geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: kwantz on Wed, 06 July 2011, 11:59:02

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: kwantz on Wed, 06 July 2011, 11:59:02

I was wondering if you guys can give me more options on picking a mechanical keyboard that is tenkeyless but has the smaller footprint for a HHBK, choc mini, KBC poker.

The catch is i am a sc2 gamer, and it must have its own dedicated "F" keys, the only one i see right now is the choc mini.    I may settle for a filco tenkeyless but it would be nice to find something with the smaller footprint.

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: daerid on Wed, 06 July 2011, 12:00:36

Smaller than a tenkeyless, but with dedicated F keys? Stumped me there... I'd just suggest the Choc Mini

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: Tohveli on Wed, 06 July 2011, 12:01:04

The deck 82 is a small keyboard that has dedicated f-keys and also backlighting, check this page for information:

http://www.deckkeyboards.com/product_info.php?products_id=30

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: daerid on Wed, 06 July 2011, 12:01:48

I keep forgetting about Deck.. probably because I think they're uglier than sin

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: Ascaii on Wed, 06 July 2011, 12:02:30

does it have to be cherry or would alps work for you? Siig minitouch or GSE KPT-84 could be options for you.

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: Titmouse on Wed, 06 July 2011, 12:05:58

I've been searching for a compact keyboard that has as small a footprint as possible, and has dedicated "F" keys and navigational keys. Choc mini is the closest I've found.

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: Tohveli on Wed, 06 July 2011, 12:06:09

Quote from: daerid;374642

I keep forgetting about Deck.. probably because I think they're uglier than sin

Agreed! I don't understand what makes them look so cheap though...

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: Titmouse on Wed, 06 July 2011, 12:08:50

Does it look better in person?

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: daerid on Wed, 06 July 2011, 12:26:12

Probably. Apparently they're really well made. Couldn't tell by the pictures though.

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: Daniel Beaver on Wed, 06 July 2011, 12:40:34

The Siig Minitouch fits the bill.

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: False_Dmitry_II on Wed, 06 July 2011, 23:05:49

You could ask MissileMike if he has any more vivanco boards for sale. Here's his last auction for them:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vivanco-KPT-84-Clicky-Compact-Mechanical-Keyboard-NIB-/170657411094?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item27bbf97016

I got one and I quite like it. I use it exclusively when I'm using my laptop.

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: baller1308 on Wed, 06 July 2011, 23:21:12

Been using the choc mini for a couple of weeks now and I really like it.  I occasionally fat finger the space bar though and get accidental spaces.

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: jaynoon on Thu, 07 July 2011, 00:35:54

Quote from: Tohveli;374649

Agreed! I don't understand what makes them look so cheap though...

It's the Lord of the Rings font. Makes them look completely ridiculous.

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: Tohveli on Thu, 07 July 2011, 09:15:37

would be nice to find a picture of a deck with "normal" key caps

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: The Solutor on Thu, 07 July 2011, 09:17:40

Quote from: Tohveli;375352

would be nice to find a picture of a deck with "normal" key caps

 

Just look at bl82, keycaps are the same (larger ones excluded)

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Thu, 07 July 2011, 11:03:37

A Deck with these keycaps (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=10039066149) would look quite nice. Deck 82 with standard font = tg3 aka data911. I don't know why Deck doesn't offer an option for the data911 style keycaps, I bet their sales would increase massively.

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: BiNiaRiS on Thu, 07 July 2011, 11:47:57

Quote from: False_Dmitry_II;375098

You could ask MissileMike if he has any more vivanco boards for sale. Here's his last auction for them:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vivanco-KPT-84-Clicky-Compact-Mechanical-Keyboard-NIB-/170657411094?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item27bbf97016

I got one and I quite like it. I use it exclusively when I'm using my laptop.

I won that and may be putting it up for sale. Would be for a bit more than I got it for though. I opened it up and cut/modded a metal plate into the bottom that doesn't move to give the keyboard some more heft. Without it, it feels like a feather. It also doesn't let the PCB flex as much and has given it a much nicer feel.

PM if you are interested.

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: hoggy on Thu, 07 July 2011, 16:43:18

BiNiaRiS, I'd like to see some pictures of that board!

An alternative would be an Access-IS AKC090 - slightly narrower than an hhkb, but xy layout.

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: bdpq on Fri, 08 July 2011, 03:23:14

Access-IS AKC084 is pretty good too.  

(http://www.access-is.com/images/dealing_room_keyboard.jpg)
->what a nice looking board!

Plate mounted MX black, ISO layout, full programmable.
However it is pretty hard to find, new one direct from Access is $335 USD!

Any GH'er own one?

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: sordna on Fri, 08 July 2011, 03:33:21

Does anyone know if the Access-IS keyboards (or anything similar) are available in the US ? There's even a tiny AKC048, a pair of which would make a great split keyboard.

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: bdpq on Fri, 08 July 2011, 03:45:28

They do not have a distributor in United States.  The listing of "Access Inc." in Georgia was just a salesman and he had moved on.  As far as I know, they are going to start a subsidiary in the states but only focuses on the airline industry.  Everything else goes directly through the head office in UK.  I don't know if they'd sell to individuals, even so it'd be quite expensive!

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: Ascaii on Sat, 09 July 2011, 11:36:32

from what ive read MOQ is 10 boards. So a group buy would be possible...but im afraid most people will not be willing to pay the 200-300 $ for a board.

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: daerid on Sat, 09 July 2011, 14:43:32

Enough people buy Realforces and HHKBs that you might find enough buyers

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: bdpq on Sat, 09 July 2011, 15:23:42

Quote from: daerid;376988

Enough people buy Realforces and HHKBs that you might find enough buyers

The price includes all custom double shot keycaps.  now that's pretty good.  But by the time the GHers buyers all agreed on the color and fonts I will probably be too old to type on a keyboard.

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: theferenc on Sat, 09 July 2011, 18:29:23

Quote from: bdpq;376998

The price includes all custom double shot keycaps.  now that's pretty good.  But by the time the GHers buyers all agreed on the color and fonts I will probably be too old to type on a keyboard.

You've noticed that, eh? The only way to get a group order going is to say "here it is, take it or leave it." Otherwise, it just doesn't ever get off the ground.

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: daerid on Sat, 09 July 2011, 21:54:39

Quote from: theferenc;377048

You've noticed that, eh? The only way to get a group order going is to say "here it is, take it or leave it." Otherwise, it just doesn't ever get off the ground.

Amen to that.

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: cactux on Sun, 10 July 2011, 00:47:00

Quote from: theferenc;377048

You've noticed that, eh? The only way to get a group order going is to say "here it is, take it or leave it." Otherwise, it just doesn't ever get off the ground.

100% agree. democracy some times does not work

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: darkblader on Sun, 10 July 2011, 01:32:06

Quote from: lysol;375420

A Deck with these keycaps (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=10039066149) would look quite nice. Deck 82 with standard font = tg3 aka data911. I don't know why Deck doesn't offer an option for the data911 style keycaps, I bet their sales would increase massively.

 
The German Layout Version Comes Witz this Font.

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: poxeclipse on Sat, 21 January 2012, 16:27:24

Quote from: bdpq;376011

Access-IS AKC084 is pretty good too.  

Show Image

(http://www.access-is.com/images/dealing_room_keyboard.jpg)

->what a nice looking board!

Plate mounted MX black, ISO layout, full programmable.
However it is pretty hard to find, new one direct from Access is $335 USD!

Any GH'er own one?

Maybe not, I think Access doesn't make them anymore. Anyway, it was removed from their product listing.
I saw only the full version, AKC127, available.
Looks great, I'd love to get one.

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: iBro on Sat, 21 January 2012, 22:32:17

Quote from: Daniel Beaver;374667

The Siig Minitouch fits the bill.

Aren't those extremely rare?

Title: Best mini mech keyboard?
Post by: Rumudiez on Sat, 21 January 2012, 23:54:08

i'm a little surprised no one's mentioned the KBT Race. you should check this one out: aside from a couple slightly deformed keys, it seems exactly what you're looking for. gl!
http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/item/mechanical-keyboard-kbt-race-7/new-kbt-race-75-keyboard-mx-re/lid=23924041