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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: nrd on Thu, 28 July 2011, 02:25:29

Title: Zowie Celeritas + Blank Filco Keycaps, would that work out?
Post by: nrd on Thu, 28 July 2011, 02:25:29
Hello geekhackers (and sorry for any bad English, I'm trying my best),

after reading a ton of reviews and forum discussions and wiki articles, I finally ordered a Zowie Celeritas as my very first mechanical keyboard (and allow me to say, geekhack really is an invaluable source when it comes to keyboard-related research).
The only thing I don't like about the Celeritas (as far as looks go, didn't receive it yet) are the F9-F12 keys with the clear parts for the LED to shine through. They look out of place and I really don't want to have to look at that red LED all day long, so I was wondering if I could use those blank, black Filco keycaps (http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard_details.asp?PRODUCT=639) to replace the F-Keys on the Zowie Celeritas.

I've seen a Celeritas with red(?) WASD keys here on the forum, but now I can't locate the thread anymore and I can't remember where those keycaps came from. But I do remember that not all four keys fit perfectly (I think some have been too high compared to the original ones?) - if that's the only issue, it shouldn't be a problem for the F-keys, since they form a block/row on their own and if I buy a whole set of keycaps, I'll probably end up replacing the whole top row anyway.

Yup, that's pretty much my only question right now: Do the Filco keycaps fit the Zowie Celeritas?
Thanks in advance :wave:
Title: Zowie Celeritas + Blank Filco Keycaps, would that work out?
Post by: 4LI4Z on Thu, 28 July 2011, 06:23:22
I can not promise but normally they should fit because the keycaps very similar.
Title: Zowie Celeritas + Blank Filco Keycaps, would that work out?
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Thu, 28 July 2011, 12:54:01
Any aftermarket mx keycap set should fit, with exception of the enter key if you have the bigass version. If you have an ISO version, there are a few keysets available in ISO. Any single keycaps will fit, but like you know some have a different height that the stock zowie caps.
Title: Zowie Celeritas + Blank Filco Keycaps, would that work out?
Post by: nrd on Thu, 28 July 2011, 14:37:16
Thanks for the answers!

Quote
Any aftermarket mx keycap set should fit, with exception of the enter key if you have the bigass version. If you have an ISO version, there are a few keysets available in ISO.
Yes, I've ordered the Celeritas with a German layout (http://www.hardwareluxx.de/media/jphoto/artikel-galerien/test-zowie-celeritas-vs-razer-blackwidow-ultimat/cimg4191-950x428.jpg) and if I decide to keep it, I'll order the 105 Key Keyset (http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard_images/105_blank_black_key_set_filco_cherry_EU_UK_large.jpg) to get rid of the ugly F-keys - looks like the Enter key from that set should fit, too.

Ha, can't wait :bounce:
Title: Zowie Celeritas + Blank Filco Keycaps, would that work out?
Post by: 4LI4Z on Fri, 29 July 2011, 04:44:41
Yes the German enterkey should fit. Have fun with it.
Title: Zowie Celeritas + Blank Filco Keycaps, would that work out?
Post by: pascoa341 on Sat, 20 August 2011, 11:18:43
Quote from: nrd;388883
Thanks for the answers!

Yes, I've ordered the Celeritas with a German layout (http://www.hardwareluxx.de/media/jphoto/artikel-galerien/test-zowie-celeritas-vs-razer-blackwidow-ultimat/cimg4191-950x428.jpg) and if I decide to keep it, I'll order the 105 Key Keyset (http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard_images/105_blank_black_key_set_filco_cherry_EU_UK_large.jpg) to get rid of the ugly F-keys - looks like the Enter key from that set should fit, too.

Ha, can't wait :bounce:

Did you keep the keyboad and change the keycaps in the end. I thought the Filco spacebar would not work with this keyboard.
Title: Zowie Celeritas + Blank Filco Keycaps, would that work out?
Post by: nrd on Tue, 23 August 2011, 11:47:24
I did keep the keyboard (because it's great!) but have not changed any keycaps yet because I'm waiting for custom ones from WASDkeyboards - no point in paying for two sets if I only need one :smile:

Yes, the space bar would not fit, but since the original space bar is already a blank, black key I didn't see a problem with that. Even if the key profile would differ slightly (and I'm not sure if it would), the space bar is right on the bottom and in the middle and never gets in the way of any other fingers than the thumbs, so it shouldn't be a big deal.
Title: Zowie Celeritas + Blank Filco Keycaps, would that work out?
Post by: monked on Tue, 06 September 2011, 16:05:38
holy **** this WASDkeyboards website looks awesome ^^
so... "hast du da nun ein ordentliches board oder keycaps bekommen für ein deutsches tastaturlayout?"
Title: Zowie Celeritas + Blank Filco Keycaps, would that work out?
Post by: nrd on Wed, 14 September 2011, 18:19:11
Crap, totally forgot about this thread, sorry...

Nope, don't have any key caps yet since the WASDkeyboards layout editor doesn't support all special characters I need (or even basic ones like Ö, Ä, Ü and so on) - right now it's impossible to create a complete German layout through their site (plus they don't carry ISO Enter keys yet). But they will start selling keyboards with a 105 key ISO layout, so I hope they get the editor sorted out till that point as well - would only make sense.

But the Zowie Celeritas really is a great keyboard, very solid, very nice and clean feel and look and I love the brown switches for typing and gaming. I can really only recommend this keyboard. Got it for 118€ through amazon.de, it's a bit expensive but at least you can try it out and send it back if you don't like it easily and if you do keep it, it will last you a very long time, that's for sure. Very solid board.
Title: Zowie Celeritas + Blank Filco Keycaps, would that work out?
Post by: monked on Wed, 14 September 2011, 18:56:11
Quote from: nrd;416235
But they will start selling keyboards with a 105 key ISO layout, so I hope they get the editor sorted out till that point as well - would only make sense..

any idea when this will happen?
Title: Zowie Celeritas + Blank Filco Keycaps, would that work out?
Post by: nrd on Wed, 14 September 2011, 19:17:37
According to this thread:http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?20860-105-Key-ISO-Layout-due-to-be-available-in-late-2011-early-2012 sometime later this year or in early 2012 - so still some time to go :(
Title: Zowie Celeritas + Blank Filco Keycaps, would that work out?
Post by: monked on Wed, 14 September 2011, 19:52:25
ah just saw the thread ^^ hmm end of december... like the FILCO TKL Ninja with ISO. dunno if i can wait this long with my ****ty board... maybe i ll get something to get over the time!