Massdrop x MiTo Pulse CTRL High-Profile Keyboard Discussions | Drop

Dec 15, 2018

Almost a year from now?! What the what... is this worth it?

Dec 15, 2018

Dec 16, 2018

fifthswitchThe fault for a year long but wait is the SA keycaps, the keyboard will be ready way sooner than that. Yes it is worth it as no other keyboard available in the market comes close to this level of quality and customizability.

Dec 16, 2018

Dec 16, 2018

MiToCan you elaborate (honestly asking) on the quality, what sets this apart? I believe for that price, it needs explaining. This question comes from someone who admires mechanical and solid keyboards, but to a point (currently using Ducky Shine 6 with MX silvers).

Dec 16, 2018

Dec 16, 2018

fifthswitchHot swap, QMK, RGB, underglow/backlighting, solid custom CNC high profile machined case, etc. Spec sheet is available on the main page.

Dec 16, 2018

Dec 16, 2018

MiToNot enough evidence. Someone needs to sell me on a $400 keyboard. $200 I'm good with. A few of things you've listed are standard on some top-keyboards.

Dec 16, 2018

Dec 16, 2018

fifthswitchThis is not a four hundred dollars keyboard, it is a $239 keyboard that can be shipped with doubleshot SA custom made keycaps for an extra $130 if the customer wants. Price is subjective to what a particular product features and the quality one should expect upon arrival, this keyboard right here is one heck of a steal for what it offers. Again, the Pulse CTRL has QMK, hot swap, HP machined case, pristine construction, dual USB, RGB, etc. A keyboard comparable to this one simply does not exist in the market. This is not a mass produced item. Some users may be satisfied with a basic “gamer” Ducky keyboard and pay $200 for that, but there are enthusiasts out there seeking for a higher end custom product and the Pulse HP is a keyboard designed for this audience.

Dec 16, 2018

Dec 16, 2018

MiToActually Ducky keyboards are sub $150 usually. Figured you'd have a snobbish answer. A keyboard without keycaps and switches is not a keyboard. It's like selling a 30k car without an exterior body, tires, and a steering wheel and saying you're still providing a car. I understand WHY someone wouldn't want those included - they want to build out their own keyboard to their specs, but saying this thing works for less than $300 out of the box is false. If I'm buying it for $239 (or $214 without switches), I'd still have to invest money to get the thing usable. I could configure this today for $400 with the shipping, so don't say it's NOT a $400 keyboard. All that being said: You have enlighten me. Thank you for your time. I'll leave this drop to the elites.

Dec 16, 2018

Dec 16, 2018

fifthswitchThe car comparison made is exaggerated and inaccurate - it's possible to select NO for SA keycaps and still have a usable board, because one can combine the Pulse CTRL with any keyset, even some available elsewhere, and the grand total would remain below $250. If someone wants to go ultra savy he/she can grab OEM sets from Chinese retailers for example for about $10, and then pair with the Pulse HP to have a fully usable beast out of the box for sub $250. Custom products come with a price my fellow enthusiast, I think you could do some research instead of calling people who are trying to educate you snobs. You asked what makes this keyboard a four hundred dollars keyboard and I explained to you why it can actually end up being way less than that depending on selections, and I also explained what set this one apart. I see you are new, and you're trying to draw a parallel between this and cheap mass produced keyboards that generally ship with OEM keycaps and basic features, which is just unfair.

Dec 16, 2018

bfitz

671

Dec 16, 2018

fifthswitchWhy so rude and confrontational? Take a min and do some research into the mech keys "Hobby". Not just general info about meck keebs. Drops like this are for hobbiests and enthusiasts. Not the avergae Joe that just wants a mechanical keyboard. I am sure you have an item in your possession like a pair of headphones or sneakers or anything that cost way above what an average user of said product is willing to pay and may not understand why there is such an expensive alternative. You have it though, and why? Becasue it is something that you are passionate about. Same applies here. 👍

(Edited)

Dec 16, 2018

Nster101

114

Dec 16, 2018

MiToYou know, almost everything about this drop is absolutely awesome. Only issue in my opinion is the PCB. From what I saw in reviews, it seemed rushed, with QC issues and traces that looked like spaghetti. :( Do you know if it will be improved in a Rev 2? And will we be able to buy it separately while keeping the rest of these parts?

(Edited)

Dec 16, 2018

Dec 16, 2018

Nster101There won't be any aditional sales for PCBs, regarding the traces - that's far beyond something I could control myself.

Dec 16, 2018

Kennui

160

Dec 16, 2018

MiToMD just mash the autoroute button when designing the PCB.

Dec 16, 2018

Volker

Dec 17, 2018

fifthswitchThat wasn’t a snobbish answer. Using cars as an example, maybe you shouldn’t be looking at the Audi/BMW/Merc if you can’t afford them. It’s like me walking into a luxury dealership and arguing with the sales guy on how his cars aren’t worth the money, etc... And that I could afford a Hyundai for cheaper. Enthusiast level investments exists everywhere. If you can’t find the rhyme or reason, then don’t be rude and try to belittle someone’s hard work.

Dec 17, 2018

Pandemos

421

Dec 17, 2018

fifthswitchMy main KBs are a Minivan with V1 lightcycle for travel and Ergodox Infinity with MT3 caps for my main rig. And purp/ bronze switches. Both cost well over this asking price. This is a bargain, even at $400 with those sexy caps, believe me. If I wasn't already buying some pricey items for xmas, this would be in my sights. The custom mech kb market can get expensive. It's usually for high income individuals in the IT sector, so they're using these products constantly and want the best. And the best costs a lot of money. I'm not in IT, but spend a large amount of time writing newsletters and editorials, so 50+ pages a week is pretty normal. So I spend the extra money for that quality and the tactile feel I tend to prefer for my many hours typing. This is nothing compared to the prices for a good Montblanc pen, even when a Bic would technically do the same job. Some people just want the best.

Dec 17, 2018

Longbow64d

Dec 17, 2018

PandemosThank you. You answered my question. I was trying to figure out why this keyboard was so expensive.

Dec 17, 2018

BserLarry

Dec 17, 2018

Nster101Hi there, what issues do you face with the PCB? Mine is working all fine! yes the Configurator is on the primitive side, but it still works and won’t affect practical use anyways?

Dec 17, 2018

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Nster101

114

Dec 17, 2018

BserLarryI saw all sorts of QC issues on Reddit and here. I don't personally have the board, I was interested in getting it though.

(Edited)

Dec 17, 2018

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Jaytal

174

Dec 18, 2018

bfitzThere’s a big difference between paying a steep price for something that others normally would skimp out on because you’re passionate about it, and just straight up overpaying for a product inferior to how it’s advertised for the pretentious sake of it. There is nothing that justifies the high price of this keyboard objectively, only the fact that enthusiasts will still shell out the money for bragging rights. If I were someone looking solely for a quality product worthy of a high price tag due to its ability to stand out from the competition, which I am, I would immediately glance over this.

Dec 18, 2018

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Dec 19, 2018

Jaytal> There is nothing that justifies the high price of this keyboard objectively, only the fact that enthusiasts will still shell out the money for bragging rights. This statement is completely false. The keyboard available here has features that more than justify it’s price. RGB underglow, backlighting, difuser, full QMK, hot swap, dual USB, pristine anodization, solid aluminum machined frame, TKL layout, etc - these are all objective features that make this keyboard a premium product. For about $250 this is a complete steal and nothing in the market comes exactly close to the performance and options this keyboard offers off the box. If you think people are overpaying here then you simply have no experience about custom keyboards or high end ones, I’m being entirely honest with you here, real talk. The price is fair and reasonable to what one will get - this is a fact, custom features come with a price. A remarkable keyboard tier that one could consider to be somewhat comparable to the Pulse HP CTRL would be the Kustom TKLs and they normally go for +$350 per kit, without switches, cables and keycaps and don’t have hotswap, RGB nor QMK.

Dec 19, 2018

Jaytal

174

Dec 19, 2018

MiToI had my keyboard custom built with a handmade Ebony wood case, lubed zealios switches, GMK plum keycaps (some of the priciest conventional there is), and even if I were to pointlessly add RGB backlighting, the services and cost of doing so wouldn't even break $250 for all. Every single component has been labelled "end-game worthy" and I paid more than a *hundred* dollars less. You can't slap the word "custom" on anything to make the price exorbitant at no extra cost of your own - there is no way the materials in this board merit the price. There are several choices of keyboards out there with most if not all the features you just listed for a much cheaper price, as you seem to not be factoring in the price of keycaps to your "$250" number you keep falling back on. I mean, be serious here - do you really think your keycaps are worth more than half the cost of the board itself?

Dec 19, 2018

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