How do I know if I have an ""original" or "newer" Drop CTRL?

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Mar 2, 2022

Is your question related to whether or not you need the diffuser add-on for CTRL cases?

Mar 2, 2022

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fer.real

533

Mar 2, 2022

jxliuYes, how do I know if I need the diffuser or not?

Mar 2, 2022

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jxliu

1271

Engineer

Mar 2, 2022

fer.realIf the back of your keyboard says "Drop" and not "Massdrop", then you do not need the diffuser. The back of a Drop-branded keyboard looks like this: https://www.techpowerup.com/review/drop-ctrl-mechanical-keyboard/images/disassembly-4.jpg vs. Massdrop-branded. Note it says "Massdrop" and doesn't say "Drop" anywhere. (this one is my personal unit from the first production run)

----- If your keyboard says "Massdrop" on the back, then you need to open it up to double-check what the bottom case looks like. Some time during the production of Massdrop CTRL keyboards, the diffuser and bottom case were updated to add a ridge to help with alignment and slots for the magnets (used by low-profile CTRL). See this comparison photo. On the left is my first production run low-profile CTRL. On the right is my high-profile Pulse CTRL with the updated diffuser design. Note the difference in the diffuser and the trough around the edge of bottom case on the right vs. the completely flat surface on the left. Ignore the foam I've added to my low-profile CTRL bottom case.

Here's a close up shot where you can see the trough clearly in the bottom case on the right and if you look closely, the ridge in the diffuser on the right.

If your diffuser looks like the one on the left, then you will need the diffuser add-on.

Mar 2, 2022

fer.real

533

Mar 3, 2022

jxliu Thank you for the very detailed answer!

Mar 3, 2022

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would these keys be compatible with a 98% layout?

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