Filco zero 108key vs Matias TP3: A Virtual Head-to-Head

[wellington1869]

Neither of these fullsize fukka boards exist right now -- which is why its the perfect time to have a virtual head-to-head comparison!  :-D

Filco FKB108Z:
Pros:
-looks great
-great price (~$100 or less -- majestouch, you like how i'm pricing it for you? :-D )
-Fukkas, baby!
-full size with numpad
-build quality known to be very high...

Cons:
-...except for the dreaded Filco key wear

Vaporware status: Apparently exists in Japan (we think). In Japanese layout anyway.


TP3:
Pros:
-looks great
-Programmable key layout in firmware!! (we think). (tho it might be a bit kludgy to do)
-Fukkas, baby!
-full size with numpad

Cons:
-Pricey ($150, probably)
-Has matias fully eliminated controller ghosting problem? Will build quality be equal to filco?

Vaporware status: Matias website claims release date of Fall 09... but they've moved that schedule around before.


So -- IF the above holds and both boards actually appear out of the vapor -- is $50 worth a programmable key layout to you?

[D-EJ915]

One plus to the matias is they do put the power button on them.

[wellington1869]

One plus to the matias is they do put the power button on them.

tp2 has  really nice keys too. Though they wobble (not as tight as the filco probably) but nice to the touch.

[cmr]

the keys on the TP2 do wobble a bit, about like an AT-101W. more than a das iii or model m.

[itlnstln]

For some reason, Alps-interface keys/keycaps tend to wobble more than others.  My Cherrys have nowhere near the wobbling my Alps do.  Actually, my G80 doesn't wobble at all, but my Filco does a bit (but much less than the Alps 'boards).  I think it has something to do with mating interface being better using a "+" design over a "-" style.

[wellington1869]

so would  you guys pay $50 for key-layout firmware programmability on the keyboard? How important is that to you? Do you want custom layouts (beyond what autothotkey could provide)?

[kyamei]

So long as the board has a standard layout, I'd probably never use the program function.  I don't use AHK either.

[Rajagra]

so would  you guys pay $50 for key-layout firmware programmability on the keyboard? How important is that to you? Do you want custom layouts (beyond what autothotkey could provide)?

I would. The ability to choose the best keyboard layout and be able to plug it into a work PC where rules forbid any software installation is easily worth $50.

[wellington1869]

I would. The ability to choose the best keyboard layout and be able to plug it into a work PC where rules forbid any software installation is easily worth $50.

I do find on occasion ahk misses a keystroke. I have to believe that a firmware re-program would be more robust. Whether thats worth $50 or not... not sure yet. Definintely would be nice though.

On lowpo's board you'll be able to create your own layers (just like in ahk), from what I understand.

[itlnstln]

You would think that more people would have Northgate (or CVT) 'boards here if they found programmability important.  I'm not trying to discount programmability, but I wonder.

[cmr]

i am not really that interested in using layouts other than the standard one, but i do find the idea of reprogramming the TP2 interesting so i hope to have time for that soon.

[wellington1869]

i am not really that interested in using layouts other than the standard one, but i do find the idea of reprogramming the TP2 interesting so i hope to have time for that soon.

cmr, when you get a chance, can you do the 'credit card test' on your tp2 as described here? It would tell us if the scan rate on the tp2 controller is working well...
http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:6987&do=comments&page=6