primary profile can’t be modified. 
2. Press and maintain Fn + Alt + Tab for 3 seconds. 
3. Press Fn + Web page As much as choose the programming goal. 
4. Press Fn + Win + D to program it with the keyboard’s quantity up command. 
5. Press Fn + Alt to finalize the macro. 
6. Press Fn + Web page Down to pick a brand new programming goal. 
7. PRess Fn + Win + S to program it with the keyboard’s quantity down command. 
8. Press Fn + Alt to finalize the macro. 
9. Press Fn + Alt + Tab for one second to exit macro programming mode. 

That’s in line with the guide. That…doesn’t work. And apparently I’m not the one one who has seen this with the Ducky One III collection, because the poor guide and/or poor translation for the guide is a standard criticism. 

I discovered this information for the TKL model of this keyboard that will get the re-binding course of working, but it surely doesn’t appear to work for the smaller format of this evaluate unit. That, or there’s one thing incorrect with the firmware. I attempted to replace the firmware. It didn’t work.

Michael Crider/IDG

Michael Crider/IDG

Michael Crider/IDG

Mixed with an already-confusing base format — activating sure elements of the operate layer wants Home windows or Alt modifiers to be pressed as nicely, however it’s a must to dive into the guide to determine this out — it’s only a massive ol’ mess when it comes to truly figuring your means round as a person. 

Oh, and the guide isn’t included within the field. It’s solely on-line in PDF type. 

Whereas I actually respect the power to reprogram a number of profiles all inside the keyboard’s {hardware}, that’s not a alternative for a user-friendly GUI possibility on a premium keyboard design. Actually not in case your directions are flawed to the purpose that many customers simply can’t use the programming operate in any respect.

Is the Ducky One III SF price it? 

I actually wished to like the Ducky One III. My preliminary impression was of top of the range and distinctive shade choices. A completely yellow keyboard (one in all many choices!) in a sea of black and white was so refreshing, and I really like the additional visible touches and included alt caps. 

Michael Crider/IDG

Michael Crider/IDG

Michael Crider/IDG

However customary Cherry MX Brown switches simply don’t lower the mustard lately, when even finances boards have higher choices. And the dearth of software program, mixed with complicated (and presumably even non-functioning) programming choices, left me bitterly disillusioned. 

It’s actually potential to show the One III into a terrific keyboard. However it will take a whole lot of further money and time to take action. And when there are already nice keyboards on the market that don’t demand anything from you after opening the field, it makes it not possible to advocate the Ducky over its many options.