TL;DRPlease recommend an ANSI Cherry keyboard that I might find on eBay, or in the classifieds.
Since my original post, I've tried a couple of OEM Profile PBT sets and I've added a new board with MX-Blacks, which of course has stiffer springs than my MX-Blue boards. Between the different switches and the different key caps, I thought I'd post my thoughts on the experience thus far and then of course ask for your input and opinion on what to try next.
I Prefer ABSI ordered the
Black on Black PBT set from Techkeys.us given the fact that it was such a great price. Unfortunately, I found the near Otaku style keys a bit difficult to use. I have no issues with the alpha keys, but since these were used on my KBT Pure and KBC Poker, the fn layer was a challenge. Thankfully, I was lucky enough to get my hands on a set of
Grey on White PBT Poker Set, which allowed me to see the legends and more importantly the fn layer.
Unfortunately, I discovered was that although I didn't hate the PBT feel, I do have a preference for the smooth feel of ABS. The KBT Pure has laser etched ABS caps and the KBC Poker has pad printed ABS and on both boards, I found I preferred the smooth feel when I switched back to the default caps on each board.
SP Not Bad On Stronger SpringsWhat started this thread was that I found that I was not a fan of the Signature Plastics CCnG set I purchased. I found them too thin and higher pitched than the default key caps. After I purchased my Poker,
hoshidishi suggested I throw my CCnG on the board, so I did. Surprisingly, I actually liked them!
The MX-Black springs are much stronger obviously and what I found was that I don't bottom out the keys as much as I do on my boards with MX-Blues. Even if I do bottom out, it's only just slightly, so the audio issues I experienced was much less pronouced. I also enjoyed the shorter throw. Given that so many GBs are from SP, I was very happy to find that I could still use them on some of my boards!
So What's Next?With the exception of the CCnG set, the majority of my typing has been on OEM profile key caps, so I feel that the next step should be to venture out and try a different profile. Cherry seems like the next logical step.
Purchasing a
GMK set from The Originative is one obvious choice. The price is not bad and they're supposedly made from the original Cherry equipment, so it's certianly an option. However, I've spent
w a y too much money in the past few months and with a couple of GBs still on the horizon, I'd like to find a lesser expensive option.
Which naturally led me to consider looking for an older Cherry keyboard for the purpose of harvesting the key caps. The question is, which one?
What Cherry Model Do You Recommend?Since getting back into mechanical keyboards back in December of last year, my focus as been on compact keyboards. It's my preferred footprint. I have little or no knowledge of the Cherry model keyboards, so if you have a suggestion, please share it. My only goal/requirements are:
1. Cherry MX with Cherry Profile
2. ANSI Layout
3. ABS (preferred, but not required)
Granted, I'm still a newb here, so if you think the idea of finding a vintage keyboard to be a bad idea and have another suggestion, I'm all ears.
