geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: thefunkyprimer on Wed, 05 June 2013, 04:30:37

Title: If you had to start over...
Post by: thefunkyprimer on Wed, 05 June 2013, 04:30:37: So, instead of adding to the forums collection of "What should I buy?!" threads, I thought I'd ask in a way that was a little more fun.

Knowing everything you know now, after all the money and time you've put into your boards, what would you put together if you could build just one keyboard.

Your perfect board. Case/switches/caps/etc. Go.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: tipo33 on Wed, 05 June 2013, 04:34:19: An IBM model M, blue label, with the drainage channels. RGB from unicomp and the rest two piece caps. SDL to USB cable. I would also support a project to build a metal or wooden case for the M.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: Reomero on Wed, 05 June 2013, 04:36:24: I'm happy with my grey/graphite FC700R w/ brown switches ;)

Although if I could go back... I'd get one with reds and if possible, blank caps, then lube and sticker the switches. If I couldn't find one with blanks then a blue/grey imsto set shouldn't hurt either.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: Tym on Wed, 05 June 2013, 04:37:36: Complete custom build 104 key (U.K. Layout) The entire build to be made from Titanium out fitted with DSA Reto and a Titanium Spacebar all on Black/Blue switches (i would like 2 boards; one for gaming and one for typing)

Although I would also go for a Poker II (or GH60 if I could find one) there will be plenty of Aluminum cases going around; and I would fancy some ergo-clears on there.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: Mandolin on Wed, 05 June 2013, 04:41:07: Saphire spherical retro profile cad cam custom made keycaps Full set and a PBT dye sub olivetti white/blue set, MX green switch w/golden springs, Red cherry esc key, color adjustable leds, Titanium space bar, Alu or Ti body as simple as possible, metal cable cord.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: Grim Fandango on Wed, 05 June 2013, 04:54:30: I have been pretty lucky.

I would not have bought a Steelseries keyboard with blacks. But this was about 5 years go, and the availability of mechanical keyboards in my country was really limited. I would not have switched to red later on either.

Instead I would have gone straight for the Filco Tenkeyless (or full when at work) with browns that I am using now. I really have no complaints. I am a big fan of the "white on black"/Piano look, so I would get the same white PBT keycaps that I have now. I think blanks look great, but for programming and latex, they are a damn pain in the ass, so the light grey font I have now is fine and looks good. I am not sure whether I would add orings. I do now, but part of that is necessity.

Even novelty keywise I have nothing to ask for. I have a matched Click Clack arrow set and skull + escape key. I have been hunting for a matching set like that ever since I saw a pick of Reaper's Camo filco with match arrows + skull on overclock.net. I got demotivated when I found out this was something almost unattainable, but then got superlucky. I even added a brobot that works well the other colors on the keyboard. The last thing I want to add is a custom cable ( it is in the mail ). Once I have that, I pretty much have my dream keyboard ! I thought about replacing the case with something cool, but the problem is that I like the "white on black" look so much, that I really do not want to use anything other than the stock case.

So yeah, the answer had to be not much. I feel like all the purchases I made leading up to the keyboards I have now, were sort of necessary to know what my preferences were. And if I had not bought that Steelseries 7G on a whim, who knows, maybe I would not even be into mechanical keyboards at all now.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: fateswarm on Wed, 05 June 2013, 04:59:04: I just want a Leopold FC660C. Bring it closer to the European masses you magnificent Korean ..keyboard makers.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: morpheus on Wed, 05 June 2013, 05:17:41: I wish my first keyboard was a Cherry MX Red, then I wouldn't have bothered with Browns or Blues.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: Photekq on Wed, 05 June 2013, 05:42:04: Would've bought a Phantom PCB and designed a case. Filcos are good and all but they aren't anything special.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: fohat.digs on Wed, 05 June 2013, 08:05:40: Is the destination the reason for the journey?

How could you know what you liked best without knowing what else was available?

Not everyone believes that there is "one perfect" solution, although I suspect that most of us could get down to about 3 .....
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: JPG on Wed, 05 June 2013, 08:17:23: My goal right now is to get a keyboard I can easily mod so I could try all kinds of switch/spring combinations. I am pretty satisfied with my filco camo tkl with browns, but I want to try other switches without having to buy a new keyboard everytime.

Right now, I am waiting for the GH65++ from sameswisekoi. I almost went for the GH60, but it lacked some keys (arrows, page up and down, home, end) and mainly I didn't have the budget at the time.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 05 June 2013, 08:21:44: I think I've said this before but if there was a "perfect" switch or keyboard, we'd all have it. fohat.digs said it best, it's all about the journey. I try not to say that I have a dream keyboard or a set because who knows, next week there could be the newest, hottest layout with a perfect Cherry MX/Topre/Alps/Buckling Spring/Scissor/Laser switch.

But if I had to start again, I would've skipped the BlackWidow and just bought the Filco I have now as my first keyboard.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: jabar on Wed, 05 June 2013, 08:42:34: I've made a few regrettable keyboard purchases: I would not have purchased my Choc Mini (just plain nicer keyboards around) and modded Leopold (paid too much and it is broken).

I think if I stuck with my FC660C and G80-2100 w/ Round4 keycaps that would be sufficient.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: davkol on Wed, 05 June 2013, 08:50:03: Unfortunately, ErgoDox and GH* keyboards weren't available when I became picky about keyboards. Also, my previous keyboards have influenced my recent point of view, so I don't regret purchasing most of them either. If you ask me about my dream keyboard... ErgoDox and GH80 without a doubt. Both with reds or ergo clears and PBT keycaps.

However, I do regret getting most of my mice. If I had bought a trackman marble instead of trackman wheel five years ago, I probably wouldn't have to deal with issues bordering on RSI.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: CommunistWitchDr on Wed, 05 June 2013, 09:05:55: Wouldn't have got my cm pro, don't like brown switches at all. Would have switched to blanks sooner. Would have waited for the tenkeyless thats in the kittypad sale over my qfr because programmable. That's bout it.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: pasph on Wed, 05 June 2013, 09:07:17: It will always be "the next", now is samwisekoi's GH75
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: jwaz on Wed, 05 June 2013, 09:07:37: HHKB. but it wouldn't been nearly as fun with out all the weird stuff I've found over the years ;)

that being said there will always be something new I will want to try.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: absyrd on Wed, 05 June 2013, 09:09:44: I'm back to using a Quickfire Rapid after trying many boards after. I can't say I didn't enjoy the process, though.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: thegunner100 on Wed, 05 June 2013, 09:12:07: I'd just go with a realforce 87u 55g, though i'd be very satisfied with just a mx blue quickfire rapid.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: shifted on Wed, 05 June 2013, 09:12:35: I have only been a mechanical keyboard owner for a very short time and only have one but if I could start over I would have researched more on the Deck Keyboards before buying one. The space bar is at such a weird, uncomfortable height and angle that I am looking for a new keyboard already. I was blinded by the praise it got for build quality, nice backlighting and the PBT keys. None of that matters if it isn't comfortable to use.

Research all the negatives you can about a keyboard before buying it. I never would have thought a space bar would be designed differently on different keyboards and that a $165 keyboard would be uncomfortable to use.

Now I am looking for something else with nice BLUE backlighting.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: Findecanor on Wed, 05 June 2013, 09:43:43: Tenkeyless, ISO layout, Cherry MX Clear, blank thick PBT keycaps.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Wed, 05 June 2013, 09:57:56: I would have skipped every plate mounted keyboard I have ever tried. I would have skipped every keycap that is not Cherry doubleshot, dyesub or blank POM. I never would have bought anything with brown or clear switch (except to steal it's keycaps in the case of Cherry keyboards).
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: 1391406 on Wed, 05 June 2013, 10:07:49: I might change my mind at some later date, but as of right now, if I had to go back and do it all over again, I believe I'd go straight for an AT Model F 122.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: daerid on Wed, 05 June 2013, 10:12:31: Probably a 45g Plate-mounted Topre ErgoDox, full wrist-wrest style case, with a dedicated inverted-T cluster of arrow keys that mimic the FC660C
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: funkymeeba on Wed, 05 June 2013, 10:24:56: If I could start over, I would have rescued the 5 Apple Extended Keyboards from the recycle pile when I moved out to college. :(
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: tricheboars on Wed, 05 June 2013, 11:29:25: KMAC Mini layout with snickered and lubed and o-ringed MX Blue switches. Dolch grey Spherical caps and black spherical legends. The Mini case would have to be brushed aluminum of course. And the legends will be large centered with a retro lowercase font.

i think that would make me pretty happy. also same thing with topre switches for work desk. except the topre will have to have a beige colored aluminum case with two toned beige mx caps that magically work on topre without adapters.

who am I kidding. I need at least 5 keyboards to noodle around with. plus soldering is just so much fun...
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: kmiller8 on Wed, 05 June 2013, 11:32:02: Quote from: IvanIvanovich on Wed, 05 June 2013, 09:57:56
blank POM

OuO

If I had to start over, I'd do nothing different, who would give up a free Das II, the only G80-3000 with delicious blank POMs.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: metalliqaz on Wed, 05 June 2013, 11:35:39: KMAC2 with lubed, stickered 55g ergo clears and original Cherry doubleshots. Or silenced, variable weighted AE Realforce 87U. Tough call.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: eyesmiles on Wed, 05 June 2013, 11:51:01: Stolen a Model M at my dad's office that's connected to something that wasn't running for years when I visited at the age of 8. The thing looked pristine. It was probably a silver label thinking about it now. They did a massive "let's recycle all the old crap" several years back. :(

Other than that, I think an FC200R with clears was a decent first buy despite the spacebar ...
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: Binge on Wed, 05 June 2013, 12:01:30: Quote from: thefunkyprimer on Wed, 05 June 2013, 04:30:37
So, instead of adding to the forums collection of "What should I buy?!" threads, I thought I'd ask in a way that was a little more fun.

Knowing everything you know now, after all the money and time you've put into your boards, what would you put together if you could build just one keyboard.

Your perfect board. Case/switches/caps/etc. Go.

If I was starting over it means I had a regret. #YOLOBLAZINHIBALLER420KONY2012
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: dadgh on Wed, 05 June 2013, 12:20:15: KMAC Mini, 65g Ergo-Clears, Stickered & Lubed, Thick PBT
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: anticorrelator on Wed, 05 June 2013, 13:32:34: I would've gone straight for 60% layouts... I spent way too long being afraid of them.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: sth on Wed, 05 June 2013, 13:48:44: HHKB :)
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: Dubsgalore on Wed, 05 June 2013, 13:56:48: I am very happy where i am...after 5 months with keyboards i know my preferences, my goals and what i like.
i know what i want too ;)

if i had to start over...well it's hard to answer...i did little to no research of mechanicals or keyboards and bought a DAS with browns...which is one of the best starter boards imo. was a great start. i think i did a lot better then most in the beginning.

if i could go back with the knowledge i have now? a clean start with all the money, i've spent but keep my current knowledge? head straight for the 60% boards. they are my favorite right now...don't see myself getting anything bigger until i spring for a tkl in the far, far future.
probably won't be buying a tkl unless it's a kustom. I just love my 60% boards too much.

I'm pretty damn happy as it it, with what i know, what i have and what i plan to have
Should have at least 6 or 7 boards by September, all which are 60%
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: Jocelyn on Wed, 05 June 2013, 13:58:45: I'd probably do everything the same way again. 60%, Lubed Ergo Clears, Thick PBT, Aluminum case :)

Edit - Oh yeah and Clack!! ;)

(http://imageshack.us/a/img29/5268/planary.jpg)
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: anticorrelator on Wed, 05 June 2013, 15:46:54: Quote from: sth on Wed, 05 June 2013, 13:48:44
HHKB :)

exactly :)
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: missalaire on Wed, 05 June 2013, 15:53:07: Instead of a Ducky Shine II with MX Blacks, I'd have gotten it with MX Browns.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: Bratman on Wed, 05 June 2013, 16:00:47: I started out with a Filco Cherry Blue TKL so I was pretty lucky, traded it for the Cherry Red version couple days later. I could say I regret doing that as I want blues again but only because I've had reds a year now and fancy a change.

Would of started learning Colemak layout a long time ago though.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: tricheboars on Wed, 05 June 2013, 16:41:11: Quote from: Jocelyn on Wed, 05 June 2013, 13:58:45
I'd probably do everything the same way again. 60%, Lubed Ergo Clears, Thick PBT, Aluminum case :)

Edit - Oh yeah and Clack!! ;)

Show Image
(http://imageshack.us/a/img29/5268/planary.jpg)

jocelyn this was your first mechanical?!? wtf really? that is a pro enthusiast board. wow. you started off right.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: metalliqaz on Wed, 05 June 2013, 16:43:58: perhaps she started with a poker and kept upgrading.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: Jocelyn on Wed, 05 June 2013, 16:49:29: Quote from: tricheboars on Wed, 05 June 2013, 16:41:11
jocelyn this was your first mechanical?!? wtf really? that is a pro enthusiast board. wow. you started off right.

Haha yes! I definitely read & searched GH quite a bit, but I guess there was also some luck involved. Nezumi's Pure w/ browns was the first Mechanical I ordered (Dec 2012) and I really liked it in terms of size and feel, but wanted more of a bump. I chose a plated Poker w/ ergo clears, and made sure that removable switch tops were possible so I could try other switches. After trying blacks, ghetto reds, a few ergo whites, and a QFR w/ blues while WFD was modding my Poker, I concluded that ergo clears were definitely the switch for me. My only regret is not lubing sooner :p

Quote from: metalliqaz on Wed, 05 June 2013, 16:43:58
perhaps she started with a poker and kept upgrading.

This^ :)
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: Magna224 on Wed, 05 June 2013, 16:51:40: Well I have a poker with alu case, ergo clears, and cherry ds set. Thats pretty much the only keyboard I use but if I could only have one keyboard and it was any keyboard it would be a Filco zero with blue ALPS and doubleshot ALPS keycaps.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: calavera on Wed, 05 June 2013, 17:25:39: I probably would have skipped all these novelty key caps by SP. They were cute, but I have no use for them.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: thefunkyprimer on Wed, 05 June 2013, 18:09:19: Quote from: tricheboars on Wed, 05 June 2013, 16:41:11
Quote from: Jocelyn on Wed, 05 June 2013, 13:58:45
I'd probably do everything the same way again. 60%, Lubed Ergo Clears, Thick PBT, Aluminum case :)

Edit - Oh yeah and Clack!! ;)

Show Image
(http://imageshack.us/a/img29/5268/planary.jpg)

jocelyn this was your first mechanical?!? wtf really? that is a pro enthusiast board. wow. you started off right.

This^

This is my reason for starting this thread. I hate spending money on something I'll want to upgrade in the future, and I do my best to research before buying so I just buy what I'd eventually end up with.

I spend about 60 hours a week at a computer, whether at home or in the office, and I'm starting to get sick of junk keyboards. I'm a support engineer for a large web hosting company and email about 300 clients a week. Adds up to a lot of key strokes.

I figured I'd take in what everyone has to say, and make my decision based off that. I was pretty sure I wanted a 60%, and it sounds like a good amount of you ended up on them and regret not getting one sooner.

Would you all recommend a KBC Poker if I can find one?
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Wed, 05 June 2013, 18:19:02: No, go for GH60. Poker has some annoying limitations. Poker was my 2nd MX board after a G80-3000. While I loved it while I had Poker, and it was the best choice at the time, if GH60 existed then I would absolutely have skipped it.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: dadgh on Wed, 05 June 2013, 18:23:43: Quote from: Jocelyn on Wed, 05 June 2013, 13:58:45
I'd probably do everything the same way again. 60%, Lubed Ergo Clears, Thick PBT, Aluminum case :)

Edit - Oh yeah and Clack!! ;)

Show Image
(http://imageshack.us/a/img29/5268/planary.jpg)

god that looks nice, makes me think I might want to try getting used to 60% boards

EDIT: is your spacebar falling off?
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Wed, 05 June 2013, 18:30:49: Some people like their spacebars on upside down. I can see it with SP DCS since those will cut off your thumbs the right way, but not so much with Cherry or oem profiles.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: crthell on Wed, 05 June 2013, 18:55:18: Quote from: Binge on Wed, 05 June 2013, 12:01:30
#YOLOBLAZINHIBALLER420KONY2012
Ow...ow...my brain cells are shriveling up and dying, thanks to that post :-)
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: dante on Wed, 05 June 2013, 19:48:21: Mkawa's SSK or a Cherry ML Tenkeyless with dyesubs.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: CommunistWitchDr on Wed, 05 June 2013, 19:50:07: Quote from: Dubsgalore on Wed, 05 June 2013, 13:56:48
I am very happy where i am...after 5 months with keyboards i know my preferences, my goals and what i like.
i know what i want too ;)

if i had to start over...well it's hard to answer...i did little to no research of mechanicals or keyboards and bought a DAS with browns...which is one of the best starter boards imo. was a great start. i think i did a lot better then most in the beginning.

if i could go back with the knowledge i have now? a clean start with all the money, i've spent but keep my current knowledge? head straight for the 60% boards. they are my favorite right now...don't see myself getting anything bigger until i spring for a tkl in the far, far future.
probably won't be buying a tkl unless it's a kustom. I just love my 60% boards too much.

I'm pretty damn happy as it it, with what i know, what i have and what i plan to have
Should have at least 6 or 7 boards by September, all which are 60%

There's always kustom 60s. kmac happy and some other crazy korean one that's a bit more poker like.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: PointyFox on Wed, 05 June 2013, 19:50:10: Either a Poker or a Filco TKL with black or green or clear switches with Round 3 keycaps. :)
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: Schattendolch on Wed, 05 June 2013, 19:52:00: If I could start over, I'd buy a topre 45g uniform, and an IBM Model F AT, then leave this forum forever
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: Dubsgalore on Wed, 05 June 2013, 19:52:35: Quote from: CommunistWitchDr on Wed, 05 June 2013, 19:50:07
There's always kustom 60s. kmac happy and some other crazy korean one that's a bit more poker like.

Quote from: Dubsgalore on Wed, 05 June 2013, 13:56:48
i know what i want too ;)

there are several kustom 60%s i hope to have before 2014 :3

/me loves dem 60% boards

it's hard to go back after using a 60% ;)
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: thefunkyprimer on Wed, 05 June 2013, 19:55:40: Quote from: IvanIvanovich on Wed, 05 June 2013, 18:19:02
No, go for GH60. Poker has some annoying limitations. Poker was my 2nd MX board after a G80-3000. While I loved it while I had Poker, and it was the best choice at the time, if GH60 existed then I would absolutely have skipped it.

Thanks a ton for the info. I checked out the threads about the board and it looks fantastic. Is the group buy over? Would I have to pick one up, second hand?
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: samwisekoi on Wed, 05 June 2013, 19:56:36: Leo or Filco TKL with Greens and one tactile Grey spacebar at home. Model M at work where I need the 10-key. PBT on every key.

- Ron I samwisekoi
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: Photoelectric on Wed, 05 June 2013, 19:58:06: I've actually done a lot of reading prior to buying stuff... and I successfully sold my Storm Trigger (which I had absolutely no problems with, except the large size). Pretty happy with all of my keyboard decisions so far, really. Ideally, I'd like one of the new Ducky Shine IIIs in aluminum cases for my second keyboard, but modding my incoming Filco will be fun!

And I'm very happy to have chosen Browns for my first switch, because having tried a lot of other colors now, Brown remains my favorite.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: Larken on Wed, 05 June 2013, 21:25:49: No regrets. Can't know if you like something without trying it out in the first place.

End result would be my ergodox with 55g lubed clears, brown mods, red thumb buttons, which is exactly what I'm using now. Next ergodox would be ultra light browns. Would be nice if there was ever a topre ergodox. The custom layout is infinitely more important than the switch type to me.
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: morpheus on Wed, 05 June 2013, 21:41:44: Quote from: Jocelyn on Wed, 05 June 2013, 13:58:45
I'd probably do everything the same way again. 60%, Lubed Ergo Clears, Thick PBT, Aluminum case :)

Edit - Oh yeah and Clack!! ;)

Show Image
(http://imageshack.us/a/img29/5268/planary.jpg)

You consistently have nice layouts. I enjoy seeing your keyboards :-*
Title: Re: If you had to start over...
Post by: thefunkyprimer on Thu, 06 June 2013, 07:43:52: Quote from: thefunkyprimer on Wed, 05 June 2013, 19:55:40
Quote from: IvanIvanovich on Wed, 05 June 2013, 18:19:02
No, go for GH60. Poker has some annoying limitations. Poker was my 2nd MX board after a G80-3000. While I loved it while I had Poker, and it was the best choice at the time, if GH60 existed then I would absolutely have skipped it.

Thanks a ton for the info. I checked out the threads about the board and it looks fantastic. Is the group buy over? Would I have to pick one up, second hand?

Nevermind. Looks like I just missed the group buy. :(