Tommy’s English name is TOM, and he has spent many years dabbling in peripherals. His first PC game was Red Alert and CS1.5, but his true passion began with Warcraft 3. Over the years, he's had to try out numerous peripherals, and now he wants to document his experiences. Writing about these peripherals not only helps him reflect on his interests but also allows him to share his insights with others. While he has written extensively on individual peripherals, he hasn’t yet compiled them into a series. He hopes this will be the start of such a collection.
In 2017, mechanical keyboards started trending with a vibrant green hue. I remember Amilo launching a keyboard with green keys and keycaps, and this trend quickly caught on, making green the go-to color for mechanical keyboards that year. Following Amilo, brands like Leopold, Gass (Gaussian) GK, and Akko Ducky also jumped on the bandwagon.
Amilo and Leopold’s green keyboards are quite expensive, both being 87-key models priced at over 700 and 1200 yuan respectively. The GK87 Grass Green is also an 87-key model, but it’s more affordable at over 400 yuan. Akko Ducky’s green keycaps are built on their ONE series, which has 108 keys and a price tag of around 650 yuan, making it more accessible.
One particular standout is the Varillow Armillo VA87M Cherry Mechanical Keyboard in grass green, priced at 598 yuan. Choosing the grass green option might push the price up to over 700 yuan. Similarly, the Leopold FC750R 87-key Spring Limited Edition costs 859 yuan. Selecting the grass green version reveals the true price, which can easily cross the thousand-yuan mark. The GANSS GS104 GK87 gaming mechanical keyboard in grass green with Ferrari side engraving is available for 348 yuan, though package and switch choices may push the price up to over 400 yuan.
Akko Ducky is set to release a green PBT sublimation character keycap for their ONE keyboard mold. Unlike the 3108 mold, which is entry-level, the ONE mold is positioned higher-end. Ducky ONE keyboards are manufactured by the legendary FILCO, ensuring quality. These thermal sublimation keycaps are also made in Taiwan, aligning well with the keyboard’s premium positioning. Thus, it’s anticipated that Ducky will incorporate this sublimation feature into their keycaps.
Thankfully, Akko Ducky’s grass green and milk green keycaps are available for purchase at 199 yuan. Made of PBT material with sublimation characters, they come in retro, pink, blue, and black options. However, grass green is clearly the popular choice this year.
To discuss the connection between "Ducky," "Ducky," and "AKKO," let’s first talk about "DUCKY." DUCKY is a brand under Taiwan-based Chuangjie International Co., Ltd., specializing in keyboards and mice. Previously, DUCKY was the agent for "Magic Duck" in China, and most of their promotions highlighted Magic Duck. Consequently, the products we encountered were labeled as Magic Duck, rarely mentioning DUCKY. Recently, the partnership between DUCKY and Magic Duck ended. DUCKY then collaborated with another domestic agent, AKKO (Aiku), forming what we now know as Akko Ducky. Meanwhile, Magic Duck continues to compete in the market with their M1 and M2 keyboards and older models like 2108/2087. AKKO and DUCKY have reintroduced their 3108 series and Shine series to the domestic market.
The original charm of Ducky has always been understated, particularly in popular trends. However, this time they responded swiftly to the popularity of grass green, launching matching keycaps. Unfortunately, this effort wasn’t comprehensive, as only one of their molds received a green update. Compared to other brands, which offered full green versions of their keyboards, Ducky only updated the keycaps.
One keyboard stands out for its "ultra-narrow bezel" design. I refer to FILCO and GANSS as "classic narrow bezels" and IKBC as "innovative narrow bezels." Each type has unique features and cannot be directly compared. Key features include: ultra-thin bezels, directional key lines, metal nameplates, driver-free DIP switches, dual-height feet, German Cherry switches, and dust covers.
Ducky’s standout feature is its keypuller, although it includes Ducky pictographic elements, it’s not user-friendly. Why didn’t they opt for a standard steel wire keypuller? Many reviews have criticized the current design, but Ducky remains steadfast in its "duck" aesthetic.
I’ve tried several keycaps for comparison: 1) Cooler Master Mocha (sublimation characters), bought recently, feeling somewhat uninspired; 2) FILCO original ABS keycap, used for a long time; 3) Tai Hao PBT two-color keycap, replaced on my FILCO keyboard, used for about two years; 4) AKKO Ducky grass green PBT sublimation keycap, newly acquired.
In terms of manufacturing process, Moka and AKKO Ducky’s green grass keycaps are both sublimation, while FILCO uses laser filling and Tai Hao employs two-color molding. Injection ports vary: Moka, FILCO, and Tai Hao have a small dot on the back, whereas AKKO Ducky’s sublimation caps have a longer internal injection port, which is less noticeable.
Each keycap has its merits. Moka is original height, while the others are common OEM height. Prices differ significantly: Moka keycaps cost 499 yuan, FILCO 299 yuan, and Tai Hao two-color PBT and AKKO Ducky sublimation caps are less than 200 yuan. Used keycaps are even cheaper, often under 200 yuan.
Placing the green keycap on a white Gass keyboard enhances the freshness! Color combinations are crucial, just like how a new pen makes studying more enjoyable. Changing keycaps can refresh your mood, making work, study, and gaming more enjoyable.
This article introduces the AKKO Ducky One green PBT thermal sublimation mechanical keyboard, explores grass green trends, explains the relationship between Ducky, Magic Duck, and AKKO, and shares my experience with various keycaps. As the first in this series, I apologize for any confusion. I hope you enjoyed reading and would love to hear your thoughts.
Attached are images showcasing the products and comparisons discussed.
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