KTOD - Endgame Keyboards?

[CPTBadAss]

Every so often when I talk to people or read the forum, I see this phrase "endgame keyboard". But I never get a sense of what that is.

What does "endgame keyboard mean" to you and what keyboard is your endgame board?

I don't really have one. I've long since resigned to the fact that I like collecting and that there are far too many keyboards and switches out there for me to try and learn about. I have stopped looking at buying anymore buckling spring boards after getting my SSK and 6019284. And I've stopped buying a lot of Alps since I received my Filco Zero and Kingsaver. (Edited because I'm still looking into Alps a lot.) But I don't think there's one board that would make me so happy I'd quit anytime soon.

[FrostyToast]

Blue alps keyboard with the Lightsaver design and a split spacebar.
Also: Dolch, CMYK/W, and an aluminium housing. (wood is cool too)

That kind of keyboard is only but a dream...
I could get a plate and hardwire a keyboard, but A) I don't have switches, B) I don't have soldering experience, and C) Keycaps would be almost impossible to get a hold of, especially for a split spacebar.

[byker]

I have always thought of endgame as a state of mind. When you are no longer interested in anymore/have all that you need, such as you having found your endgame buckling springs.

[FrostyToast]

I have always thought of endgame as a state of mind. When you are no longer interested in anymore/have all that you need, such as you having found your endgame buckling springs.

If buckling springs were things that I could use for a custom layout, I would have included that in my endgame. But I decided to be slightly realistic.

[CPTBadAss]

If buckling springs were things that I could use for a custom layout, I would have included that in my endgame. But I decided to be slightly realistic.

wcass turned an XT F into a TKL board. Someone else has as well. You can definitely customize your layout a bit with BS boards.

[SpAmRaY]

It means the keyboard I will use the most and has the features I need, most importantly that I enjoy typing on it and will use it and it just works, I don't have a specific board in mind.

As far as my current end game keyboard I am still happy with my Ducky Shine 2 with factory stock clears switches and GMK Dolch caps, however as of a few days ago a few keys don't respond to being pressed I would say this board has a good year of 5-6 weekday (8+ hours) of use on it so it was bound to happen.

[FrostyToast]

If buckling springs were things that I could use for a custom layout, I would have included that in my endgame. But I decided to be slightly realistic.

wcass turned an XT F into a TKL board. Someone else has as well. You can definitely customize your layout a bit with BS boards.

Not sure if there is a market for split spacebar BS.... But if it is possible I will drop all the moneys.

[jdcarpe]

If buckling springs were things that I could use for a custom layout, I would have included that in my endgame. But I decided to be slightly realistic.

wcass turned an XT F into a TKL board. Someone else has as well. You can definitely customize your layout a bit with BS boards.

Not sure if there is a market for split spacebar BS.... But if it is possible I will drop all the moneys.

If you have all the moneys, you can probably get yourself an M15 somewhere...

[FrostyToast]

If buckling springs were things that I could use for a custom layout, I would have included that in my endgame. But I decided to be slightly realistic.

wcass turned an XT F into a TKL board. Someone else has as well. You can definitely customize your layout a bit with BS boards.

Not sure if there is a market for split spacebar BS.... But if it is possible I will drop all the moneys.

If you have all the moneys, you can probably get yourself an M15 somewhere...

Guys... I need help in becoming a millionaire.
I will become a billionaire and make a factory for new m15s WITH EXTERNAL NUMPADS

[hashbaz]

To me the phrase means "the keyboard that made me stop buying new keyboards".  Under that definition I guess I don't have one yet, since I have a JD40 and a Yoda coming, but the keyboard I keep coming back to for daily use is my KMAC.  It has 62g lubed blacks and Cherry doubleshots.  I like to call it The Ultimate Linear Experience.

I haven't found a combination of look, sound, and feel that I like better.

[jdcarpe]

Yes, on this we can all agree: the endgame keyboard is hashbaz' KMAC.

[hashbaz]

It is known.

[absyrd]

My endgame keyboard turned out to be my first mech purchase. Until something new and amazing comes out, a QFR is more than enough to satisfy me.

[dustinhxc]

As far as End Game Keyboard, I think it is something that to you looks amazing, feels amazing, works amazing, and you absolutely love it.

I've had many boards I love, they work great, they feel awesome, they look really nice.. But then I end up wanting to try something else.
So either I keep collecting multiple, or I sell/trade to fund a new keyboard goal.

My "End Game board" should be to me soon, Ive been waiting a few months for it. It should be worth the wait.
But also, I have another awesome project coming which may be it.. So tough to decide so I will just collect them all and have many..

[CPTBadAss]

It is known.

I should just lock the thread now. THE HASH HAS SPOKETH

[jwaz]

I think for many of the HHKB cultists (myself included) "endgame" is the HHKB Pro HG Japan edition.

[Sifo]

I think for many of the HHKB cultists (myself included) "endgame" is the HHKB Pro HG Japan edition.

Show Image

this

[combataran]

A 360Corsa is endgame enough for me.

[Dubsgalore]

people throw around 'endgame' too much around here )
I think it should mean the final keyboard you will be using for a long time...or this

I have always thought of endgame as a state of mind. When you are no longer interested in anymore/have all that you need, such as you having found your endgame buckling springs.

but I've seen plenty of times when someone talks about finding their 'endgame' only to see it up in someone else's hands a few weeks later

for me, reaching endgame or finding that endgame keyboard is still a ways away. I've explored MX a decent amount, but haven't touched F, Topre or Alps (although I don't really have any interest in alps), so I have a decent amount of experimenting left to do before 'settling'

Settling for me will mean having 1-3 keyboards that are my favorite to use, and will be swapped out as daily driver/used in different locations
I'm always going to have a collection of boards but finding those 1-3 that I never get bored of is what I'm going to call 'endgame' for myself as well
I think I'll have one as soon as I finish building my corsa..

[nuclearsandwich]

I find the entire concept of endgame almost antithetical to my enjoyment of this hobby. I like the idea that at some point it'll get way cheaper, but for me the transition isn't about finding The One Keyboard to rule them all, but rather about finding the things to appreciate about all the different keyboards I'll have the opportunity to try out and sharing that with fellow GeekHackers. Besides, One keyboard can't hold all of the things I enjoy.

I think the only thing that could become an "endgame" style board for me is getting to design and build my own keyboard from start to finish, PCB to firmware to keycaps colorscheme, and even then, it'll probably just end up in rotation.

[davkol]

Axios, if it turns out well.

• Split. Check.
• Columnar layout. Check.
• Thumb cluster tenting. Check.
• Hackable firmware. Check.
• Doesn't cost a kidney. Check.
• Open source. Check.
• Customizable Cherry MX (+ plenty of options for keycaps). Check.

I don't think I need anything else.

edit: Actually, I've missed one thing. Tall thick spherical POM keycaps of variable profiles. Essentially a custom POM SA keycap set. Probably not gonna happen.

[clacktalk]

My endgame keyboard is the keyboard with the switches and functionality that I find the most pleasant/useful, while being undeniably handsome. I've stopped thinking that "endgame" means not purchasing any more keyboards. Just means it's a keyboard that I find the most enjoyment typing on (since it has everything I'm looking for). And the endgame list has to be dynamic because I'm ever-changing; it would be foolish to set anything like a preference in stone. Right now, I think my endgame consists of a 75% 62g w/ clears custom, my HHKB, and a 55g TKL Realforce. I'm really interested in buckling/beam springs, but not as endgame potential.

[Defect]

All of them.

[Sifo]

My end game board is pink 456gt because of some promise I made

[HoffmanMyster]

My "end game keyboard" was definitely supposed to be my red LZ-GH I purchased in Feb 2013.  That went exactly according to plan.

[StylinGreymon]

The Duck Viper, in combination with the Duck Light Pad, is looking to be my endgame keyboard.

[ebacho]

Every time I tell myself "this is my endgame" I end up buying another keyboard.  I'm up to something like 6 Korean customs and have a bunch of topre stuff in the mail.

[Puddsy]

any korean custom

i don't even care which, they're all great

[divito]

My endgame keyboard will probably be a fully custom, built from scratch, concoction of everything I could possibly learn/acquire from Geek Hack. I don't expect to get there any time soon.

But then again, I have so many desires and options for types of keyboards that it will probably be several endgame keyboards for me to be satisfied.

[Melvang]

I think for me the term "end game keyboard" would mean the one that I buy that would be the last keyboard I buy for actual personal use. 

That being said I would have to say that my end game board would be a buckling springs over PCB with a steel barrel plate in an ergo dox style layout but with the angled thumb cluster on ooblys custom board with stems that allow the use of MX compatible caps.  Customizable firmware via GUI would be great as well.

[hwood34]

My endgame keyboard would definitely be a something mostly made by myself (soldered, all parts sourced), something that would be a culmination of what I've learned here + something that I would invest lots of time and money into. Something along the lines of MX greens, Dolch set, hammer case 60%, some kind of crazy backlighting

[docwlad]

I would like a fully programmable topre board. That would be my endgame keyboard. I'm switching back and forth between my FC660C and my GON NS38 just for that reason. I think I'm probably just gonna try and find some good key remapping software to work around it.

[jacobolus]

That being said I would have to say that my end game board would be a buckling springs over PCB

What do you mean over PCB? You mean (Model F style) capacitive instead of (Model M style) membrane?

with a steel barrel plate

This is all IBM buckling spring boards

in an ergo dox style layout

Do you know exactly what layout you want? If so, this is totally possible to do by cannibalizing a Model F for barrels and flippies and then getting custom plates/circuit board, you just need to contract with some sheet metal shop to waterjet cut the steel for you and bend it on a slip roll. And then get one of those capsense controllers some geekhackers are working on (or possibly you can cannibalize the model F for the controller too).

with the angled thumb cluster

Still possible, but starts to get more complicated to design / more expensive to make.

Customizable firmware via GUI would be great as well.

If you handle the physical part, I’m sure someone can help you with the firmware.

with stems that allow the use of MX compatible caps.

This is going to be hard if not impossible.

[Grim Fandango]

Endgame is when I run out of money 

Seriously though, I guess endgame for me is when I have tried every possible switch, and choose the ones I like best out of all of them. At the same time, I feel like I already reached it, in the sense that I have owned and tried many different switches, many different sizes and layouts, type of keycaps and so on. I think I have quite a good idea of what I do and what I do not like and think I picked the keyboards that fit my needs best. Though I will admit that if I had more money to burn, I would also own a keyboard with Topre silent switches.

[tp4tissue]

Endgame is when I run out of money 

Seriously though, I guess endgame for me is when I have tried every possible switch, and choose the ones I like best out of all of them. At the same time, I feel like I already reached it, in the sense that I have owned and tried many different switches, many different sizes and layouts, type of keycaps and so on. I think I have quite a good idea of what I do and what I do not like and think I picked the keyboards that fit my needs best. Though I will admit that if I had more money to burn, I would also own a keyboard with Topre silent switches.

so..... before or after you end up on the streets.. doing  un-jesus things for ur next keyboard fix

[jdcarpe]

Okay, let me take a stab at it.

The more I use the HHKB, the more I find that it is becoming the ultimate keyboard for me. I will always have my IBM collection. And my Filcos. Of course the 60% MX keyboards. One Korean custom (LZ-GH).

But the keyboard I would love to have, that I would use every day, would be a metal cased HHKB with Bluetooth. Endgame indeed.

[byker]

Okay, let me take a stab at it.

The more I use the HHKB, the more I find that it is becoming the ultimate keyboard for me. I will always have my IBM collection. And my Filcos. Of course the 60% MX keyboards. One Korean custom (LZ-GH).

But the keyboard I would love to have, that I would use every day, would be a metal cased HHKB with Bluetooth. Endgame indeed.

That does sound pretty ideal..

[HoffmanMyster]

Okay, let me take a stab at it.

The more I use the HHKB, the more I find that it is becoming the ultimate keyboard for me. I will always have my IBM collection. And my Filcos. Of course the 60% MX keyboards. One Korean custom (LZ-GH).

But the keyboard I would love to have, that I would use every day, would be a metal cased HHKB with Bluetooth. Endgame indeed.

That does sound pretty ideal..

Bluetooth modded Viper, coming right up!   

[CPTBadAss]

Okay, let me take a stab at it.

The more I use the HHKB, the more I find that it is becoming the ultimate keyboard for me. I will always have my IBM collection. And my Filcos. Of course the 60% MX keyboards. One Korean custom (LZ-GH).

But the keyboard I would love to have, that I would use every day, would be a metal cased HHKB with Bluetooth. Endgame indeed.

But what about the 40% boards?? And LOL your Filcos hehe.

[jameslr]

So far my realforce 87U 55G is my endgame. I want a Duck Viper, but I would primarily use it as my "fun" keyboard, and not my daily driver.

[Badwrench]

I don't believe in an endgame keyboard.  There will always be something new or different to try, and even then, my tastes may change, and the boards I love will be changed for something different and new to me.  The joy of this hobby to me is all the variety.  I may only have a few boards, but they are all unique and the joy comes from that.  There may be some unicorns out there, but hopefully no real endgame. 

[intelli78]

Over time I have found the HHKB to be one of the best keyboards, overall. However, for me, there is no single end game keyboard. I enjoy switching between different keyboards. It's like this: if you had to pick a single favorite food and it eat everyday for the rest of your life, you would quickly grow to hate it. But if you were able to choose many different favorites and rotate between them, you'd be set. same thing with keyboards for me.

[cphead]

Over time I have found the HHKB to be one of the best keyboards, overall. However, for me, there is no single end game keyboard. I enjoy switching between different keyboards. It's like this: if you had to pick a single favorite food and it eat everyday for the rest of your life, you would quickly grow to hate it. But if you were able to choose many different favorites and rotate between them, you'd be set. same thing with keyboards for me.

Much agree. I love my Type-S but if I were to sell off my other boards I wouldn't be happy. How could I give my babies up 

[Melvang]

That being said I would have to say that my end game board would be a buckling springs over PCB

What do you mean over PCB? You mean (Model F style) capacitive instead of (Model M style) membrane?

Correct

with a steel barrel plate

This is all IBM buckling spring boards

Model M barrel plates are plastic, the back plate however is steel.

in an ergo dox style layout

Do you know exactly what layout you want? If so, this is totally possible to do by cannibalizing a Model F for barrels and flippies and then getting custom plates/circuit board, you just need to contract with some sheet metal shop to waterjet cut the steel for you and bend it on a slip roll. And then get one of those capsense controllers some geekhackers are working on (or possibly you can cannibalize the model F for the controller too).

I was just meaning physical layout with the staggered column instead of staggered rows.

with the angled thumb cluster

Still possible, but starts to get more complicated to design / more expensive to make.

That's fine.  For me most of the enjoyment comes form the design and process on getting to the end product.

Customizable firmware via GUI would be great as well.

If you handle the physical part, I’m sure someone can help you with the firmware.

I am currently actually attempting to teach myself programming in hopes of at least being able to write my own firmware though with the capsense I could see needing some help in that aspect.

with stems that allow the use of MX compatible caps.

This is going to be hard if not impossible.

The way I see this working is actually similar to how the IBM caps are a two piece but have the separation in a different location.  Instead of being the bulk of the key with just a cap including the legend it would be the insert with a MX compatible stem for MX caps.  Yes I realize that molds would be very expensive but I wonder how much interest there would actually be for something like this.  I am very curious how say DCS caps would look and feel like when used on a curved plate.

[PointyFox]

The Dell Y-UK-DEL1.



Cheap
Dedicated media controls
Clicky volume knob
USB ports in back
Wide space bar
Browser/email/calculator/etc. buttons
Thin bezel
Looks nice
Pad printed keycaps show only slight wear after using them for like 15 years

[intelli78]

The Dell Y-UK-DEL1.

Lovely.

[PointyFox]

The Dell Y-UK-DEL1.

Lovely.

It has a nice silver bezel and the media keys glow green. 

[user 18]

The Dell Y-UK-DEL1.

Show Image

Cheap
Dedicated media controls
Clicky volume knob
USB ports in back
Wide space bar
Browser/email/calculator/etc. buttons
Thin bezel
Looks nice
Pad printed keycaps show only slight wear after using them for like 15 years

This was the exact board I had before I got my first mech board. I left it at home when I went away to school (September). When I came back (December), it was torturous to use. Only thing I miss about it is the volume knob.

[jacobolus]

with the angled thumb cluster

Still possible, but starts to get more complicated to design / more expensive to make.

That's fine.  For me most of the enjoyment comes form the design and process on getting to the end product.

Okay, but what I mean is, you’re going to have to start welding pieces of metal together, to pretty tight tolerances, which makes this a lot harder to get right. I think it’s more trouble than the advantage you’d get from it. Just splitting the two hands into separate parts and adding some extra thumb keys gets you a huge advantage over existing buckling spring boards. Tipping the thumb keys up is IMO only marginally more beneficial, whereas it’s going to like double the difficulty of the construction.

[Melvang]

with the angled thumb cluster

Still possible, but starts to get more complicated to design / more expensive to make.

That's fine.  For me most of the enjoyment comes form the design and process on getting to the end product.

Okay, but what I mean is, you’re going to have to start welding pieces of metal together, to pretty tight tolerances, which makes this a lot harder to get right. I think it’s more trouble than the advantage you’d get from it. Just splitting the two hands into separate parts and adding some extra thumb keys gets you a huge advantage over existing buckling spring boards. Tipping the thumb keys up is IMO only marginally more beneficial, whereas it’s going to like double the difficulty making it.

Shouldn't be to hard with my skill set.  I do have a couple sources for access to a TIG welder.  If you are throwing sparks wit TIG, you are doing it wrong.

[SSIPAK]

this with 55G weight and blank white/grey keycaps

[rowdy]

The "game" to me is that of buying, trying and selling keyboards.  Preferably as many different keyboards as money permits in order to gain as much experience with different keyboards, different layouts, different switches and different keycaps as possible.

The "endgame keyboard" would be the most preferred combination of these that I would settle on after time.

For me, I say it would be a 55g Topre TKL board (e.g. RealForce 87U).  Yellow keycaps.  Aluminium case.

Maybe it won't!

I have not tried 55g Topre, but I love my HHKB, and prefer stiffer switches, so I'm guessing I'd prefer 55g Topre.

I have never used a keyboard in an aluminium case.  Model M is probably the heaviest keyboard I have, but still plastic case.

A transparent yellow Skull on Esc would be the icing on the cake

[dante]

Right now ... it's a toss up between the Topre Type Heaven and Matias Quiet Pro.

I like the Matias because the Alps have shorter throw.  I like the Topre Type Heaven because of the profile and aesthetics.

I think I'll get one of my Type Heavens lubed/silenced and see what happens.  It's already quiet enough but I want rings to shorten the throw closer to membrane standards.

I guess the perfect board would be a Type Heaven with around 3.5-3.6mm throw.

[Defect]

The Dell Y-UK-DEL1.

Show Image

Cheap
Dedicated media controls
Clicky volume knob
USB ports in back
Wide space bar
Browser/email/calculator/etc. buttons
Thin bezel
Looks nice
Pad printed keycaps show only slight wear after using them for like 15 years

Lubed the caps on one of these for the lulz.  Not bad considering board + lube runs you less than $15.

[clacktalk]

I picked up my "endgame" 55g Realforce from EK last night. Hopefully, my Topre thirst gets quenched as a result. Cheers, all 

[dorkvader]

If buckling springs were things that I could use for a custom layout, I would have included that in my endgame. But I decided to be slightly realistic.

wcass turned an XT F into a TKL board. Someone else has as well. You can definitely customize your layout a bit with BS boards.

Not sure if there is a market for split spacebar BS.... But if it is possible I will drop all the moneys.

There may have existed a split-spacebar erase-eaze. I've never seen a picture of one other than a scan of a lexmark catalogue.

In the meantime, you can put the "code" key and spacebar from a wheelwriter on a normal M.

I don't have an "endgame" but there are several keyboards I want that I do not have. One of them is the 107-key "administrative" model of the IBM 4704 keyboard (called the 4704-400. They are quite rare now that south texas products threw away their entire stock for scrap.

[divito]

The Dell Y-UK-DEL1.

Show Image

Cheap
Dedicated media controls
Clicky volume knob
USB ports in back
Wide space bar
Browser/email/calculator/etc. buttons
Thin bezel
Looks nice
Pad printed keycaps show only slight wear after using them for like 15 years

Almost need to interest check a PCB for this and re-create a mechanical version.

[PointyFox]

The Dell Y-UK-DEL1.

Show Image

Cheap
Dedicated media controls
Clicky volume knob
USB ports in back
Wide space bar
Browser/email/calculator/etc. buttons
Thin bezel
Looks nice
Pad printed keycaps show only slight wear after using them for like 15 years

This was the exact board I had before I got my first mech board. I left it at home when I went away to school (September). When I came back (December), it was torturous to use. Only thing I miss about it is the volume knob.

What made it torturous?  The only thing I can think of is that they keys can bind slightly when pressed off-center.  I use Cherry ML switches a lot so I got used to pressing keys in the center and it's not a problem for me.

[Smasher816]

I would like a fully programmable topre board. That would be my endgame keyboard. I'm switching back and forth between my FC660C and my GON NS38 just for that reason. I think I'm probably just gonna try and find some good key remapping software to work around it.

Keep the dream alive. http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=57008.0

[osi]

The Dell Y-UK-DEL1.

Show Image

Cheap
Dedicated media controls
Clicky volume knob
USB ports in back
Wide space bar
Browser/email/calculator/etc. buttons
Thin bezel
Looks nice
Pad printed keycaps show only slight wear after using them for like 15 years

Used a few of these over the past years back when dell was flying high.

Funny thing though, had one of these die at my house and ran into another model on the job from a completely different batch died the same way. Certain keys failed to register. Twas odd

[exitfire401]

I think for many of the HHKB cultists (myself included) "endgame" is the HHKB Pro HG Japan edition.

Show Image

This is correct..but seriously, can we get a gb going on an HHKB Alu case so I don't have to buy another board please? haha

[GSimon]

An endgame keyboard to me is the one that stands out as the 'best' keyboard you own, and aren't able to surpass, but not necessarily the last keyboard you ever buy.

My Ergodox is currently my end-game board, it's the one that's the most unique, appealing looking (to me), and the one I'd consider spending the most money on to customize. I got the custom cable/custom plates for it and wouldn't necessarily invest in other boards in this way.

The only board that could surpass it to me would one that I've designed from scratch, as something I've created from my own is truly irreplaceable.

Am still interested in other boards for different form factors, similar to how an car collector can have a favourite car and still be interested in other cars in the future.

[user 18]

The Dell Y-UK-DEL1.

Show Image

Cheap
Dedicated media controls
Clicky volume knob
USB ports in back
Wide space bar
Browser/email/calculator/etc. buttons
Thin bezel
Looks nice
Pad printed keycaps show only slight wear after using them for like 15 years

This was the exact board I had before I got my first mech board. I left it at home when I went away to school (September). When I came back (December), it was torturous to use. Only thing I miss about it is the volume knob.

What made it torturous?  The only thing I can think of is that they keys can bind slightly when pressed off-center.  I use Cherry ML switches a lot so I got used to pressing keys in the center and it's not a problem for me.

Pulled mine out of the closet to type this reply, just for you :P

Checking the model number on the back, my board is actually a SK-8135, which appears to be the same board except for the design of the windows keys. Could be an era thing (XP era vs. Vista era?). It's no worse than any rubber dome board, and better than quite a few. It's hard to put into words the exact issues I have with the board -- the lack of travel prior to actuation, and the hard bottom out that I get on every keystroke has me rebelling against it. I do type 5-10 wpm faster than my clears (I mostly attribute that to difference in actuation force), but I feel the fatigue in my hands and arms much faster than if I was typing on a mechanical board.

Torturous is kind of a strong word, I suppose, but I undeniably find my mechanical boards preferable -- except for maybe my board with reds. Personally, I find my enjoyment of a board increases with tactility. Crisp rubber domes feel better than squishy rubber domes (which are in the same category as MX reds and blacks). From there, the more tactile a switch is, the more I like it. I like browns better than rubber domes, blues even more, and clears more still. Buckling spring lies somewhere in the same category as blues, as do MX greens.

I suppose it's weird that I feel fatigue faster typing on a board that requires less force to actuate (rubber dome vs. MX Clear). It might have something to do with the fact that I don't bottom out nearly as much with clears and so actually have less shock on each keystroke, I really don't know.

In the end, I suppose it's all a matter of what I'm used to. And now having typed this post, my fingers feel very strange, almost like they feel after I use a lawnmower (although less intense), if that makes sense. To me, not a nice feeling, and why I'm glad I no longer have to use rubber dome boards on anything more than an occasional basis at work.

I have no clue if that answers the question satisfactorily or not, but I hope it sheds some light on things, at least.



Oh yeah -- an endgame keyboard is the board that expresses the culmination of the hobby. For me, because I have many different places and situations that I will end up using boards in, I think I'll end up with multiple endgame boards, in more of an endgame rotation. Probably by the end of it, it'll be at least one board that I've built myself, probably with clears and some custom firmware, either a TKL or a 60%, with a matching number pad.

[Fnzzy]

For my "endgame" I don't plan to get one keyboard but rather a small collection. I want to have one tenkeyless, one 75%, one 60% board and maybe a number pad, all korean customs. In those keyboards I want to have ergo-clears, vintage blacks and I am not sure what else I want. I obviously want to have some nice keycap sets for those boards as well, maybe even one or two more so I can change them when I feel like it.

One of my "endgame" keycap sets is actually close to getting here, which is the GMK Dolch. One of my other sets are the original Cherry Doubleshots which I already have, although I am not sure if I will be using those until the very end or if I am going to replace them with a newer set, but currently it doesn't look like it.

I am excited for the Duck Viper / Eagle GB to start since this will most likely be my 60% endgame board.

[infiniti]

At this point in time, endgame to me would mean the keyboard that I'd be content using day in and day out, but still have other keyboards to use in order to keep things interesting or as a contrast to keep the endgame as The Endgame.

It's for this reason that I have a Logitech K120 in my keyboard rotation.  I whip it out once every two weeks or so, use it until I can't stand it (usually in the minutes), and then switch back to a mechanical keyboard.  After this, I appreciate the mech keyboard all the more.  This leads to the Zen habit of being content with what you have.  While this can curb pangs for another keyboard...it is not as effective for new keycap sets.

Again, at this point in time, my endgame would be a programmable 60% or TKL complemented with a separate numpad with matching cases.

[dante]

I wish I could be like you guys.  I just don't share the hate for membranes; never had one fail on me or go "mushy."  You guys must have used some nasty stuff.

FWIW my preferred membrane is the Lenovo KU-0225.

[katushkin]

Currently, I don't have an end game in mind. I have five boards currently, four MX and one BS, and I have another MX on the way (so I have blue/black/brown/clear and green ), and I don't think I am done yet. I would like to have a board with whites and one with greys as well, but we will see about that. Maybe my GF will have something to say about my habit before then.

I would like to get into topre eventually when my Model M is fully up and working properly, which I don't think it really is at the moment, but I am liking the sound of the Kalih switches on the new KC range, hopefully CPT Badass comes out with a glowing review of the brown K switch (which is apparently almost like ergo clears?) so I may have to procure one of those before looking towards topre, alps and a Korean. I'm just doing a bit of a rotation at the moment, and I think I will swap out my 108 for my 84 when I get home, show it some love again

[IvanIvanovich]

I've been really happy with GH60. When I get my final revision PCB I will be fully satisfied. I already basically only use my GH60 since I have had it. For the most part I have stopped buying any other keyboards and am really trying to push myself into selling off most of the other ones that I have that I never use. Asides from that the only other thing I think would be cool to have would be a little portable computer with integrated MX keyboard. But, such thing dosen't exist and is well beyond my technical know how to create. So something like this but with a good keyboard...

and a bit more of an 80's retro-futuristic styling.

[sakai4eva]

Ergodox layout, Topre switches with MX stems, some nice SA keycaps... With a GHpad in the middle.

[johndavis33]

I think my "endgame" will be when I have found my favorite keyboard for every type of switch. I think I have a few already down.

I don't think I'll like another BS board as much as I like my M13.
I don't think I'll like another topre board as much as the HHKB.
I don't think I'll like another Cherry MX board as my banana ducky with whites.

And, I think the Northgate Omnikey may be my endgame Alps board. Then all I'll need will be a linear board.

[CPTBadAss]

I think my "endgame" will be when I have found my favorite keyboard for every type of switch. I think I have a few already down.

I thought this at one point....until I realized how many switches existed lol.

[johndavis33]

I think my "endgame" will be when I have found my favorite keyboard for every type of switch. I think I have a few already down.

I thought this at one point....until I realized how many switches existed lol.

Damn... I thought I'd found a way out!

[CPTBadAss]

Well maybe you can modify that statement to read, "Every switch johndavis33 is interested in".

Personally, I keep discovering or hearing about new switches and keyboards to try. For example, at Keycon I tried a keyboard that had the Burroughs optical switches and acoustic switches.

[Lastpilot]

Endgame board? No such thing. New and beautiful board designs come out every year; that's the whole fun of it!

[johndavis33]

Well maybe you can modify that statement to read, "Every switch johndavis33 is interested in".

Personally, I keep discovering or hearing about new switches and keyboards to try. For example, at Keycon I tried a keyboard that had the Burroughs optical switches and acoustic switches.

Maybe. Once I find my favorite keyboard for every switch I'm interested in, I probably will end up in an endgame of sorts.

I'll probably still buy and collect keyboards, just not at the pace I have been since I got into keyboards. In the past 2 years, I've bought I think 9 different keyboards.

My end game will probably be when I switch from buying keyboards all the time with popular switches, to buying cheap, interesting keyboards with little known switches, and only every so often.

[Data]

I'm still relatively new to custom keyboards, so right now my "end game" is a finished ErgoDox with MX Browns in an all-metal case with a full set of legended SA or DSA-profile keycaps.

Where it will go from there is anyone's guess. 

[trishume]

Many of these suggestions seem more "current tech level" than "endgame" to me.

My endgame keyboard has magnetic levitation hall effect switches with individual electromagnets and analog sensing and control, allowing every key to have ANY force curve imaginable.
Imagine playing a game with analog WASD control to control movement speed with electromagnet-based force feedback so you feel the texture of the ground through your keys. Then you start typing text and the processor can tell that you aren't activating gaming controls based on the acceleration profiles from the analog sensing and automatically sends the text in chat.
It would also have an ergonomic curved layout like the Kinesis, with palm keys, an ARM processor and software to do a chording keyboard layout that lets me type at 200WPM.

THAT is endgame. Actually not even that, endgame is when EEG tech gets good enough that whichever words I intend to type just appear on the screen as fast as I can think of them.

[davkol]

Complains about "current level tech" only to mention "an ARM processor" a few sentences later. X_X

[PointyFox]

Many of these suggestions seem more "current tech level" than "endgame" to me.

My endgame keyboard has magnetic levitation hall effect switches with individual electromagnets and analog sensing and control, allowing every key to have ANY force curve imaginable.
Imagine playing a game with analog WASD control to control movement speed with electromagnet-based force feedback so you feel the texture of the ground through your keys. Then you start typing text and the processor can tell that you aren't activating gaming controls based on the acceleration profiles from the analog sensing and automatically sends the text in chat.
It would also have an ergonomic curved layout like the Kinesis, with palm keys, an ARM processor and software to do a chording keyboard layout that lets me type at 200WPM.

THAT is endgame. Actually not even that, endgame is when EEG tech gets good enough that whichever words I intend to type just appear on the screen as fast as I can think of them.

Force isn't texture.

[xandr]

HHKB layout, Cherry MX, sandblasted (Apple style) aluminium case, ISO layout … would be my endgame keyboard.

Alas, there's no such thing.

[user 18]

HHKB layout, Cherry MX, sandblasted (Apple style) aluminium case, ISO layout … would be my endgame keyboard.

Alas, there's no such thing.

GH60 supports this layout, I do believe. Then all you need is a case.

[HoffmanMyster]

HHKB layout, Cherry MX, sandblasted (Apple style) aluminium case, ISO layout … would be my endgame keyboard.

Alas, there's no such thing.

Get that attitude outta here!  If it doesn't exist, make it! 

[jdcarpe]

HHKB layout, Cherry MX, sandblasted (Apple style) aluminium case, ISO layout … would be my endgame keyboard.

Alas, there's no such thing.

GH60 supports this layout, I do believe. Then all you need is a case.

At least one person at one point ordered an aluminum case from treble318 with the Apple blasted finish...

[lotus1109]

End game keyboard should be made by yourself to make it meaningful

[Doyniish]

Right now I don't have an end game keyboard and don't see myself making that conclusion anytime soon. Although I'm content and happy with what I have right now, I still have many years of collecting ahead of me!

[Hak Foo]

I suspect it would be something like

* Leeku 3000 PCB and corresponding plates, modern black shell, 104 layout.
* Matias switches, loud variety.
* Assortment of double-shot and dye-sub caps from a graveyard worth of dead boards.  Possibly with Hangul just for the lulz.

[frosty]

end game board... eh?

mx board
• linear
• smooth, i mean like hall effect smooth
• 55 gram weight
• stabilizers that make long keys feel like normal keys
• media control in function layer
• WHITE COLOUR CASING I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH I THINK I MIGHT A WHITE FETISH (please don't relate this to what you may relate it to)
• thick thick pbt

[CPTBadAss]

Many of these suggestions seem more "current tech level" than "endgame" to me.

end game board... eh?

I find it very interesting that to you two especially, endgame means your dream board. I've never associated it like that. Thanks for sharing.

[exitfire401]

Many of these suggestions seem more "current tech level" than "endgame" to me.

end game board... eh?

I find it very interesting that to you two especially, endgame means your dream board. I've never associated it like that. Thanks for sharing.

Endgame means dream to me as well. Luckily, my dream board is well within my reach...just need that damn alu case.

[CPTBadAss]

I guess I see dream boards as something that doesn't currently exist and I'd like to make it a reality. So for example, my dream board is a 75% Beamspring board with a small bezel, thick ABS caps, and reprogrammable....in purple.

A typical endgame board as I see it could be a KMAC or an LZ-S or a 6019284.

[frosty]

Many of these suggestions seem more "current tech level" than "endgame" to me.

end game board... eh?

I find it very interesting that to you two especially, endgame means your dream board. I've never associated it like that. Thanks for sharing.

yes, why would i get another board if i already have my dream board?

unless you mean 60% buckling...

i define "game" as finding the best keyboard of my preference. so end game would be finding it and obtaining it!

[CPTBadAss]

unless you mean 60% buckling...

I have one of those

[frosty]

unless you mean 60% buckling...

I have one of those

i... i... i'm swayed.

[CPTBadAss]

unless you mean 60% buckling...

I have one of those

i... i... i'm swayed.

They're the IBM 6019284 "Kishsaver" keyboards that were sold earlier this year. Tinlong found a whole bunch of them. Here's a picture of a couple from HoffmanMyster.

[lcs]

edox ruined keyboards for me

[HoffmanMyster]

unless you mean 60% buckling...

I have one of those

i... i... i'm swayed.

They're the IBM 6019284 "Kishsaver" keyboards that were sold earlier this year. Tinlong found a whole bunch of them. Here's a picture of a couple from HoffmanMyster.

I enjoy that picture quite a bit. 

[CPTBadAss]

It's the family photo!!

[xandr]

GH60 supports this layout, I do believe. Then all you need is a case.

FaceW/FaceU theoretically supports that layout too. I mean, it's not complicated really. Basically a standard ISO Poker II without Control keys and 2 1x1 instead of the 2x1 backspace.

Get that attitude outta here!  If it doesn't exist, make it! 

At least one person at one point ordered an aluminum case from treble318 with the Apple blasted finish...

That's the thing. So far the only case that comes close is the Duck Viper and that needs a PCB that doesn't have the "corners" where the Control keys would sit - which probably wouldn't be hard to fix with a dremel/saw and a bit of jumper wires - however, it has it's own standoff/screw layout, so you can't use any of the other 60% PCBs.

It's not like I haven't looked into it, y'know?

[frosty]

end game board... eh?

mx board
• linear
• smooth, i mean like hall effect smooth
• 55 gram weight
• stabilizers that make long keys feel like normal keys
• media control in function layer
• WHITE COLOUR CASING I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH I THINK I MIGHT A WHITE FETISH (please don't relate this to what you may relate it to)
• thick thick pbt

psst guys,

i'm getting my lube from geekhackers, white case and pbts from a poker 2 i'm gonna buy and 55g springs/vintage black already on hand...

is the game ending for me?
or is the mythical HHKB making me go on another quest?

[CPTBadAss]

If it were me, Poker 2 would *not* be my end game board lol. But that's up to you to decide, not us.

[Sifo]

I actually just realized my end game board all along has been my LZ-S. Fell in love since I first got it, and it's been my daily driver for over a year and almost a half now. Of course I do use my GON occasionally which I had built AFTER I bought my supposed end game board, but I don't know. Like, it's my end game board in the sense that I know I can quit at any time and be satisfied. But I still love you guys so much that I stick around

[pasph]

Datamancer 'cause after that i'll be out of money forever

[Melvang]

Datamancer 'cause after that i'll be out of money forever

Them are some sexy boards.  One happened to make it into a SciFy TV series.  The show Warehouse 13, one of the main characters uses one along with what looks like an LCD monitor from Datamancer as well.

[Daspartic]

unless you mean 60% buckling...

I have one of those

i... i... i'm swayed.

They're the IBM 6019284 "Kishsaver" keyboards that were sold earlier this year. Tinlong found a whole bunch of them. Here's a picture of a couple from HoffmanMyster.

Hey CptBadAss, does the Kishsaver feel like the XT or the AT?  I've always wondered what they felt like.

[CPTBadAss]

Hey CptBadAss, does the Kishsaver feel like the XT or the AT?  I've always wondered what they felt like.

I think the XT is the one with the normal spacebar and the AT is the one with the super heavy spacebar? If that memory is correct, it feels like an XT. It feels like a standard Model F switch but it's got the lovely layout.

[noisyturtle]

Something with pneumatic switches would be neato

[Daspartic]

Hey CptBadAss, does the Kishsaver feel like the XT or the AT?  I've always wondered what they felt like.

I think the XT is the one with the normal spacebar and the AT is the one with the super heavy spacebar? If that memory is correct, it feels like an XT. It feels like a standard Model F switch but it's got the lovely layout.

Hmm, they both feel kinda heavy to me, but I think the XT spacebar is a bit heavier.  Either way I'm sure it feels really nice.  Thanks for the reply Capt.

[Kraksx]

My endgame board would just be a Poker II with the Raindrop cap set, a blue tex case, and white led's I soldiered in myself

[HoffmanMyster]

My endgame board would just be a Poker II with the Raindrop cap set, a blue tex case, and white led's I soldiered in myself

pls don't steal my keyboard.   

[Kraksx]

My endgame board would just be a Poker II with the Raindrop cap set, a blue tex case, and white led's I soldiered in myself

pls don't steal my keyboard.   

Nooooo! Is that really what you have?

[HoffmanMyster]

My endgame board would just be a Poker II with the Raindrop cap set, a blue tex case, and white led's I soldiered in myself

pls don't steal my keyboard.   

Nooooo! Is that really what you have?

Well I don't have the white LEDs, but I'm like 20 minutes away from having them if I wanted.    Already have the LEDs.

Also should perhaps clarify I have Raindrop V1.    Not sure which one you're after.


Poker II by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

[Kraksx]

My endgame board would just be a Poker II with the Raindrop cap set, a blue tex case, and white led's I soldiered in myself

pls don't steal my keyboard.   

Nooooo! Is that really what you have?

Well I don't have the white LEDs, but I'm like 20 minutes away from having them if I wanted.    Already have the LEDs.

Also should perhaps clarify I have Raindrop V1.    Not sure which one you're after.

Show Image

Poker II by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

It's so beautiful.... a guy can dream

[Touch_It]

No end game in site for me.  Though one of my highest goals is to get a IBM Model F PC AT keyboard, along with a model F terminal keyboard.  There are enough keyboards in the world though that I'll die before I reach all my goals.

[TheMark]

My endgame board would just be a Poker II with the Raindrop cap set, a blue tex case, and white led's I soldiered in myself

pls don't steal my keyboard.   

Nooooo! Is that really what you have?

Well I don't have the white LEDs, but I'm like 20 minutes away from having them if I wanted.    Already have the LEDs.

Also should perhaps clarify I have Raindrop V1.    Not sure which one you're after.

Show Image

Poker II by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

That's my endgame wrist rest! Where can I buy?

[dorkvader]

And, I think the Northgate Omnikey may be my endgame Alps board. Then all I'll need will be a linear board.

Hall effect.

That's as endgame as it gets with linear.

[HoffmanMyster]

My endgame board would just be a Poker II with the Raindrop cap set, a blue tex case, and white led's I soldiered in myself

pls don't steal my keyboard.   

Nooooo! Is that really what you have?

Well I don't have the white LEDs, but I'm like 20 minutes away from having them if I wanted.    Already have the LEDs.

Also should perhaps clarify I have Raindrop V1.    Not sure which one you're after.

Show Image

Poker II by HoffmanMyster, on Flickr

That's my endgame wrist rest! Where can I buy?

I had The_Beast make this one for me, but I'm not sure he's taking orders right now.  He's been pretty busy with other stuff lately.

It's called the Hashbaz Triple, and I know hashbaz has the same layering of wood, but I'm not sure of anyone else that has it.  Not that that helps you find one, but it's at least some more random info about it.  ;)

[TheMark]

TY, I just founds TheBeasts forum area...

Edit: I was incorrect about him being local, my bad.