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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: tp4tissue on Sun, 26 June 2016, 20:48:56

Title: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sun, 26 June 2016, 20:48:56

Our hobby has gone mainstream people..


It's over...   we're not the cool kids any more...
 
(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/embarrassed2-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862502)

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 26 June 2016, 21:57:50

Link?

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: klennkellon on Mon, 27 June 2016, 00:17:01

Blue ALPS for $30 please please please

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: ThoughtArtist on Mon, 27 June 2016, 00:29:08

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-1394099-model-M-clicky-keyboard-10-11-97-AS-IS-missing-keys-untested-/141933483495

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: davkol on Mon, 27 June 2016, 02:42:31

Zalman K500 and garbage like that is all over the place.

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: iMav on Mon, 27 June 2016, 03:13:22

Before GH became popular, I could get tenkeyless Model M's for $15-20 regularly on eBay. 

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 27 June 2016, 05:18:22

Quote from: iMav on Mon, 27 June 2016, 03:13:22

Before GH became popular, I could get tenkeyless Model M's for $15-20 regularly on eBay. 

Do you think GH's rising popularity has led to higher Model M prices?

There's a faction of Model M fans here (I'm one), but probably not enough to push up the online price for the keyboards.

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: Findecanor on Mon, 27 June 2016, 05:26:24

With the recent few years' resurgence in popularity for mechanical keyboards, Model Ms have been in various articles and discussion forums all over the web. The price has risen to around $100 where I live, which is quite crazy...

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 27 June 2016, 05:30:43

Quote from: Findecanor on Mon, 27 June 2016, 05:26:24

With the recent few years' resurgence in popularity for mechanical keyboards, Model Ms have been in various articles and discussion forums all over the web. The price has risen to around $100 where I live, which is quite crazy...

I re-read iMav's post properly when I switched back to the tab (sorry, iMav :p) and he's referring to the SSK - definitely much more expensive now!

Although I did manage to get my first two full size Model M for $31 total.  Albeit missing a few keycaps and both cables, but that was fairly easily rectified.

Each of my SSKs cost a lot more than that though!

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: kekman on Mon, 27 June 2016, 06:16:04

a surge in people flipping boards for a profit probably

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Mon, 27 June 2016, 07:13:36

Quote from: tp4tissue on Sun, 26 June 2016, 20:48:56

Our hobby has gone mainstream people..


It's over...   we're not the cool kids any more...
 

Show Image

(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/embarrassed2-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862502)

when were we ever "the cool kids"?

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: kekman on Mon, 27 June 2016, 07:14:38

Quote from: Computer-Lab in Basement on Mon, 27 June 2016, 07:13:36

Quote from: tp4tissue on Sun, 26 June 2016, 20:48:56

Our hobby has gone mainstream people..


It's over...   we're not the cool kids any more...
 

Show Image

(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/embarrassed2-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862502)

when were we ever "the cool kids"?

when le glorious pc mastuh race started saying we were!!!   :cool: 

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 27 June 2016, 12:05:03

Quote from: kekman on Mon, 27 June 2016, 07:14:38

Quote from: Computer-Lab in Basement on Mon, 27 June 2016, 07:13:36

Quote from: tp4tissue on Sun, 26 June 2016, 20:48:56

Our hobby has gone mainstream people..


It's over...   we're not the cool kids any more...
 

Show Image

(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/embarrassed2-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862502)

when were we ever "the cool kids"?

when le glorious pc mastuh race started saying we were!!!   :cool: 

I think the QFR was the major turning point at $60 a pop..

Then when the monoprice came along, it was a race to the bottom..

I think we're pretty much at the bottom now that cherry's patent ran out.

This is pretty low tech stuff that anyone can make. .

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: 1391406 on Mon, 27 June 2016, 12:27:36

What's the concern?

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: dante on Mon, 27 June 2016, 12:58:21

SSK prices will take a great big kick in the balls should Ellipse start making F SSKs.

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: emdude on Mon, 27 June 2016, 13:01:31

I am not sure about that, not if it's at the price point of his Kishsavers.  Unicomp on the other hand..

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: 1391406 on Mon, 27 June 2016, 13:52:12

Well, and some people will pay more for a vintage original.

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: chyros on Mon, 27 June 2016, 16:57:57

And some people can't stand a 60% layout :p .

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: supamesican on Mon, 27 June 2016, 19:54:44

Microcenter has had $30 mechanical keyboards for over a year now.  They are cherry(clones) so they are ****e but still worlds above any rubber dome + membrane board. But they are a good entry level thing for people who just want ether a decent board thats not too expensive for want a cheap way to entry the mech world and start collecting like we do now.

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 27 June 2016, 21:26:19

Quote from: supamesican on Mon, 27 June 2016, 19:54:44

Microcenter has had $30 mechanical keyboards for over a year now.  They are cherry(clones) so they are ****e but still worlds above any rubber dome + membrane board. But they are a good entry level thing for people who just want ether a decent board thats not too expensive for want a cheap way to entry the mech world and start collecting like we do now.

that board is even cheaper on amazon.. $26.99 ..

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: Blaise170 on Mon, 27 June 2016, 22:53:00

I got my Lingyi Blackwidow from Taobao for only 100 CN¥ ($15) about 6 months ago. Had fairly decent Outemu switches in it which isn't bad considering. Worlds above any membrane keyboard.

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: klennkellon on Tue, 28 June 2016, 00:33:27

I always vouch for vintage boards if someone wants to try a mechanical on a budget. A Dell AT-101 in good condition is a common, well built, and highly moddable keyboard. I also recommend FK-2001's and Model M's.

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: supamesican on Tue, 28 June 2016, 07:55:41

Normally I recommend vintage stuff for n00bs too, but not everyone  wants to get used and some people(like me) like getting these cheap boards for the novelty.

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: davkol on Tue, 28 June 2016, 16:47:00

Quote from: Blaise170 on Mon, 27 June 2016, 22:53:00

I got my Lingyi Blackwidow from Taobao for only 100 CN¥ ($15) about 6 months ago. Had fairly decent Outemu switches in it which isn't bad considering. Worlds above any membrane keyboard.

IBM Model M is a membrane keyboard.

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: Blaise170 on Tue, 28 June 2016, 17:21:43

Quote from: davkol on Tue, 28 June 2016, 16:47:00

Quote from: Blaise170 on Mon, 27 June 2016, 22:53:00

I got my Lingyi Blackwidow from Taobao for only 100 CN¥ ($15) about 6 months ago. Had fairly decent Outemu switches in it which isn't bad considering. Worlds above any membrane keyboard.

IBM Model M is a membrane keyboard.

Okay, don't have to be so pedantic. I meant any rubber dome over membrane board.

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: fohat.digs on Tue, 28 June 2016, 17:53:44

Quote from: Blaise170 on Tue, 28 June 2016, 17:21:43

Quote from: davkol on Tue, 28 June 2016, 16:47:00

IBM Model M is a membrane keyboard.

Okay, don't have to be so pedantic.

This is not a trivial distinction.

A lot of non-IBM users think of "switches" and get very confused because they don't understand that M/Fs have "mechanisms", but not switches.

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: supamesican on Tue, 28 June 2016, 18:30:25

Quote from: dante on Mon, 27 June 2016, 12:58:21

SSK prices will take a great big kick in the balls should Ellipse start making F SSKs.

not at 350 bucks a pop they wont.  I want to get one of the kishver 77 if he is still doing it at chirstimas time - next spring, but at 350 not everyone would get one. Now if they were around 100 bucks like unicomp a lot of people would get them. Which is why I dont see ssk prices falling unless unicomp makes them or someone for that price.

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: supamesican on Tue, 28 June 2016, 18:31:07

Quote from: tp4tissue on Mon, 27 June 2016, 21:26:19

Quote from: supamesican on Mon, 27 June 2016, 19:54:44

Microcenter has had $30 mechanical keyboards for over a year now.  They are cherry(clones) so they are ****e but still worlds above any rubber dome + membrane board. But they are a good entry level thing for people who just want ether a decent board thats not too expensive for want a cheap way to entry the mech world and start collecting like we do now.

that board is even cheaper on amazon.. $26.99 ..

the zalman? I cant find it if so

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: zephyr11 on Tue, 28 June 2016, 20:28:17

the thing about becoming mainstream, there's good and there's bad.

good because options will start to appear, (tonnes actually), kepcaps, switches, boards, cables, what not. these I think will be good because they are eventually targeted at high end users, I believe quality of products will go up, to differentiate themselves from the current ones, the only way to that is to make them better, (maybe I can finally get a set of dolch keycaps for a decent price).

bad maybe because every mother's son will be using a mech kb, though that might not be ideal for early adopters, it will be able to be used "tell" if you just jumped on the bandwagon, or "have been in it for awhile". so bad might not be that bad afterall.

 ;)


just what I think and feel. I'm sure there'll be people who think different, but I think we are all here to share and learn!

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: dante on Tue, 28 June 2016, 21:20:23

Quote from: supamesican on Tue, 28 June 2016, 18:30:25

Quote from: dante on Mon, 27 June 2016, 12:58:21

SSK prices will take a great big kick in the balls should Ellipse start making F SSKs.

not at 350 bucks a pop they wont.  I want to get one of the kishver 77 if he is still doing it at chirstimas time - next spring, but at 350 not everyone would get one. Now if they were around 100 bucks like unicomp a lot of people would get them. Which is why I dont see ssk prices falling unless unicomp makes them or someone for that price.

Let me rephrase ... if I were to buy a SSK I'd get one of those on ebay that are bolt modded for around $550.  Now between that and a brand new F SSK for a theoretical $350 - who do you think is going to get the money?

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 29 June 2016, 12:56:42

Quote from: dante on Tue, 28 June 2016, 21:20:23

Quote from: supamesican on Tue, 28 June 2016, 18:30:25

Quote from: dante on Mon, 27 June 2016, 12:58:21

SSK prices will take a great big kick in the balls should Ellipse start making F SSKs.

not at 350 bucks a pop they wont.  I want to get one of the kishver 77 if he is still doing it at chirstimas time - next spring, but at 350 not everyone would get one. Now if they were around 100 bucks like unicomp a lot of people would get them. Which is why I dont see ssk prices falling unless unicomp makes them or someone for that price.

Let me rephrase ... if I were to buy a SSK I'd get one of those on ebay that are bolt modded for around $550.  Now between that and a brand new F SSK for a theoretical $350 - who do you think is going to get the money?

the new one ..  Do i get a sticker..

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: dante on Wed, 29 June 2016, 13:38:05

Quote from: tp4tissue on Wed, 29 June 2016, 12:56:42

Quote from: dante on Tue, 28 June 2016, 21:20:23

Quote from: supamesican on Tue, 28 June 2016, 18:30:25

Quote from: dante on Mon, 27 June 2016, 12:58:21

SSK prices will take a great big kick in the balls should Ellipse start making F SSKs.

not at 350 bucks a pop they wont.  I want to get one of the kishver 77 if he is still doing it at chirstimas time - next spring, but at 350 not everyone would get one. Now if they were around 100 bucks like unicomp a lot of people would get them. Which is why I dont see ssk prices falling unless unicomp makes them or someone for that price.

Let me rephrase ... if I were to buy a SSK I'd get one of those on ebay that are bolt modded for around $550.  Now between that and a brand new F SSK for a theoretical $350 - who do you think is going to get the money?

the new one ..  Do i get a sticker..

No, but you get a slap on the ass!

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: Melvang on Wed, 29 June 2016, 15:21:55

A couple months before last years KeyCon, I picked up two white alps boards from alixpress for $30 shipped.

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 29 June 2016, 22:39:45

Quote from: dante on Wed, 29 June 2016, 13:38:05

Quote from: tp4tissue on Wed, 29 June 2016, 12:56:42

Quote from: dante on Tue, 28 June 2016, 21:20:23

Quote from: supamesican on Tue, 28 June 2016, 18:30:25

Quote from: dante on Mon, 27 June 2016, 12:58:21

SSK prices will take a great big kick in the balls should Ellipse start making F SSKs.

not at 350 bucks a pop they wont.  I want to get one of the kishver 77 if he is still doing it at chirstimas time - next spring, but at 350 not everyone would get one. Now if they were around 100 bucks like unicomp a lot of people would get them. Which is why I dont see ssk prices falling unless unicomp makes them or someone for that price.

Let me rephrase ... if I were to buy a SSK I'd get one of those on ebay that are bolt modded for around $550.  Now between that and a brand new F SSK for a theoretical $350 - who do you think is going to get the money?

the new one ..  Do i get a sticker..

No, but you get a slap on the ass!

(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/dead-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862498)

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: fohat.digs on Thu, 30 June 2016, 07:12:12

Are you guys watching this?

https://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/cheapest-tenkeyless-keyboard-t14107.html (https://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/cheapest-tenkeyless-keyboard-t14107.html)

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: zephyr11 on Thu, 30 June 2016, 21:32:37

^^^^^^^^^

Interesting, always wondered what switches the cheaper boards used, my Zhuque came with othemu, there's also some with kailh. beenw anting to try something with another brand, but just found out zelios is avail in plate mount, I think i'll check that one out first.

Title: Re: $30 Mechanical keyboards ?
Post by: Blaise170 on Thu, 30 June 2016, 21:39:53

My Lingyi came with "Content" switches which actually didn't feel too bad. It looks identical to Gaote (Outemu) switches though so I'd wager that they are just rebrands. Swapped them out for Gateron Greens and it is a great little keyboard for the price I paid.