What is SpaceFN and why you should give it a try
The SpaceFN concept - setting up your space key as a layer switch when held - is probably one of the most useful tweaks in the keyboard hobby. Let me explain how it works. My SpaceFN article on kbd.news made some rounds recently - quite surprisingly given the age of this concept. This piece you're reading is a condensed version of the full post. If you're left with unanswered questions, you'll most likely find the info you're looking for in the original write-up. On my imaginary top list of the most useful keyboard features, tweaks and hacks, SpaceFN would deserve a podium finish for sure. But what makes it so special? In short: SpaceFN is easy to implement, easy to learn, costs nothing, can be used with any keyboard, and can improve your productivity instantly. I will list its benefits below, but can state right at this point that the SpaceFN concept, setting up your space key as a layer switch when held, is clearly one of the most useful tweaks in the keyboard hobby....
Apr 30, 2024
Sadly, people often trash talk anything but PBT, but at the end of the day one is not better than the other by any stretch. There is advantages and disadvantages to both, and really it only comes down to personal opinion. Bad ABS caps come with many keyboards, true, but they are bad because they are so thin, not because they are ABS. I've also used a lot of crap PBT caps, material alone don't make or break caps ;)
https://wlhlm.github.io/rmk-march-2015-survey/caps.html (#1 online mech keyboard community 58.8% PBT, 11.5% ABS
All my point was is Massdrop should approach someone about making a PBT custom set instead of ABS alllllllll the time since PBT among enthusiast communities seems to be the preferred material and since Mech boards are a niche as it is....just a thought. Not suggesting to STOP selling ABS sets :p
Either work in an Air Conditioned environment that should alleviate your uncontrolled sweating or go see your Doctor to fix the problem.
No one is here to cater to a tiny minority that sweat like glass houses during any temps. Neither should anyone else be concerned about these people.
I work in 40 Degrees plus environs but I barely sweat at all on my forearms/hands. Hence any key-caps are fine to use even within horrendously hot situations.
So those who constantly think that everyone else suffers like them, no they don't. In essence this circle-jerking is just that trying their best to smear a Group Buy for their own selfish purposes.
I couldn't agree more with @livingspeedbump about the circlejerk surrounding PBT. While you argue the shine makes ABS worse, I would argue that the fact that PBT cannot (yet) be doubleshot, which is unarguably by far the best method for the longest-lasting legends, is a huge strike against PBT. It might be the more durable plastic against shine but it can't have the most durable legends.
But at the end of the day it's to each his own.
That being said, I am well aware of what the "#1 online mech community" says on the matter. That really only goes to backup my "forum circle-jerking" that I was talking about. Many users have never had the chance to try POM/PBT/ABS, side by side with caps of equal quality. Many times "ABS" is associated with "stock keycaps" and PBT is associated with "aftermarket" keycaps, which already skews how people view them. I've used hundreds of keyboards, and have found that quality keycaps come in a wide variety of materials, not just PBT. How the legends are put on the cap is also HUGELY important. Sure stock POK3R caps are thick PBT, but their legends wear off after a week and they look awful after that. Double shots, like most SA caps never wear off, and always retain a very clean look.
The sound argument is a little pointless. If i put a set of BSP caps next to GMK caps on the same keyboard, nobody would be able to tell the difference. Material itself isn't nearly as important as thickness/profile in terms of sound.
Now, from a design standpoint there are a lot of restrictions when making a set. Signature Plastics is the only company that makes SA caps, and they don't do them in PBT. PBT in general can be a little more difficult to work with as well, and has more limitations than ABS. Also, many color schemes aren't available with PBT as most quality sets are dye sublimated, and you cant have lighter legends on darker keys with dye-sub. There are just tons of factors that go into consideration when creating a set :)
All I am reiterating is that when it comes to high quality caps, it is 100% subjective, without any clear/obvious better choice. I've been at this a long time, and have grown to prefer ABS over PBT. Can I understand why someone would prefer PBT or POM? Absolutely :D I'ts just a little misinformed to knock an entire material i think .
(I included some pics of SA ABS/Vintage ABS vs POK3R caps, used those as reference point since many are familiar with POK3R caps )
Sure, maybe some day Vortex or some other vendor will perfect double-shotting PBT on SA-profile keycaps and give Signature Plastics some competition. Until then, I am going to continue to be a fan of ABS.
I just think it is important to judge each/company/profile/etc individually and not lump them into "materials" as that is just going to mislead people at best.