PBT vs doubleshot PBT... Which one is more durable?

[winterwonderland]

I tried looking through the big world wide web, even reddit, for an answer to this, but they all refer to their wikis/FAQ that doesn't answer the question, putting me back to square 1.... And when i try searching for an answer, i get a gazillion ABS vs PBT-links, but nothing that answers my question. So, i thought i'd ask it here instead...

My question: Is PBT without doubleshot more durable than PBT with doubleshot OR are they both equally durable?

I ask because i have a Corsair Strafe-keyboard with MX Silent Red-switches that i would like to add PBT-keycaps onto, but i am not sure whether to go with PBT or PBT doubleshot...

Any thoughts on this?

 

[R-T-B]

Double shot has to do with how the legends are made. Generally PBT stuff is all equally durable.

 

[joemama]

PBT with doubleshot is definitely more durable, without doubleshot after a certain amount of wear the letters will come off

 

[R-T-B]

PBT with doubleshot is definitely more durable, without doubleshot after a certain amount of wear the letters will come off

I guess, but most non-doubleshot PBT are dye subliminated which won't rub off ever either short of friggin sand paper.

 

[joemama]

I guess, but most non-doubleshot PBT are dye subliminated which won't rub off ever either short of friggin sand paper.

Dye sublimated letters are still just a thin layer on the keycaps, unlike doubleshot which has a certain depth into the keycap.

 

[GamerGuy]

Dye sublimated letters are still just a thin layer on the keycaps, unlike doubleshot which has a certain depth into the keycap.

Yes, that's my understanding of 'Doubleshot' as well. I believe both doubleshot PBT and PBT are equally durable, just that the lettering on the doubleshot one would not fade with usage.

 

[Chomiq]

Also, remember that you always have to consider the overall quality. Just because it's doubleshot PBS it doesn't mean it's quality doubleshot PBS.

Here's how my stock ones should look according to product shots:

Here's how they actually look (yes, they look exactly the same as on the backlit model:

And here's my dusty AF GMK BoW (ABS):

 

[tabascosauz]

Dye sublimated letters are still just a thin layer on the keycaps, unlike doubleshot which has a certain depth into the keycap.

That's not how that works...the dye penetrates into the keycap. The point is that PBT basically doesn't ever wear/shine like ABS does, so the dyesub is never coming off unless you physically go to the extent to remove material. And even when PBT does wear slightly (think vintage Cherry PBT dyesubs as opposed to vintage Cherry ABS 2shots), the dyesubs don't even come close to wearing off. That's the point of it - PBT's characteristics allow you to dyesub with the same longevity, something that isn't doable with ABS (where it has to be 2shot). It's pad printed and laser etched legends that you're thinking of, which are both F tier and rub off in no time.

Doubleshot on PBT serves a singular purpose that dyesub cannot. If you want shine-through keycaps that will show off your RGB, you have to use 2shot legends with a translucent material - dyesub can't help you there, because the translucent material needs to go through the entire thickness of the keycap. Otherwise a good dyesub PBT prints more consistent legends, provides for a smoother keycap, and sacrifices no durability.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Also, remember that you always have to consider the overall quality. Just because it's doubleshot PBS it doesn't mean it's quality doubleshot PBS.

Here's how my stock ones should look according to product shots:
View attachment 191936
Here's how they actually look (yes, they look exactly the same as on the backlit model:
View attachment 191937
And here's my dusty AF GMK BoW (ABS):
View attachment 191939

Looks like a shite injection factory that did that job and no QC/QA.

 

[winterwonderland]

Once again, TPU-members to the rescue. Reading the replies above made my decision easy: I am definitely going for doubleshot keycaps. Whether it will be a whole new keyboard or not, doubleshot it will be!

@tabascosauz THAT reply is what really should be on Reddit's FAQ as well! TOO much technical and details on there, but your short reply alone explained a whole lot and the essentials for a non-technical person like me. Much appreciated.

Thanks for the help, you all.

Thread SOLVED!