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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: LawnJesus on Sun, 14 November 2010, 23:37:50

Title: Das Silent a suitable replacement for FILCO Brown?
Post by: LawnJesus on Sun, 14 November 2010, 23:37:50: Seeing as EK has no ETA for the next FILCO NKRO browns, is the Das a good runner-up for purchase?

How does it rank in quality compared to the FILCO? Does it have a metal backplate?
Title: Das Silent a suitable replacement for FILCO Brown?
Post by: keyb_gr on Mon, 15 November 2010, 05:49:55: Yep, plate-mounted. (http://blog.bogosity.se/2010/09/12/reassembling-das-keyboard/)

Not sure about the lettering (http://www.overclock.net/computer-peripherals/807207-das-keyboard-pro-fast-key-wear.html) though.

And of course, it's shiny.
Title: Das Silent a suitable replacement for FILCO Brown?
Post by: BeatCrazy on Thu, 06 January 2011, 10:47:47: Quote from: LawnJesus;246897
Seeing as EK has no ETA for the next FILCO NKRO browns, is the Das a good runner-up for purchase?

How does it rank in quality compared to the FILCO? Does it have a metal backplate?

My first "real" keyboard was a Filco MX Cherry Blue I bought a few months ago. I really enjoy it, and needed a new keyboard for work (was using ABS M1 I got from newegg for $20). I needed something mechanical and quiet. I was bummed to find out that there were no more Filcos on Elite Keyboards. I really couldn't wait any longer, so I decided to try the Das Silent S.

I'm typing on it now, it feels pretty good. The keys have a bit of a "hollow" feel to them compared to my Filco. I may try one of the Leoplds eventually, but the Das Silent seems to work just fine. My hands are much less fatigued now than when I was using the ABS M1. My co-workers ears are also much relieved!
Title: Das Silent a suitable replacement for FILCO Brown?
Post by: lanjiow on Thu, 06 January 2011, 15:15:24: I've got a DAS Silent and like it a lot. Don't have any comparison points with filco though as I've not tried it (been wanting one but buying one of those these days seems to be as hard as getting a porsche 959).

As someone that types all day, the DAS blows every other keyboard I've ever had before (rubber domes) out of the water and is worth every penny. I've got an Archiss blue coming in the mail (hopefully soon) so I'll post some thoughts on the comparison once it arrives (if someone hasn't already).
Title: Das Silent a suitable replacement for FILCO Brown?
Post by: BeatCrazy on Tue, 25 January 2011, 16:00:03: Some further comments on the Das Silent S:

I have noticed that after 3 weeks, the white keyboard lettering seems to get particularly dirty. I'm in an office environment, and purport to keep fairly clean hands. However, the brownish tinge to the most-used keys is quite unsettling.
Title: Das Silent a suitable replacement for FILCO Brown?
Post by: BeatCrazy on Tue, 25 January 2011, 16:09:37: Any cleaning recommendations?

I will probably be tempted by a Cherry Brown Leopold, when Elite Keyboards starts stocking them.
Title: Das Silent a suitable replacement for FILCO Brown?
Post by: laden3 on Tue, 25 January 2011, 16:47:24: I don't think that there is really a way to clean it since we are technically rubbing off the lasered legends. It might happen to any other lasered ABS keys too, but, if I am not wrong, lasered ABS legends last a little longer compare to their nylon and PBT counterparts (not proven, assumptions made from reading forum posts and little personal experiences).

This is less obvious for white lasered keys with black legends.
Title: Das Silent a suitable replacement for FILCO Brown?
Post by: BeatCrazy on Tue, 25 January 2011, 17:52:44: Quote from: laden3;284730
I don't think that there is really a way to clean it since we are technically rubbing off the lasered legends.

I don't think you're understanding my situation. I'm not rubbing offer the laser legends, rather the white etchings are just turning brown from finger oil. There's no way I could have rubbed off laser etchings in two weeks! ;)