geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: worminater on Mon, 16 August 2010, 23:27:30

Title: Have a Cherry Brown.. What's next(/work)?
Post by: worminater on Mon, 16 August 2010, 23:27:30
Hola.  So, browsing this forum convinced me to pick up a cherry brown Filco Tenkeyless to replace my aging g15; and I'm hooked.

I am a gamer; and light coder at home(most home coding done on laptop), and I type constantly at work (vim FTW).

The only problem... I'm having with my purchase of this Filco; is I can't stand the membrane i'm using at work anymore.


I love the size/feel of my Filco, but I don't want to just buy a second one without exploring a little.  Should I just make the plunge and pick up a Deck Legend with white's for home, and move my Filco to work; or is their a cheaper alternative which will hold me...?

Suggestions welcome. I don't really have a budget; but I do have a wedding in a few months I'm supposed to be saving for :)

~Chris
Title: Have a Cherry Brown.. What's next(/work)?
Post by: clee on Tue, 17 August 2010, 02:55:57
Ripster: that is amazing! Never seen it before.

worminator: Just buy one of everything. You'll end up doing it eventually. It's cheap and easy to start with a Model M - you can usually find one on ebay for under $40.
Title: Have a Cherry Brown.. What's next(/work)?
Post by: keyboardlover on Tue, 17 August 2010, 07:44:40
Key Tronic is a good alternative for work - they're cheap and have rubber domes but very comfortable for typing/coding. Or, if you don't mind a funky layout you could find a cheap used Compaq MX11800 with Cherry browns.
Title: Have a Cherry Brown.. What's next(/work)?
Post by: washuai on Tue, 17 August 2010, 13:25:54
Yea, the keytronic & Compaq are good budget work recommendations.  To me, I use the keyboard at work, even more than home, so I'm not headed for a budget solution and I'll just have to lock it up at night.

Work generally requires more quiet, though so I recommend you take the Filco to work and get something new to try at home if you're looking for more keyboard adventure.  Sounds like you're interested in a tactile backlit gaming board, which really there's only the Déck, unless you're willing to add clicky and try the iOne Xarmour with blue cherries.
Title: Have a Cherry Brown.. What's next(/work)?
Post by: spolia optima on Tue, 17 August 2010, 14:31:30
keyboards with PCB mounted MX switches are a tad bit quieter than their metal plate mounted brethren. Have you considered a Cherry-made G80-3000/1800 for work?
Title: Have a Cherry Brown.. What's next(/work)?
Post by: washuai on Tue, 17 August 2010, 16:32:34
I think it is easier/cheaper to find the Compaq, than to find a G80-1800 in preferred color/key caps/switches, but they would hold one over.
Title: Have a Cherry Brown.. What's next(/work)?
Post by: worminater on Tue, 17 August 2010, 20:27:23
I have to admit; if money was no object I'd get a hhk without a second thought...

My work environment is pretty "safe"; so I don't worry about leaving a nice keyboard there (I leave an mp3 player+shures on top *too* often over weekends)

I've become partial to the Tenkeyless style I think; I've never really used a numpad so it just gives me a more natural mousing position it seems.

The "Buy one of everything" suggestion scares me; head-fi made a similar remark and I listened too well :(
Title: Have a Cherry Brown.. What's next(/work)?
Post by: keyboardlover on Tue, 17 August 2010, 20:32:54
If money isn't a big deal and you like everything about the Filco but just don't want the same thing you could wait for the Leopold or Ducky tenkeyless (which I believe are forthcoming?) You can check out their separate threads for more info. I think at least one of them will have browns as an option.
Title: tenkeyless
Post by: worminater on Wed, 18 August 2010, 08:54:14
Both of those (Ducky/Leopolds) look tempting... I'm currently moving my Filco back and forth and that works for now.  

Waiting is always the hardest part :)

(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8AGQHyDjMr8/TGvlNfi7lcI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/G4I-5eK9798/s800/IMG_20100818_094629.jpg)
Title: Have a Cherry Brown.. What's next(/work)?
Post by: MissileMike on Wed, 18 August 2010, 09:12:25
I solved this very problem by ordering two filco 104 key browns, just waiting on them to show up now :)
Title: Have a Cherry Brown.. What's next(/work)?
Post by: keyboardlover on Wed, 18 August 2010, 14:46:18
Quote from: ripster;213774
Uh, the Ducky and Leopolds have been around for years.   It's always been distribution for anyone outside of Korea/China that's been the problem.

Another classic example: try and buy a Blue Cherry or Clear Cherry G80-3000 from Cherry Corp USA.


Well I was referring to the new Ducky and Leopold models but, fair enough, since it doesn't seem clear how attainable they will be for those outside of Asia.
Title: Have a Cherry Brown.. What's next(/work)?
Post by: aegrotatio on Wed, 18 August 2010, 16:10:38
Why are the two Windows keys so shiny in that picture?
Did FIlco have to special-order them when the Windows Logo requirements changed to the molded dome key?