geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: grapefruit on Wed, 27 November 2019, 22:04:43
-
Like so many things, keyboards reveal themselves over time.
I'm curious about keyboards which people have used frequently for years on end and still really enjoy. That's a high bar.
Thoughts?
-
Canoe!
(https://i.imgur.com/0H7WNeu.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/FZs7nwB.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/BZpqvBk.jpg)
-
Corsair K63.
-
My 2014 Corsair K70 with MX browns, got it second hand in 2015 for like €50 and been using it ever since at home. Would say my newly built Budget96 but i havent used that for two years XD
-
dactyl manuform
-
i would not go so far as to say love but my old laptop keyboard was actually good, much better than any rubber dome i've tried and also better than MX brown.
it was an old-ish HP elitebook 8570. i do not know if they still use those keyboard, they changed the track-pad for sure, and the new one does not feel as good to me, still use it when getting the M122 out is unpractical.
i do not know if that answer the question, i love my M but that's only been one year now so not really an answer either, should build a custom enclosure for my laptop keyboard so i can really answer.
-
My 2014 Corsair K70 with MX browns, got it second hand in 2015 for like €50 and been using it ever since at home. Would say my newly built Budget96 but i havent used that for two years XD
wow
-
55 gram Realforce TKL
-
Not sure what counts as heavy use but I've mostly used my CP-SQ with lubed heavy linears for a long time at home, great layout and sounds nice too.
-
I bought this hhkb just out of high school. Ordered from elitekeyboards, I decided on it after enjoying the non-topre version. Still in use, it needs a new daughter board but it's going strong some 10 years later. I have also a newer version from 2017 that says "Rev. A2" that I admittedly enjoy less but it still sees some use. The domes are just not as supple I would say if I had to word it for you. I have yet to mod either of them, and after getting into customs after a long hiatus from keyboards, I'll still keep them, but they're not my daily drivers. Something about an old, well-used topre board is just really nice
-
My 2014 Corsair K70 with MX browns, got it second hand in 2015 for like €50 and been using it ever since at home. Would say my newly built Budget96 but i havent used that for two years XD
wow
dont hate, im new to being a more proper keyboard fan :D
-
ISO AEKII with swapped in 9/10 SKCM salmons, it's just delicious, and better than SKCM orange boards I have. I just love this board.
-
Model F 122-key (with and without case), and orange, blue, and white Alps.
Before I got into the hobby, I used a Dell AT101 for at least 5 years in the late 1990s-early-2000s and a Compaq SK-2800 (nice rubber domes) for at least 5 years in the early-mid-2000s and liked both of them very much.
-
I haven't even had a mechanical keyboard for 2 years :)
I have a special attachment to my Pingmaster. I love the keycaps, I love the switches, I love the ping!
-
55 gram Realforce TKL
Came here to say just this. Recently swapped out the domes with BKE Redux Heavies, and am now looking at potentially getting a Norbaforce. My RF has taken many forms over the past few years, but between build quality, feel, and overall (relative) affordability, it has to be one of my favorite boards.
I've even convinced others from outside of the hobby -- in fact, people who thought keyboards were a silly investment -- to get a 55g RF87u.
-
Not quite two years (year and a half now), but I've been using my R2 Realforce (45g) daily and haven't ever found anything I liked as much. I've tried all types of Topre on all boards (Leopold, HHKB, and Realforce), almost all types of Cherry, and a few new switches, and this is what's perfect for me. I tried 55g for short periods but didn't think it felt any better, just a bit heavier, so I prefer the 45g especially when gaming/typing all day.
I enjoy a keyboard with Hako Trues that I've used for a while, but it's too heavy to game with. Holding down switches for long periods is very uncomfortable.
-
No mx red love here? 😖
-
7 years lz-s never lost
-
My Topre Type Heaven is the one I've kept coming back to over and over again over the past several years. It's now sporting a set of 9009 KBDFans PBT keycaps and a set of their silencing rings, which fix the only two complaints I ever had about the board. Prior to that, I used an Apple AEKII for many, many years. If I ever get around to retrobrighting the thing, I may go back to it again.
-
Camo Filco TKL with cherry silent reds is still to this day my favorite keyboard, and I'm pretty sure it's been over 2 years?
If I didn't recently have issues with my wrists, and swap to a split layout, I could see it being my daily driver for as long as it lasted. Now I just use it for the occasional temporary setup or a situation at work that I need 2 keyboards.
Also previously had a CM QFR with browns that I used for close to 4 years, that I always liked, got sold to another user for a good cause though. Was definitely one of my favorites though.
-
Realforce and Jane v1.
-
Got my Realforce 105 at the end of 2013 and it was my daily driver for a long time after that.
Currently I'd use clicky Alps the little I get to use the computer at home, but the time of day I am at the computer doesn't really permit me to use clicky *anything* so the Realforce is on the desk by default.
It's a reliable classic.
-
i would not go so far as to say love but my old laptop keyboard was actually good, much better than any rubber dome i've tried and also better than MX brown.
it was an old-ish HP elitebook 8570. i do not know if they still use those keyboard, they changed the track-pad for sure, and the new one does not feel as good to me, still use it when getting the M122 out is unpractical.
i do not know if that answer the question, i love my M but that's only been one year now so not really an answer either, should build a custom enclosure for my laptop keyboard so i can really answer.
MX brown is better than rubbreh domeh
-
Somehow i am and feel more accurate on MX Browns than MX Reds, despite being the same weight. It makes no sense!
-
Jailhouse Aristotles, medium weight, on Saber68 (home / gaming / programming) or Planck (work / programming). They're just dreamy to type on, idk.
-
Realforce 87U (55g) @ work
Leopold fc660c @ home
-
Jailhouse Aristotles, medium weight, on Saber68 (home / gaming / programming) or Planck (work / programming). They're just dreamy to type on, idk.
What is the aristole switch anyways?
-
Jailhouse Aristotles, medium weight, on Saber68 (home / gaming / programming) or Planck (work / programming). They're just dreamy to type on, idk.
What is the aristole switch anyways?
Here's a useful site where you can find information! (https://lmgtfy.com/?q=aristotle+switch)
-
I've bought a lot of boards over the last decade and always use them for a few weeks just to go right back to the original board I built myself. It just feels right.
Lubed and Stickered MX Panda's on a Filco TKL board with a weighted steel plate, and aluminum damping-lined case. There's a custom controller chip I soldered in there too, but I can't remember what one.
-
My friend from Japan gave me my first HHKB, so it has sentimental value. I use it at home. I use a Dactyl with Navy NovelKeys x Kailh BOX Thick Clicks for work, as I have yet to find a more ergonomic keyboard. All my other boards just sit on a shelf at home and get used maybe a few times a year.
-
My HHKB(s) never fail me.
BKE Light domes, Hyperspheres.
-
My first handwired Planck.
I since I needed another board for work and couldn't afford another one for a while I used the plate, case and a Teensy and made another one. I also bought a PCB that I used plateless for a while that was actually my first Planck to use while I figured out how to hand wire. It's still got the same desoldered Cherry Brown housings and springs and an ugly matrix from not realizing I could flip the in-switch diode direction in the firmware.
It's been through two Teensys and several bottom plates/cases and three sets of stems. I added a spring clipped onto the metal switch plate that grounded to the Mini USB housing so I didn't lose another Teensy to a static discharge and it stayed like that for a year on my desk at work. It even wore the Cherry lasered POM from the donor board for a long time.
I've got other boards but that is still my favorite.
-
One of my first boards that I really fell in love with was my NMB Right Touch(RT-8255CW+).
I never thought that a keyboard with split space would be so nice. The switches are NMB 725 series black clicky switches and they're at the right level of tactility for this keyboard. not having to more your right hand as much from home row is really nice for long typing periods and the 1u backspace is something that the split space solves.
Also having windows keys is something that you don't normally see on NMB keyboards and it helps with window management a lot.
-
Jailhouse Aristotles, medium weight, on Saber68 (home / gaming / programming) or Planck (work / programming). They're just dreamy to type on, idk.
What is the aristole switch anyways?
Here's a useful site where you can find information! (https://lmgtfy.com/?q=aristotle+switch)
Thanks
-
This.
-
45g Topre Silence X modded. However I just got 55g Silent Topre recently so I'll see how this pans out.
-
Filco Majestouch (1) TKL Blue, to which I returned after killing my CM Novatouch ('Topre').
I love this board, but it's begining to show signs of wear, such as certain keys sometimes getting stuck or registering double. I will eventually need to replace it, and I'm at a loss as to what with. Preferably something similar but lighter, smoother (Gateron?) and more responsive (Romer G? MX Red/Speed?), easier on my fingers (low profile?). So far nothing can measure up. Novatouch didn't feel as nice, Kailh browns neither — both shared the same problem of being too sandy or whatever and not ideal for off-centre pressing. After getting spoiled so much by the Filco, I mostly don't like any other mech boards I can put my hands on at exhibitions.
Meanwhile used the old Latitude 7400 series keyboard on my laptop quite heavily, and it was great. Old type, non-insular, nicer to type on than the newer models.
-
Slowly going down the rabbit hole.
Discovered mechanical keyboards about 5 years ago with a K70/Cherry MX red switches (tried Cherry MX browns and speed and didn't like them) like many others....
After reading some threads here, I went for a MF68 with Gateron clears. They really can't compare to Cherry MX... they are way smoother and feel so much better.
Now I know the MF68 is far from being considered a quality board but I've been using it as my main board for the past 2 years with a lot of satisfaction (never going back to full... 65% is right where I love it). Never thought good keycaps would make such a difference also (GMK red samurai feels great).
Took another dive at switches last week and went for Gat reds and yellow as well as Kailh speed, pro burgundy and pro purple. I was interested in Creams too but hey, can't get them all at once huh... I also own a GMMK TKL (compact didn't exist back then unfortunately) with Gateron browns. I'll have some time to try them on my GMMK and determine what I like the most before finding a quality board to use them and I should be set for a while afterwards. I'll probably go for a 65% with hotswap as my main board to game/casually type with lighter linear switches and keep my GMMK for heavy typing with more tactile ones.
-
Filco master race: I've been using this Filco since maybe 2015~ (don't remember exactly but a good while now)
Majestouch 2 TKL (mx-reds) dampers / pbt doubleshot key-caps (from massdrop maybe 2016?) anyways.. loved it then love it now.
[attachimg=1]
Probably use this keyboard the rest of my life ??? or not but whatever no plans on doing anything else anytime soon.
my Filco shows no signs of any issues what so ever being used daily for years now.
-
45g Topre Silence X modded. However I just got 55g Silent Topre recently so I'll see how this pans out.
How do you like Topre? Of all "mechanical" switches, which one feels the closest to it (apart from Brown or Neon Green Alps, as those are extremely hard to get ahold of)
-
I honestly still love my Ducky Shine 3 Yellow with Cherry Blues, it feels just as responsive and clicky as the first day I started typing on it, it's light dancing LED's were also really neat to me at the time. (My how times have changed, one color LED's are boring now, everything is moving rainbows.)
I've used it for around 4 years now, going on 5 in the new year here. I don't honestly believe I'll ever get rid of it, plus I was originally drawn by it's color, I had made a themed desktop back in the day that was all yellow and black, and that was my crown jewel.
---------------------
If the time doesn't have to be contiguous, then I did use a Model M as a kid for a few years on a PS/2 30, and I adored it, when I bought my first one in adulthood a year back, it was like coming home for me. I will always adore buckling springs, and have since grown my collection to be overwhelmingly that. I'll probably have one as my primary keyboard for the rest of my life if my care of them has anything to say about it.
-
after all of the keyboards I've built, I keep going back to my old Redscarf RS II+ Ver. B (RS78) that I bought off Massdrop a few years back. What's funny, is I didn't like it at all at first. I had some mod switches that had terrible wobble, noisy stabilizers and a really boring white keycap set with gray lettering. I actually wanted to sell it.
But then I took it apart and installed GMK screw in stabilizers (lubed), box reds (lubed), and some pbt dolch keycaps. It's been my go-to keyboard at home for the last 3 years. I'll try new boards, but always switch back to my RS II+ after a couple of days.
(https://i.imgur.com/ndBmT4F.jpg)
-
Leopold FC980C with hasu controller and silencing rings. I'm not sure if any pimped-out custom mx board will be able to dethrone this...
-
Not exactly two years yet, but I can foresee myself using my HHKB for the long term, even more so than any of the Realforce boards that I have. There's something about it that I really like especially when I broke it in. I can take as many breaks from it as I want, but it's always the main keyboard i keep coming back to regularly especially after I replaced the stock domes many months ago with the BKEs and added silencing rings which really made the sound so much better and a lot less noisy too. I just love how small it is and how it doesn't take up much of my workspace, which is a smaller table so obviously there's a lot that can't really fit so much to save space.
-
My GON NERD TKL hands down.
-
Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate. 7 years. All keycaps are original. Polished by fingers.
-
My GON NERD TKL hands down.
It takes him 2 years to ship, you must have just got it!
:p
-
Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate. 7 years. All keycaps are original. Polished by fingers.
That's commitment right there!
-
I've been using K70s with Cherry MX red or blue almost exclusively for the past ... 5 years, maybe? It wasn't until I finally bought a Model M from a friend that I got into the more exotic stuff in the last year or so, although I've always been interested.
I don't see the K70/K65 trend ending any time soon though, they'll just have Box Navies or Jades in them now. I don't know of a cooler-looking industrial design and still love the K70's volume slider. The only thing that would stop me from using at least 1 Corsair every day is if Model Fs or blue alps boards started falling from the sky.
-
this is my main workhorse since 2017. salmon alps (
click springs tactile leaves removed) with 45g sprit springs.
photo taken about a month ago.
[attachimg=1]
-
KBD8X V1. w/ 67g zealio v1's.
-
My black Realforce 87U 55g with blank HHKB keycaps. Been using this for over 4 years now and I still love it as much as back when I got it.
(http://i.imgur.com/QQcxKXG.jpg)
-
When you say click springs, do you mean tactile leaves? Pretty cool build you got there!
-
When you say click springs, do you mean tactile leaves? Pretty cool build you got there!
are you referring to my post, if so, yes, i meant the tactile leaves. apologies, i am not sure why i used 'click springs'.
thanks and glad you liked it.
-
V1 Clueboard
-
V1 Clueboard
I read up about this board. The plate looks pretty cool, a great feature the designers have added.
-
dactyl manuform
Ooh yes, my wallet beckons. I do like smaller form factor keyboards, but I think that the manuform 6x6 Is just perfect for me being programable, as well as having so many keys. It layout is nice, without having the form factor look chunky, like the preonic. My manuform 6x6 is by far my most expensive build, and one of my only no compromise builds. It sucks that my no compromise Planck build costs a whole lot less, with the only defining feature being an expensive (and frankly beautiful) wood case. Everything else is pretty basic, albeit expensive. I use my Planck a lot more, but I do love my manuform.
-
dactyl manuform
Ooh yes, my wallet beckons. I do like smaller form factor keyboards, but I think that the manuform 6x6 Is just perfect for me being programable, as well as having so many keys. It layout is nice, without having the form factor look chunky, like the preonic. My manuform 6x6 is by far my most expensive build, and one of my only no compromise builds. It sucks that my no compromise Planck build costs a whole lot less, with the only defining feature being an expensive (and frankly beautiful) wood case. Everything else is pretty basic, albeit expensive. I use my Planck a lot more, but I do love my manuform.
That is VERY ergonomic! No wonder you like it so much, it must be super comfortable to type on.
-
I have a Model M which I bought in the early 90s when it was still a kid which is still my daily driver and my favorite keyboard. It's developing some quirks, but at its age, it's allowed to do that. No Windows / Super key, but as I don't use Windows I don't miss it much, and I rather like having a gap there as it aids in touch-typing.
-
I have a Model M which I bought in the early 90s when it was still a kid which is still my daily driver and my favorite keyboard. It's developing some quirks, but at its age, it's allowed to do that. No Windows / Super key, but as I don't use Windows I don't miss it much, and I rather like having a gap there as it aids in touch-typing.
What is that layout!! ;D
I use Workman right now and I love seeing people with different layouts.
-
My workhorses are my Leopold FC600M and Poker II. I think mostly because they both have cheap PBT keycaps so I don't feel bad typing a lot and gaming on them. I can shine a GMK set in a weekend but the PBT holds up pretty well.
-
4 years with my rubberdome Typematrix 2030. for me the layout is close to be perfect. This is something that I try to mimic on my custom boards now.
-
4 years with my rubberdome Typematrix 2030. for me the layout is close to be perfect. This is something that I try to mimic on my custom boards now.
I see you have an XD75. The layout to that is similar to your Typematrix, yes?
-
What is that layout!! ;D
Left hand dvorak. I took off the keycap for the H so I could feel where I was. Due to dain bramage, I type with one hand. For me, it's about the same speed as QWERTY (at least it was the last time I checked), but involves a lot less motion.
-
What is that layout!! ;D
Left hand dvorak. I took off the keycap for the H so I could feel where I was. Due to dain bramage, I type with one hand. For me, it's about the same speed as QWERTY (at least it was the last time I checked), but involves a lot less motion.
Have you tried a dab of hot glue? I used that to add home bumps to one of my F AT boards. Works like a charm.
-
I took off the keycap for the H so I could feel where I was.
Have you tried a dab of hot glue? I used that to add home bumps to one of my F AT boards. Works like a charm.
Interesting. Being only hot glue, I could scrape it off if I screw up or don't like it, yes?
-
Interesting. Being only hot glue, I could scrape it off if I screw up or don't like it, yes?
Absolutely, you can even get hot glues of different strengths. The lower temp craft glues usually peel off really easily. I usually use the high temperature glues, which can still be removed from most surfaces without damage. I did peel it off of at least one cap the first time because I screwed up. It is easier to do before it has had a few hours to fully cure though. That's what I love about the stuff. I can use it to attach/reinforce things in electronics and it may well stay that way for perpetuity, unless I want to go back and change it.
-
I have a Model M which I bought in the early 90s when it was still a kid which is still my daily driver and my favorite keyboard. It's developing some quirks, but at its age, it's allowed to do that. No Windows / Super key, but as I don't use Windows I don't miss it much, and I rather like having a gap there as it aids in touch-typing.
Needs a good clean, but that's my beloved Model M series right there.
Interesting keyboard layout, and makes sense when you explain why. This was one of the original points of being able to switch the keycaps that even IBM hammered on while selling them.
-
Bumping this thread just because I've enjoyed reading the responses & hope we can pick up a few more.
-
My two main boards over the past 5-6 years are as similar as possible in feel for their switch technologies. Ergo Clear and Topre 55, KUL ES-87 and Realforce 87U respectively. I happily use both, my preference is towards reasonably snappy tactility.
Some boards that fell by the wayside are the BTC5100C, which lacked the key point of Topre (smoothness) and had an unpleasant layout with weirdly arranged arrow keys. And the electro capacitive Royal Kludge 55g, because the factory silencing makes the key travel feel too close to linear.
I am currently trialing ergo setups with a Dumang DK6- split, tented, and a totally flexible layout. If this works out, I'll consider a second DK6. The Dactyl Manuform design is also temping, but I have so far not enjoyed using layers on a keyboard. Even if I go down the ergo route, I'll still keep the Realforce and the KUL.
-
My Ducky One 2 Horizon with CherryMX Silver, that I had to sell to buy my Drop ALT, I used it for 3 years a worthy gateway drug for this hobbie.
-
Found an Apple M0110 a couple years ago, and I just pulled it back out like a week ago. Been using it pretty heavily every month or two since I got it, and honestly I like it more each time.
-
Found an Apple M0110 a couple years ago, and I just pulled it back out like a week ago. Been using it pretty heavily every month or two since I got it, and honestly I like it more each time.
Nice. Alps will do that.
-
Been using the same keyboard for over 6 years now. TKL lubed and stickered Panda's (ergo clears w/ black springs)
They are just the perfect switch for me. Every time I buy a new keyboard I wind up selling it because I just go back to that one.
The spacebar has gotten rattly after half a decade of use. I wish the keys were a little quieter, but pads and rings detract from the overall feel. I wish I could add a fractional amount of weight to the springs, like make them 67g as opposed to 60g. I would also change the profile of the case to be thinner and lower.
-
Model F I had as a kid. Lost it along with the computer when it went to someone else. Never got a keyboard that felt as good ever since (20-ish years).
I did love my blue Filco Majestouch after breaking it in, but I eventually started having problems and not really liking the key feel any more. Perhaps I managed to actually wear it out.
I now have a local brand's low-profile unit based on slim Kailh blues, and while it hasn't been two years, I do type a lot more than the average person (sometimes 10–15K words per day), so it has seen much use, perhaps as much as two years with a normal user or more. It's a great keyboard, though I'm not fully satisfied.
-
Model F I had as a kid. Lost it along with the computer when it went to someone else. Never got a keyboard that felt as good ever since (20-ish years).
What version of F was it? The XTs can be had for under $100 sometimes still, if you're patient. Getting an AT for anything under $200 now is becoming more and more difficult. If you want back into that game, unless you want one of the exotic 4704 boards and their reproductions, the sooner you get one, the better.
I did love my blue Filco Majestouch after breaking it in, but I eventually started having problems and not really liking the key feel any more. Perhaps I managed to actually wear it out.
MX blue is not very consistent, or particularly pleasant sounding compared to alternatives. It does not hold a candle to the capacitive buckling spring board you had.
I now have a local brand's low-profile unit based on slim Kailh blues, and while it hasn't been two years, I do type a lot more than the average person (sometimes 10–15K words per day), so it has seen much use, perhaps as much as two years with a normal user or more. It's a great keyboard, though I'm not fully satisfied.
Kailh's choc switches are wonderful. Of the ones I have tried, I honestly think I like them all more than anything MX. Their clickies are nearly as nice as their standard-sized box clickies in my opinion.
-
Das keyboard professional with cherry brown has been my work keyboard for over 6 years now. It's been really heavily used since I'm a dev and I'm a bit of a vim nut. It's still got stock keycaps with nice shine to show for its age. I like it as a tool and it's been a huge step up from scissor switches and rubber domes.
At home, I've had ducky shine 2 (cherry brown) with aftermarket thick pbt keycaps for 6 years (can you guess when I was introduced to mechanical keyboards??). It's fine for gaming and occasional email, IM, etc but something about it is really off when I'm trying to code with it. I put up with it for a while during quarantine but i really hated typing on it all day every day. The key registration feels ambiguous and inconsistent on this board compared to the Das I have at work.
Recently got filco majestouch 2 tkl since I'm locked out of the office and frankly hated the ducky for heavy use. This has been a life saver for me! Have been loving it for a couple months now.
Sent from my Pixel 4 using Tapatalk
-
My Happy Hacking Keyboard. I have three in front of me right now, and a Rama in HHKB layout in a bag that I swap out when I want to feel real fancy, but usually it's all about that good feeling of oneness with cup rubber. I still keep a bunch of my old vintage cherry boards with vintage black switches (smooth like buttah), and some Realforce Topre boards because they too feel great, but they rarely see any substantial desk time as it's all about the One True Layout.
As to my history, I bought an HHKB Pro 2 in 2015, which I really liked, and it quickly became my main keyboard with the exception that it wasn't wifi/bluetooth so I could only use it with devices I could physically plug it into. Then in 2016 I found out about the HHKB BT, and got one shipped over from Japan. And it was perfect. Bluetooth capable, more aesthetically pleasing lines, actual rubber anti-skid pads on the bottom of the board, and overall felt like a more solid product. I bought a few more HHKB boards, including a couple Type-S for office and home, one of which showed up DOA, and the company sent me out an entire new replacement without asking for the dead one in return. So I did what any nerd would do and disassembled my beloved HHKB-BT, replaced the sliders with the ones from the Type-S, lubed the rails, and while I was in there replaced the domes with 55gm realforce domes from one of my TKLs. It instantly became my favorite of the bunch, I carried it with me everywhere, and I finally felt like I had hit that fabled storybook land of "End Game".
Here I am three years later. I own a Rama M60-a, three Tokyo60, the original HHKB Pro 2, a pair of Pro 2 Type-S, that glorious HHKB BT, and now I've picked up a pair of the Hybrid Type-S, one in black, one in white. I've tried BKE domes of every weight, 3rd party keys, 3rd party silencing rings, but nothing is as nice as my silenced 55gm HHKB BT. It's a bit of an addiction, but I just love that good feeling of oneness with cup rubber.
-
I've been using the Almost-A-Filco for nearly 7 years, with a few interruptions.
Other than a (massive) static charge damaging the programmable controller, it's always been flawless really.
I used the Das (old Costar model) for probably close to 2 years, same for my first model M.
It's not really a big surprise many of the same brands keep getting listed, almost everything listed here is workhorse boards.