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geekhack Community => Reviews => Topic started by: RobbieFresh on Mon, 16 April 2018, 14:47:42

Title: Why I'm returning my Filco...
Post by: RobbieFresh on Mon, 16 April 2018, 14:47:42
I'm returning my brand new Filco Majestouch 2 (Cherry Blues) after only 3 days. I'm just not that impressed. I currently have a Rosewill RK-9000v2 (also cherry blue), and honestly, I'd much rather type on it than the Filco. I've noticed that the Filco Blues feel much "heavier" and "springier" than on the Rosewill for some reason. My fingers get tired only after a few minutes on the Filco. The Rosewill Blues feel much smoother and lighter. I understand this could be due to different switch "batches" but I'm not buying that. For all intents and purposes, the keyboards are essentially the same, and I'd argue that the Rosewill is nicer: detachable cable, media keys, metal outer case, slightly nicer keycaps, etc. Even the Rosewill packaging is nicer. I know there's been some complaints about the usb port on the Rosewill, but I've never had a problem.

Now don't get my wrong, the Filco is built like a tank for sure. I know that Filco's have been touted for their build quality, but honestly, I don't think the apparent higher build quality makes it worth twice as much as the Rosewill. 

I really wanted to like it because of it's legendary status, but I just can't. Of course, this is my opinion and others may have had different experiences. Anyone else have a similar experience though?
Title: Re: Why I'm returning my Filco...
Post by: saxophone on Mon, 23 April 2018, 03:56:59
What's so legendary about Filcos? All they have is being out early and having rep of being "solid". They have literally none of the features that modern keyboards should have: Detachable USB-C Cable? No. Cable path below the chassis to choose where for it to exit? No. Backlight? No. PBT caps? No. Macro Keys or programmability? No. Optical switches for removed debounce and less actuation high variation between keys? No.

The functionality it provides is really none better than that of the cheap chinese knockoff brands sold for 40$ on aliexpress/amazon/ebay while costing as much as premium keyboard. Honestly makes me wonder why people bother with this.
Title: Re: Why I'm returning my Filco...
Post by: chyros on Mon, 23 April 2018, 04:55:33
I don't understand the demand for basically any modern premium-brand keyboards anyway xD .
Title: Re: Why I'm returning my Filco...
Post by: davkol on Mon, 23 April 2018, 06:32:23
Rosewill's detachable cable: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=35679.0

The main difference between cheap and expensive Costar keyboards is the PCB: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=63497.0
Title: Re: Why I'm returning my Filco...
Post by: pr0ximity on Mon, 23 April 2018, 06:40:11
Filco's niche is plain, professional boards with high quality components and assembly. They're not the only ones on the block any more in that department, but they're still fairly nice if you want something that will last I'd imagine.
Title: Re: Why I'm returning my Filco...
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 25 April 2018, 06:45:10
Quote from: chyros on Mon, 23 April 2018, 04:55:33
I don't understand the demand for basically any modern premium-brand keyboards anyway xD .

They're young people -Chyros-..

We're suppose to dislike them, and they're suppose to confuse and h8 us back.

That's the cycle
Title: Re: Why I'm returning my Filco...
Post by: chyros on Wed, 25 April 2018, 07:33:38
Quote from: tp4tissue on Wed, 25 April 2018, 06:45:10
Quote from: chyros on Mon, 23 April 2018, 04:55:33
I don't understand the demand for basically any modern premium-brand keyboards anyway xD .

They're young people -Chyros-..

We're suppose to dislike them, and they're suppose to confuse and h8 us back.

That's the cycle
Speak for yourself :p .

I just look down on their crappy keyboards :p .
Title: Re: Why I'm returning my Filco...
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 25 April 2018, 17:52:40
Quote from: chyros on Wed, 25 April 2018, 07:33:38
Quote from: tp4tissue on Wed, 25 April 2018, 06:45:10
Quote from: chyros on Mon, 23 April 2018, 04:55:33
I don't understand the demand for basically any modern premium-brand keyboards anyway xD .

They're young people -Chyros-..

We're suppose to dislike them, and they're suppose to confuse and h8 us back.

That's the cycle
Speak for yourself :p .

I just look down on their crappy keyboards :p .

(https://i.imgur.com/qGg7oTJ.gif)
Title: Re: Why I'm returning my Filco...
Post by: Tom_Kazansky on Fri, 27 April 2018, 07:44:16
Filco is a good board and would last a long time :)
The only thing I dislike about Filco is that they don't have media keys.

For some reasons, Filco from retailers in my country has like... 5 years guarantee, no ideas where they got that confidence from. Originally Filco has 1 year guarantee, I think.
Title: Re: Why I'm returning my Filco...
Post by: Riverman on Wed, 02 May 2018, 10:57:54
If I was in the market for a brand new keyboard, I'd buy a Leopold over a Filco in a heartbeat.  I think the used prices for Filcos are more indicative of their true value.  I've bought a couple for around $60 on eBay, and I think they're a great deal for that price, but definitely not at $100+.  The main reason I have the Filcos I do have is because the layout is completely standard and there's nothing weird or off-putting about their appearance.
Title: Re: Why I'm returning my Filco...
Post by: Blaise170 on Wed, 02 May 2018, 11:02:14
Most mass-produced keyboards depreciate in value after being used, $60 is still a fair price to pay.
Title: Re: Why I'm returning my Filco...
Post by: hyperlite218 on Thu, 07 June 2018, 20:31:17
For the money i would much rather build a cheap custom.
Title: Re: Why I'm returning my Filco...
Post by: Pewpew on Thu, 07 June 2018, 20:34:06
Quote from: tp4tissue on Wed, 25 April 2018, 17:52:40
Quote from: chyros on Wed, 25 April 2018, 07:33:38
Quote from: tp4tissue on Wed, 25 April 2018, 06:45:10
Quote from: chyros on Mon, 23 April 2018, 04:55:33
I don't understand the demand for basically any modern premium-brand keyboards anyway xD .

They're young people -Chyros-..

We're suppose to dislike them, and they're suppose to confuse and h8 us back.

That's the cycle
Speak for yourself :p .

I just look down on their crappy keyboards :p .

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/qGg7oTJ.gif)


I feel you  :D