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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: somebodysb2 on Tue, 05 April 2011, 02:12:36

Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: somebodysb2 on Tue, 05 April 2011, 02:12:36
Please don't recommend:
Shiny surface keyboards (eg: Das and Blackwidow or any other dust magnet)
Grey / Dark Grey / Black keys with black letters (very hard to see)
HHKB (or any other keyboard without arrow keys
otaku boards
Topre/Realforce (They are so expensive!)

I'm fine with:
Tenkeyless
the full fledged keyboard with number pad
White Keyboards

Keys / Keys colour:
Black with white text
White with black text
or anything thats easy to see

I don't know:
Cherry MX Blue= Loud? tactile? click?
Cherry MX Brown= Loud? tactile? click?
What are majestouch keyboards?
Does EliteKeyboards ship internationally?

For typing:
Cherry MX Blue vs Cherry MX Brown ?

For gaming:
Cherry MX Blue vs Cherry MX Brown ?

Thanks in advance.
Title: Boards that I'm looking @ right now
Post by: somebodysb2 on Tue, 05 April 2011, 02:13:09
I live in Hong Kong so keyboards are pretty easy to get.

Leopold:

Tenkeyless Tactile Touch Keyboard
http://elitekeyboards.com/products.p...&pid=fc200rtab

Tenkeyless Tactile Click Keyboard
http://elitekeyboards.com/products.p...&pid=fc200rcab
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: noodles256 on Tue, 05 April 2011, 02:20:39
derp
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: somebodysb2 on Tue, 05 April 2011, 02:23:19
Quote from: noodles256;324811
derp


I'm a keyboard noob and would appreciate some help.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: somebodysb2 on Tue, 05 April 2011, 02:29:13
Quote from: ripster;324815
You seem to be getting fine help at OCN. (http://www.overclock.net/keyboards/981550-keyboard-gaming-typing.html)

A lot of this stuff is in the Geekhack Mechanical Keyboard Guide stickied above.


Nobody @ OCN is telling me about Topre's, AFAIK people are saying Blues for gaming and Browns for middle ground.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: Quest- on Tue, 05 April 2011, 02:31:09
That C30 in your avatar is awesome.

Anyway, all the info you need is here. Check out the Wiki and read some reviews.
Just look around a little, develop your own preference, you dont really want to be spoonfed right?

if thats the case: buy a Filco tenkeyless with blue cherry mx switches, a Model M, select a gf and marry her, make a family, live happily ever after.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: woody on Tue, 05 April 2011, 02:32:13
Quote from: somebodysb2;324816
Nobody @ OCN is telling me about Topre's

Good OCN.

Unless you want to switch from rubber domes to .... rubber domes.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: somebodysb2 on Tue, 05 April 2011, 02:43:42
Quote from: woody;324818
Good OCN.

Unless you want to switch from rubber domes to .... rubber domes.


I'm still on my 5 year old dell, after typing on my friend's DAS, it feels so mushy!

(http://www.computer-reclaim.co.uk/ekmps/shops/comprec/images/dell_keyboard_1(1).jpg)
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: 125ml on Tue, 05 April 2011, 03:38:45
If you liked typing on your friends Das than a Filco would be the way to go. From what I have learnt from the WIKI, they both have blue cherries. It should be a similar feel.
Check this comparison.

http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:6300

From there you can start your collection and branch out into other switch types and layouts.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: somebodysb2 on Tue, 05 April 2011, 03:52:57
Quote from: 125ml;324828
If you liked typing on your friends Das than a Filco would be the way to go. From what I have learnt from the WIKI, they both have blue cherries. It should be a similar feel.
Check this comparison.

http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:6300

From there you can start your collection and branch out into other switch types and layouts.

still can't decide between a Cherry MX Blue or Cherry MX Brown.

brands: Leopold.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: 125ml on Tue, 05 April 2011, 04:03:15
Unfortunately it's down to personal preference and I can't make that choice for you. Have you tried the Browns before?
I'm guessing you liked the blues when you tried them.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: somebodysb2 on Tue, 05 April 2011, 04:10:12
Quote from: 125ml;324830
Unfortunately it's down to personal preference and I can't make that choice for you. Have you tried the Browns before?
I'm guessing you liked the blues when you tried them.


I only typed blues once and loved it, I don't remember it now.
All I need to know is what is good for gaming/typing and whats not.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: False_Dmitry_II on Tue, 05 April 2011, 04:23:29
Frankly between those it just depends on if you like the click or not. So watch a couple of video reviews of blues and browns, to choose between the sound of the switch. From what I hear a brown will have a bit less of a tactile bump as well as no click.

Then watch videos and read reviews of some of the remaining boards that have whichever switch you picked. Then you can make a good guess of which one's pros and cons you like best.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: somebodysb2 on Tue, 05 April 2011, 04:25:34
UPDATE:
Removed Topre/Realforce because its so darn expenisive!
EDIT:
also removed Unicomp and Ducky.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: speakeasy on Tue, 05 April 2011, 05:07:23
You should get the Noppoo Choc (not the Mini, the fullsize version). It fits your criteria, and that way you can write a review and tell us what it's like.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: somebodysb2 on Tue, 05 April 2011, 05:17:53
UPDATE NUMBER 2:
only getting tenkeyless boards, full size is too big.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: somebodysb2 on Tue, 05 April 2011, 05:22:16
Okay, last two.

My choices are now the Leopold Blue and the Leopold Brown.
http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,tenkeyless&pid=fc200rcab
http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,tenkeyless&pid=fc200rtab
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: speakeasy on Tue, 05 April 2011, 06:04:01
OK, get a PLU ML-87 instead.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: HaveANiceDay on Tue, 05 April 2011, 08:31:58
That PLU has 2KRO. Not great for gaming, if that is what he wants.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: strum4h on Tue, 05 April 2011, 08:41:58
Well your decision is pretty much clicky vs non clicky. I like the click but for me the double tapping was a bit odd. Since I play a lot of sc2 thats how I decided on the browns.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: godofdeath on Tue, 05 April 2011, 08:44:29
buy both
try them
return it if possible
if not sell
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: .XL on Tue, 05 April 2011, 08:47:05
Get a White filco MX Brown (http://www.armygroup.com.tw/shop/goods.php?id=5528)!

This makes your decision easy...the only offer browns and blacks in the white color, not blues :p
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: RiGS on Tue, 05 April 2011, 08:53:14
Quote from: .XL;324904
Get a White filco MX Brown (http://www.armygroup.com.tw/shop/goods.php?id=5528)!

This makes your decision easy...the only offer browns and blacks in the white color, not blues :p


http://www.filcochina.com/Products.asp?Bigclassname=ProductsTenkeyless&productname=FKBN87MLEW (http://www.filcochina.com/Products.asp?Bigclassname=ProductsTenkeyless&productname=FKBN87MLEW)
Unfortunetely I don't understand chinese. It says "new" on the picture.
Is this the new majestouch 2 with dimmed leds, and FR4 PCB?
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: RiGS on Tue, 05 April 2011, 08:55:49
I'm considering to sell my Realforce, and get one of these instead.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: .XL on Tue, 05 April 2011, 09:01:52
Quote from: RiGS;324911
I'm considering to sell my Realforce, and get one of these instead.


Which realforce do you have?? I have the white MX Brown...

But it's the same as the regular MX Brown, just white color. It's Limited Edition!
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: RiGS on Tue, 05 April 2011, 09:05:31
I have the 105U all white with ISO layout. I am not interested in mx browns.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: .XL on Tue, 05 April 2011, 09:06:24
Quote from: RiGS;324923
I have the 105U all white with ISO layout. I don't interested in mx browns.

Oh right, you like the black guys

White MX Black (http://www.armygroup.com.tw/shop/goods.php?id=5527)
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: RiGS on Tue, 05 April 2011, 09:14:46
(http://www.filcochina.com/images/PRU/PRODUCT01/FKBN87MLEW/FKBN87MLEW_04.jpg)

Is that a sticker under the feet of this keyboard?
Does your limited edition have that?
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: .XL on Tue, 05 April 2011, 09:15:33
Quote from: RiGS;324931
Show Image
(http://www.filcochina.com/images/PRU/PRODUCT01/FKBN87MLEW/FKBN87MLEW_04.jpg)


Is that a sticker under the feet of this keyboard?
Does your limited edition have that?


Nope. Mine is clean except for the Filco sticker in the middle of the board.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: RiGS on Tue, 05 April 2011, 09:18:00
It seems to me that this is the new majestouch 2 from filcochina.

(http://www.filcochina.com/images/PRU/newproduct4.gif)
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: noodles256 on Tue, 05 April 2011, 09:21:55
did OP decide to look at wiki
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: .XL on Tue, 05 April 2011, 09:42:37
Does anyone know what that last keyboard on the FilcoChina new 87key (http://www.filcochina.com/Products_Tenkeyless.asp) list is??
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: RiGS on Tue, 05 April 2011, 09:44:19
Filco Zero, it has alps in them.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: somebodysb2 on Wed, 06 April 2011, 02:29:45
ok, decided to go with Browns, now is the $50 shipping worth it?
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: Quest- on Wed, 06 April 2011, 02:59:19
Half of these keyboards are made within walking distance of where you live. No its not worth it o_O
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: cornsoup on Wed, 06 April 2011, 03:47:44
If you are currently in HK... I think you can grab any of these keyboard at 298 in Wanchai, or golden computer center or any other computer store right...?

Paying $50 USD is totally not worth it....
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: somebodysb2 on Wed, 06 April 2011, 06:20:33
Quote from: cornsoup;325451
If you are currently in HK... I think you can grab any of these keyboard at 298 in Wanchai, or golden computer center or any other computer store right...?

Paying $50 USD is totally not worth it....


Leopold is in HK? I'm not sure about that but I can easily pick up a Filco @ Wanchai.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: Quest- on Wed, 06 April 2011, 07:00:22
(http://www.tlzone.net/forums/attachments/open-forum/27457d1244675809-ok-wheres-facepalm-emoticon-double-facepalm.jpg)
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: Brummell on Wed, 06 April 2011, 07:05:01
Exactly.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: somebodysb2 on Wed, 06 April 2011, 07:12:33
lmao i just realized i live in keyboard nirvana and i was rambling about buying online;)

EDIT: now that i realize i have 99% of the world's keyboards within my reach, should I go for browns or reds or blacks?
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: noodles256 on Wed, 06 April 2011, 07:18:48
Quote from: Quest-;325493
Show Image
(http://www.tlzone.net/forums/attachments/open-forum/27457d1244675809-ok-wheres-facepalm-emoticon-double-facepalm.jpg)


+1
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: .XL on Wed, 06 April 2011, 09:20:37
Quote from: somebodysb2;325496
lmao i just realized i live in keyboard nirvana and i was rambling about buying online;)

EDIT: now that i realize i have 99% of the world's keyboards within my reach, should I go for browns or reds or blacks?


Browns would be a good starting point...but go try all of them out first!
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: NumberJ on Wed, 06 April 2011, 10:42:39
Just go around trying them since you can get to them quite easily!
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: somebodysb2 on Wed, 06 April 2011, 10:43:36
Quote from: .XL;325548
Browns would be a good starting point...but go try all of them out first!


ok, I will start on Browns and then expand to Reds and then Blues.

Btw theres so many filco models (I want tenkeyless brown) whats the model code I should be looking for?
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: somebodysb2 on Wed, 06 April 2011, 11:14:18
okay guys, I'm buying Filco Browns and then Filco Reds and then Filco Blues.
Those Blue/Red outside casing/shell Filcos look promising too.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: noodles256 on Wed, 06 April 2011, 11:25:06
Quote from: somebodysb2;325631
okay guys, I'm buying Filco Browns and then Filco Reds and then Filco Blues.
Those Blue/Red outside casing/shell Filcos like promising too.


China is doing very well in DotA right now.
ZSMJ ftw
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: .XL on Wed, 06 April 2011, 11:30:06
Quote from: somebodysb2;325631
okay guys, I'm buying Filco Browns and then Filco Reds and then Filco Blues.
Those Blue/Red outside casing/shell Filcos look promising too.


O.o I meant try before you buy...
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: noodles256 on Wed, 06 April 2011, 11:52:37
Quote from: .XL;325639
O.o I meant try before you buy...


if he got the papah, let a playa spend
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: snowball on Wed, 06 April 2011, 11:56:06
We are all terrible at trying before we buy.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: noodles256 on Wed, 06 April 2011, 12:02:02
Quote from: snowball;325660
We are all terrible at trying before we buy.


Well most I assume can't try before they buy.

I have no mech keyboard shops around me and even the best buy I work at doesn't carry the blackwidow
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: .XL on Wed, 06 April 2011, 14:16:44
Quote from: noodles256;325664
Well most I assume can't try before they buy.

I have no mech keyboard shops around me and even the best buy I work at doesn't carry the blackwidow


He lives in the tech capital of the world...he can try anything he wants, we aren't so lucky :p
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: somebodysb2 on Wed, 06 April 2011, 14:44:07
Quote from: ripster;325743
I've always wanted to meet this guy.  How do you say Homie in Mandarin?
Show Image
(http://www.99hk.biz/web%20button/99hkblack2.gif)


Meanwhile in LA...

NSFW


omg i think i saw him @ wanchai computer centre before.......
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: .XL on Wed, 06 April 2011, 14:45:46
@Ripster: you're thinking Cantonese. And I think the closest thing to homie would be 'tai lo ban' which just means big boss man.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: somebodysb2 on Wed, 06 April 2011, 14:49:40
Quote from: .XL;325757
@Ripster: you're thinking Cantonese. And I think the closest thing to homie would be 'tai lo ban' which just means big boss man.


actually, "lo yaul" is like "sup dude" or "friend" or "bro".
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: RiGS on Wed, 06 April 2011, 14:53:16
Your Mandarin is lousy.

Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: .XL on Wed, 06 April 2011, 14:56:11
Quote from: RiGS;325763
Your Mandarin is lousy.



No one here is speaking mandarin >.<
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: somebodysb2 on Wed, 06 April 2011, 14:57:25
Quote from: RiGS;325763
Your Mandarin is lousy.



would you really like me to unleash the fury of my arsenal of comedy canto films?
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: RiGS on Wed, 06 April 2011, 15:08:58
Sure!
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: somebodysb2 on Wed, 06 April 2011, 15:29:11
The brave warrior somebodysb2 announces his existence on the battlefield, but then he has to sleep! (3 AM)


Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: .XL on Wed, 06 April 2011, 15:36:58
Quote from: somebodysb2;325786
The brave warrior somebodysb2 announces his existence on the battlefield, but then he has to sleep! (3 AM)




Isn't this Ip Man? And isn't that in Mandarin? It IS a HK movie though, if I'm not mistaken
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: somebodysb2 on Wed, 06 April 2011, 15:38:31
Quote from: .XL;325788
Isn't this Ip Man? And isn't that in Mandarin? It IS a HK movie though, if I'm not mistaken


ip man is canto.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: .XL on Wed, 06 April 2011, 15:39:41
Quote from: somebodysb2;325790
ip man is canto.


I'm not very good at reading Chinese lips, it seems.

On a slightly related subject, I much prefer subtitles to dubbed movies!
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: somebodysb2 on Fri, 08 April 2011, 23:51:23
UPDATE: went overboard and came back with 6 KB's LMAO

Filco Tenkeyless(Brown switch)
Cherry full size (Red switch)
Leopold Tenkeyless (Blue switch)
Filco full size with Metallic Blue frame
Filco full size with Ferrari Red frame
HHKB white (half price! got it for about $100 bnib, total steal!)

and I also picked up a couple sets of WASD keys (Yellow)

EDIT: also snagged a Noppoo Choc Mini 5 minutes ago :D
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: somebodysb2 on Fri, 08 April 2011, 23:56:17
Quote from: ripster;327169
Which store?  Any recommendations to add to the WW Shopping Wiki?


Many different stores, I recommend a walk around the Wan Chai computer centre, theres stores specializing in each and every brand/switch.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: arc2 on Sat, 09 April 2011, 00:24:23
7 keyboards and no cherry black switches which are in my opinion definitely better for gaming, better get yourself back to the store :P
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: Brummell on Sat, 09 April 2011, 01:12:06
I think the HHKB Pro 2 may now be my favorite keyboard, half price would have made it even better.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: trievalot on Sat, 09 April 2011, 01:24:12
Quote from: Brummell;327195
I think the HHKB Pro 2 may now be my favorite keyboard, half price would have made it even better.


i would have agreed before i bought one. owning one makes you one of the "chosen few"
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: trievalot on Sat, 09 April 2011, 01:25:31
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LDSDGg1rc8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LDSDGg1rc8)

actually this is more relevent to the purchase of a HHKB
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: somebodysb2 on Sat, 09 April 2011, 02:01:46
Quote from: trievalot;327200
i would have agreed before i bought one. owning one makes you one of the "chosen few"


Owning one makes you a keyboard elitist. :D
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: kaiserreich on Sat, 09 April 2011, 03:39:17
Quote from: somebodysb2;327168
UPDATE: went overboard and came back with 6 KB's LMAO

Filco Tenkeyless(Brown switch)
Cherry full size (Red switch)
Leopold Tenkeyless (Blue switch)
Filco full size with Metallic Blue frame
Filco full size with Ferrari Red frame
HHKB white (half price! got it for about $100 bnib, total steal!)

and I also picked up a couple sets of WASD keys (Yellow)

EDIT: also snagged a Noppoo Choc Mini 5 minutes ago :D



I demand pictures
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: somebodysb2 on Sat, 09 April 2011, 03:42:54
Quote from: kaiserreich;327226
I demand pictures


ask and you shall receive, (when I bother to take em.)
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: MrSneis on Sat, 09 April 2011, 03:44:26
Did you just go to your local "keyboard store"?
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: kaiserreich on Sat, 09 April 2011, 03:47:27
Quote from: MrSneis;327228
Did you just go to your local "keyboard store"?


I think he did.
I wonder how would Wanchai Keyboard heaven compare to ..say Akihabara?
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: somebodysb2 on Sat, 09 April 2011, 03:53:58
Quote from: kaiserreich;327229
I think he did.
I wonder how would Wanchai Keyboard heaven compare to ..say Akihabara?


I would describe them both to be tech nirvanas, but Hong Kong has a couple other areas like:
188 (Video games and......pr0n......)
298 (Computers)
Wanchai (Computers & KB's)
Mongkok (Computers & KB's)
Sham shui po (Computers & KB's)
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: Brummell on Sat, 09 April 2011, 07:18:07
Quote from: somebodysb2;327213
Owning one makes you a keyboard elitist. :D


You say that like it's a bad thing.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: Quest- on Sat, 09 April 2011, 08:04:09
Choice is a *****, this is one way to solve it :P

Congrats, looking forward to pics :)
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: somebodysb2 on Sat, 09 April 2011, 10:17:14
Quote from: Brummell;327265
You say that like it's a bad thing.


it is, it makes all the Cherry MX KB owners jelly.
Title: I wanna go Mechanical
Post by: Quest- on Sat, 09 April 2011, 10:44:53
(http://moblog.net/media/h/o/t/hotdog/jelly-bean-jogger-1.jpg)