« previous next »
Pages:  [1]     Go Down

Author Topic: Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?  (Read 3952 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline cryticfarm

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 35
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« on: Tue, 16 March 2010, 11:59:24 »
I live in Canada, Ontario and im' looking for a new keyboard. I game occasionally but I don't really need nkro. I would prefer it to be USB natively (my computer doesn't have PS/2) but I can get a converter if it's a must. I would probably like it to be light because it gets a bit chilly here on winter mornings and I can't move my fingers that well.
So far I'm considering the m10 for the cherry blues: http://www.ergogeek.com/ione-scorpius-m10-mechanical-key-switch-keyboard-usb-ps-2-black.html

But apparently, it has terrible build quality and I don't want to go through he trouble of RMAing it and paying 25+ for shipping Canada to US. (which could have been just be spent on buying a better keyboard. )

I am also considering the I-Rocks KR-6230 with cherry browns:
http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/217102/I_Rocks_Technology/KR_6230/

It looks quite decent, but it's a tad on the expensive side for me (90 dollars shipped)

My last choice is the ABS M1:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823224001&Tpk=abs%20m1
*Note that all sites ship to Canada*

I heard their switches are the worst of the three, but still decent. In the end, I could just look around my city for model Ms cheap.
Any thoughts?
Logged

Offline microsoft windows

  • Blue Troll of Death
  • * Exalted Elder
  • Posts: 3621
  • President of geekhack.org
    • Get Internet Explorer 6
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 16 March 2010, 14:43:50 »
If you've got a tight budget, give Ebay a try.
Logged
CLICK HERE!     OFFICIAL PRESIDENT OF GEEKHACK.ORG    MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN MERRY CHRISTMAS

Offline ch_123

  • * Exalted Elder
  • Posts: 5860
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #2 on: Tue, 16 March 2010, 14:50:34 »
If the ABS M1 is an option, you'd probably be better off getting a NIB Dell AT101W off eBay and a $10 USB adapter.
Logged

Offline elbowglue

  • Posts: 583
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #3 on: Tue, 16 March 2010, 16:59:04 »
Quote from: ch_123;164529
If the ABS M1 is an option, you'd probably be better off getting a NIB Dell AT101W off eBay and a $10 USB adapter.


Agree- AT101W is quite a nice keyboard.  It was my first mech. switch keyboard (besides my model M a long time ago) and it's pretty darn nice.  And inexpensive.
Logged
My keyboards: Filco Cherry Blue Tenkeyless(daily home), Compaq MX11800 (modded to blacks), Compaq "MX 84u",  Wellington\'s Dampened Endurapro, Pinkalicious Filco Blue Cherry, Chicony KB-5191, Chicony KB-5181, Desko MOS 5023 UP "elbowglue" spos (modded to blues), Siig Minitouch (monterey blue), SMK-88 (blue cherries), Ricercar SPOS
Smallest to biggest keyboards in inches (Length X Height) - Length is most important for a midline mouse position
KBC Poker: 11.6 x 3.9 - HHKB: 11.6 x 4.3 - Siig Minitouch (Geekhack Space Saver): 11.6 x 6 - Deck/Tg3 82: 12 x 6 - Noppoo Choc Mini 12.4 x 5.3 - Compaq "MX 84u": 13.1 x 7.5 - Filco Tenkeyless: 14 x 5.3 - Cherry "ricercar spos" G86-62410EUAGSA: 14 x 7.75 - Topre Realforce 86u: 14.4 x 6.65 - Desko "elbowglue spos" MOS 5023 UP: 14.5 x 8.4 - IBM Model M Spacesaver: 15.3 x 7 - G80-1800: 15.9 x 7.1 - Adesso MKB-125B: 16 x 7.3 - Compaq Mx11800, Cherry G80-11900: 16.25 x 7.5 - Filco Standard: 17.3 x 5.4 - Unicomp Endurapro: 17.9 x 7.1 - Adesso MKB-135B: 18.3 x 6.0 - Cherry G80-3000: 18.5 x 7.6 - IBM Model M, Unicomp Customizer: 19.3 x 8.27

Offline cryticfarm

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 35
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #4 on: Tue, 16 March 2010, 19:54:17 »
Sorry I forgot to mention, eBay will probably be ill-suited for my situation. To be honest, I'm young enough that I don't have a credit card so I have to use my mother's, but not only is my mother skeptical of eBay, but also the fact that on eBay, all the products have almost double the shipping as the price of the product itself.
I also forgot to mention, I'll be doing a lot of rhythm games (stepmania, etc.) on it, if that changes anything.
Logged

Offline EverythingIBM

  • Posts: 1269
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 16 March 2010, 20:34:27 »
Quote from: cryticfarm;164627
Sorry I forgot to mention, eBay will probably be ill-suited for my situation. To be honest, I'm young enough that I don't have a credit card so I have to use my mother's, but not only is my mother skeptical of eBay, but also the fact that on eBay, all the products have almost double the shipping as the price of the product itself.
I also forgot to mention, I'll be doing a lot of rhythm games (stepmania, etc.) on it, if that changes anything.


Just go to a dump or scrounge around your school for an IBM model M or KB-8923.
Logged
Keyboards: '86 M, M5-2, M13, SSK, F AT, F XT

Offline cryticfarm

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 35
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 16 March 2010, 21:14:14 »
Quote from: EverythingIBM;164640
Just go to a dump or scrounge around your school for an IBM model M or KB-8923.


My school dumped all their IBM stuff a few years back for some cheap Microsoft keyboards and MDG computers.

Quote from: ripster;164638
Rhythm games are one of the few applications that would  benefit from at least 6-key rollover. Two person coop on one keyboard would be the the other but I find that pretty silly when consoles rule.


Nah, when I play with friends my friend or I just play with another keyboard. It's inconvenient any other way because fitting four hands on one keyboard and playing properly is nearly impossible because of elbow space, pinky room, etc.
Logged

Offline HaaTa

  • Master Kiibohd Hunter
  • Posts: 794
  • Location: San Jose, CA, USA
  • Kiibohds!
    • http://kiibohd.com
Re: Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 16 March 2010, 21:47:54 »
Haha, yeah the credit card problem. If you have your own bank account you can setup paypal with it.
Takes a little while to transfer funds, and occasionally some merchants don't accept echecks would be the only down sides.
Logged
Kiibohd

ALWAYS looking for cool and interesting switches
I take requests for making keyboard converters (i.e. *old keyboard* to USB).

Offline EverythingIBM

  • Posts: 1269
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #8 on: Tue, 16 March 2010, 22:21:24 »
Quote from: cryticfarm;164664
My school dumped all their IBM stuff a few years back for some cheap Microsoft keyboards and MDG computers.


Yeah, our school just did it recently (I got all the good stuff anyways). You missed the treasure boat! Many Model Ms have been destroyed because you did not rescue them in time... they now scream as their ABS shells incinerate.

Heh, you could always get one of those cheap microsoft keyboards. Billy G. loves your money.

Frankly, I checked around in other places than dumps, and, there virutally are NO model Ms going for sale locally. They're all in the states! Pack your bags and move to Ripster's house (I'm sure if he can store all of those legos and vintage keyboards, he must have a few spots for occupants).
Logged
Keyboards: '86 M, M5-2, M13, SSK, F AT, F XT

Offline cryticfarm

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 35
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #9 on: Wed, 17 March 2010, 07:07:55 »
Quote from: EverythingIBM;164674
Yeah, our school just did it recently (I got all the good stuff anyways). You missed the treasure boat! Many Model Ms have been destroyed because you did not rescue them in time... they now scream as their ABS shells incinerate.

Hahahaha, stop making me feel bad!
Logged

Offline trievalot

  • Posts: 246
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #10 on: Wed, 17 March 2010, 07:14:25 »
agreed with the model m
or Haata can get you a nice board from japan and carry on a luggage. just need to wait til he goes home
Logged
[SIGPIC]

Offline cryticfarm

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 35
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #11 on: Wed, 17 March 2010, 07:41:30 »
Quote from: trievalot;164737
agreed with the model m
or Haata can get you a nice board from japan and carry on a luggage. just need to wait til he goes home


Well it just so happens I'm going to Japan this summer.
Logged

Offline ch_123

  • * Exalted Elder
  • Posts: 5860
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #12 on: Wed, 17 March 2010, 07:43:24 »
Might want to save up =P
Logged

Offline cryticfarm

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 35
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #13 on: Wed, 17 March 2010, 07:48:34 »
To be honest I don't have a job (I couldn't be bothered to find one), and all my money comes from celebrations, and all the celebrations happen to be AFTER I got to Japan. I have a bank account with a bunch of savings in it, but it would be difficult to explain to my mother why I'm spending over 1/5th of my savings on a keyboard.
« Last Edit: Wed, 17 March 2010, 07:50:41 by cryticfarm »
Logged

Offline ch_123

  • * Exalted Elder
  • Posts: 5860
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #14 on: Wed, 17 March 2010, 07:58:28 »
Ah, the days when my parents could still do that... Thankfully they stopped long before I got into good keyboards.
Logged

Offline HaaTa

  • Master Kiibohd Hunter
  • Posts: 794
  • Location: San Jose, CA, USA
  • Kiibohds!
    • http://kiibohd.com
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #15 on: Wed, 17 March 2010, 08:06:56 »
Haha, lol. My parents (especially my mom) would freak if I told her how much I've spent on computer stuff, not including keyboards (that's probably only around $500-600).
Which is why I don't tell them (what they don't know, can't hurt them, well usually).

Enough of the bad advice, go get yourself a job, or tell your parents you want to buy a keyboard and that you'll work for it. Though asking to get a uTron probably wouldn't bode to well...
Logged
Kiibohd

ALWAYS looking for cool and interesting switches
I take requests for making keyboard converters (i.e. *old keyboard* to USB).

Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #16 on: Wed, 17 March 2010, 08:16:00 »
My mom already spends tons on computer stuff.  She has cooler **** than I do (not keyboards, though).
 
HP laptop w/19" screen (pretty good specs, but I don't recall what they are)
iPod Classic 120GB
iPhone 3GS
She pirates DVDs from Netflix.
 
My mom is a tech junkie.  She's way more of a geek than I am.
Logged

Offline Phaedrus2129

  • Posts: 1131
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #17 on: Wed, 17 March 2010, 09:10:48 »
With games like Stepmania, you'll definitely want NKRO... the IBM matrix won't cut it.

I'd say try the Adesso linked to before. It's essentially the same as the iOne Scorpius M10, but with NKRO. And those keyboards appear to have had their QC issues resolved. I think it's the cheapest commonly board with NKRO, and it has Cherry MX Blue switches which are nice as well.
Logged
Daily Driver: Noppoo Choc Mini
Currently own: IBM Model M 1391401 1988,  XArmor U9 prototype
Previously owned: Ricercar SPOS, IBM M13 92G7461 1994, XArmor U9BL, XArmor U9W prototype, Cherry G80-8200LPDUS, Cherry G84-4100, Compaq MX-11800, Chicony KB-5181 (SMK Monterey), Reveal KB-7061, Cirque Wave Keyboard (ergonomic rubber domes), NMB RT101 (rubber dome), Dell AT101W

Offline cryticfarm

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 35
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #18 on: Wed, 17 March 2010, 09:19:29 »
Wait a sec, the IBM matrix cannot hold the keys A, S, K and L together simultaneously?
I'm trying to lean toward the m10 because I just had word that shipping into Canada is free. And is there a source or something for your QC claim? I'm just very skeptical after reading many other reviews about broken solder joints, etc., and my mother would freak if I told her it broke and that we would have to ship it back.
Logged

Offline Phaedrus2129

  • Posts: 1131
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #19 on: Wed, 17 March 2010, 09:35:27 »
asklklasklasklas

The IBM Matrix can handle the entire home row simultaneously; but once you go off home row it's anyone's guess if it will work or not.


The info on the M10's build quality is second hand from Manyak, who generally knows what's up. He seemed fairly confident; it was a statement of fact, not an "I heard that it's maybe a little better, possibly." But he didn't bother to leave a source.

Remember though, the M10 uses the IBM matrix as well I believe. If that will work for you, then go for it, if not look for NKRO boards.
Logged
Daily Driver: Noppoo Choc Mini
Currently own: IBM Model M 1391401 1988,  XArmor U9 prototype
Previously owned: Ricercar SPOS, IBM M13 92G7461 1994, XArmor U9BL, XArmor U9W prototype, Cherry G80-8200LPDUS, Cherry G84-4100, Compaq MX-11800, Chicony KB-5181 (SMK Monterey), Reveal KB-7061, Cirque Wave Keyboard (ergonomic rubber domes), NMB RT101 (rubber dome), Dell AT101W

Offline nads93uk

  • Posts: 74
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #20 on: Wed, 17 March 2010, 09:39:35 »
Japan is great for keyboards, I bought mine 2 days ago from Kurebarri (Cleverly) and its well worth waiting. Good prices there.
Logged

Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #21 on: Wed, 17 March 2010, 09:47:22 »
What did you buy?
Logged

Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #22 on: Wed, 17 March 2010, 10:45:16 »
Don't worry, she lives on Ruby Ridge.
Logged

Offline cryticfarm

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 35
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #23 on: Wed, 17 March 2010, 11:25:05 »
Quote from: Phaedrus2129;164782
asklklasklasklas

The IBM Matrix can handle the entire home row simultaneously; but once you go off home row it's anyone's guess if it will work or not.


The info on the M10's build quality is second hand from Manyak, who generally knows what's up. He seemed fairly confident; it was a statement of fact, not an "I heard that it's maybe a little better, possibly." But he didn't bother to leave a source.

Remember though, the M10 uses the IBM matrix as well I believe. If that will work for you, then go for it, if not look for NKRO boards.


That's what I thought, you see, instead of play stepmania with the arrow keys like normal people, I play spread, which means you use the keys A, S, K and L for the arrows.
Logged

Offline EverythingIBM

  • Posts: 1269
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #24 on: Wed, 17 March 2010, 12:38:16 »
Quote from: Phaedrus2129;164780
With games like Stepmania, you'll definitely want NKRO... the IBM matrix won't cut it.

I'd say try the Adesso linked to before. It's essentially the same as the iOne Scorpius M10, but with NKRO. And those keyboards appear to have had their QC issues resolved. I think it's the cheapest commonly board with NKRO, and it has Cherry MX Blue switches which are nice as well.


Huh? Are you sure about that?

ALL of the IBM keyboards I have can hold *any* lettered keys (I use my keyboard sometimes as a piano -- I should invest in an M-Audio USB keyboard haha).
Logged
Keyboards: '86 M, M5-2, M13, SSK, F AT, F XT

Offline ch_123

  • * Exalted Elder
  • Posts: 5860
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #25 on: Fri, 19 March 2010, 07:59:28 »
Quote from: cryticfarm;164751
to be honest i don't have a job (i couldn't be bothered to find one), and all my money comes from celebrations, and all the celebrations happen to be after i got to japan. I have a bank account with a bunch of savings in it, but it would be difficult to explain to my mother why i'm spending over 1/5th of my savings on a keyboard.




lolwut?
Logged

Offline microsoft windows

  • Blue Troll of Death
  • * Exalted Elder
  • Posts: 3621
  • President of geekhack.org
    • Get Internet Explorer 6
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #26 on: Fri, 19 March 2010, 08:03:33 »
Hmm.
Logged
CLICK HERE!     OFFICIAL PRESIDENT OF GEEKHACK.ORG    MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN MERRY CHRISTMAS

Offline kriminal

  • Posts: 424
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #27 on: Fri, 19 March 2010, 08:56:23 »
okay rotfl
Logged
Geekhacked Filco FKBN87M/EB modified with Brown, black and blue cherries, doubleshot keycaps
Deck KBA-BL82 with Black cherries
Cherry G84-4100LCMDK-0 Cherry ML switches
Cherry G80-8200hpdus-2 Brown cherries
IBM Lexmark 51G8572 Model M Keyboard
Geekhacked Siig Minitouch KB1948
IBM Model M Mini 1397681

Offline cryticfarm

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 35
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #28 on: Fri, 19 March 2010, 08:56:34 »
Quote from: ch_123;165362


lolwut?


i always do that, 1980 is a habit dating from when I first got the internet
Logged

Offline kriminal

  • Posts: 424
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #29 on: Fri, 19 March 2010, 09:01:55 »
Quote from: cryticfarm;165369
i always do that, 1980 is a habit dating from when I first got the internet


O_O
Logged
Geekhacked Filco FKBN87M/EB modified with Brown, black and blue cherries, doubleshot keycaps
Deck KBA-BL82 with Black cherries
Cherry G84-4100LCMDK-0 Cherry ML switches
Cherry G80-8200hpdus-2 Brown cherries
IBM Lexmark 51G8572 Model M Keyboard
Geekhacked Siig Minitouch KB1948
IBM Model M Mini 1397681

Offline cryticfarm

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 35
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #30 on: Fri, 19 March 2010, 09:14:53 »
Quote from: kriminal;165371
O_O


i was quite young, so I was scared if I told my real age i'd get raped by a pedo (that's what my mom told me at least)
Logged

Offline ch_123

  • * Exalted Elder
  • Posts: 5860
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #31 on: Fri, 19 March 2010, 10:36:11 »
Well, at least you're not a 30 y/o who's mammy tells him what to do with his money...
Logged

Offline elservo

  • Posts: 201
Keyboard Reccomendations for a Canadian in a tight budget?
« Reply #32 on: Fri, 19 March 2010, 10:37:14 »


May I have an M1, mother?
Logged
Majestouch Tactile Click (Work)
AEKII(Home)
Pages:  [1]     Go Up
« previous next »