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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: commandercup on Wed, 28 September 2011, 08:45:58
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I have a roommate who likes to sleep really early and thus I can't use my Filco Tenkeyless (browns) at night. Are there any tenkeyless rubberdomes that don't have modified layouts (no fn key or changed arrow keys) or smaller keys? I would essentially like to find something exactly like the leopold/filco except quiet.
I did a quick search and didn't find anything, but if this has already been asked please point me to the right thread!
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is he a light sleeper? try one of those dental band mods or order the 15$ packet from wasd maybe... (i never did the mod) maybe others can chime in on how much more noise the mod takes away.
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I believe the only Tenkeyless that I know of is the Microsoft Sidewinder X6 with the removeable numpad area.
You could throw that away though..
You could try look into that
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You could also roll with a Topre 86/87 U(B) if you have the money. Either that, or tell your roomie to stop being such a *****.
Actually, I feel for the guy. I had a roommate in college that enjoyed MUDs. His typing ass used to keep me up all night.
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tell him that sleeping is overrated !
More seriously though, I have a filco with mx-red and "hard" landing pads, its quite silent but I'm sure he will hear you typing/gaming anywayz...
Scissor switch on my macbook were more silent...
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On the 0-ring/dental band mod I find it reduces the noise a *bit* but I doubt it's going to make your room mate satisfied. It more changes the kind of noise (and makes any bottoming out less of a clash for your fingers) than reduces the volume a large amount (if that makes any sense).
itlnstln's suggestion is good (if you have the cash). A Realforce might be the answer for you. Get your roomie to pay half as they will be getting some of the benefit and that should take the sting out of it.
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haha Duncan, I'll be super surprised if the roommate spends ~150USD just to give HIS roommate a quiet keyboard :p.
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Yeah, I doubt that he'll put any money towards a Realforce and I definitely do not have the budget to buy a Realforce... He already puts in earbuds (that I so graciously provided :P), wears a mask, turns on a fan to medium, and sometimes puts a pillow over his head. Any chance that the o-ring mod will make sound that is masked by all that? I suppose I should pick up a set from WASD regardless of the sound because of the feel. He's actually sleeping while I'm typing this (11:11 AM) *facepalm*.
Are there any tenkeyless scissor switches other than the dinovo edge (that are full-size/normal configuration)?
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Well if they aren't prepared to be part of the solution then they may have to put up with things as they are.
I am largely joking, of course, but wouldn't it be cool if it came off!
EDIT:
Have a look at the scissor boards on http://www.dealextreme.com.
Cheap as can be and people here give them good reviews.
I have some in the mail based on the reports of others in GH.
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There is one from Fujitsu, but it is a bit rattly. I think that it would be better to modify your filco with "landing pads". Placing the keyboard on a large mouse pad might also reduce the sounds a bit.
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he sounds like a light sleeper, tell him to live with it, lol there'll be more ppl in his life that makes sound when he sleeps unless he marries a ninja (kunoichi, female ninja).
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Ripster, can you go and get the Dealextreme board and see how loud it is? I ordered a set of o-rings from WASD, but I doubt that will have a drastic effect on the volume of the clacking. The dealextreme board seems pretty much perfect aside from the closer function keys and the smallish control.
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I know this sounds stupid but if you get the o-ring mod and you put a dampening cloth over your hands it'll be rather quiet. Hopefully you don't have to look at your keyboard. I've only done the cloth thing a couple times and it is great for cold winter hands, too. MX blues can be loud when you have company. : p
Or just have him invest in some earplugs while he sleeps.
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Why has nobody mentioned the happy happy lite2? It's tenkeyless...and arrowless
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I would suggest trying a Goldtouch keyboard:
http://www.amazon.com/Goldtouch-Go-Travel-Keyboard-ergonomic/dp/B001QD8E2G
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Because tenkeyless is not 'or smaller' and the HHKB lite2 has no function keys, arrow keys, or those other edit keys as well. Some people just don't like that.
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Edit - Re sordna's recommendation for a goldtouch
Seconded. Very quiet and don't take up much space. The adjustability is a great plus, too.
You could try getting hold of a loud keyboard (Model M?) as well to use during the day - really make him appreciate the quieter 'board.
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Because tenkeyless is not 'or smaller' and the HHKB lite2 has no function keys, arrow keys, or those other edit keys as well. Some people just don't like that.
Why has nobody mentioned the happy happy lite2? It's tenkeyless...and arrowless
It has the smaller arrow keys. Using it right now. Also, most people don't consider this a "tenkeyless" keyboard.
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I've demoed the o-ring mod on a Das Model S with blue switches, the bands make a huge difference. On brown switches I would think it would be damn near silent.
Out of curiosity, are you living on your own or are you and your roommate sharing a uni residence? I can understand having a roommate playing loud music or having a party or guests as being an issue, but typing? That's a bit much. Part of living with someone is accepting a certain loss of personal space. You knew that when you moved in, so did your roommate. If they're demanding you get a different keyboard, they should offer to help pay for it. Or look for a quieter room with no roommate.
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Suck it up and get a poker, or a G80-1800. Pcb boards are so much quieter than plate mounted.
My poker and G80-1800, both with ergoclears are super quiet.
Sent from my EVO
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Another thing that you could try... instead of setting the keyboard flat on your desk, put a piece of cardboard, or maybe that rubber shelf liner stuff, on your desk and then set your keyboard on that. I have a piece of shelf liner at home that I use anyway because it keeps my Cherry boards from sliding around on my desk, they're so light and plasticky that they do tend to move around. Both at home and at work I also use a wrist rest with a built in platform for the keyboard and mouse, like this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826999048
I like that kind of setup for several reasons; if I need to clean off my desk to do something that doesn't involve using the computer (writing something, fixing something, whatever) I just pick up the whole thing and move it. Secondly, it does make the keyboard quieter as it doesn't couple the keyboard directly to the desktop surface, and the platform is some kind of heavy fiberboard type stuff that seems to dampen noise. Now it won't make a Model M quiet, mind you, but my board with clears is really quite quiet sitting on top of it. Finally, when I actually do set my hands down on the desk, it doesn't scratch up the clasp on a watch bracelet. (I know, that's a silly thing to get anal-retentive about, but so be it.)
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I've demoed the o-ring mod on a Das Model S with blue switches, the bands make a huge difference. On brown switches I would think it would be damn near silent.
Out of curiosity, are you living on your own or are you and your roommate sharing a uni residence? I can understand having a roommate playing loud music or having a party or guests as being an issue, but typing? That's a bit much. Part of living with someone is accepting a certain loss of personal space. You knew that when you moved in, so did your roommate. If they're demanding you get a different keyboard, they should offer to help pay for it. Or look for a quieter room with no roommate.
Hmm, hopefully I will have the same experience with them. I'm living with a uni-assigned roommate in a dorm, I'll be living off-campus next year so this isn't a permanent problem by any stretch.
Edit - Re sordna's recommendation for a goldtouch
Seconded. Very quiet and don't take up much space. The adjustability is a great plus, too.
You could try getting hold of a loud keyboard (Model M?) as well to use during the day - really make him appreciate the quieter 'board.
ROFL, I'm pretty sure he would get up and smack me if I had anything louder than my measly browns.
Another thing that you could try... instead of setting the keyboard flat on your desk, put a piece of cardboard, or maybe that rubber shelf liner stuff, on your desk and then set your keyboard on that. I have a piece of shelf liner at home that I use anyway because it keeps my Cherry boards from sliding around on my desk, they're so light and plasticky that they do tend to move around. Both at home and at work I also use a wrist rest with a built in platform for the keyboard and mouse, like this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826999048
I like that kind of setup for several reasons; if I need to clean off my desk to do something that doesn't involve using the computer (writing something, fixing something, whatever) I just pick up the whole thing and move it. Secondly, it does make the keyboard quieter as it doesn't couple the keyboard directly to the desktop surface, and the platform is some kind of heavy fiberboard type stuff that seems to dampen noise. Now it won't make a Model M quiet, mind you, but my board with clears is really quite quiet sitting on top of it. Finally, when I actually do set my hands down on the desk, it doesn't scratch up the clasp on a watch bracelet. (I know, that's a silly thing to get anal-retentive about, but so be it.)
I am definitely going to bring some of that shelf liner back to school with me when I go home for fall break. Hopefully coupling that with the bands will make the board significantly quieter. If that doesn't work, I'll try either the gold touch or that dealexteme board.
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My browns make less noise than my scissor laptop board unless I bottom out. (also be careful of the top out noise)
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laptop scissor switch pretty damn near silent, that dealextreme el cheapo board prolly the same, but who knows when it'll ship (last time it took, literally 4 months for them to ship me stuff).
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I've found on my brown boards that like most Topre boards the noise comes from the top-out, not bottom-out
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I've found on my brown boards that like most Topre boards the noise comes from the top-out, not bottom-out
:brick: I just realized that you're totally right. The keyboard makes the most noise as the key returns to position... is there anyway to dampen that?
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:brick: I just realized that you're totally right. The keyboard makes the most noise as the key returns to position... is there anyway to dampen that?
You can dampen it by controlling the upstroke (don't let your fingers bounce off the keys). It takes a little practice and slows you down a bit, but it's quite doable for those late night typing sessions. So, o-rings will take care of the bottom-out noise, and technique will take care of the top-out noise.
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That solution looks really really warm...