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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Rougex on Fri, 01 April 2011, 12:19:38

Title: Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
Post by: Rougex on Fri, 01 April 2011, 12:19:38

Hello everyone, this is my first post on this site - I was really happy when I found there is a community of people at least as obsessed with keyboards as I am!

A little background: I'm an older (lets say closer to 50 than I'd like) computer geek, Unix wizard, coder4lyfe.  I started out on ADM 3s, Zenith Z19/Z29s, then Sun keyboards attached to Sun 1s, then HPs, and probably dozens of others.  

I had a very loved IBM M keyboard, and eventually replaced it with a Matias Tactile Pro that I used for a long time.

I bought an early Das Keyboard in 2005 (see signature link for a picture), which I used at work to intimidate my co-workers.  A about two years ago, I replaced that work keyboard and my home keyboard with Saitke Eclipse IIs.  I lived with those for a while: they were okay, not as crisp an action was I like, then last September I replaced those with Das Keyboard S Pros.

The problem is that when I'm really writing code at a furious pace, the action on this blue cherry Das Keyboard feels like it ends too abruptly in a hard stop, like I'm smacking my finger against a board, and my fingers get tired / achy.  

So can someone recommend a keyboard that has a nice distinct action (definitely not mushy), but doesn't end quite so abruptly, maybe a little more springyness at the end of the action?

Would a brown cherry keyboard be any improvement?  How about Topre-based keyboards, like this Realforce (http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=topre_keyboards,realforce&pid=rf_se02b0)?  Others?

Whatever I buy, I'll probably end up with two: one for work (coding), and one for home (coding and gaming).

Title: Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
Post by: keyboardlover on Fri, 01 April 2011, 12:21:30

Welcome to Geekhack! Since you're a Unix geek, have you considered the hhkb?

Title: Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
Post by: hcry4 on Fri, 01 April 2011, 12:43:53

HHKB Pro 2 for work and the full size Realforce for home seem to fit the bill here.

Title: Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
Post by: Rougex on Fri, 01 April 2011, 12:53:20

Can someone describe for me the action of the Topre switches?  Maybe as compared to the Cherry "blue" switches in my Das Keyboard?

Title: Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
Post by: Chobopants on Fri, 01 April 2011, 13:03:35

Honestly I don't like changing layouts so the idea of the HHKB just scares me unless it is my only keyboard. However, a Realforce sounds like it fits the bill for you. I use my full size 55g Realforce at work and love it. It's a great combination of making a satisfying *thonk* sound while you type and overall feel. Highly recommended for the office.

I still prefer my Filco Brown at home, though. I DO type a bit faster on it and its gentler on my fingers. May actually be your best option. Perhaps a Leopold Brown Otaku for the perfect combination of intimidating your coworkers and being very, very gentle on your fingers. You eventually learn to float your fingers on it.

Title: Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
Post by: aegrotatio on Fri, 01 April 2011, 23:57:36

If you want to save some dough, try to find a HHKB Lite or HHKB Lite 2 which are both relatively (and I do mean "relatively") higher-quality rubber dome boards.  I really like them and I'm about to wear them out in my eight-hour daily work.

There are good quality rubber-dome boards out there.  They aren't easy to find.  Despite some of the others here, I rather enjoy the HHKB Lite and Lite2 keyboards.

Oh, and about changing layouts, since I started using HHKB keyboards full-time, it took a little while but I seem to have automatically adjusted to the HHKB layout and still be able to use regular PC/AT layouts without noticing.  Eventually you probably will adjust.  In saying that, I mean that you don't end up hitting a zillion tildes when you want to backspace.  However, I do remap caps lock to Ctrl on all my systems.  The tilde, backspace, and ESC key differences don't really bother me as much as I thought they would.  Somehow, and probably naturally, my mind just "knows" which keys to hit when I switch from the slightly-altered HHKB layout to normal PC/AT layout.

But the new "Poker" keyboard with the traditional PC/AT layout is going to be the *perfect* keyboard I think.  Tenkeyless PC/AT layout is probably the most perfect solution for what I need in my professional and hobby life.

Title: Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
Post by: keyboardlover on Sat, 02 April 2011, 07:11:51

KeyTronic is an easy-to-find high-quality rubber dome board.

Title: Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
Post by: Larry Dallas on Sat, 02 April 2011, 10:16:25

Quote from: Rougex;322808

I bought an early Das Keyboard in 2005 (see signature link for a picture), which I used at work to intimidate my co-workers.  

I used to use a Das to intimidate my co-workers, too. Since I switched to quieter switches, I've had to intimidate them with constant hazing and threats of physical violence.

Title: Its here!
Post by: Rougex on Sun, 10 April 2011, 16:51:09

I ended up getting a Realforce tenkeyless, and I'm very happy with it!

It now has a place of honor in my hacking cave.

(http://i.imgur.com/Ann0B.jpg)

Thanks everyone for your advice!

Title: Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
Post by: BucklingSpring on Sun, 10 April 2011, 17:14:06

Quote from: Rougex;328126

I ended up getting a Realforce tenkeyless, and I'm very happy with it!

Great choice... Nice setup btw! Enjoy.

Very clean for a hacking cave... Not to mention your posterior's rack - Nothing less than a Herman Miller's Aeron.

Title: Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
Post by: AgentHeavy on Sun, 10 April 2011, 17:18:45

Quote from: Rougex;328126

I ended up getting a Realforce tenkeyless, and I'm very happy with it!

It now has a place of honor in my hacking cave.

Thanks everyone for your advice!

Is it a Dell U2711 ? Superb monitor.
Great choice the RF, you won't regret :)

Title: Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
Post by: daerid on Sun, 10 April 2011, 17:54:13

Quote from: Rougex;328126

I ended up getting a Realforce tenkeyless, and I'm very happy with it!

It now has a place of honor in my hacking cave.

Show Image

(http://i.imgur.com/Ann0B.jpg)

Thanks everyone for your advice!

What desk is that?

Title: Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
Post by: CephalicCarnage on Sun, 10 April 2011, 18:04:14

Awesome! Congratulations on your new Realforce.  Nice setup!

Title: Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
Post by: Rougex on Mon, 11 April 2011, 06:13:38

@BucklingSpring:  I pamper my posterior!

@AgentHeavy:  Yup, U2711.  Agreed: very nice monitor.

@daerid: The desk is from Biomporh (http://www.biomorphdesk.com/p-4-multi-desk.aspx).  It is a nice desk, but it was a pain to assemble.

And thanks to all for the congrats!

Title: Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
Post by: theferenc on Mon, 11 April 2011, 11:54:25

I really wish I was a real person, and could afford real things. That's a very nice desk.

Title: Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
Post by: vicariouscheese on Mon, 11 April 2011, 12:03:31

what kind of man cave has windows and sunlight?  

:P

Title: Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
Post by: weipim on Mon, 11 April 2011, 12:09:43

Awesome and welcome here.

let us know more about the real force

Title: Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
Post by: BucklingSpring on Mon, 11 April 2011, 12:12:10

Quote from: theferenc;328615

I really wish I was a real person, and could afford real things. That's a very nice desk.

Don't worry dude... Some nice things are made for you too
(http://s6.thisnext.com/media/largest_dimension/948D0A80.jpg)

Title: Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
Post by: guilleguillaume on Mon, 11 April 2011, 12:17:27

ROFL at the Cat rack :D

Title: Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
Post by: theferenc on Mon, 11 April 2011, 13:11:40

Quote from: BucklingSpring;328635

Don't worry dude... Some nice things are made for you too

Show Image

(http://s6.thisnext.com/media/largest_dimension/948D0A80.jpg)

You know, I was just talking about needing a bigger desk lately. For that exact reason.

You are my new hero.

Title: Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
Post by: daerid on Mon, 11 April 2011, 14:20:39

Jesus christ.... $2300 for a desk wow...

Title: Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
Post by: rustybarnacle on Mon, 11 April 2011, 14:25:50

i'll put up some pics of my desk - it was more like $350 and gets you 90% of the functionality of this one.