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Group Buys and Preorders / Re: [GB] F104+SSK+122+62+77+50+Ergo orders now open! Kishsaver+Industrial Model F
« Last post by applehugger on Thu, 16 May 2024, 15:38:39 »I got my Ultra Compact F104 today and WOW, what a beast! It's so heavy and well-built. Assembly (i.e., putting in the stabilizer inserts and keys) was straightforward, although I read the entire how-to guide on the Model F website several times and watched the entire setup video. I had a few stabilized keys that needed some attention and my numpad enter was spamming keystrokes until I re-seated the spring, but otherwise I didn't have any major issues.
I ended up floss-modding mine. I intended to try it out sans floss first, but from the moment I got the spacebar installed, I knew I couldn't handle it. The ping is just so intense! I don't like the pinging on my Model M, and this seems about twice as bad. However, with the floss mod, I like the sound. I don't think it's amazing sounding like some of my Alps keyboards, but the click sound is very clean and cool sounding. It definitely sounds uber-mechanical.
So far, the key feel isn't blowing me away, but I felt the same way about genuine Topre switches when I first tried them and after a few days, they became my favorite. I like the very clean tactility of the Model F keys, but the weighting is a bit light for my taste. I prefer the weight of the Model M's switches. However, I will have a more well-formed opinion after a few days typing with this keyboard.
Overall I'm kind of astonished that I was able to buy a brand-new Model F in a never before seen form factor. I think the look of the Ultra Compact F104 is awesome, and I think it's amazing that Ellipse was able to pull this all off. I always wanted to try out a Model F, and several years ago, I missed out on a good deal on an F122, but I really don't like any of the original layouts. This is a dream come true and I am seriously considering one of the Classic 104 or 122 key layouts in the future. Major, major props to Ellipse to bringing this project to fruition!
I got mine in black with grey keys. Here are some pictures:
I ended up floss-modding mine. I intended to try it out sans floss first, but from the moment I got the spacebar installed, I knew I couldn't handle it. The ping is just so intense! I don't like the pinging on my Model M, and this seems about twice as bad. However, with the floss mod, I like the sound. I don't think it's amazing sounding like some of my Alps keyboards, but the click sound is very clean and cool sounding. It definitely sounds uber-mechanical.
So far, the key feel isn't blowing me away, but I felt the same way about genuine Topre switches when I first tried them and after a few days, they became my favorite. I like the very clean tactility of the Model F keys, but the weighting is a bit light for my taste. I prefer the weight of the Model M's switches. However, I will have a more well-formed opinion after a few days typing with this keyboard.
Overall I'm kind of astonished that I was able to buy a brand-new Model F in a never before seen form factor. I think the look of the Ultra Compact F104 is awesome, and I think it's amazing that Ellipse was able to pull this all off. I always wanted to try out a Model F, and several years ago, I missed out on a good deal on an F122, but I really don't like any of the original layouts. This is a dream come true and I am seriously considering one of the Classic 104 or 122 key layouts in the future. Major, major props to Ellipse to bringing this project to fruition!
I got mine in black with grey keys. Here are some pictures: