Question about Glorious PC Gaming Race GMMK Compact Barebone ISO layout

If you are a beginner keyboard enthusiast with a very small budget, get the GMMK. You have the possibility to test new switches (look at KBDfans, NovelKeys...), use different switches for the keys of your choice and experiment with different lubricants, springs, housings, etc. Otherwise, the Ducky is a great choice. And the best news = now it's available with the CH layout!

I have the One 2 mini Pure White with browns = the best browns I've ever tested!
I also have the One 2 mini Frozen Llama (from mechanicalkeybords Inc.) with Silent Reds = they are really quiet but I feel like I'm writing on a sponge (but that's just my opinion).

Anyway, it's always better to build your own keyboard but you need a much higher budget and lots and lots of patience.

Abraço

FYI: If you want GMK keycaps with the CH layout, there is now a group buy for a kit - black/white. The group buy ends at the end of the month. The proxy for Europe is CandyKeys: https://candykeys.com/product...

TL;DR (summary): => The ducky

Ducky :
+ Good quality
+ Cheaper
? Ducky gives you extra "collector" keys but it's random sometimes you don't have any :-\
=> if you choose it, you'd better take the CH config

GMMK :
- Quality of the case a bit less good
- More expensive : You have to buy the keys and switches
++ Modularity : You can change the switches as you want if you find a mechanical keyboard with a different switch, chances are you can buy them on the internet and install them on your keyboard


If you want to change switches in the future the GMMK allows you to buy a box of switches and exchange them, you can even mix and match. The ducky is a good choice but take the CH configuration if you are a French speaker, even if it means waiting.

Ducky is a great brand, after the Ducky One 2 Mini (DE) keyboard uses the German layout, which is an abomination of nature. If you are a French speaker, get the CH https://www.digitec.ch/fr/s1/product/ducky-one-2-mini-clavier-de-jeu-mx-speed-silver-rgb-led-sch-ch-mx-speed-clavier-12245238.
This layout is much less cancerous. I personally prefer the US layout, but the wait time on the ducky is even more enormous than the CH.

If you take the GMMK Compact Barebone, you will have to buy mechanical switches and keys, you can find the keys and switches on Digitec:

If you look in this section: https://www.digitec.ch/fr...
You can see the different keys and switches available

The keys:
Overall, you have to decide between ABS and PBT. Personally, I like PBT keys a lot.
ABS keys tend to "shine" after a few months of use. PBT keys feel a bit more plastic, but either way if you choose PBT double shot keys you will see more of an improvement if you use a membrane keyboard.

Switches:
You have to choose between linear (when you press a key you need the same amount of force) and tactile (when the key "activates" you feel like a bump, e.g. MX Brown, my preference). Generally, for gaming we recommend keyboards with linear, light switches with the shortest possible activation distance (MX Speed Silver, Clear, Red).
The equivalent of MX Speed Silver at Gateron is the "Clear" switch. Unfortunately, Digitec is sometimes quite retarded and there are no switch names in the product. You have to look at the picture (to see the colour of the switch) or the name of the part number to understand what category the switch is:
This is a clear gateron switch: Glorious PC Gaming Race Gateron Switches

This guide is quite complete if you want to know more info: https://www.planetepc.fr/guide-swit...

Hello, so personally the GMMK ISO has no switch, but this is not a negative point in my opinion as it is easier to maintain in case a switch breaks. Another positive aspect is that it is possible to customize the keyboard to your preference with the switches available. The ducky is not a bad option either, as this one is plug and play so there is no need to tinker with it, the only downside is if the switch needs to be replaced by necessity, so you will have to open it up and desolder before replacing it.