Joining up, looking for help!

[josefnpat]

Hey folks,

I've been researching via google for a few months, and time and time again, I find myself at this forum, drooling over the keyboards.

I'm sure you get requests for "halp, looking for for new keyb" so I thought I'd ask it with my initial post!

From my research, I'm looking for a keyboard that fits the following parameters;

• Cherry MX Brown Switch Keys
• Black
• Blank Keycaps
• Spacesaver
• ~100 USD
• If I like it, I plan on getting a second one for work, so they can't be impossible to find.

Features I really don't want;

• backlit
• wireless

I honed in on the Filco brand, but it's incredibly hard to figure out what the stock is, as there isn't any through documentation of the different types.

That being said, I am most certainly open to other brands!

As for myself, I've been using the i-rocks rf 6520 for about 5 years now, and it hasn't died on me yet, but I really need a new keyboard!

[rowdy]

Welcome to Geekhack!

I would say that Filco is a good brand to start with, having one on order myself at the moment, but I will let others chime in with availability and perhaps a more specific recommendation in the US.  Keyboard availability here in Australia tends to be somewhat different.

[jeroplane]

You're right about the availability in Australia, rowdy. That was the basis for me getting a Filco, since other cheaper brands ended up costing as much as a Filco with shipping taken into account.

From what I've seen, at that price point and those specs, the first one that comes to mind is the Leopold FC200RT Tenkeyless Tactile Touch "Otaku" Keyboard. It fits what you want exactly (http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,tenkeyless&pid=fc200rtabn). The only thing is their unique space bar which would make buying custom keycap sets difficult.

I'm sure other people will fill you in on other choices.

Personally I'm really liking my Filco Majestouch 2 Tenkeyless as my first mech keyboard. You get what you pay for. Very solid keyboard and you don't hear too much bad about them.

Good luck with the search and eventual purchase!

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

[josefnpat]

Welcome to Geekhack!

I would say that Filco is a good brand to start with, having one on order myself at the moment, but I will let others chime in with availability and perhaps a more specific recommendation in the US.  Keyboard availability here in Australia tends to be somewhat different.

Thank you! I've heard a lot of good things about filco.

You're right about the availability in Australia, rowdy. That was the basis for me getting a Filco, since other cheaper brands ended up costing as much as a Filco with shipping taken into account.

From what I've seen, at that price point and those specs, the first one that comes to mind is the Leopold FC200RT Tenkeyless Tactile Touch "Otaku" Keyboard. It fits what you want exactly (http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,tenkeyless&pid=fc200rtabn). The only thing is their unique space bar which would make buying custom keycap sets difficult.

I'm sure other people will fill you in on other choices.

Personally I'm really liking my Filco Majestouch 2 Tenkeyless as my first mech keyboard. You get what you pay for. Very solid keyboard and you don't hear too much bad about them.

Good luck with the search and eventual purchase!

I was hesitant at first to even consider a keyboard named, "Otaku", but looking at the specs they are dead on. Are the leopold keyboards of good quality? I haven't heard much about them.

I found the filco store on amazon, but am sad to see no blank keycaps. Is there a way to buy a set?

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61075086/Welcome.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/61075086/Thank_You.jpg


Also, to the question "A popular serial bus for keyboard connectivity:", why doesn't PS2 work?

[Halverson]

If you bought a Filco from Amazon, and still wanted to get blank caps. You have a few options.

http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=98 Should fit fine, but can only get a full set of caps, would end up having extras you don't need.

http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/item/pbt-key-caps/brand-filco-104-set-print-blan/lid=19017125 Can choose white or black blanks from Qtans store. Again, full set.

http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/87-key-cherry-mx-keycap-set.html 87 set, multiple colours to choose from. ABS instead of PBT.

[Appeac]

Welcome to Geekhack.

The Otaku Leopold sounds like exactly what you need. The reason I like this forum is because they actually recommend the thing you're looking for.

[josefnpat]

If you bought a Filco from Amazon, and still wanted to get blank caps. You have a few options.

http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=98 Should fit fine, but can only get a full set of caps, would end up having extras you don't need.

http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/item/pbt-key-caps/brand-filco-104-set-print-blan/lid=19017125 Can choose white or black blanks from Qtans store. Again, full set.

http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/87-key-cherry-mx-keycap-set.html 87 set, multiple colours to choose from. ABS instead of PBT.

Well, the filco's are already 150$ and adding another 40$ really puts them out of my price range, but at least it's good to know. Thank you!

Welcome to Geekhack.

The Otaku Leopold sounds like exactly what you need. The reason I like this forum is because they actually recommend the thing you're looking for.

I am really starting to lean towards the Leopold now at this point. Thank you for the feedback!