Have you preordered a Das Keyboard III?

[bigpook]

I am still waiting for my shipping notice. They emailed me and said that the pre-orders where higher than expected. Hopefully, it will ship this Friday.

[iMav]

Are you ure they have Command keys? I asked about them a while ago and they said they would include a few blanks to take the place of them.

I bet that Hooleon Keyboards can provide custom keycaps for the Model M's.

[alpslover]

there's something odd about blue cherries that i'm not too keen on, but i can't quite place it.  maybe it'll just take some getting used to.  and the legs could be higher.

also, odd results in the rollover test (see rollover thread).

[Waves77]

I bet that Hooleon Keyboards can provide custom keycaps for the Model M's.

I contacted the guy from clickykeyboards once, and according to them nobody makes keycaps for model m's the main problem being the larger keys (shift, enter, etc.).

[iMav]

I contacted the guy from clickykeyboards once, and according to them nobody makes keycaps for model m's the main problem being the larger keys (shift, enter, etc.).

One need only look to Unicomp to see that statement is false.

[Waves77]

One need only look to Unicomp to see that statement is false.

I'm talking removable keycaps. As far as I know Unicomp's are all one piece keyswitches right? (i.e. the keycaps is directly attached the the buckling spring mechanism).

[bigpook]

Thats not true. I have a Unicomp keyboard with the 2 piece keys.

I have another Unicomp keyboard with all black keys, they are one piece.

[Waves77]

Thats not true. I have a Unicomp keyboard with the 2 piece keys.

I have another Unicomp keyboard with all black keys, they are one piece.

Really? Which one of them is the 2 piece one?

[iMav]

The Unicomp 84-key spacesaver I bought new from them last fall also has the two-piece keys.

[bigpook]

I have  a Customizer with the linux layout, black case with grey keys. This is the keyboard with 2 piece keys.

I have a Unicomp spacesaver, black case, with black keys, no letters. This keyboard has 1 piece keys.

[xsphat]

Hey, since there are like 50 people here that bought a Das III, why don't one of you post a picture?

[003]

Most people don't have it yet.

[sugar]

Here are some pictures, just got it this afternoon... sorry for the pic quality, warm lighting and no tripod... hope someone can post better pics.

[sugar]

continuing with 3 more pics...

I didn't get any bottom shots. It's made in Taiwan. It has two commonly seen flipping raisers and a soft anti-slipping foam sticker at each corners.

[xsphat]

Very nice looking keyobard. Does the glossy finish smudge easy? If so, does it clean up easy?

[Ulysses31]

The keycaps look really shiny, or is that just because of the camera flash?  In general it looks better than in the promotional pictures i've seen.

[Bluemercury]

How does this compare with DASII???i have the DASII, i wonder if i should get this, it does look a lot smaller....

[sugar]

The keycaps look really shiny, or is that just because of the camera flash?  In general it looks better than in the promotional pictures i've seen.

I think those are the tiny grains on the plastic key surface reflecting light. You can't see them with bare eyes or feel them. The key surface doesn't seem to have any visible/obvious shinny or glossy coating and it feels smoother than my other crappy keyboards (the grains on DK3 *look* smaller).

Very nice looking keyobard. Does the glossy finish smudge easy? If so, does it clean up easy?

The glossy plastic cover doesn't seem very "sensitive" but it probably will get scratched by sharper objects than fingernails. :lol:
I have been typing for the whole night and a tiny bit this morning and it doesn't seem to have any smudges on the finish, yet. Too soon to tell I guess.
--------------------
(Pro version only) I don't know how the letters are "printed" but the surface of the ENTER key feels a lot smoother than the other longer lettering keys. Don't know if that's good or bad

[smy]

the keyboard is a dust magnet. Mine requires wiping almost everyday to keep the dust off. And yes, fingernails will scratch the shiny plastic.

Other than that, the only problem i have with the Das keyboard is that I don't have one of those in my office

[lowpoly]

I brush the dust off my black HHKB daily. This is common with black keyboards.

[itlnstln]

I brush the dust off my black HHKB daily. This is common with black keyboards.

I keep a feather duster at my desk for just this purpose.  We use Dell computers here, so everything we have is black.  Well, except for my keyboard

[Korbin]

How does this compare with DASII???i have the DASII, i wonder if i should get this, it does look a lot smaller....

It does take up less space an your desk than the II. To me it sounds quieter than the II. All you hear is the true snap of the key. Not the resonating "hollow click" sound that will remind you of a lot of model m's like the Das II.  

The board is also heavier than the Das II. My Das II has a tendency to slide around a little too much an my desk the III is definitely heavier (that's something I love about the a 7G and Filco boards).

Other than that, the boards are the same other than the added features (N-Key Rollover and USB ports).

[bhtooefr]

Most of the keys on my EnduraPro 104 (UB40PGA, black, grey keys) are one-piece, but both Ctrl keys, Tab, and backslash are all two-piece.

[alpslover]

Very nice looking keyobard. Does the glossy finish smudge easy? If so, does it clean up easy?

yes and yes.

out of all the mechanical keyboards i've used, the das 3 has the most solid, satisfying, authentic old school manual typewriter 'clack' when its keys are bottomed.

but there is just something i find a little off about the feel of the switches on the way down....almost like they don't always feel consistent from keystroke to keystroke so i find it difficult to get a good typing rhythm going.  perhaps this is due to the unnecessarily complicated two-piece slider design.

[Bluemercury]

It does take up less space an your desk than the II. To me it sounds quieter than the II. All you hear is the true snap of the key. Not the resonating "hollow click" sound that will remind you of a lot of model m's like the Das II.  

The board is also heavier than the Das II. My Das II has a tendency to slide around a little too much an my desk the III is definitely heavier (that's something I love about the a 7G and Filco boards).

Other than that, the boards are the same other than the added features (N-Key Rollover and USB ports).

Sounds better then. I might try to sell my DASII first, but i have soo many keyboards to acquire.....i already payed the first half for a HHKP2, and i might get the mackally for the alps switches, i still have to get a cherry browns too, and now this looks great.....:S

I might try to sell or "change" my MODEL M5-1......

[Bluemercury]

yes and yes.

out of all the mechanical keyboards i've used, the das 3 has the most solid, satisfying, authentic old school manual typewriter 'clack' when its keys are bottomed.

but there is just something i find a little off about the feel of the switches on the way down....almost like they don't always feel consistent from keystroke to keystroke so i find it difficult to get a good typing rhythm going.  perhaps this is due to the unnecessarily complicated two-piece slider design.

Damn now you're making it sound even worse......i might have to buy this.....:S

[Korbin]

Damn now you're making it sound even worse......i might have to buy this.....:S

I couldn't tell a difference in the key action myself. Ultimately your buying decision will be down to whether the new look, added weight and USB ports are worth the 130 bucks.

[Bluemercury]

I couldn't tell a difference in the key action myself. Ultimately your buying decision will be down to whether the new look, added weight and USB ports are worth the 130 bucks.

So you have the two keyboards?do they feel exactly the same?

[Korbin]

So you have the two keyboards?do they feel exactly the same?

Yup. I have both of them and they feel exactly the same. The only difference other than the obvious features (like the USB slots) is the new one is heavier and sounds a little quieter.

[bigpook]

I just got my das III.
Woohoo : )   I need to use it for awhile to get used to it but first impressions are that the blue cherrys are not as loud as the buckling springs. But they do have a click to them which is good.
They all seem to take less pressure to actuate too. Time will tell if I end up liking it.

The top plate is all shiny, will be curious to see how it holds up and if it will smudge.

The fonts are really cool on the keys. and the non-symmetrical shape is not as bad as it looked in the pictures.

It also seems that it will not work on my KVM switch, which really bites.

[003]

I just received the DK Pro today, it's no model M as far as typing goes, but it works well and feels/sounds good.

[bigpook]

I am in agreement with 003. Its day 2 for me and I think I need to give it a week or so but so far I am kind of disappointed. The action is too light but the click is ok. It almost feels dainty when I type. I think I will stop now. I feel a rant coming on. : (

[iMav]

I am in agreement with 003. Its day 2 for me and I think I need to give it a week or so but so far I am kind of disappointed. The action is too light but the click is ok. It almost feels dainty when I type. I think I will stop now. I feel a rant coming on. : (

Actually, that is one thing that I like about the blues.  You can just "flick" your fingers at the keys.  I find that, once adjusted, I can type incredibly fast and accurate on them.

[bhtooefr]

Hmm. Light actuation.

Crap, I really need to get a keyboard with blues. Sounds like I'd really like them. (I love light, tactile, audible keyboards.)

[bigpook]

Actually, that is one thing that I like about the blues.  You can just "flick" your fingers at the keys.  I find that, once adjusted, I can type incredibly fast and accurate on them.

Yes, that is a good point. However, I will need to get used to it. I spend a lot of hours using the bs keyboards. It's almost like I get medieval on it. You actively type on a buckling spring keyboard. There is no doubt when you make contact with the key. Heck,  the key is pushing your finger on the upstroke. Theres lots of feedback there.
The cherry blue switches on the other hand are almost ethereal in comparison. On the bs keyboard I can rest my fingers on the home row and feel the resistance of the keys underneath my fingers. On the DasIII it doesn't take much force at all to register the key. This is not a bad thing, but I will need to spend a fair bit of time using it and adjust to the way it works.  The keystroke is different too, its almost like its linear as the key is depressed. Towards the bottom it clicks. Its cool though.

[bigpook]

Hmm. Light actuation.

Crap, I really need to get a keyboard with blues. Sounds like I'd really like them. (I love light, tactile, audible keyboards.)

Judging from the above, I think you would like this keyboard.

[003]

Hey, why is the DK Pro rated for 20 million keystrokes per key, and the Cherry G80-3000 is rated for 50 million? I thought they both use the cherry blue actuators? I have both keyboards, so whats up with the big difference?

[bigpook]

Hey, why is the DK Pro rated for 20 million keystrokes per key, and the Cherry G80-3000 is rated for 50 million? I thought they both use the cherry blue actuators? I have both keyboards, so whats up with the big difference?

I have no idea, thats quite a difference.

[Ulysses31]

50 million actuations is for Cherry blacks only.  The G80-3000 most commonly comes with blacks although there are a few with blues and browns knocking around although they seem to be stocked in a very limited number of places.

[003]

Can you give a brief explanation of the differences between the various Cherry actuators? It would be very helpful

[outofideas]

Here's my impressions of the Das Keyboard Professional after using it for 3 days.  I've been using Model Ms for several years so that's what I'll be comparing it to.

I've noticed 2 main differences:
1. The feel, The Das Keyboard has a slightly lighter feel.  I find the difference is more noticeable when I release the key, rather than when I press it.  The Das Keyboard feels a bit mushy when it reaches the click point on the way back up.  On day 1 I noticed the T key was stuck at that point, though it only happened once.  Also the Das Keyboard feels a little more grating/uneven when you press a key, compared to the Model M, which is smoother.

2. The sound, the IBM just clicks, the Das Keyboard has a bit more of a white noise sound to it's clicks.  I saw it described as a "snick" on Ars.  Also I notice the sound of the keys bottoming out a lot more when typing on the Das Keyboard.  

I mainly program, and play games, with a bit of writing on the side.  I've done more gaming than anything with the new keyboard so far, so this is still a tentative opinion.  But so far I'd say I prefer the Model M for writing/programming, and the Das Keyboard for gaming, mainly due to the n-key rollover, though the lighter feel is nicer for gaming as well.

I bought the Das Keyboard hoping for a Model M with N key rollover, "windows" keys, and slightly less noise.  It's close, but not quite 100%.  I'd guess the main issues causing me to not like the feel of the Das Keyboard as much, are the slight grittiness, and the mushier key return of the cherry key switches.  I could imagine both improving a bit with some wear.

Does anyone know of another Keyboard that would be a closer match to a Model M with N key rollover and "windows" keys?  I know I can get "windows" keys from unicomp, but they don't do n-key rollover.  Other possibilities I'm aware of would be a Filco or Avant Prime, both available now at around $150, and possibly a Deck Legend or steelseries keyboard with brown/blue cherries in the future.

Has anyone here replaced a Model M with an Avant or a Filco and been happy with the change?

A final small difference is the Das Keyboard Professional's complete lack of PS/2 compatibility.  I use a PS/2 KVM switch and my Das Keyboard doesn't work with it.  Though at some point in the near future I'll be switching to a new KVM switch with USB and DVI so it won't a long term problem for me.

[xsphat]

I think the feel of the Model M is pretty much a standalone in the field of keyboards. Alps switches are closer to the feel of the M than the Cherry blues, but they don't go as deep and they are more wobbly than the buckling springs. I don't think black Cherry's are going to be your thing and I would bet money the Cherry browns won't be it either. If I were you, I'd get a keyboard with clicky white Alps sliders and try it out before you go and spend $150 on an Avant Prime. Try a Macally MK96 - you can pick one up on eBay for about $25 shipped.

BTW, I have owned keyboards with all the switches I've mentioned in this post.

[003]

Here's my impressions of the Das Keyboard Professional after using it for 3 days.  I've been using Model Ms for several years so that's what I'll be comparing it to.

I've noticed 2 main differences:
1. The feel, The Das Keyboard has a slightly lighter feel.  I find the difference is more noticeable when I release the key, rather than when I press it.  The Das Keyboard feels a bit mushy when it reaches the click point on the way back up.  On day 1 I noticed the T key was stuck at that point, though it only happened once.  Also the Das Keyboard feels a little more grating/uneven when you press a key, compared to the Model M, which is smoother.

2. The sound, the IBM just clicks, the Das Keyboard has a bit more of a white noise sound to it's clicks.  I saw it described as a "snick" on Ars.  Also I notice the sound of the keys bottoming out a lot more when typing on the Das Keyboard.  

I mainly program, and play games, with a bit of writing on the side.  I've done more gaming than anything with the new keyboard so far, so this is still a tentative opinion.  But so far I'd say I prefer the Model M for writing/programming, and the Das Keyboard for gaming, mainly due to the n-key rollover, though the lighter feel is nicer for gaming as well.

I bought the Das Keyboard hoping for a Model M with N key rollover, "windows" keys, and slightly less noise.  It's close, but not quite 100%.  I'd guess the main issues causing me to not like the feel of the Das Keyboard as much, are the slight grittiness, and the mushier key return of the cherry key switches.  I could imagine both improving a bit with some wear.

Does anyone know of another Keyboard that would be a closer match to a Model M with N key rollover and "windows" keys?  I know I can get "windows" keys from unicomp, but they don't do n-key rollover.  Other possibilities I'm aware of would be a Filco or Avant Prime, both available now at around $150, and possibly a Deck Legend or steelseries keyboard with brown/blue cherries in the future.

Has anyone here replaced a Model M with an Avant or a Filco and been happy with the change?

A final small difference is the Das Keyboard Professional's complete lack of PS/2 compatibility.  I use a PS/2 KVM switch and my Das Keyboard doesn't work with it.  Though at some point in the near future I'll be switching to a new KVM switch with USB and DVI so it won't a long term problem for me.

The Avant Prime (and Stellar) only has 3-key rollover, and the lettering on the keys will come off. I called and asked. I am in exactly your position in looking for a keyboard, and I agree 100% with everything you said, including preferring the DK Pro to the Model M for gaming.

[xsphat]

That's incorrect. The Avant Prime has n-key rollover, just like all the Northgate Omnikeys do. It states that on their website:
http://www.cvtinc.com/products/keyboards/comparison.htm
 and I distictly remember reading about it elsewhere.

Barring logos and a few other small internal changes, the Avant Prime is identical to the Omnikey 101P, and the Stellar is identical to the Omnikey Ultra T. Call them again and ask them when they removed that feature. I'm betting it has N-key rollover.

[003]

I called up CVT and they tested n-key rollover for me, and told me over the phone that it would register up to 3 simultaneous key presses.

I just ordered a PS2 Deck Legend after confirming via e-mail that it supports unlimited key rollover (with PS2; 6 with USB), and uses black cherry actuators, rated for 50m presses. The only possible issue I see with the Deck Legend would be the black cherries, but really, they can't be that bad, and everything else with the keyboard is near perfect as far as I'm concerned. I will likely be returning the DK Pro.

It feels too dainty and smudges horribly.

[xsphat]

The black Cherry's are pretty bad. The feel like rubber dome switches. I've tried to like them for about a year and I can't do it.

You should have got a Prime and returned it if it doesn't do n-key rollover like it says it does everywhere. If they are making false claims on their website, they have to give you your money back. The rep you talked to most likely just wanted to get you off the phone because know more about keyboards than they did.

[003]

This negative talk about the black cherries is unnerving to say the least but the fact stands that I have yet to try them myself. If I don't like them, I will return the keyboard. My list of possible keyboards is dwindling

If I could just make my Model M have unlimited key rollover ...

[iMav]

This negative talk about the black cherries is unnerving to say the least but the fact stands that I have yet to try them myself. If I don't like them, I will return the keyboard. My list of possible keyboards is dwindling

If I could just make my Model M have unlimited key rollover ...

I'm curious.  Which key combinations are you having issues with on your Model M?  (in real world usage, gaming, etc....not when you are looking for rollover combination failures)

[003]

I play FPS games, and I always use the keys ESDF as my movement keys, and then bind all the surrounding keys to different actions. When I want to crouch, move at an angle, zoom, and switch between different modes while firing, the Model M takes a crap.

[xsphat]

This negative talk about the black cherries is unnerving to say the least but the fact stands that I have yet to try them myself. If I don't like them, I will return the keyboard. My list of possible keyboards is dwindling

If I could just make my Model M have unlimited key rollover ...

The only member here who ever liked the Cherry blacks was mr_sf_applet and he only said that to spite me.

And another assumption you have of the Avant Prime is incorrect - the lettering won't wear off either - just like the Northgates, the letter is made of plastic and the rest of the key is molded around it.

Sorry for all this, but I've been looking into that keyboard for a long time and I may still buy one because of how much I like my Omnikey. I've read all the reviews and talked to company reps a lot. Granted, n-key rollover isn't an issue for me and neither is the lettering wearing off but I ask a lot of questions in any case.

On a lighter note, what FPS games do you play? I really haven't played any newer ones because I have a gen one MacBook so it can't really handle them.