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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Tactile on Mon, 20 May 2019, 17:16:22

Title: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: Tactile on Mon, 20 May 2019, 17:16:22
Way down at the bottom of the Fujitsu HHKB website (https://hhkeyboard.us/) is this:

Code: [Select]
Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. is the sole authorized seller of the HHKB and Topre REALFORCE keyboards in the U.S.
So I guess Elite Keyboards are no longer distributors of either HHKB or Realforce. Which may explain why the Elite Keyboards website (https://elitekeyboards.com/) seems to be off-the-air.
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: xondat on Mon, 20 May 2019, 17:18:09
Damn, feels like the end of an era now the site is finally down.
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 20 May 2019, 17:44:25
Quote from: xondat on Mon, 20 May 2019, 17:18:09
Damn, feels like the end of an era now the site is finally down.

Oh nos... We are now old..
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: SpAmRaY on Mon, 20 May 2019, 18:40:49
They had some good graphics of the hhkb layout and dip switches.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: Riverman on Mon, 20 May 2019, 18:53:35
I guess that means that Mechanical Keyboards isn't going to be selling them either, huh?  They were an authorized dealer as of fairly recently.
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: HPE1000 on Mon, 20 May 2019, 18:55:31
also rip the EK clack sales and GMK mod kits they had

They had a good run
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: romevi on Mon, 20 May 2019, 20:02:41
Wow.
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: Sifo on Mon, 20 May 2019, 20:28:59
F
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: jamster on Mon, 20 May 2019, 20:32:12
A casualty of Massdrop and their 'buy a Realforce keyboard plus a spacebar' deals?
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: Rob27shred on Mon, 20 May 2019, 20:37:44
F

Glad I got 2 tubes of both EK Mechlube & Mechlube 2 recently. Mechlube 2 is my favorite lube for ALPS stabs so that sucks. :(
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: ArchDill on Mon, 20 May 2019, 21:36:05
So Smart Imports is not an "authorized dealer"?
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: xondat on Mon, 20 May 2019, 22:24:40
Quote from: ArchDill on Mon, 20 May 2019, 21:36:05
So Smart Imports is not an "authorized dealer"?

They probably buy from a JP vendor and reship.
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: Sintpinty on Tue, 21 May 2019, 06:03:07
Quote from: Tactile on Mon, 20 May 2019, 17:16:22
Way down at the bottom of the Fujitsu HHKB website (https://hhkeyboard.us/) is this:

Code: [Select]
Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. is the sole authorized seller of the HHKB and Topre REALFORCE keyboards in the U.S.
So I guess Elite Keyboards are no longer distributors of either HHKB or Realforce. Which may explain why the Elite Keyboards website (https://elitekeyboards.com/) seems to be off-the-air.

F in the chat for EliteKeyboards  :'(
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: iLLucionist on Wed, 22 May 2019, 05:41:22
Just came here for this. Tried loading up their site... didn't work. Sigh... where else in Europe can I buy Topre now besides keyboardco in the uk..

Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: ideus on Wed, 22 May 2019, 07:38:02
That is why Topre sucks.
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: nelamvr6 on Wed, 22 May 2019, 08:00:35
Quote from: Riverman on Mon, 20 May 2019, 18:53:35
I guess that means that Mechanical Keyboards isn't going to be selling them either, huh?  They were an authorized dealer as of fairly recently.

As of right now MechanicalKeyboards still has Topre products in stock, I just ordered an FC660C from them tonight, and they also have Realforce boards in stock. I don't think I've ever seen an HHKB in stock there.
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: Tactile on Wed, 22 May 2019, 09:19:23
I'm going to miss their Switch Hitter keyboard testing program. I hope they might make it available somewhere, somehow.

Bought this from them ... ah ... 2 or 3 years ago.
[attach=1]
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: lightsout714 on Wed, 22 May 2019, 13:34:22
The site has been "basically" dead for some time now. I remember people had issue with Brian back in the day but he seemed like a nice guy the time I got to go into the showroom and check out the boards.
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: nelamvr6 on Wed, 22 May 2019, 20:26:14
Quote from: Tactile on Wed, 22 May 2019, 09:19:23
I'm going to miss their Switch Hitter keyboard testing program. I hope they might make it available somewhere, somehow.

Bought this from them ... ah ... 2 or 3 years ago.
(Attachment Link)

You can still get that: https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/switch_hitter.html
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: Sup on Thu, 23 May 2019, 06:20:18
Quote from: iLLucionist on Wed, 22 May 2019, 05:41:22
Just came here for this. Tried loading up their site... didn't work. Sigh... where else in Europe can I buy Topre now besides keyboardco in the uk..

Candykeys-Germany sells HHKB and the Leopold FC660C. Mykeyboard.EU-Belgium FC660C and FC980C keyboards. Elite keyboards wasn't even EU based  :confused:
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: tex_live_utility on Thu, 23 May 2019, 07:52:47
Their Mechlube was interesting stuff, and underrated IMO. Was there a problem with it (e.g. it dries out over time)? Or did people just forget about it in the age of Krytox?

Also, I think it's high time we had an open-source, cross-platform Switch Hitter replacement. Time to start learning GTK or Qt, I suppose.
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: depletedvespene on Sat, 25 May 2019, 19:12:40
Damn. Who will become the maintainer for Switch Hitter?
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: macguy80 on Sun, 26 May 2019, 02:24:51
Darn. There goes my dream of owning a 104UG (aka HiPro)... It's not listed on the Fujitsu site.
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: dustinhxc on Sun, 26 May 2019, 02:52:19
Whaaat... Elite Keyboards... Man that makes me sad. Bought many Topre boards/ keysets from them. Entered Clack raffles... RIP
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: rowdy on Fri, 14 June 2019, 04:18:37
Quote from: HPE1000 on Mon, 20 May 2019, 18:55:31
also rip the EK clack sales and GMK mod kits they had

They had a good run

EK was the first place I saw a Clack sale, and I posted here in case someone had missed it.

Times have changed, quite a lot.
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: ranker on Fri, 14 June 2019, 23:48:47
I got into keyboards in 2013/14 and I purchased a lot of keyboards from Brian.  He was a standup guy and I would do business with him again anytime in any industry.  He spent a bunch of time educating me and was always the most helpful guy.  I hope he has moved on to better business opportunities and is doing well.  He should forward his domain to an Amazon affiliate site or something.
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: Sifo on Mon, 17 June 2019, 19:07:43
reminder these were readily available in stock for months

(https://i.imgur.com/SlMnyx3.png)
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: lightsout714 on Wed, 19 June 2019, 16:59:55
Quote from: Sifo on Mon, 17 June 2019, 19:07:43
reminder these were readily available in stock for months

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/SlMnyx3.png)


Its crazy how simple hype can inflate a market. Those are some pretty sweet prices.
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: Rob27shred on Wed, 19 June 2019, 17:36:02
Quote from: Sifo on Mon, 17 June 2019, 19:07:43
reminder these were readily available in stock for months

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/SlMnyx3.png)


Was this recently? I've had EK linked & browsed them periodically since I got into the scene (early/mid 2015), but never noticed any Clacks for sale on their site. I believe went through the whole site a few time too, I'll be pretty mad at myself if I seriously missed them all those times... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: Sifo on Wed, 19 June 2019, 18:52:08
Quote from: Rob27shred on Wed, 19 June 2019, 17:36:02
Quote from: Sifo on Mon, 17 June 2019, 19:07:43
reminder these were readily available in stock for months

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/SlMnyx3.png)


Was this recently? I've had EK linked & browsed them periodically since I got into the scene (early/mid 2015), but never noticed any Clacks for sale on their site. I believe went through the whole site a few time too, I'll be pretty mad at myself if I seriously missed them all those times... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

2010-2011

i was on ek before i knew gh was a thing lol
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: Rob27shred on Thu, 20 June 2019, 08:04:44
Quote from: Sifo on Wed, 19 June 2019, 18:52:08
Quote from: Rob27shred on Wed, 19 June 2019, 17:36:02
Quote from: Sifo on Mon, 17 June 2019, 19:07:43
reminder these were readily available in stock for months

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/SlMnyx3.png)


Was this recently? I've had EK linked & browsed them periodically since I got into the scene (early/mid 2015), but never noticed any Clacks for sale on their site. I believe went through the whole site a few time too, I'll be pretty mad at myself if I seriously missed them all those times... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

2010-2011

i was on ek before i knew gh was a thing lol

LOL, ok thanks for the reply! :thumb:
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: Sup on Thu, 20 June 2019, 09:19:21
Quote from: Sifo on Mon, 17 June 2019, 19:07:43
reminder these were readily available in stock for months

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/SlMnyx3.png)


Need to go back in time buy them all and go back to 2019: profit????
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 25 June 2019, 22:10:06
Quote from: Sifo on Mon, 17 June 2019, 19:07:43
reminder these were readily available in stock for months

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/SlMnyx3.png)


Makes my eyes water to see such prices.
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: KHAANNN on Sun, 22 December 2019, 10:39:04
Damn, I just realized I never bought the "CDS-YEL-ARROW Authentic Cherry Yellow Arrow Set (Double-Shot)" - I have all the other sets :/ - RIP

I was going to combine the yellow arrows with a blue enter, black on white FN, then a Red Esc on the top left corner - not gonna happen

They had a better GMK accent selection back then compared to any seller now
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: tex_live_utility on Mon, 23 December 2019, 10:39:42
Quote from: KHAANNN on Sun, 22 December 2019, 10:39:04
Damn, I just realized I never bought the "CDS-YEL-ARROW Authentic Cherry Yellow Arrow Set (Double-Shot)" - I have all the other sets :/ - RIP

I was going to combine the yellow arrows with a blue enter, black on white FN, then a Red Esc on the top left corner - not gonna happen

They had a better GMK accent selection back then compared to any seller now

This, also their switch and stab lubes were really nice, and feels distinctly different from Krytox in switches.
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: yuppie on Mon, 23 December 2019, 10:47:17
SAD
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: Rob27shred on Mon, 23 December 2019, 12:11:11
Quote from: tex_live_utility on Mon, 23 December 2019, 10:39:42
Quote from: KHAANNN on Sun, 22 December 2019, 10:39:04
Damn, I just realized I never bought the "CDS-YEL-ARROW Authentic Cherry Yellow Arrow Set (Double-Shot)" - I have all the other sets :/ - RIP

I was going to combine the yellow arrows with a blue enter, black on white FN, then a Red Esc on the top left corner - not gonna happen

They had a better GMK accent selection back then compared to any seller now

This, also their switch and stab lubes were really nice, and feels distinctly different from Krytox in switches.

Never tried mechlube or mechlube 2 in switches, but agree they're both great for stabs. Wish I would've ordered more before they shut down, but thankfully I got 2 tubes of both in my stockpiles.
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: ch_123 on Wed, 25 December 2019, 20:14:57
Remember buying a TKL Filco with Cherry Blues from them, at a time where they were next to impossible to find anywhere (including in Japan/Korea). RIP if they truly are gone.
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: dabeshu on Thu, 26 December 2019, 16:37:01
Recently I ended up remembering they had a lube on there that they sold, house branded. I think it’s for stabilizers or something, but anyway I looked it up and google took me to a site with IP address as the URL, everything but this lube was listed as out of stock. Was their site and looked just like it always had but just this one product was available. Took like a month or something to finally arrive, just kind of wanted it since I was hoarding lubes. The first purchase I made for a mech was on their site over a decade ago, a Majestouch full-size with MX blues. It’s weird. I ended up randomly getting something from them just before they closed their doors in such a clandestine way. The hobby has evolved greatly in the time period I’ve enjoyed it, and I guess they just have no real place anymore. RIP
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: Rob27shred on Thu, 26 December 2019, 17:28:32
Quote from: dabeshu on Thu, 26 December 2019, 16:37:01
Recently I ended up remembering they had a lube on there that they sold, house branded. I think it’s for stabilizers or something, but anyway I looked it up and google took me to a site with IP address as the URL, everything but this lube was listed as out of stock. Was their site and looked just like it always had but just this one product was available. Took like a month or something to finally arrive, just kind of wanted it since I was hoarding lubes. The first purchase I made for a mech was on their site over a decade ago, a Majestouch full-size with MX blues. It’s weird. I ended up randomly getting something from them just before they closed their doors in such a clandestine way. The hobby has evolved greatly in the time period I’ve enjoyed it, and I guess they just have no real place anymore. RIP

I don't know if it was so much that there wasn't a place for them or more newcomers to the hobby did not know about them. I'm pretty sure I found them through google-fu basically on accident after I was already fairly into the hobby, since I remember wondering why I never heard of them. Either way they gone for now so RIP it is.
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: 1391401 on Fri, 27 December 2019, 03:42:46
I bought a couple boards from them through the years and generally always had a good experience.  My first board was a leopold and at the time (I want to say 2009ish) I think they were one of the few vendors that seemed legit (versus buying products via some asian proxy service).  Their support was also very helpful at answering some of my questions.  My last purchase was my first Topre board in ~2014.   Really though throughout the years their site hadn't changed much at all.  Rarely would they stock new products and really it was just existing products slowly disappearing from their site.  At some point they had a sale for candy corn keycaps that I really wanted but it turns out they were invite only or really limited so I did not get a chance to buy one which really frustrated me.  I still kinda want one but I don't care as much anymore.  Also, unrelated but at that time I had a few hundred dollars stolen from me from a few people people here at GH so I was jaded and lost interest in the hobby.  I didn't visit their site that much between then and now but I'd say I think they didn't really adapt or offer any new products to service the booming and evolving hobby so people lost interest.  Sad to see them go but now there are so many good options.  /blog
Title: Re: Elite Keyboards gone
Post by: nathanchere on Fri, 27 December 2019, 06:16:50
Quote from: Tactile on Wed, 22 May 2019, 09:19:23
I'm going to miss their Switch Hitter keyboard testing program. I hope they might make it available somewhere, somehow

You know your browser font is too small when you're half way through a reply before you realise it wasn't Switch Hitler