geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: XUR on Thu, 23 April 2020, 00:18:51
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I realized I've been spending weeks down a rabbit hole reading threads after threads of keyboard after keyboard. There are so many nuances and combinations and "limited" releases that I feel like I'm getting further away from a choice each day. So out of desperation, I'm reaching out with one of these cliche "what would you get" threads.
To keep things simple, I'm looking to purchase the highest end keyboard that I can with my budget, right now (or soon to be in a GB). Something around a 65% layout would be preferable. At this pricepoint, it would need to be something with substantial build quality and machined aluminum... from an aesthetics standpoint, it would be nice to have something blingy.
Which keyboard / build would you recommend based on the above that personally gives you the best feel and sound, etc. ? Just to help me narrow down the choices... if I can filter down to 5 top contenders of this "high end" category, I will be much better off FINALLY making a purchase.
Rama Works? TX60? OTD?
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I don't think anyone could advise you without it being inevitable that you'd be disappointed, a 1000 dollar MX board won't be 800 bucks better than a $200 one. Spending silly money on it will only be worth it if *you* fall in love with something, nobody can tell you that. There's no hidden secret amazing value in crazy expensive boards, just exclusivity and their own aesthetic.
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I'LL shoot. MKB, RAMA, OTD for starters. Those are generally the best of the best. Good luck to you getting one. I too, owning multiples of all three now do not really see a reason to spend the money. What would I get, and what do i use? A PFU limited edition Topre of course. $315 or less for a full-size and about $200 for a "65%" HHKB. If you want a "special" one get a Japanese layout HHKB with split Space bar. English caps of course. That is exactly what I use in fact. About $270.00 It is really the typing experience that should matter. Most would agree it blows away any MX. Some prefer MX though.
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I'LL shoot. MKB, RAMA, OTD for starters. Those are generally the best of the best. Good luck to you getting one. I too, owning multiples of all three now do not really see a reason to spend the money. What would I get, and what do i use? A PFU limited edition Topre of course. $315 or less for a full-size and about $200 for a "65%" HHKB. If you want a "special" one get a Japanese layout HHKB with split Space bar. English caps of course. That is exactly what I use in fact. About $270.00 It is really the typing experience that should matter. Most would agree it blows away any MX. Some prefer MX though.
Topre couldn't possibly blow away any clickies (besides maybe original Cherry MX clickies, which feel and sound like crinkling plastic grocery bags), because it doesn't click. I don't usually care for tactiles, but I'll give Topre a try if I ever get a chance. Personally, I can't fathom spending $1,000 on just a keyboard. You could get a nice Colt 1911 for that price, and I can guarantee a lot more craftsmanship went into that than any keyboard. Recently, for a few hundred more, I got a special edition high polished, etched (to look just like scroll engraving) and black filled Colt.
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So first off I would just lay out that when you start paying into the 4-digit range it's no longer about just quality. You are buying into the hype and into the history of the makers. OTD is a great example of that.
If it is indeed history and hype you are after, OTD will be out of your price range. The corsa, 356 series and koala are more of the sought after OTD boards and aftermarket easily hit 3k. The OTD aesthetic is certainly not blingy, but if you just mean you want a metal board then you are in luck because all customs are pretty much machined alu or steel. You could go for The Cheat with your price range, but again the whole point is in the hype and The Cheat isn't really a hyped board.
The higher up you go in keyboards the more neutral everything tends to be. People pay high prices for vintage keycaps (beige sets like 3000sat) and older boards because they want to own keyboard history, not bling.
Some great GB's going on right now are the 7v which could fit your aesthetic of "bling" or the Prophet which is the first ever pin mount, another incentive if you are into the history of boards. The Iron165 will have extras available in the not so distant future so there's possibility there too. Personally, if there was one board I could have it would be the OTD 356CL but it doesn't really make sense unless you are a hardcore collector or lover of board history. Like mode said, it's diminishing returns at some point (imo $4-600 at gb price) so don't push yourself to dish out 1k, especially on aftermarket prices. I know the title was more theoretical, but just my two cents :)
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I'LL shoot. MKB, RAMA, OTD for starters. Those are generally the best of the best. Good luck to you getting one. I too, owning multiples of all three now do not really see a reason to spend the money. What would I get, and what do i use? A PFU limited edition Topre of course. $315 or less for a full-size and about $200 for a "65%" HHKB. If you want a "special" one get a Japanese layout HHKB with split Space bar. English caps of course. That is exactly what I use in fact. About $270.00 It is really the typing experience that should matter. Most would agree it blows away any MX. Some prefer MX though.
"Multiples" of OTD: doubt it
"65% HHKB": doubt that one too
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If I had $1000 to blow on a keyboard, I'd buy multiple keyboards. I've yet to find one that's perfect in every way. They all have their pluses and minuses.
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Sure walie.
You are correct that HHKB is not really 65% though. That I wil give you. I was just explaining what it was like if he did not know. Mine is a Japanese layout with all Artisan caps. I put it in a off the shelf aluminum case for $85 and it fit perfect.
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I would seriously consider the drop ALT especially if you’re using an ANSI layout.
The alt ticks many of your boxes, it has the option of the nice backlighting, and per switch leds, which many higher end boards do not support (you may not want it, but the option is there).
With the extra cash, I’d buy a batch of zealpcs Switches - tactile or linear, however you please - and a fancy cable.
That will still leave you with with enough money to buy a second.
So buy a second one, with silence switches. Or just buy in on some GMK keysets that you like the look of.
Or, you know, save the money.
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Thanks everyone for the responses, it helps narrow the scope for me. The $1000 budget is a bit of an exaggeration and I certainly don't have to spend all of it, but wanted to set the bar high on what I'm willing to spend and am looking for in a keyboard.
I did email Rama to see what's going on with their M65 as I feel like that one has the most bling factor... if they release it again.
The Drop ALT does checks quite a few boxes: aluminum construction, nice LEDs. From the videos I've seen on it, the stock sound of typing on them is HORRIBLE, and not really something that I would consider "high end". I know the sound department is another subject, but from what I've heard, lubed Holy Pandas and Gateron Blacks sound nice.
Also, any thoughts on ai03 boards? https://kb.ai03.me/projects/index.html#keyboards
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Rama and TX boards are pretty good.
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Beamspring for sure, although it hurts to say that.
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Beamspring for sure, although it hurts to say that.
65% beamspring? Maybe, some day, if the Silos ever finally come out.
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Sounds like it's time to buy another kmac MINI :p
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Other creators worth mentioning are Matrix, Exclusive, & TGR.
TGR is a bit on the pricier side, so it'll be out of your price-range, but Matrix does have the Noah, which is an awesomely designed 65%. You may be able to find some in the aftermarket for sub-$1000.
Exclusive's E6.5 and RAMA's M65-A are good options as well, as I own both of these I can vouch for their quality.
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I realized I've been spending weeks down a rabbit hole reading threads after threads of keyboard after keyboard. There are so many nuances and combinations and "limited" releases that I feel like I'm getting further away from a choice each day. So out of desperation, I'm reaching out with one of these cliche "what would you get" threads.
To keep things simple, I'm looking to purchase the highest end keyboard that I can with my budget, right now (or soon to be in a GB). Something around a 65% layout would be preferable. At this pricepoint, it would need to be something with substantial build quality and machined aluminum... from an aesthetics standpoint, it would be nice to have something blingy.
Which keyboard / build would you recommend based on the above that personally gives you the best feel and sound, etc. ? Just to help me narrow down the choices... if I can filter down to 5 top contenders of this "high end" category, I will be much better off FINALLY making a purchase.
Rama Works? TX60? OTD?
GMMK with razer greens and artisans as the number row
Don't ask me why 😳
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Or a Jane with holy pandas. seems cool to me
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Drop ALT is actually deceiving. Made in China but easily touches the likes of Rama!
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Sure walie.
You are correct that HHKB is not really 65% though. That I wil give you. I was just explaining what it was like if he did not know. Mine is a Japanese layout with all Artisan caps. I put it in a off the shelf aluminum case for $85 and it fit perfect.
i would be interested to see this keyboard. can you post a picture? thanks!
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Drop ALT is actually deceiving. Made in China but easily touches the likes of Rama!
There's very little that isn't made in China these days, unfortunately.
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Drop ALT is actually deceiving. Made in China but easily touches the likes of Rama!
yeah no.
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I’d probably go for a 1.2 OG if I were suddenly given a grand. Nearly went for one built to my specifications for just under that on mech market. It’s just too much to spend on a keyboard for me even though it’s my favorite TKL custom. If I had a good chunk more to spend, my dream board is the LZ MX Mini SE. My favorite 65% is the ZealPC Zephyr and I almost bought one once. They offer some kind of hotswap socket that is apparently installable into any of their models. These three boards and I’d probably be done with customs for a while.
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Get a nice Topre or cruise /r/mechmarket for a month or so and just pick something you like. For kits over $400 everything is basically the same aside from aesthetics, so pick what you like.
Can wait for a GB, but if you don't care about money buying aftermarket will give you a better selection.