Ducky Legend Review (Long, with Plenty of Large Pictures)

[silentanarchy]

DUCKY LEGEND REVIEW

 

 

The Pre Review

 

I bought the Ducky Legend About a week ago, I bought it because I'm a sucker for aluminium. and because I wanted to buy a mechanical keyboard from a reputable brand. Originally I wanted to go with the Corsair K95 RGB because I wanted MACRO keys and again I'm a sucker for aluminium, but due to the fact that they have had manufacturing problems and they don't have any available with cherry MX Blue's I decided to do some research and after about A week of research I decided on the Ducky legend. The only other keyboard I owned before this was this.  I've had no problems with it other than the design got old to me very fast, now I think It's horrendous. So this is my first mechanical Keyboard.

 

 

The Unboxing

 

The box the Legend came in was lovely, clean and simple just like the keyboard.

 

however the protection on the inside could have been better, with some softer closed cell foam. It's also very easy to take out no complex cardboard folding just pull the cable out the little back area and that's It.

As far as documentation goes there is a registration card, and A manual that is not labeled manual. and don't throw this one away, It helps a lot if you've never used a Ducky Keyboard before.  As far as accessories go you get a set of grey WASD keycaps and a ducky keycaps puller that doesn't work with some of the keys because the plastic doesn't fit between the metal area. But this is not that big of a deal.

 

 

 

 

The Design, Feel, and Build Quality

 

The Main Thing I love about this keyboard is the design. some hate it from what i've seen, but It's very clean and sleek. The front is covered in a 5mm thick piece of aluminium that is anodized black or silver I got the Black, and has a slight bead blasted finish but still feels smooth to the touch. I love when I wake up in the morning and touch it and it's cold.

 

front bottom by spacebar

 

 

 

The whole keyboard feels extremely solid, It literally feels like a solid block of aluminium. When you tap on the metal it's a nice thud, not a hollow sound, there's no creaking or flex at all. I picked it up and twisted with enough force to bend a Phone. and it stayed as straight as a ruler. That may due to the fact that it weighs 3 POUNDS!!. The bottom is made with plastic that almost felt like metal when I took it out of the package. The bottom is also very clean.

 

back and metal sticker

 

all there is the rubber feet/riser feet, a metal sticker with the info on it, and a reassuring Quality Control sticker that peels off easy.

 

 

 

rubber feet

 

riser feet have rubber too

The Keycaps feel smooth and like they are of great quality for OEM keycaps, the letters have a slight texture that I can only really feel occasionally while typing,

 

I have ordered some Vortex double shot PBT keycaps from MassDrop, and they should be here in a week I'll do an update when I get them. Even the Usb Cable feels premium the sleeving is extremely soft and the cable is a nice thickness.

 

 

The Back lighting and Features 

 

 

My Ducky Legend came with White back lighting, but the silver model comes with blue back lighting. The brightness goes from giving me a Headache to can't even tell it's on when the lights are on. And there are six brightness levels. I use it one below max when the lights are on, and three below max when the lights are off.

 

 

All of the keys are for the most part evenly lit with the exception of some of the Number pad keys, and the space bar. but It actually looks nice like that on the space bar.

 

This keyboard has enough feature for me excluding a few. My last keyboard had media playback keys which this does not have, but I just downloaded KeyTweak and made some over the keys I don't use media keys =)

I did think I was going to want macro keys but now I thought what I can do Is buy an external NumPad and just put custom keycaps on, and remap them manually. But on to things the keyboard actually has. You can adjust repeat delay and rate, with Fn+F9 to enter the mode, then Fn+F1-4 for Delay and Fn+F5-8 for Rate. this keyboard also features N-KeyRollover which can be turned on with Fn+N until the space bar starts to breath. It also supports two custom lighting modes. and has volume up/down and mute. along with a cool button that opens a calculator.

Finally there is a Windows lock which can be enabled with Fn+Left Win for 3 seconds. This keyboard comes with 5 lighting modes including All on, Breathing, Reactive Fade, Wave, and Off. 

Click for Reactive Typing

Click for Wave

The Specs and Dimensions

 

Interface- USB

Number of simultaneous keypresses- 6 Key/ or N-KeyRollover

USB Report Rate- 1000Hz Polling Rate

Dimensions- 458 x 155 x 36.5 ( mm )

Weight- 1.47KG / 3.24 LBS

 

The Experience

 

Being the fact that this is my first mechanical keyboard take what I say in this area with a grain of salt. I Love the way the legend feels when typing. I bought mine with cherry MX Blues which I know are my favorite because I have tried all of the other switches at stores.

This keyboard does however feel much better to type on than the other keyboards that I have tried because when you bottom out there is absolutely no flex. I found that even though I'm not used to the keyboard or mechanical switches yet, I still type a little faster. and I expect that to improve over time. Another thing I love it the sound. while the sound of the click is the same as every other cherry MX blue, the Clack is different from Keyboard to keyboard, and this one gives a nice loud clack that's not too high pitched. Overall with the short time i've used this keyboard I love it. with that said I'm still getting new keycaps that will change the typing experience, So I will be sure to update this and/or do a separate review of the vortex PBT Keycaps.

 

Click for Sound

 

 

The Conclusion

 

The Ducky Legend Is a great Mechanical keyboard for anyone who likes minimalist and sleek design, also for anyone who tends to want to beat people repeatedly with their keyboard, because it's built like a tank.  So If you want your keyboard to be a heavy slab of metal on your desk then this is definitely what you want. but if your thing is flashing lights, a million features and angular design, then this is not the keyboard for you. More Pics here

 

 

Please tell me if there's anything you would like to know. and if there is anything you think I could improve on.

also I have plenty of High end'ish things I can review so tell me what you want a review of and I'll try to do it.

 

AKG K550

Corsair Dominator Platinum

Cyborg R.A.T 7

Sennheiser HD 448

Nikon D3100

Phanteks Enthoo Primo

Asus Sabertooth Z87

Corsair H100i

Corsair RM650

MIonix Sargas 900

Nexus 7

Moto G

Asus Transformer TF701

cyborg keyboard V7

corsair Force LX

ASUS Orion

Phillips cityscape downtown

 

Edit 

I am going to do a review of the AKG K550, I also just ordered an Achieva Shimian qh2700 that I will also do a review on.

 

Edit

Here is my review of the AKG K550, Moto G, and Vortex PBT Keycaps,

[TheSLSAMG]

When I see Ducky keyboards, I can't help but yawn at the design. At the same time though, I want a KBC Poker II, so I'm no better. They are great keyboards though.

[Interfectorem]

When I see Ducky keyboards, I can't help but yawn at the design. At the same time though, I want a KBC Poker II, so I'm no better. They are great keyboards though.

Holy crap the KBC Poker II looks incredibly small.

[TheSLSAMG]

Holy crap the KBC Poker II looks incredibly small.

That's the point. It's what's called a 60%, which is missing the tenkey, arrow key column and the F-keys. For reference, tenkeyless keyboards are also known as 80%.

[Interfectorem]

That's the point. It's what's called a 60%, which is missing the tenkey, arrow key column and the F-keys. For reference, tenkeyless keyboards are also known as 80%.

Yea, that's cool. It would be neat to have such a small keyboard.

[Speedyv]

When I see Ducky keyboards, I can't help but yawn at the design. At the same time though, I want a KBC Poker II, so I'm no better. They are great keyboards though.

 

I love the understated look. 

But I get what you're saying.

[d33g33]

I also have a Ducky Legend with MX Browns. Love it. 

 

I had a K95 and hated it, they keys felt really high and I couldn't adapt from 1 keyboard back to the K95 easily. When I had to RMA it for a LED dying I was so happy to sell it off as a boxed replacement quick smart. I then got a G710+ with MX Browns and that was a really nice keyboard with 2 cosmetic issues, 1 the keycap font and 2. the orange section around the macro keys.

 

If Ducky would build in a set of macros down the left hand side I would be in heaven, the keyboard isn't flashy, I don't think they will ever make one but as a non-competitive PC user it is almost impossible to surpass the build quality of the Ducky Legend I could literally, use it to defend myself without damaging this keyboard.

[Faceman]

@silentanarchy

 

Amazing review.  Really man, love it.  Fantastic descriptions, pictures, videos, the whole 9.

 

I just got my Lucky Shine Legend in Silver with MX Blues and Blue LEDs.  I share many of the same opinions as you.  The beauty of the keyboard, the lackluster, non-padded packaging, and especially using it as a weapon if it ever came to that.

 

I am having a problem with mine though, and I noticed something similar with yours in the video.  The stabilizers in my Backspace key are really bad.  They aren't even, they are recessed, they don't bounce back when you click them without the keycap on, and they don't work in tandem.  It results in a really mushy, stiff, and unpleasant feel when hitting the backspace key.

 

Here is a picture of the stabilizers.

 

The bottom most key is the Enter key.  It works ok, not great, much better than the Backspace.  As you can see on the Enter key, the stabilizers are more even, and they work in tandem.  They bounce back up when you click on just the stabilizer.  On the top one, the Backspace, they aren't working together and the stabilizer on the right is recessed.  People have been telling me that the Cherry stabilizers just aren't that good, and often Mushy, but the Backspace key is the only key with stabilizers that is really terrible on my board.

 

I watched your "Sound" Video, and I noticed a very similar problem when you hit your backspace key.  Could you please do more testing and look "underneath the hood" to see what is going on.  I am trying to decide if I should RMA or not over this one key, because it is really bad.  But, if you are experiencing the same issue, maybe it is a more common problem than I thought.  I have spent all day yesterday and today trying to figure this out, because it is really bad, and borderline experience ruining.

 

Also, I am intrigued about the PBT key caps, what are the benefits to going with aftermarket key caps?

[silentanarchy]

When I see Ducky keyboards, I can't help but yawn at the design. At the same time though, I want a KBC Poker II, so I'm no better. They are great keyboards though.

I Like the fact That with the Ducky legend I can take the frame off and put on my own custom anodized frame because I love to tinker with stuff and make my own custom things. I was thinking about getting a KBC Poker II, But I kind of want to try the ducky mini, because I feel like it would compliment this very well. I do see exactly where you are coming from though All of ducky's keyboards look very similar.

 

@silentanarchy

 

Amazing review.  Really man, love it.  Fantastic descriptions, pictures, videos, the whole 9.

 

I just got my Lucky Shine Legend in Silver with MX Blues and Blue LEDs.  I share many of the same opinions as you.  The beauty of the keyboard, the lackluster, non-padded packaging, and especially using it as a weapon if it ever came to that.

 

I am having a problem with mine though, and I noticed something similar with yours in the video.  The stabilizers in my Backspace key are really bad.  They aren't even, they are recessed, they don't bounce back when you click them without the keycap on, and they don't work in tandem.  It results in a really mushy, stiff, and unpleasant feel when hitting the backspace key.

 

Here is a picture of the stabilizers.

 

The bottom most key is the Enter key.  It works ok, not great, much better than the Backspace.  As you can see on the Enter key, the stabilizers are more even, and they work in tandem.  They bounce back up when you click on just the stabilizer.  On the top one, the Backspace, they aren't working together and the stabilizer on the right is recessed.  People have been telling me that the Cherry stabilizers just aren't that good, and often Mushy, but the Backspace key is the only key with stabilizers that is really terrible on my board.

 

I watched your "Sound" Video, and I noticed a very similar problem when you hit your backspace key.  Could you please do more testing and look "underneath the hood" to see what is going on.  I am trying to decide if I should RMA or not over this one key, because it is really bad.  But, if you are experiencing the same issue, maybe it is a more common problem than I thought.  I have spent all day yesterday and today trying to figure this out, because it is really bad, and borderline experience ruining.

 

Also, I am intrigued about the PBT key caps, what are the benefits to going with aftermarket key caps?

Thanks. It took all day, but worth spreading the info. As I am typing this I'm realizing how much I dislike the Left Shift button. The keys with stabilizers could be better but, I still love the keyboard.

[Faceman]

I Like the fact That with the Ducky legend I can take the frame off and put on my own custom anodized frame because I love to tinker with stuff and make my own custom things. I was thinking about getting a KBC Poker II, But I kind of want to try the ducky mini, because I feel like it would compliment this very well. I do see exactly where you are coming from though All of ducky's keyboards look very similar.

 

Thanks. It took all day, but worth spreading the info. As I am typing this I'm realizing how much I dislike the Left Shift button. The keys with stabilizers could be better but, I still love the keyboard.

Could you do me a favor and take some pictures of your stabilizers please?  Specifically your backspace key, because in that video, it looked exactly the same way mine does with the key cap on.

[Pomfinator]

The backspace key on my MX Brown Legend is driving me crazy.  It drove me even more crazy when I got a Blue one to compare.  It's a little better on the Brown, but frankly, the stabilizers on my BWU 2013 were better.

[Faceman]

The backspace key on my MX Brown Legend is driving me crazy.  It drove me even more crazy when I got a Blue one to compare.  It's a little better on the Brown, but frankly, the stabilizers on my BWU 2013 were better.

Look at the video he posted in the original post, the "Sound" Video.

 

At about second 10, he starts testing the stabilizer keys, and you can plainly see how bad the backspace is.  I am thinking this is just a manufacturer's defect that has hit all of the Legend keyboards.  If this is happening to you also, and you have tried it on a few... I don't think I will end up RMAing, because this is probably going to be there on every single one.

[Faceman]

I used the Ducky Legend Blue Switch Blue LED Silver variant that I bought from NCIX for a week which ended up getting returned. The spacebar was decent but all the other keys that used stabilizers were terrible. Even after applying white lithium grease to the Backspace, Enters, Shifts, 0 and +, they would still not actuate smoothly.

I guess I should consider myself lucky that just one of my stabilizer keys is bad.  I don't want to RMA through NCIX, because they are probably the worst company to do RMAs with.

[Pomfinator]

I guess I should consider myself lucky that just one of my stabilizer keys is bad.  I don't want to RMA through NCIX, because they are probably the worst company to do RMAs with.

Shit, I have to RMA the MX Blue one I got...hopefully I survive.

[Faceman]

Shit, I have to RMA the MX Blue one I got...hopefully I survive.

You only have 15 days. Not 30.

[Pomfinator]

You only have 15 days. Not 30.

Yeah I know, it's only been like 5 days since I got it so.

[Faceman]

Yeah I know, it's only been like 5 days since I got it so.

Ok, just making sure.  Most places it is 30 days, NCIX is 15.

 

I am going to keep my keyboard.  Maybe in a year, once the warranty has expired I will open her up and clip the stabilizers.  But until then, just one bad key isn't going to ruin it.

[GlassBomb]

That's the point. It's what's called a 60%, which is missing the tenkey, arrow key column and the F-keys. For reference, tenkeyless keyboards are also known as 80%.

 

I'm happy with the two 60% keyboards that I have

 

[Faceman]

@GlassBomb

 

Do you take those to work with you, or just for use around the home?

[GlassBomb]

@GlassBomb

Do you take those to work with you, or just for use around the home?

The Ducky Mini V1 is my main keyboard. And I don't bring it to work. Since my workplace does not involve the use of keyboards.

If it did, then I probably would bring it along since it's so small and light.

The YotH however is slightly worse in terms of useability, which keeps me from using it as my daily driver. And the massive weight of it doesn't make it ideal for moving around.

[Faceman]

The Ducky Mini V1 is my main keyboard. And I don't bring it to work. Since my workplace does not involve the use of keyboards.

If it did, then I probably would bring it along since it's so small and light.

The YotH however is slightly worse in terms of useability, which keeps me from using it as my daily driver. And the massive weight of it doesn't make it ideal for moving around.

Ahh gotcha.  I work from home, but if I were to work in an office setting that also required a lot of typing, I would be inclined to buy a 40 or 60% keyboard to bring to and from work.

[silentanarchy]

Could you do me a favor and take some pictures of your stabilizers please?  Specifically your backspace key, because in that video, it looked exactly the same way mine does with the key cap on.

Here you go

 

 

 

I only have a problem with the left shift, but my enter key also isn't perfect however it is tolerable.

[Faceman]

Here you go

 

 

 

 

I only have a problem with the left shift, but my enter key also isn't perfect however it is tolerable.

Thank you for that. Those are even, exactly how they should look.  Is your left shift uneven?

 

What I did to kinda fix mine....  by no means perfect, but it helped.  I have some Slick Honey Bike Grease(safe for plastics).  I took a really fine paintbrush that I had to buy, I actually went to a CVS and bought a makeup brush, get the smallest one you can find.  And I lubed up all the contact points that is recommended in Ripster's Keyboard Science Lube Guide.  That kinda sorta helped with the stabilizers getting stuck on the bottom, but what I had to do that really fixed it, was I grabbed both stabilizers with tweezers, pulled them to the up most position, and had to carefully line up all the contact points and push down really hard in one swift motion to make sure all 3 contacts connected evenly.  It is better, not perfect, but manageable.  Give that a try with your left shift.

[Pomfinator]

Bit off topic, but wtf is up with NCIX RMA.  I request for RMA refund, and they transfer me to Technical Support? I DON'T LIKE THE PRODUCT LET ME RETURN IT GOD DAMN IT.

[silentanarchy]

Sounds like it would suck if I wanted to return my keyboard. I thought NCIX would be decent. But they were the only place I could find that still had the legend in stock. So I was stuck with them.