CODE Keyboard unboxing and review

[Samdb]

CODE Keyboard (MX Greens)

 

 

The box

 

The box was pretty dinged up, there was a slight rip on one of the corners, however this is to be expected when shipping an item overseas.

 

Inside

 

A lot of people has complained about their keyboard coming in an over sized box with no protective packaging, essentially swimming around in there. i didn't have this problem, the item was well packaged, however cannot sustain human abuse.

 

A worrying start

 

I have a feeling that the box was dropped somewhere along the line due to this significant crumple, considering how tightly packaged keyboard usually are.

 

The Inside

 

Pretty standard inside, keyboard presented in a foam cover and the accessories in a cardboard section above.

 

The accessories

 

The accessories include a wire key cap puller, a USB to PS/2 adapter and a non braided USB to micro USB cable. The wire key cap puller is a nice addition as most of the included pullers are usually made of plastic. The USB to PS/2 adapter is the standard stuff. The USB cable isn't braided, however is thick and of a nice quality, with an included Velcro tie thing that gives it a premium feel.

 

The board itself

 

Isn't she a beaut? Nice and sleek with no macro keys, LCD displays and any of the other junk that just clutters your typing experience.

 

The underbelly

 

The standard stuff here, just an overview and will go into more detail in the following images.

 

The sticker

 

This shows information about the keyboard, the switch type, where it was designed and where it was manufactured.

 

The rubber feet

 

Before we start, lets just say that once you put this thing down, it isn't going anywhere. On the bottom there are three rubber feet for each side of the keyboard, a total of six, compared to some keyboards two rubber feet.

 

The DIP switches

 

To enable back lighting, caps lock to control and other functions, one must flip switches accordingly on the back of the keyboard. The only problem I had wit this is that I had to use a pen to access it due to the size of my hands.

 

The key caps

---

 

The key caps seem to be average, with a rubberized/smooth feeling texture on the top and the sides.

 

 

Here is the underside of the key cap. My model features a rubber o-ring pre-installed, which is a nice touch as installing o-rings can be frustrating.

 

The switch

 

This particular model features MX Green switches, which are heavier than blues and produce the same "click" that is associated with mechanical keyboards, however you do not get the bottom out sound which puts off a lot of people due to their volume. You can also see the white LED.

 

Size comparison

 

As you can see, for a full sized keyboard, it isn't that wide, compared to my CM Storm Quickfire Stealth (MX Browns) and from experience, not pictured, my Razer Blackwidow (MX Blues).

 

The backlight

 

This is my first keyboard that has back lighting. This is the lowest brightness that the keyboard can reach. The back light is actually white, with one exception, my numpad 3 key has a slight yellow tint to it, but I'm sure I'll get over it.

 

 

This is the keyboard on full brightness, as you can see, it can get quite bright.

 

Artsy shots

 

[GeekySole9354]

Dem rubber pads

[wng_kingsley7]

Oh wow that's nice @Samdb the pictures haven't even all loaded and it's pushing down and down

Crap...hey the MKB you compared it too which I think is the Quickfire stealth MX greens if I'm correct the only other MX Greens aside from maybe a model ducky has brought out with greens?

 

Time to throw some metal key-caps on it

[Samdb]

Oh wow that's nice @Samdb the pictures haven't even all loaded and it's pushing down and down

Crap...hey the MKB you compared it too which I think is the Quickfire stealth MX greens if I'm correct the only other MX Greens aside from maybe a model ducky has brought out with greens?

 

Yeah, the QFS is the only other keyboard that is "easily" accessible that has greens, however mine has Browns.

[Epitome]

How much did it cost?

[wng_kingsley7]

Yeah, the QFS is the only other keyboard that is "easily" accessible that has greens, however mine has Browns.

Oh...I got the MX Green flavour..it not bad but because CM didn't have any imagination to add more than 3 LEDs in the pcb it ain't that great. TK should have a wrist-rest included >_<

The white LEDs look quite great.

How big are you fingers? Cause I doubt you can flick all those DIP switches without a tweezer 

[flibberdipper]

Pretty...

 

And I'll never get one.

 

And I like the Logitech K800 just as much since then I can't lose my mouse or anything.

[Samdb]

How much did it cost?

 

It retails for £100 with no shipping or VAT and from the US, I would be paying in excess of £160. I managed to get mine for £136 shipped with VAT.

[Askew]

How long after ordering did it take to actually arrive?

[Samdb]

How long after ordering did it take to actually arrive?

 

Roughly a month, I joined the drop on the first day, so I had to wait a week for the order to be placed, then I had to wait for WASD to ship to Massdrop, so that's about a week. I then had to wait for Massdrop to ship me the keyboard, which was another two weeks. I nearly died after the third week.

[Askew]

Roughly a month, I joined the drop on the first day, so I had to wait a week for the order to be placed, then I had to wait for WASD to ship to Massdrop, so that's about a week. I then had to wait for Massdrop to ship me the keyboard, which was another two weeks. I nearly died after the third week.

 

A month's wait for £24 saved? If it wasn't urgent and you value your money then good on you but that isn't a compromise I'd be willing to make under many circumstances.

[Samdb]

A month's wait for £24 saved? If it wasn't urgent and you value your money then good on you but that isn't a compromise I'd be willing to make under many circumstances.

 

Yeah, I didn't expect the handling fee to be so high once it came into the country.

[Askew]

Yeah, I didn't expect the handling fee to be so high once it came into the country.

 

Oh I see, you expected it to be less but inland revenue got their due I see, that explains things a bit more.

 

Would you do this again, or is retail your man now?

[Samdb]

Oh I see, you expected it to be less but inland revenue got their due I see, that explains things a bit more.

 

Would you do this again, or is retail your man now?

 

I don't know, it depends on which keyboards they have on there in the future, I will probably go for it because if I can save money I will.

[Epitome]

Is massdrop any good?

[Samdb]

Is massdrop any good?

 

Yes, but be careful if you live in the UK for import tax and handling fees.

[Epitome]

Yes, but be careful if you live in the UK for import tax and handling fees.

I might sign up then