Software

There are no software drivers for the Ducky One 2 SF, with all functionality hardware based. As such, I have chosen to combine this section with the performance section below. However, Ducky informed me that they are developing a unifying software driver for most of their keyboard models on the market, and the One 2 SF will get priority in feature development as well.

Performance

The Ducky One 2 SF comes configured to support NKRO out of the box, which tested successfully using Aqua's test. Toggling dip switch 2 on the back to on (off is the default) shifts things over to 6-key rollover USB, if needed to debug a few things in your system or run a kernel-based virtual system, for example. Similarly, no key chatter was detected on all the keys using Switch Hitter. The image above also shows what the base layer on the keyboard is pre-programmed to as far as dedicated keys go. As with just about any keyboard these days, there is no right Windows key, having being substituted by an Fn key instead.

When first connected, the keyboard lights up in a rainbow wave lighting effect, which is the default pre-programmed effect for the Ducky One 2 SF. The transition animation is smooth, and the effect is a good demo to also ensure the keyboard is powered on and working properly.


Customizing backlighting on the keyboard is all done via onboard controls, and Ducky includes plenty of control. Several pre-programmed effects can be accessed by toggling Fn + Alt + T, and this includes the ability to select from a color palette to easily choose the color you want. Effects include static, dynamic, and reactive modes, as well as custom modes with individual R/G/B channel level control for the full 16.8 M colors per key. Ducky has also included two backlighting gaming modes, Gambling and Minesweeper, which work hilariously well in keeping you entertained for a short while at the very least.


I then used the onboard controls to set the keyboard to white to test for color fidelity since RGB LEDs have a hard time depicting white, and it was one of the more accurate whites here, which is always good to see. As expected from previous findings, the front-printed legends are not backlit, so you best be aware of the various layered functions if you plan to use this keyboard in the dark. In a separate test via one of the preset multi-colored options, I tested for light bleed, and it was definitely present at the common edges because of the floating keycaps, but, again, less so relatively due to the keycaps barely floating as a result of the two-piece plastic case occupying most of the gap underneath the keycaps.

Here are some more of the lighting effects demonstrated, including a color cycle, rain drop, and ripple mode, all making full use of the hardware onboard. The thick PBT keycaps, two-piece case, doubleshot injected legends, and predominantly black color scheme on the front combined result in a subtler lighting effect compared to, say, the CORSAIR K57 we recently saw. Note also that the more pink replacement keycaps you use, the less the overall backlighting because they do not let light through the top.


Aside from the base layer, which has legends printed on the keycaps for easy identification, there are two other layers Ducky has pre-programmed for functionality. This is absolutely key on a smaller form factor keyboard such as the One 2 SF, and I like the choices Ducky made here. In particular, the mouse controls on the keyboard allow adept users to use the One 2 SF as a really handy travel I/O device, which pairs well with the form factor, lighter weight, and detachable cable. The other functions are for the macro functionality here, which remains as powerful as with other Ducky keyboards from recent years. Indeed, there are custom modes for recording keystrokes as expected, but onboard controls also allow for the addition of keystroke delays, multimedia functions, and even complete re-assignment if you want to go with, say, a Dvorak layout instead of QWERTY for typing. The manual has some suggested macro options as well, and I did end up trying many of them for quick functions in MS Office, Adobe Lightroom, and even some RTS games. Also use the dip switches as needed, with dip switch 1 in particular enabling locking/unlocking of the Windows key.

Overall, using the One 2 SF will take time and effort for the average layperson. This is especially true for those having been used to the 104/105-key full-size form factor their entire life, but it is definitely worth it for those who know they will benefit from the smaller form factor. The ergonomic benefits are logical for most people, with the ability to have the mouse in a more natural position closer to the keyboard. Less finger travel can also be very efficient, but only if you have set up the keyboard with the keystrokes of your desired layout on the base layer and are comfortable with using the other layers as needed. I usually take a minimum of a week to get re-accustomed to such form factors after weeks of testing TKL/full-size keyboards and found myself getting used to the One 2 SF within 3–4 days of typical use to where I was typing at my usual speed already. The integration of the arrow keys with the alphanumeric section and the dedicated 3-key cluster of Del, Pg Up, and Pg Dn makes a bigger difference than I thought, and helps differentiate the One 2 SF from the Ducky One 2 Mini keyboard lineup as well.


As always, the sound of a keyboard is based on more than just the switch type. So when comparing sound clips, consider the keyboard as a whole. In this case, I have provided above an example sound clip of me typing on the Ducky One 2 SF keyboard sample at ~105 WPM as it comes out of the box with the Cherry MX Blue RGB switches. For context, you can find sound clips from other keyboards here, including those with tactile and clicky switches. I did bottom out, but it is easy enough not to because of the dual-feedback mechanism on these switches.