geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: simon_C on Thu, 18 August 2011, 19:36:27
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been looking for a cherry blue keyboard to check out. Im kind of torn between the cherry and the xarmor. i can get the cherry for about $70 and the Xarmor for about $80. i like the design of the xarmor and the inclusion of the built-in usb hub and headphone port. how does the build quality compare between the two? i know cherry has very solid build quality for their boards, but what does geekhack think?
(http://i.imgur.com/7qMqQ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/sBXus.jpg)
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well, I think that the xarmor has plate mounted switches which is good and bad... if you think you might like to try different switch types the cherry will be lots easier to change stems and springs. However I'm totally sold on plate mounts for better feel but modding one of those requires commitment (and a soldering station.)
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well tbh im not too worried about changing out the switches. and i really dont mind it taking longer/more effort were i to consider it. with either one, i was considering picking up some vintage terminal style spherical glossy keycaps. but that will come later.
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been looking for a cherry blue keyboard to check out. Im kind of torn between the cherry and the xarmor. i can get the cherry for about $70 and the Xarmor for about $80. i like the design of the xarmor and the inclusion of the built-in usb hub and headphone port. how does the build quality compare between the two? i know cherry has very solid build quality for their boards, but what does geekhack think?
They are both good boards.
The price quality ratio varies a lot depending if you live in the US or in EU.
BTW keep in mind that the U9 plus may be the best deal of any mechanichal keyboard because has an hidden gift.
http://www.overclock.net/keyboards/1031531-my-first-mechanical-keyboard-xarmor-u9-3.html
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yep i noticed the LEDs. im kinda leaning towards it for that exact reason. and the fact that it has plate mounted switches for extra solidity...im really leaning towards it now. i may just have to do it. i just wonder what type of key profile it has, because i want to switch it to dvorak...
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Key profile is exactly the same as Filcos & Co
BTW the keys on the spacebar row aren't directly replaceable with the filco style ones because the different size (Ctrl and alt keys are 1.5x units, windows and fn keys are 1x units)
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i found a thread about the xarmor stuff where ripster seemed to be tearing them a new one. dunno if i so trust xarmor anymore :S
according to the thread, there is a durability issue... i may just end up going with the tried and true cherry stuff...
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Cherry are the best option imo, they are tried and true.
Half of the mechanical keyboards I own are from cherry.
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yeah its looking like cherry... but i would love if someone with a U9 would chime in with their experience.
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They are both good boards.
The price quality ratio varies a lot depending if you live in the US or in EU.
BTW keep in mind that the U9 plus may be the best deal of any mechanichal keyboard because has an hidden gift.
http://www.overclock.net/keyboards/1031531-my-first-mechanical-keyboard-xarmor-u9-3.html
LMAO that is realllllly strange. No wonder xArmor isn't around anymore
But, I am quite pleased with my U9BLS. The plastic part of the stabilizers are kind of flimsy but it's not really a big deal as long as you are careful when pulling bigger keys. They're actually pretty much on par with everything else that isn't a Filco or Das so whatever.
Haven't touched a cherry board though, so I can't help you there.
edit:
I also think it's worth noting, the keycaps on the U9 are coated with a really smooth material. It took me a bit of getting used to how it feels, but I like it now. At first it was kind of weird though.
Hmm, what else can I say about these boards.. They are quite sexy, so that's a plus. And they sound perfect :]
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LMAO that is realllllly strange. No wonder xArmor isn't around anymore
U9BL-s are back in stock.
http://www.ergogeek.com/xarmor-u9bl-s-led-backlit-mechanical-gaming-keyboard.html