Quack?
Sounds more like a downgrade from a Filco if you ask me. But if they're selling for a cheaper price then I'm game!
Get it? I'm Game? Ducky keyboard?
80% chance it's Ducky
15% chance it's Leopold
5% chance it's XArmor (asking them now; but they said before they were being aggressive to make the XArmor prominent)
I just ordered a tenkeyless from them like a week ago and haven't got it... I hope this isn't true but if there is a slight chance ill get one of these "improved" boards, I will be pleased greatly. Someone confirm this please
I wasn't getting the impression that they were "cheap filcos", actually. They simply emphasize different things.
If you want a bog basic, well built board, you get a filco for $x.
If you want more features, at the cost of build quality, for <$x, you get a ducky.
It's priorities, man.
If Majestouch swaps his Geekhack name to be Donald or Daffy that would be a big hint.
The Leopolds are kind of interesting though... I like how the Lock keys light up when they're on, and they are available in blue, brown and black. Does anyone know if they have tenkeyless? Are they comparable to Filco in build quality?
Notice he was dropped earlier by Realforce in a "distribution dispute".
Now if I were a heartless Filco WW Sales Manager I would be pushing into North America now that the market is established with my own people.
But that's just me.
Inaccurate. We stopped selling the 87U due to the fact that the licensing for it was exclusive, and Diatec was selling it to us, but Diatec was the one dropped. Around the same time, EliteKeyboards secured sole distributorship of Realforce in the USA, hence we continue to sell Realforce boards that are without exclusive licensing.
But what would you sell since you have no stock?
Duckys... Everyone(who doesn't have national pride invested) that posts a review here portrays them as cheap Filcos, so... Meh?
The Leopolds are kind of interesting though... I like how the Lock keys light up when they're on, and they are available in blue, brown and black. Does anyone know if they have tenkeyless? Are they comparable to Filco in build quality?
Unless XArmor gets some new product out, they're probably a 0% chance. They've only got one blue 104 key model, so there's no way to satisfy people who want browns, blacks or anything tenkeyless.
"that will meet or exceed the quality and functionality of FILCO products and provide a better
value in a very competitive market!".
I think Elitekeyboards will be replacing Filco with this for $99.99.Show Image(http://iuinfoi101.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/optimus_maximus3.jpg)
lol we can only pray
Why? I paid $16 for my Cherry MLs.
...That's an Optimus Maximus. Each key is a small LCD screen. You can literally make the keyboard anything you want. Notice he said for $100? They usually go for $1000
I guess all you GHers that purchased from EK has received the newsletter just now.
BTW that was pretty stupid on Realforce's part. Giving exclusive distribution to Diatec even though they don't seem to sell outside Japan? What about Leopold and the 87Us they continue to carry? (http://www.leopold.co.kr/?doc=cart/item.php&it_id=1267522110)
Can you post a copy of the newsletter for us EK customers who didn't get the newsletter for whatever reason?
Greetings from EK!
Note: If you're receiving this message, you're either an EliteKeyboards
newsletter subscriber, or you've recently inquired about a FILCO
keyboard. If you've made a recent inquiry, but are not a subscriber,
please read the "important message" below the new announcements. **
THE NEW:
We're proud to announce the availability of keycaps from the Clack Factory!
Clack Factory keycaps are unique pieces of art for your favorite keyboard:)
These are limited to 2 per person in the initial run, but more are coming!
Cherry MX: http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=access,cherrymxkeys
Topre/HHKB: http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=access,toprekeys
A VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE:
FILCO products have been in short supply recently, and this has been due
to our supplier not being able to meet market demand. We're very sorry
for this inconvenience; particularly at this time of the year!
Unfortunately, despite our recent efforts, our supply of FILCO products
will not be improving, so we have taken this turn of events as an
opportunity to search for alternative products which can meet our
customers' demands.
So without beating around the bush too much, in Jan/Feb 2011 EK will
offer a new keyboard line-up with Cherry MX switches!
These boards will replace all FILCO products (and then some:). We've
selected them with much discretion, and believe they will meet or exceed
the quality and functionality of FILCO products and provide a better
value in a very competitive market!
Further details to follow on our website soon. We appreciate your
continued support!
** If you're one of the overwhelming number of recent FILCO inquiries
we've received, we've sent you this newsletter as a courtesy. If you are
not on the EK mailing list, you will not receive further e-mails from us.
If you'd like to subscribe, you may do so on our homepage:)
http://elitekeyboards.com
Unsubscribe: http://elitekeyboards.com/legal.php?action=unsubscribe
Feedback: webmaster@elitekeyboards.com
If you buy all of them, then you can name your price!
If you buy all of them, then you can name your price!
nah, i just gonna buy them all and look at them all day... mount a few on the wall, maybe make a table, use one for my sponge baths, etc.
Mine. All mine. You can't have them.
actually after reviewing Leopold even further, I think i'm still a filco fan. I'm not a fan of integrated LED's on the keycaps. Makes replacement troublesome!
I wonder if Leopold comes from the Ducky Factory? Their casing and tenkeyless look better than Ducky's though.
actually after reviewing Leopold even further, I think i'm still a filco fan. I'm not a fan of integrated LED's on the keycaps. Makes replacement troublesome!
Edit: also why does everyone assume the Filcos will be replaced with Duckys? For all we know they could be replaced with something totally new that we've never seen.
Well if you don't intend to replace the keycaps, the ducky pbt laser etched is nicer in my opinion.
But if you are then i totally agree with you.
You mentioned about the quality issue, and i agree but that was a review for the 1087. But isn't the ducky 9008 a different matter ?
In other EK news, Brian just told me that the black Realforce 86U will be available on the website in the next couple of weeks...
Hmm, well I guess that crushes my dreams of the white "Otaku" Filco being re-released at some point through EK. Time to start looking for a used one I suppose.
Bro, the Realforce and the HHKB are night and day in terms of feel. Just pull the trigger. Help out the economy during this tough holiday season.
If the key feel is better on the Realforce, why not switch out the membranes and springs with the HHKB?
I was wondering what EKB was going to do about the Filco supply situation, looking forward to what Brian comes up with. If the new goodies are comparable in features/quality to Filco but at a cheaper price (direct from manufacturer would help there), then I'll definitely hold off on a Rosewill in the new year. I can't keep using Alps boards forever, though the $30usd shipping via USPS certainly makes any Cherry boards from the States less attractive.
I have a feeling (I think itlnstln does too) that the secret behind the realforce feel is the metal plate the domes are mounted on