I was not sure if I would even mention this, but Ducky's own marketing for the Mecha SF reaches so hard that I simply had to. This is ultimately a fantastic keyboard with lots going for it, but it's funny that a 1000 Hz polling rate is listed as the "highest frequency" polling rate, which clearly is not the case anymore. Ducky says it is evaluating 4000–8000 Hz polling options for future keyboards, but the ongoing semiconductor IC shortage isn't helping. It barely matters anyway, and listing the keyboard feet is equally hilarious considering the One 2 SF this is built upon actually had three elevation steps courtesy of two sets of feet. I did like that the iridescent finish came up multiple times in there, however, since I would have probably done a similar job. I have reviewed more keyboards than I can remember, and the Mecha SF is right up there when it comes to a gorgeous looking keyboard and case.

The funny thing is Ducky has not one, but two separate entries in their Mecha SF Radiant series. What I have here is the Emerald version, and the Mecha SF Ocean looks just as tasty based on photos. Both are 65% form factor keyboards, as with the One 2 SF that will inevitably be the default comparison. Ducky gets away with using the One 2 SF internals here because it is still a great keyboard in 2021, and there are so few keyboards in this form factor. We just saw a whole bunch of 60% keyboards from companies both mainstream and niche, and the biggest complaint I have seen is the absence of arrow keys. Layers arguably make that a non-issue, but I will be the first person to admit that it will not convince many people. A 65%–75% keyboard adds the arrow keys, as well as some other keys, and then layers come back into the picture for additional functions for both productivity and bling.

It is in both of those departments that the Mecha SF actually suffers setbacks compared to the One 2 SF. The novel keycap set does not have front-facing legends as with the older keyboard, so you need to keep the manual next to you for all the onboard functions via the dip switches and key combinations. Having the detailed manual online also hurts somewhat, but not as much as having all the lighting functions nerfed by the keycaps not supporting backlighting, which Ducky says would have been strange on these Emerald keycaps, for example. As it stands, the One 2 SF continues to sell for $109, so this is a $50 increase for the same switch options and two limited edition releases. You get a much better case, there is little argument there. You also get two fantastic themes for keyboards that go all the way with keycaps and the case finish to match. You still get all the functionality the One 2 SF had, which has one of the best onboard programming for small form factor keyboards to date. However, as mentioned, you lose some things too, and Ducky's software suite is still left to be seen.

To many readers here, spending $109 on what seems to be a cut-down keyboard with fewer keys will seem ludicrous. Hopefully, if you have read through the previous pages, you will have gained some appreciation of why it exists. For others who already have their eye on something like this, be it for travel, as an extremely customized keypad, or just an addition to their mechanical keyboard collection (you know who you are), the Mecha SF takes as a base where Ducky was with the One 2 SF and turns things up a few notches to appeal to the keyboard enthusiast who may not shy from spending the extra 30% for clearly limited editions, with each of the two themes only available in 2020 pieces for retail purchase. The overall feature set is enough to where this merits a recommendation to you guys, however niche of a market you are in. The others may want to consider the One 2 SF if a 65% keyboard is appealing—else there are plenty of other options from Ducky and others to meet your needs. Just don't expect such a finish elsewhere!