Your honest opinion on nowadays Unicomp buckling springs keyboards? Maybe Cherry

[FarbinJones]

I have seen many articles that those keyboards are quiet OK. I have seen also articles mentioning problems with their construction like keys going loose. I have been separated with buckling springs keyboards for about 20 years now. I'm asking this question because I'm considering buying one and if their quality is not that well as used to be I may just buy some other comparable heavy mechanical switches based keyboard.

[fohat.digs]

Unicomp's quality control is decidedly lower than IBM's and Lexmark's were back in the day, but they are still good solid machines. Add to that native USB, option for a black case, and warranty support, and it is still the best sub-$100 keyboard out there.

[Leslieann]

Stop comparing them to IBM, it's hard not to and everyone does, but not only has it gone through many iterations but the Model M adjusted for inflation would retail for nearly $600 today.

Think about what kind of keyboard you could buy today for $600.
Granted, manufacturing has improved since then and prices have come down, but even if you knock that in half, it's still a $300 keyboard that you are comparing to a $100 keyboard.

[Sintpinty]

I have seen many articles that those keyboards are quiet OK. I have seen also articles mentioning problems with their construction like keys going loose. I have been separated with buckling springs keyboards for about 20 years now. I'm asking this question because I'm considering buying one and if their quality is not that well as used to be I may just buy some other comparable heavy mechanical switches based keyboard.

Buckling springs too heavy.

[Leslieann]

I have seen many articles that those keyboards are quiet OK. I have seen also articles mentioning problems with their construction like keys going loose. I have been separated with buckling springs keyboards for about 20 years now. I'm asking this question because I'm considering buying one and if their quality is not that well as used to be I may just buy some other comparable heavy mechanical switches based keyboard.

Buckling springs too heavy.

You adapt, but wow, going from 40g Jailhouse Blues to a Model M, my fingers could really tell by the end of the day.

[Snowdog993]

I have been separated with buckling springs keyboards for about 20 years now.

Do you mean you have not used a buckling spring keyboard for about 20 years?

The Unicomp keyboards are really a great value. I have the UNI0446 103-key version and have no issues whatsoever with it as far as functionality. Enjoy it and use it! For the price and warranty alone, it's well worth it.

[daneb]

I have both Unicomp and original IBM M (1988) and I must say they are comparable in feel. Of course, original is sturdier, but unicomp is absolutely of good quality - especially when compared with other today mechanical keyboards (not original IBM). I had no issues with it whatsoever. I use both in my "rotation" as either of them has slightly different feel (Unicomp a tiny bit more heavy and bumpier/crunchier, original is softer/a tiny bit flatter) - I have preference for both types of these feels when being in various moods.

[Sintpinty]

I have seen many articles that those keyboards are quiet OK. I have seen also articles mentioning problems with their construction like keys going loose. I have been separated with buckling springs keyboards for about 20 years now. I'm asking this question because I'm considering buying one and if their quality is not that well as used to be I may just buy some other comparable heavy mechanical switches based keyboard.

Buckling springs too heavy.

You adapt, but wow, going from 40g Jailhouse Blues to a Model M, my fingers could really tell by the end of the day.

I prefer light switches so that i don't get too tired. Cherry mx greens good but they make me tired after short periods of use.

[NewbieOneKenobi]

I have seen many articles that those keyboards are quiet OK. I have seen also articles mentioning problems with their construction like keys going loose. I have been separated with buckling springs keyboards for about 20 years now. I'm asking this question because I'm considering buying one and if their quality is not that well as used to be I may just buy some other comparable heavy mechanical switches based keyboard.

Buckling springs too heavy.

You adapt, but wow, going from 40g Jailhouse Blues to a Model M, my fingers could really tell by the end of the day.

I prefer light switches so that i don't get too tired. Cherry mx greens good but they make me tired after short periods of use.

Same problem here. I have a Model M along with a USB converter (won't work through my PS2 port) but can't really use it for an extended period of time. Blues aren't bad, but I somehow end up using too much force when needing to write fast. I'm thinking about getting MX Speed or some sort of low-profile reds for typing now, as my Majestouch 1 is becoming unreliable.

[treeleaf64]

I would say they are better than almost every $100 keyboard, with the exception being Matias click switches and BOX clicky switches. But again, I have not used any of them.  Matias also has QC issues with switches.
Personally, I think you would find a Model F for around the same price range, which has insanely good build quality (basically a metal brick)

[Snowdog993]

"My fingers hurt after typing a while on a Model M keyboard...."

Seriously?

Maybe you need a new hobby.

[rxc92]

"My fingers hurt after typing a while on a Model M keyboard...."

Seriously?

Maybe you need a new hobby.

 
 
How does you liking heavier switches make you somehow better suited to enjoying mechanical keyboards? That seems like an asinine opinion.

[Snowdog993]

How does you liking heavier switches make you somehow better suited to enjoying mechanical keyboards? That seems like an asinine opinion.

Really? Do you need me to explain the difference? There are those that actually type and not spend all their time looking at each letter to find the next letter they type.
Knowing you have typed the letter is as important as knowing what you typed in the first place.

[Leslieann]

Really? Do you need me to explain the difference? There are those that actually type and not spend all their time looking at each letter to find the next letter they type.
Knowing you have typed the letter is as important as knowing what you typed in the first place.

Yes, I would LOVE to hear you explain how stiffer spring indicates a key was activated.

[rxc92]

How does you liking heavier switches make you somehow better suited to enjoying mechanical keyboards? That seems like an asinine opinion.

Really? Do you need me to explain the difference? There are those that actually type and not spend all their time looking at each letter to find the next letter they type.
Knowing you have typed the letter is as important as knowing what you typed in the first place.

 
 
In the same vein as Leslieann, I completely fail to see how you are unable to touch type on a keyboard with any tactile feedback at all. I can type a solid 150 words in a minute or more on my laptop keyboard as well as a Cherry Red as well as Hakos as well as most any full-size computer keyboard. Am I suddenly not touch typing up to your standard?

[Snowdog993]

Okay.
So what I said was taken completely out of context because you all have wimpy fingers that can't handle typing on a Model M for more than 2 minutes. How fast or accurate you type is up to you, but, if you generally believe that other keyboards are better, so be it.
My two cents has everything to do with the way I personally type and I can see why so many get so offended so easily.

Enjoy.

[fohat.digs]

Although I usually pound my keys (probably for psychological reasons) I am also capable of touch typing, and I like tactile and clicky switches because they give me realistic feedback about when and where the stroke was activated so that I can type accordingly.

[Snowdog993]

Although I usually pound my keys (probably for psychological reasons) I am also capable of touch typing, and I like tactile and clicky switches because they give me realistic feedback about when and where the stroke was activated so that I can type accordingly.

Thank you Fohat.

[rxc92]

Some garbage

   
 
This doesn't even merit a response, but I'll just post a picture of what he sounds like. 

[Snowdog993]

In the same vein as Leslieann, I completely fail to see how you are unable to touch type on a keyboard with any tactile feedback at all. I can type a solid 150 words in a minute or more on my laptop keyboard as well as a Cherry Red as well as Hakos as well as most any full-size computer keyboard. Am I suddenly not touch typing up to your standard?

Let me answer you directly since you are so on point.

I am sure everyone wholeheartedly agrees with your recommendation.
Thanks for your input.

[Leslieann]

Okay.
So what I said was taken completely out of context because you all have wimpy fingers that can't handle typing on a Model M for more than 2 minutes. How fast or accurate you type is up to you, but, if you generally believe that other keyboards are better, so be it.
My two cents has everything to do with the way I personally type and I can see why so many get so offended so easily.

Enjoy.

2 minutes? What is that, your boot time? I said "by the end of the day" (12-16 hours in my case and with heavy typing).

Still waiting for this explanation of how spring rate is important for detecting activation.

[Polymer]

Although I usually pound my keys (probably for psychological reasons) I am also capable of touch typing, and I like tactile and clicky switches because they give me realistic feedback about when and where the stroke was activated so that I can type accordingly.

That's not what touch typing means..LOL.

[fohat.digs]

That's not what touch typing means.

Did you miss the words "usually" and "also"?

[Snowdog993]

Yes, I would LOVE to hear you explain how stiffer spring indicates a key was activated.

Do you know anything about Buckling Springs?

There is no comparison.

No modern switch can duplicate it.

[Leslieann]

Do you know anything about Buckling Springs?

There is no comparison.

No modern switch can duplicate it.

That's still not an explanation and still not sure how it was taken out of context so at this point I'm going to say your either ignorant of all of this or just a troll.

Springs do not effect your ability to detect a press, that is not it's function. It can alter how much you feel or hear but you aren't going to make a Model M linear by using 50g springs and I have never seen a switch that would.

As for fingers getting tired, I type A LOT and going from my Jailhouse Blues to a Model M I effectively doubled the work load on my fingers. If you suddenly double the amount of work you did in a day you too would need to adjust even if it was the same thing you do every day.

[Snowdog993]

That's still not an explanation and still not sure how it was taken out of context so at this point I'm going to say your either ignorant of all of this or just a troll.

That's it. You have absolutely hit the nail on the head.
I am justifiably clueless.

Edit: Just because you did not get the answer you want; that doesn't mean I didn't understand your statement.

To put it to you bluntly, the buckling spring mechanism has EVERYTHING to do with having the ability to detect a press.
Obviously, you don't understand a thing.

[Snowdog993]

 

[fohat.digs]

Reading the OP, I think that the realistic answer is:

Although Unicomp quality control is not as good as IBM's and Lexmark's was decades ago, a Unicomp Model M is still a good solid keyboard and a good value.

There are no other mechanisms that can be realistically compared to buckling springs, but there is a multitude of other mechanisms to choose from.

But look at "clicky" switches if that is what you like, many companies manufacture them.

[Kevadu]

Snowdog993, what is your problem?  Nobody was talking about the buckling spring mechanism itself, but rather the weight of the keys in the Model M.  These are not the same thing, just look at the Model F: Also buckling spring (and a superior implementation of it to boot) and yet the keys are a lot lighter than in the Model M.

The M has very heavy keys.  That's not really debatable.  If you like it that's fine but a lot of people don't like their keys that heavy.  And that has nothing to do with the buckling spring mechanism itself.  Why is that so hard to understand?

[mizzoperator]

IMHO, they're not as good as the OG buckle-buckles from IBM, they're just a wee bit cheaper.
However, they're still really good keebs. Would highly recommend if you want a bucking spring keyboard
without the hassle of tracking an original one down, then fiddling with converters.

[Snowdog993]

Snowdog993, what is your problem?  Nobody was talking about the buckling spring mechanism itself, but rather the weight of the keys in the Model M.  These are not the same thing, just look at the Model F: Also buckling spring (and a superior implementation of it to boot) and yet the keys are a lot lighter than in the Model M.

The M has very heavy keys.  That's not really debatable.  If you like it that's fine but a lot of people don't like their keys that heavy.  And that has nothing to do with the buckling spring mechanism itself.  Why is that so hard to understand?

Just because I didn't give you the answer you wanted, doesn't mean I didn't understand what you said.
If you like typing on "air" that is what YOU prefer.
If you like typing without tactility, that is what YOU prefer.
If you like talking into a microphone and not typing at all, that is what YOU prefer.

....  And that is HEAVY.

[Kevadu]

Snowdog993, what is your problem?  Nobody was talking about the buckling spring mechanism itself, but rather the weight of the keys in the Model M.  These are not the same thing, just look at the Model F: Also buckling spring (and a superior implementation of it to boot) and yet the keys are a lot lighter than in the Model M.

The M has very heavy keys.  That's not really debatable.  If you like it that's fine but a lot of people don't like their keys that heavy.  And that has nothing to do with the buckling spring mechanism itself.  Why is that so hard to understand?

Just because I didn't give you the answer you wanted, doesn't mean I didn't understand what you said.
If you like typing on "air" that is what YOU prefer.
If you like typing without tactility, that is what YOU prefer.
If you like talking into a microphone and not typing at all, that is what YOU prefer.

....  And that is HEAVY.

OK, I'm convinced: You're a goddamn idiot.

[Snowdog993]

Snowdog993, what is your problem?  Nobody was talking about the buckling spring mechanism itself, but rather the weight of the keys in the Model M.  These are not the same thing, just look at the Model F: Also buckling spring (and a superior implementation of it to boot) and yet the keys are a lot lighter than in the Model M.

The M has very heavy keys.  That's not really debatable.  If you like it that's fine but a lot of people don't like their keys that heavy.  And that has nothing to do with the buckling spring mechanism itself.  Why is that so hard to understand?

Just because I didn't give you the answer you wanted, doesn't mean I didn't understand what you said.
If you like typing on "air" that is what YOU prefer.
If you like typing without tactility, that is what YOU prefer.
If you like talking into a microphone and not typing at all, that is what YOU prefer.

....  And that is HEAVY.

OK, I'm convinced: You're a goddamn idiot.

Why did you even post on this thread? Think about it.

[treeleaf64]

Both of you guys, please stop arguing. I hate going back to this thread only to find two people mad at each other