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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: vapour on Wed, 15 June 2011, 23:00:35

Title: Keyboard refugee (hi!)
Post by: vapour on Wed, 15 June 2011, 23:00:35
Hello,

I am a keyboard refugee now, but hopefully not for long.

I type this on something I bought at a electronics reseller for around $40 CAD a couple years ago: one of these: (link (http://store.razerzone.com/store/razerusa/en_US/pd/productID.169414300))
(http://www.gamingkeyboardz.com/_cache/Gaming%20Keyboard/img/Microsoft_Reclusa_2.jpg)
It's pretty massive, at least the media keys were nice. (* not my pic)

Although the back lighting is nice, albeit non-uniform, and I have almost worn out the media controls with use, I realized pretty quickly how terrible the action was. I have since greased every single key as well as modded in a switch for those pesky LEDs which you cannot otherwise turn off. It is an incredibly mushy keyboard with every key wobbling about (aboot rather) like the top of a scissor lift. To top it off, the right jog dial which I use for volume control is dying. The dials turn minuscule through-hole switches which looks to be pretty fragile and not intended for their current use...

... of course I have just recently discovered the wonders of mechanical keyboards and have decided that I will be picking one up in the (very) near future. As someone who is fed up with the mushiness of this keyboard, I am seeking blues or browns (I have a roomate see).

My first choice at the moment is the Leopold tenkeyless from elitekeyboards (a'la link (http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,tenkeyless&pid=fc200rtabn))

Anyhow, I'll be lurking here for awhile no doubt.
Title: Keyboard refugee (hi!)
Post by: noodles256 on Wed, 15 June 2011, 23:06:42
mash taters
Title: Keyboard refugee (hi!)
Post by: Chobopants on Thu, 16 June 2011, 00:05:18
Good choice on the Leopold man. It'll change your mind so much as to what a keyboard should really feel like. I've jumped headfirst into the rabbit hole and haven't regretted it one bit.
Title: Keyboard refugee (hi!)
Post by: jpz on Thu, 16 June 2011, 02:37:30
Assuming since you have a room mate you could go for a das (http://www.daskeyboard.com/) keyboard.  Since you are a student you will get a 20% discount on a new keyboard and 15% on a refurbished one.  They have both blue and brown key switches.  That is assuming that you do not mind the shiny surfaces(finger print magnet).  There is always filco (http://www.amazon.com/Filco-Majestouch-2-Keyboard-FKBN104M-EB2/dp/B004VKUSG6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308209799&sr=8-1) if u like them and they come very highly recommended in this forum.
Title: Keyboard refugee (hi!)
Post by: The Solutor on Thu, 16 June 2011, 04:01:27
Quote from: vapour;361532
Hello,

I am a keyboard refugee now, but hopefully not for long.

I type this on something I bought at a electronics reseller for around $40 CAD a couple years ago: one of these: (link (http://store.razerzone.com/store/razerusa/en_US/pd/productID.169414300))

 


Great board.

Some time ago I had one, then I sold it for a sidewinder X6, and was an idiotic move


Quote
My first choice at the moment is the Leopold tenkeyless from elitekeyboards (a'la link)


If you are used to backlit leopold will be a downgrade.

Look at Xarmor, Mionix, Qpad, instead..
Title: Keyboard refugee (hi!)
Post by: vapour on Thu, 16 June 2011, 07:58:13
Quote from: jpz;361591
Assuming since you have a room mate you could go for a das (http://www.daskeyboard.com/) keyboard.  Since you are a student you will get a 20% discount on a new keyboard and 15% on a refurbished one.  They have both blue and brown key switches.  That is assuming that you do not mind the shiny surfaces(finger print magnet).  There is always filco (http://www.amazon.com/Filco-Majestouch-2-Keyboard-FKBN104M-EB2/dp/B004VKUSG6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308209799&sr=8-1) if u like them and they come very highly recommended in this forum.

 
  I looked into that and as a Canadian student I am not offered any discounts on their boards, very annoying otherwise it would have been an immediate choice. Irregardless I did find DAS series keyboards for >100$ CAD on direct buy, but I don't care much for the gloss and would prefer tenkeyless as someone who does a fair bit of programming. The Filco's are nice and well-reviewed, but why buy from a UK retailer when I can get a very similar product from a closer location without markings on the keycaps? I took a look at that particular reseller on Amazon and they wanted ~$34 shipping to Ontario. I also guesstimate that the Otaku-style will help me learn how to touch-type properly once and for all.

Quote from: jpz
If you are used to backlit leopold will be a downgrade.

Look at Xarmor, Mionix, Qpad, instead.

Interesting, I'd heard of the Razer and Deck 82, but not the Xarmor. The Qpad isn't released until May it says and will likely be more expensive due to demand. Looking now to see if I can find the Xarmor with reasonable/price shipping...
Title: Keyboard refugee (hi!)
Post by: The Solutor on Thu, 16 June 2011, 08:01:38
Quote from: vapour;361637
The Qpad isn't released until May it says and will likely be more expensive due to demand.

 
Was released this week, at least in UK

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-000-XM
Title: Keyboard refugee (hi!)
Post by: noodles256 on Thu, 16 June 2011, 08:51:55
you know it is june right?

may was the month before this
Title: Keyboard refugee (hi!)
Post by: The Solutor on Thu, 16 June 2011, 08:54:24
Quote from: noodles256;361668
you know it is june right?

may was the month before this

 
hahaha

"May" I ask where you got this info ? :happy:
Title: Keyboard refugee (hi!)
Post by: noodles256 on Thu, 16 June 2011, 09:34:11
xarmor rMAD

hehe