I finally had a chance to drive down to WA and pick up the manufacturer-refurbished Logitech K840 from the deal I
posted about here last month, and thought I'd let you know how it turned out. First, a couple of crappy-but-good-natured late-nite phone-cam photos:
(I couldn't resist setting up the first one like a beer commercial.)
Omron has indeed improved their
Romer-G switches since I tried them a few years ago. The closest comparison I can make is to tactile, medium-stiff
Cherry MX Clears. Romers aren't as markedly tactile, though, and have a shorter travel. Thus I find I can type faster on them, with less distraction, and more comfortably over longer periods, than I could on Clears.
As others have mentioned, the K840's spacebar seems a bit loud. This is mostly because the other keys are so quiet, though. I think someone here has found a way to quiet it down. Meanwhile, I just press it more softly—no problem. :?)
The pad printing is somewhat of a letdown on such an otherwise classy-looking board. But as I've said many times: If you
wash your hands before you sit down to type, PP legends can last for years. Dirty hands are what wear them out, IMHO.
For just over $40, I consider this a sweet deal, and a worthy addition to the fine typing machines I'm privileged to peck on.
The deal I originally mentioned of
$42.95 shipped is still in effect.
I see another vendor is
offering refurbed K840s here for just $37.99 shipped. However, they're "seller refurbished" rather than "manufacturer refurbished", and have only a 30-day warranty versus 90—so you may be taking more chances there, dunno.
Cheers!