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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: voodoo6k on Tue, 28 July 2020, 23:36:45

Title: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: voodoo6k on Tue, 28 July 2020, 23:36:45: So interesting, yet so many questions...

(https://i.imgur.com/1yapVNB.jpg)
https://www.diatec.co.jp/shop/MINILA-R/
Title: Re: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: Doragraz on Tue, 28 July 2020, 23:39:29: Taking advantage of these things until now would not have to find somewhere else.
Title: Re: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: powwu on Wed, 29 July 2020, 00:20:38: Wow, this is really revolutionary. Not only does this look great for a prebuilt, the keycap technology is unlike anything I've seen before. This has the potential to change the MK scene.
Title: Re: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: Tom_Kazansky on Wed, 29 July 2020, 05:34:28: the keycap seems revolutionary
[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: voodoo6k on Wed, 29 July 2020, 11:10:14: Quote from: Tom_Kazansky on Wed, 29 July 2020, 05:34:28
the keycap seems revolutionary
(Attachment Link)

I'm guessing the top is two-shot PBT, unsure about the base (could be ABS). It seems to be made for comfort (not as relegendables). The keyboard uses DIP switches like before.

As for the layout (US version), the four top rows now use ANSI (regular Shift keys and Backspace), while the bottom row uses a variation of the old Minila layout:

Only the three rightmost keys are changed because the arrow cluster is removed.
Title: Re: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: -Jerry- on Wed, 29 July 2020, 11:22:09: It looks really interesting, though I'm curious whether those inserts would become loose or start to rattle over time.
Title: Re: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: envyy24 on Wed, 29 July 2020, 13:45:14: Price is crazy good, 17,00 yen or 125£ in Japan!!
That and they fix bunch of things i do not like in minila air like 1u backspace and even staggered rows
Title: Re: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: Riverman on Wed, 29 July 2020, 15:35:16: I'm impressed that they're using PBT for the keycaps. They've gone from having just about the crappiest keycaps on a high-end (for the mass market) mechanical keyboard to possibly some of the best. They're definitely the most interesting ones I've seen.
Title: Re: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: Muchacho on Sat, 01 August 2020, 08:16:16: This is crazy, the double part keycaps makes it appealing for experimenting new design. I really hope it sounds good.

Cannot wait for the reviews.

Also happy they propose the MX Red Silent.
Title: Re: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: voodoo6k on Wed, 05 August 2020, 18:39:51: Here's a review (it doesn't say much):

https://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/column/hothot/1269405.html (select English version)

No word on the lack of USB-C...
Title: Re: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: moh18one on Wed, 05 August 2020, 20:40:10: Cool!
Title: Re: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: jamster on Wed, 05 August 2020, 21:18:06: Quote from: -Jerry- on Wed, 29 July 2020, 11:22:09
It looks really interesting, though I'm curious whether those inserts would become loose or start to rattle over time.

That was my first thought too.

The only other keyboard I know that did this kind of thing was the brilliant old IBM design, but they use an attachment method that looks considerably more secure, with an interchangeable printed cap totally enclosing the stem piece. No reliance on tiny and breakable plastic legs being in correct alignment.

(http://www.clickykeyboard.com/techpics/key_caps_compared.gif)
Title: Re: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: envyy24 on Thu, 06 August 2020, 14:09:47: Guys, it is not like we don't have any other alternative keycaps options on the market... i mean in the past whoever use Filco knows how mediocre their keycaps are and have to change their caps anyways. If this experiment from them turns out to fail, well, swapping keycaps is not something new to Filco fans
Title: Re: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: voodoo6k on Tue, 18 August 2020, 12:35:32: Is there a non-aftermarket USB-C keyboard out there with a USB (3.x) passthrough?

It seems like the popular USB-C models, eg. HHKB, Keychron, don't have any USB-A ports.
Title: Re: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: Sintpinty on Tue, 18 August 2020, 12:55:50: What are those keycaps
Title: Re: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: voodoo6k on Tue, 25 August 2020, 18:37:21: (https://i.imgur.com/A8nUQFu.jpg)

:eek:
Title: Re: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: Muchacho on Wed, 26 August 2020, 03:29:06: Quote from: voodoo6k on Tue, 25 August 2020, 18:37:21
Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/A8nUQFu.jpg)

:eek:

Where does this image come from ?
Title: Re: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: _PixelNinja on Wed, 26 August 2020, 03:35:37: Quote from: -Jerry- on Wed, 29 July 2020, 11:22:09
It looks really interesting, though I'm curious whether those inserts would become loose or start to rattle over time.

It looks like (https://youtu.be/tO7ZYxjFTCU?t=372) they are not really made to be frequently unmounted/mounted.
Title: Re: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: voodoo6k on Wed, 26 August 2020, 09:10:43: Quote from: Muchacho on Wed, 26 August 2020, 03:29:06
Quote from: voodoo6k on Tue, 25 August 2020, 18:37:21
Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/A8nUQFu.jpg)

:eek:

Where does this image come from ?

It's a render I did to try to convince Oblotzky to add Minila support to GMK Space Cadet II.

With the new layout, all that's missing is a R4 1.75u Control and two 1.25u spacekeys of the same colour.
Title: Re: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: rxc92 on Wed, 26 August 2020, 20:29:41: Quote from: Riverman on Wed, 29 July 2020, 15:35:16
I'm impressed that they're using PBT for the keycaps. They've gone from having just about the crappiest keycaps on a high-end (for the mass market) mechanical keyboard to possibly some of the best. They're definitely the most interesting ones I've seen.

What? Realforce has always had good keycaps.
Title: Re: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: voodoo6k on Wed, 26 August 2020, 20:37:35: Quote from: rxc92 on Wed, 26 August 2020, 20:29:41
Quote from: Riverman on Wed, 29 July 2020, 15:35:16
I'm impressed that they're using PBT for the keycaps. They've gone from having just about the crappiest keycaps on a high-end (for the mass market) mechanical keyboard to possibly some of the best. They're definitely the most interesting ones I've seen.

What? Realforce has always had good keycaps.

Realforce, yes. Filco, not so much ;)
Title: Re: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: mrvco on Wed, 26 August 2020, 22:54:49: I like the look, but I certainly don’t see this two-piece design being very practical relative to standard key caps.
Title: Re: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: rxc92 on Sat, 05 September 2020, 06:36:15: Quote from: voodoo6k on Wed, 26 August 2020, 20:37:35
Quote from: rxc92 on Wed, 26 August 2020, 20:29:41
Quote from: Riverman on Wed, 29 July 2020, 15:35:16
I'm impressed that they're using PBT for the keycaps. They've gone from having just about the crappiest keycaps on a high-end (for the mass market) mechanical keyboard to possibly some of the best. They're definitely the most interesting ones I've seen.

What? Realforce has always had good keycaps.

Realforce, yes. Filco, not so much ;)

Uh hm... not sure why I thought that it was Topre for some reason. Good catch.
Title: Re: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: voodoo6k on Wed, 21 October 2020, 14:25:55: I just ordered one, so I might do a short review if people are interested.. :thumb:
Title: Re: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: cajhin on Mon, 09 November 2020, 09:41:50: I'm interested in a short review.
This in particular: is there *any* way tho make the "thumb modifier keys" send out key codes?

I bought the old Minila Air only for those extra thumb keys, so I can use them for my (sophisticated or crazy) keyboard config.
Sadly, they can only be configured to send "Space key", which is useless to me. I physically rewired the thumb keys to the Alt keys so that my mapping software can see them.

Otherwise, with new keycaps, the old Manila Air is great. Issues with multiple keypresses when the batteries are low, but all else is exactly what I want (including the hardware cursor keys). I'd buy a 2nd one, but I dread the rewiring...
Title: Re: New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible
Post by: voodoo6k on Mon, 09 November 2020, 12:00:13: Quote from: cajhin on Mon, 09 November 2020, 09:41:50
I'm interested in a short review.
This in particular: is there *any* way tho make the "thumb modifier keys" send out key codes?

I bought the old Minila Air only for those extra thumb keys, so I can use them for my (sophisticated or crazy) keyboard config.
Sadly, they can only be configured to send "Space key", which is useless to me. I physically rewired the thumb keys to the Alt keys so that my mapping software can see them.

Otherwise, with new keycaps, the old Manila Air is great. Issues with multiple keypresses when the batteries are low, but all else is exactly what I want (including the hardware cursor keys). I'd buy a 2nd one, but I dread the rewiring...

I lent the Minila Convertible to someone so I haven't been using it. The Fn thumb keys are still hardwired and cannot be remapped to spacebars (with DIP switches) like on the Minila Air.

The new "patch" keycaps are very smooth and pleasant. One thing I noticed is that the (1,2,3,4,U) buttons are a bit rattly when moving the keyboard around..