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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: domin8r on Thu, 14 July 2011, 07:31:13

Title: Comparison of tenkeyless with MX Blues
Post by: domin8r on Thu, 14 July 2011, 07:31:13
Hi,

I might be able to order a nice new tenkeyless keyboard for work and already decided I prefer blues.
Not sure yet if a Filco will be within the pricerange so looking for slightly cheaper keyboards like the PLU-87 or something like that.

From what I understand the Filco is built very solid. How does a PLU compare to that?

And I'm also open to other suggestions ofcourse! (regular tenkeyless though, not super compact keyboards).

Thanx for the info!
Title: Comparison of tenkeyless with MX Blues
Post by: TheGreatAmphibianPling on Thu, 14 July 2011, 07:39:58
At least on of the main PLU reviews here talks about this: my memory is that the PLU was very well built.
Title: Comparison of tenkeyless with MX Blues
Post by: domin8r on Thu, 14 July 2011, 07:50:47
Quote from: TheGreatAmphibianPling;380202
At least on of the main PLU reviews here talks about this: my memory is that the PLU was very well built.


That sounds reassuring! Guess I'm cautious because it's so cheap in comparison to the Filco! :)
Title: Comparison of tenkeyless with MX Blues
Post by: weipim on Thu, 14 July 2011, 08:35:23
lolll, for half the price of a filco the quality difference is really not so big.

unless some people can justify the n-key rollover feature for 75 dollars...

even then, i will argue that the plu has built in media keys and blablablabla

in the end, filcos are awesome board but plu is under rated
Title: Comparison of tenkeyless with MX Blues
Post by: daerid on Thu, 14 July 2011, 09:01:17
For a work board, there's absolutely zero reason to choose the Filco over the PLU. Especially since the noise of the blues will drown out the rattle of the stabilizers (which are easily fixed).
Title: Comparison of tenkeyless with MX Blues
Post by: domin8r on Thu, 14 July 2011, 09:13:42
Quote from: daerid;380230
For a work board, there's absolutely zero reason to choose the Filco over the PLU. Especially since the noise of the blues will drown out the rattle of the stabilizers (which are easily fixed).

Ah, a stabilizer rattle.. Hadn't read about that yet. Good to know! (but not too much a prob)
Title: Comparison of tenkeyless with MX Blues
Post by: Astounding on Thu, 14 July 2011, 09:18:43
Take a look at the Leopolds, they ship out in 4 days.
Title: Comparison of tenkeyless with MX Blues
Post by: daerid on Thu, 14 July 2011, 09:20:15
Yeah, I just popped a bit of lithium grease (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:12649#Lubrication) on the stabilizers, fixed 'em right up. The board is well worth the money.
Title: Comparison of tenkeyless with MX Blues
Post by: Chobopants on Thu, 14 July 2011, 09:45:05
If you want the best bang for your buck and don't need nkro the PLU really seems like a great option.

With the price hike on the Leos I'd probably just wait for the next stock of Filcos to just up on Amazon from TheKeyboardCo since, with free shipping from Prime, it puts it within spitting distance.

Edit: Nevermind just saw your location. PLU might be your best option or maybe even directly ordering from TheKeyboardCo since you're in Europe already.
Title: Comparison of tenkeyless with MX Blues
Post by: domin8r on Thu, 14 July 2011, 09:58:24
Quote from: daerid;380238
Yeah, I just popped a bit of lithium grease (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:12649#Lubrication) on the stabilizers, fixed 'em right up. The board is well worth the money.

Looks like a pretty forward task, shouldn't be a problem! :)

Quote from: Astounding;380237
Take a look at the Leopolds, they ship out in 4 days.

Look nice and more affordable than I thought.. taking it into consideration!


So far PLU and Leopold seem good options! :D
Title: Comparison of tenkeyless with MX Blues
Post by: pm_ on Thu, 14 July 2011, 12:49:16
I put a vote in for a Ducky with blues.  IMO, better stabilizers than the Leo and should cost less than the Leo.  The Leo is a noticeably heavier, does have a channel guide for the detachable USB cord, and is probably a  bit better made overall though...
Title: Comparison of tenkeyless with MX Blues
Post by: domin8r on Thu, 14 July 2011, 19:28:18
Allright.. PLU, Leopold and Ducky.. Thanx for the input so far!
Title: Comparison of tenkeyless with MX Blues
Post by: domin8r on Fri, 15 July 2011, 04:11:49
Just for reference :)

(http://www.domin8r.com/random_stuff/kbs.jpg)
Title: Comparison of tenkeyless with MX Blues
Post by: noodles256 on Fri, 15 July 2011, 04:13:05
s i s ttt ar. sistar, hey boyyy
Title: Comparison of tenkeyless with MX Blues
Post by: wompwomp on Fri, 15 July 2011, 04:53:18
One more thing to also include is that the black PLU's come with POM keycaps rather than the standard ABS.
Title: Comparison of tenkeyless with MX Blues
Post by: domin8r on Fri, 15 July 2011, 05:20:54
Quote from: wompwomp;380850
One more thing to also include is that the black PLU's come with POM keycaps rather than the standard ABS.

Thanx! Had to look up if that was a good or bad thing :) But from what I've read most people dislike POM keycaps because they're slippery. Correct?
Title: Comparison of tenkeyless with MX Blues
Post by: wompwomp on Fri, 15 July 2011, 06:08:22
I've never owned POM keycaps but from what I've heard they have a textured feel to them which makes them more grippy but I dunno haha.
Title: Comparison of tenkeyless with MX Blues
Post by: domin8r on Fri, 15 July 2011, 06:28:39
Quote from: wompwomp;380866
I've never owned POM keycaps but from what I've heard they have a textured feel to them which makes them more grippy but I dunno haha.

Hmmm.. now I'm confused! :D Hopefully someone can settle this ;)
Title: Comparison of tenkeyless with MX Blues
Post by: domin8r on Tue, 19 July 2011, 03:50:14
Can someone please tell me if POM keycaps are a good or bad thing? :)
Title: Comparison of tenkeyless with MX Blues
Post by: dux on Tue, 19 July 2011, 04:14:37
Quote from: domin8r;383221
Can someone please tell me if POM keycaps are a good or bad thing? :)


I really like them. POM is much more durable plastic than ABS. They have a kind of oily feel (and look) but that also means that the look doesn't change with time and grease from your fingers. However, that shininess doesn't mean that they are slippery, they are more textured than the Cherries in fact. Only the surface is always shiny. Check http://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=764

One more thing: only Filco has ISO-Layout (although almost always out of stock). Personally I have the PLU and I'm waiting for Leopold in ISO-Layout for the perfect minimalistic look. But I'll change the keycaps of the Leo to doubleshots.
Title: Comparison of tenkeyless with MX Blues
Post by: domin8r on Tue, 19 July 2011, 04:27:36
Quote from: dux;383225
I really like them. POM is much more durable plastic than ABS. They have a kind of oily feel (and look) but that also means that the look doesn't change with time and grease from your fingers. However, that shininess doesn't mean that they are slippery, they are more textured than the Cherries in fact. Only the surface is always shiny. Check http://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=764

One more thing: only Filco has ISO-Layout (although almost always out of stock). Personally I have the PLU and I'm waiting for Leopold in ISO-Layout for the perfect minimalistic look. But I'll change the keycaps of the Leo to doubleshots.

Ah thanx for your response! And for the link... I've got a white engraved KBC set coming in, good to know they won't all fit on the PLU!
Title: Comparison of tenkeyless with MX Blues
Post by: dux on Tue, 19 July 2011, 05:03:15
Quote from: domin8r;383228
Ah thanx for your response! And for the link... I've got a white engraved KBC set coming in, good to know they won't all fit on the PLU!

I think they should fit. Only small stabilized Cherry-keycaps don't fit as they have lower profile and thicker wall. http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?13664-Double-shot-replacements-ROUND-THREE-Vote-for-Kits-amp-Quantities!&p=380824&viewfull=1#post380824
I used dremel on them a bit.

There are engraved plu ml87 on Taobao so you don't need extra keycaps if you want engraved. Found them when I was searching for my PLU. But it's hard work with google translate:) Find a seller with a single plu ml-87 product page and many dropdown options and then translate each dropdown option:)

But I don't know if there are white POM keys. I think there are only black POM keys.
Title: Comparison of tenkeyless with MX Blues
Post by: dux on Tue, 19 July 2011, 05:34:06
be aware of this too:

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?12524-PLU-ML-87-with-POM-keycaps&p=381286&viewfull=1#post381286
Title: Comparison of tenkeyless with MX Blues
Post by: The Solutor on Tue, 19 July 2011, 05:45:36
Quote from: dux;383225

One more thing: only Filco has ISO-Layout (although almost always out of stock).


This is the only true Filco advantage, which anyway translates in the most expensive enter keycap ever :-)
Title: Comparison of tenkeyless with MX Blues
Post by: domin8r on Tue, 19 July 2011, 06:38:32
Quote from: dux;383232
I think they should fit. Only small stabilized Cherry-keycaps don't fit as they have lower profile and thicker wall. http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?13664-Double-shot-replacements-ROUND-THREE-Vote-for-Kits-amp-Quantities!&p=380824&viewfull=1#post380824
I used dremel on them a bit.

There are engraved plu ml87 on Taobao so you don't need extra keycaps if you want engraved. Found them when I was searching for my PLU. But it's hard work with google translate:) Find a seller with a single plu ml-87 product page and many dropdown options and then translate each dropdown option:)

But I don't know if there are white POM keys. I think there are only black POM keys.

Yeah I read a thread for a groupbuy of those caps :)

I've got the white engraved keys coming on a trade.. But I'm sure I can use them anyway!