Final Words
I’ve been using this keyboard for over three weeks now and overall, I am not disappointed. Don’t be fooled by the term “entry level”, the Ducky Zero series basically has all the essential points that make it a great keyboard. First, the build quality is amazing with almost zero flex in the chassis which also contributes to the solid typing experience across the board. Second, the keycaps quality absolutely crushes my initial expectation with its high-quality double-shot finish.
My only personal complaint would be the use of non-removable USB cable on this keyboard. If you don’t change keyboard a lot, that feature is actually passable. Overall, this is a solid all-rounder keyboard that is suitable for those who are looking to purchase their first mechanical keyboard. At the price of RM 339, I think it is reasonably priced considering that you’re getting a keyboard with robust build quality.
John Diew
The web developer and writer who is passionate about technology, photography & videography. A strong believer in making tech accessible to everyone. Hey, I like ACG too.
Подсветка
Клавиатура имеет три зоны подсветки. И для регулировки каждой из зон предусмотрены свои сочетания клавиш.
Первая зона – это верхний ряд кнопок, цифровой блок, стрелки направления и клавиши над ними. Для увеличения уровня яркости используется сочетание Fn+4 (на цифровом блоке). Для уменьшения – Fn+1 (на цифровом блоке). Для активации эффекта дыхания данной зоны используется сочетание Fn+7.
Вторая зона – все клавиши основного блока, кроме букв. Для увеличения уровня яркости используется сочетание Fn+5 (на цифровом блоке). Для уменьшения – Fn+2 (на цифровом блоке). Для активации эффекта дыхания данной зоны используется сочетание Fn+8.
Третья зона – буквы. Для увеличения уровня яркости используется сочетание Fn+6 (на цифровом блоке). Для уменьшения – Fn+3 (на цифровом блоке). Для активации эффекта дыхания данной зоны используется сочетание Fn+9.
Сочетанием клавиш Fn+ (1-7) регулируется яркость подсветки всех клавиш. Fn+8 – эффект дыхания всех клавиш. Fn+0 – отключение посветки.
Подсветка реализована наилучшим образом. И русская и английская раскладки подсвечены одинаково ярко. А благодаря семи уровням яркости, подсветку можно настроить под освещение любой интенсивности. Ни в полной темноте, ни при ярком солнечном свете не возникает совершенно никаких проблем.
Также имеется эффект дыхания подсветки. Причем как всех клавиш вместе, так и каждой зоны по отдельности.
Final Words
I’ve been using this keyboard for over three weeks now and overall, I am not disappointed. Don’t be fooled by the term “entry level”, the Ducky Zero series basically has all the essential points that make it a great keyboard. First, the build quality is amazing with almost zero flex in the chassis which also contributes to the solid typing experience across the board. Second, the keycaps quality absolutely crushes my initial expectation with its high-quality double-shot finish.
My only personal complaint would be the use of non-removable USB cable on this keyboard. If you don’t change keyboard a lot, that feature is actually passable. Overall, this is a solid all-rounder keyboard that is suitable for those who are looking to purchase their first mechanical keyboard. At the price of RM 339, I think it is reasonably priced considering that you’re getting a keyboard with robust build quality.
John Diew
The web developer and writer who is passionate about technology, photography & videography. A strong believer in making tech accessible to everyone. Hey, I like ACG too.
Build Quality
Chassis
The Ducky Zero DK2108 as the codename suggest it has 108 keys, including the 4 extra keys for calculator shortcut and volume control. It has minimal branding except for the Ducky Zero logo at the spacebar. Love it or hate it, I personally think this is way better than the previous batch of Ducky Zero where the Windows logo is being replaced by the Duckling head.
In terms of the keyboard layout, we’re getting the standard ANSI layout in Malaysia market, which is great for keycap replacements. The legends, too, are kept with the standard font that looks professional and clean.
Even the top panel only consists of the USB out at the centre.
Rubber support at the cable to prevent rubber tearing. The cable itself is reasonably thick and durable even if it might not be braided.
I personally not a fan of thick braided cables that is non-removable because they tend of fold up easily which in the end breaks the copper cable within.
Nothing fancy, just a standard USB type A connector.
Moving on to the bottom of the keyboard and we’ll find that the design is even simpler. Nothing much is going on here with just the brand sticker at the middle and QC Pass sticker at one side.
The rubber feet is noticeably smaller than what we usually find on other keyboards. At this size, depending on your desk surface, it is very likely that your keyboard might shift places during your intense gaming session. My personal experience has been fine so far while using the keyboard on a wooden surface desk.
Take note that the height extension feet is small and does not come with rubber feet.
The feet provides around 5 degrees of elevation.
Keycaps
Ducky employs a new manufacturing process for their double-shot keycaps, called the Double-shot Seamless Character keycaps. As we all know that double-shot keycaps are way durable than regular pad-printed keycaps, but what does “seamless” actually means?
Turns out, the new process is introduced in order to make sure the legends and letters on the keycaps to look more natural, especially the letters with a loop, for example – A, B, D, O, P and Q. Have a look at the photo below by Ducky:
As usual, Ducky keycaps have the OEM profile with sculpted rows for typing ergonomics.
While we are not allowed to cut open the keycaps to show you, thankfully Ducky’s official YouTube channel has demonstrated the great key cap quality they have.
Switches & Stabilisers
Removing the keycaps and we are greeted with the Cherry MX Blue switches. It also comes in Cherry MX Brown and Cherry MX Red variants.
The LEDs on the function rows has its own purposes which I will talk about in the latter part of this review.
Ducky uses cherry style stabilisers for the long keys such as spacebar, shift, enter and backspace keys. Just like any other cherry stabilisers, the keys felt slightly mushier than the rest of the keys.
Unboxing
The box comes in a new design. I kind of prefers the older box design with the red duckling branding. The new design seems, out of place with all those abstract geometries all over the place.
This particular unit we have comes with Cherry MX Blue switches.
Large and easy to read fonts at the back.
I guess there are too many people thinking that mechanical keyboards are spill resistant.
Open box, and you’re immediately greeted with the keyboard and the paperwork.
In the box:
- Ducky Zero DK2108 mechanical keyboard
- Keyboard cover
- User manual & warranty card
The plastic keyboard cover may not look fancy, but it’s useful against dust when you’re not using your keyboard.
Features
Function Keys
As for the extra function keys, basically, it supports a shortcut key to launch the calculator and volume control.
The FN key replaces the right Windows key.
Here’s an extract from the user manual.
The F1~F3 and F5~F7 are only active if you enable the function mode (FN+Esc). The LEDs will light up when you enable the function mode.
Repeat delay time means the pause time in between each key repeat, meanwhile repeat rate means the speed of the key repeating itself when you press down a certain key.
I have no idea when we actually need this function except when you need to SPAM a key for prolonged period.
The keyboard also supports Windows lock function to prevent unwanted annoyance during the gaming session. On top of that, they keyboard also has a toggle for you to enable the N-Key rollover through USB. Why this function is not turned on by default because on certain OS, the NKRO function will not actually work properly.
Just like the function mode, when you enable Windows lock and NKRO, the LED underneath it will light up.
Упаковка и комплектация
Поставляется клавиатура в средней по размеру картонной коробке, оформленной в темных тонах. Особой информативностью тара не отличается. На лицевой стороне имеется лишь логотип фирмы изготовителя и название модели. На боковой стороне указан тип переключателей, которые установлены в данной модели.
На обратной стороне имеется все тот же логотип и перечислены основные достоинства устройства.
Комплект поставки стандартен. Помимо самой клавиатуры, в коробке мы найдем гарантийный талон, краткое руководство, ключик для снятия клавиш и 4 дополнительные клавиши «W,A,S,D». В отличие от стандартных, они серого цвета и не имеют русской раскладки.
Build Quality
Chassis
The Ducky Zero DK2108 as the codename suggest it has 108 keys, including the 4 extra keys for calculator shortcut and volume control. It has minimal branding except for the Ducky Zero logo at the spacebar. Love it or hate it, I personally think this is way better than the previous batch of Ducky Zero where the Windows logo is being replaced by the Duckling head.
In terms of the keyboard layout, we’re getting the standard ANSI layout in Malaysia market, which is great for keycap replacements. The legends, too, are kept with the standard font that looks professional and clean.
Even the top panel only consists of the USB out at the centre.
Rubber support at the cable to prevent rubber tearing. The cable itself is reasonably thick and durable even if it might not be braided.
I personally not a fan of thick braided cables that is non-removable because they tend of fold up easily which in the end breaks the copper cable within.
Nothing fancy, just a standard USB type A connector.
Moving on to the bottom of the keyboard and we’ll find that the design is even simpler. Nothing much is going on here with just the brand sticker at the middle and QC Pass sticker at one side.
The rubber feet is noticeably smaller than what we usually find on other keyboards. At this size, depending on your desk surface, it is very likely that your keyboard might shift places during your intense gaming session. My personal experience has been fine so far while using the keyboard on a wooden surface desk.
Take note that the height extension feet is small and does not come with rubber feet.
The feet provides around 5 degrees of elevation.
Keycaps
Ducky employs a new manufacturing process for their double-shot keycaps, called the Double-shot Seamless Character keycaps. As we all know that double-shot keycaps are way durable than regular pad-printed keycaps, but what does “seamless” actually means?
Turns out, the new process is introduced in order to make sure the legends and letters on the keycaps to look more natural, especially the letters with a loop, for example – A, B, D, O, P and Q. Have a look at the photo below by Ducky:
As usual, Ducky keycaps have the OEM profile with sculpted rows for typing ergonomics.
While we are not allowed to cut open the keycaps to show you, thankfully Ducky’s official YouTube channel has demonstrated the great key cap quality they have.
Switches & Stabilisers
Removing the keycaps and we are greeted with the Cherry MX Blue switches. It also comes in Cherry MX Brown and Cherry MX Red variants.
The LEDs on the function rows has its own purposes which I will talk about in the latter part of this review.
Ducky uses cherry style stabilisers for the long keys such as spacebar, shift, enter and backspace keys. Just like any other cherry stabilisers, the keys felt slightly mushier than the rest of the keys.
Заключение
В заключение можно сказать, что перед нами действительно клавиатура для истинных эстетов. Любители игровых девайсов могут быть не полностью удовлетворены данной клавиатурой. По большей части из-за отсутствия дополнительных клавиш и каких-то других наворотив, предназначенных для гейминга. Однако всем остальным, тем, кто часто и много печатает или просто хочет качественную и удобную клавиатуру для дома, Ducky Zero Zone подойдет как нельзя лучше. К ее достоинствам можно отнести компактные размеры, устойчивость и удобство при наборе текста, качество сборки и, конечно же, классический строгий дизайн, который многим придется по душе.
Плюсы:
- Компактность;
- Качество исполнения подсветки (обилие вариантов, подсветка кирилицы);
- Дополнительные кейкапы в комплекте;
- Качество сборки и материалов;
- Строгий и лаконичный дизайн.
Минусы:
Немного завышенная цена.
