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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: bbbbqq on Fri, 25 November 2011, 03:17:20

Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: bbbbqq on Fri, 25 November 2011, 03:17:20
I just don't. I've owned a few boards, and I've just not been impressed. In order of least-bad to worst:
1. Cherry clear with brown springs
2. Cherry clear with clear springs
3. Cherry blue
4. Cherry Black with brown springs (ghettored)
5. Cherry brown
6. Cherry Black (UGHHHHHHHHHH)

None of them feel like an upgrade to me, not even over my MS Ergo 4000. Even that membrane board has more tactile feedback than most of the boards i've owned.
And cherry brown, the most overrated of them all. Nearly no tactile feedback, but still not that quiet while doing so. At least blue has some feeling, but still not as much as I'd like. And black, I like $3 membrane boards more.

Compared to the ducky 1087xm with the new alps greens, it's not even a competition. Downside to the alps is that the switch actuates almost immediately, and that it's loud.

So, what should I do next ? Only real requirement is that it have a normal sized backspace. None of that bull**** giant L shaped enterkey with a one-width backspace.
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: laffindude on Fri, 25 November 2011, 03:27:33
Stick with membrane keyboard. Nothing wrong with them if you like the feel. Saves money too.
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: cactux on Fri, 25 November 2011, 03:28:31
Topre will be the next move
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: bbbbqq on Fri, 25 November 2011, 05:17:32
damnit topre, $350 for a 10keyless board :(
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: Gin on Fri, 25 November 2011, 05:27:31
You planning on selling your keyboards?

Why did you keep getting them if the few first ones aren't even upgrade to membrane? Did you think that mech would be better just because they're more expensive?
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: czarek on Fri, 25 November 2011, 05:44:29
What about Buckling Springs? Get yourself a Customizer to try them out. Then if you like it, experiment with other flavours of BS - older and newer Model Ms, Model Fs, etc.
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: cactux on Fri, 25 November 2011, 05:53:22
Quote from: czarek;458860
What about Buckling Springs? Get yourself a Customizer to try them out. Then if you like it, experiment with other flavours of BS - older and newer Model Ms, Model Fs, etc.

If he does not like blacks I do not think that BS will be an option for him
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: Gerk on Fri, 25 November 2011, 06:04:31
It sounds like you are a pretty heavy typer ... honestly if you like the ergo 4k save yourself the time and money and stick with it.  I don't mind the feel of ergo 4k's personally, but I kill them badly, after 5-6 months the keys are always jamming up on me, especially all the "geek" keys (which happen to also mostly all be on my right pinky which sucks).  Things like []{}\|;:'"?/ ... which unfortunately as a programmer I probably type more often than anything else :(
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: kriminal on Fri, 25 November 2011, 07:37:15
buckling springs... nuff said
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: Demofly on Fri, 25 November 2011, 08:23:46
If his list goes from softest to heaviest, I doubt he will like buckling springs unless the tactility literally blows him away so much to where he doesn't care about the 75g actuation.

I'm gonna go ahead and say he will probably like the a perfect stroke logitech board.

Take a look at the Logitech Illuminated.
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 25 November 2011, 08:52:38
Sounds like you just prefer rubber domes.  The MS Natural 4000 is a great 'board and my personal favorite non-mechanical.
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: Gerk on Fri, 25 November 2011, 10:25:58
Quote from: dante;458904
I was in Fry's at the butt ass crack of dawn this morning and typed on a 4K for a few minutes and came away quite impressed.  Sure they will break down in due time but you can buy a stack of them for what a Filco cost.

And you'd never have to obsess about keeping it clean either!

LOL yep, but they do add up over time :)  I probably have 5-6 semi-dead ones sitting around right now (but i'm hard on them and also fussy when the keys start jamming up).
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: laffindude on Fri, 25 November 2011, 12:45:03
The thing about MS keyboard is to buy a bulk pack of them. Save cash that way and you know you need the spares.
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: pitashen on Fri, 25 November 2011, 14:16:34
you can always go back to your rubber dome love... :)  Scissor switch keyboards are not so bad after all.
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: Gerk on Fri, 25 November 2011, 15:30:49
Quote from: laffindude;458970
The thing about MS keyboard is to buy a bulk pack of them. Save cash that way and you know you need the spares.


And put up with the keys slowly jamming and getting worse and worse.  Compared to my mech keyboards if I wanted the same smooth action I'd have to change my ms 4k's every other week ;)  Especially compared to this new cherry red board, cloud of b00bs FTW!
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: bbbbqq on Fri, 25 November 2011, 17:51:50
Quote from: Gin;458859
You planning on selling your keyboards?

Why did you keep getting them if the few first ones aren't even upgrade to membrane? Did you think that mech would be better just because they're more expensive?


I started with a board with blues, which i sold, and then I got a brown poker, then i got some clear springs and stems, and also a ducky with alps. So, only 2 right now

Quote from: czarek;458860
What about Buckling Springs? Get yourself a Customizer to try them out. Then if you like it, experiment with other flavours of BS - older and newer Model Ms, Model Fs, etc.


Any buckling spring boards with >2kro ?

Quote from: cactux;458863
If he does not like blacks I do not think that BS will be an option for him


I don't like black mostly because there is no feedback. tactile feel is definitely the most important thing

Quote from: Gerk;459018
And put up with the keys slowly jamming and getting worse and worse.  Compared to my mech keyboards if I wanted the same smooth action I'd have to change my ms 4k's every other week ;)  Especially compared to this new cherry red board, cloud of b00bs FTW!


Ergo 4000's last me about 6 months, which is gonna get real expensive real fast :(


Any cheaper topre boards maybe ? What about the ibm m4 ?
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: czarek on Sat, 26 November 2011, 05:29:38
Quote from: bbbbqq;459059

Any buckling spring boards with >2kro ?


Any Model F will have true n-key rollover because it uses capacitive switches. I have a terminal Model F with USB adapter for sale if you're interested.
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: trax on Sat, 26 November 2011, 07:16:24
Logitech illuminated is good (I use them at work) but bad for gaming.
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: Gerk on Sat, 26 November 2011, 12:19:32
Quote from: trax;459159
Logitech illuminated is good (I use them at work) but bad for gaming.

You avatar gives me a headache LOL.
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: hashbaz on Sat, 26 November 2011, 22:17:08
I'd like to point out that a bunch of geekhackers just acknowleged that rubber dome keyboards can be worthwhile.  The OP has obviously put sufficient time and money into keyboards to know what works for him and what doesn't, unlike some other trolls I could mention.

Remember to link this thread if what's-his-face ever gets unbanned.
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: nocturn4l3030 on Sun, 27 November 2011, 07:48:50
get a keytronic.  best rubber domes imo
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: nar on Sun, 27 November 2011, 17:25:17
Quote from: bbbbqq;459059
Any cheaper topre boards maybe ? What about the ibm m4 ?

If your willing to buy used boards, you can get topre boards for around $200, even as little as $100 if you look around in Taobao and aren't too picky about what board.
I know right now someone is selling a 103UB for $220 in the classifieds section.
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: bbbbqq on Sun, 27 November 2011, 17:44:38
Quote from: trax;459159
Logitech illuminated is good (I use them at work) but bad for gaming.


do you mean this (http://www.logitech.com/en-us/keyboards/keyboard/devices/4740) one ?

Quote from: ripster;459193
Apple Aluminum!

Actually it sounds like you're just used to the Microsoft Ergo layout.

Just buy a crate of them and toss periodically.  **** Green.


It's not so much the layout (which I do like) as much as the key action. Brown just feels like mush. How is theh apple aluminum board feel ?

Quote from: nocturn4l3030;459525
get a keytronic.  best rubber domes imo


I would, but the gigantic enter key and tiny backspace ruin it for me. It's not 1980 anymore keytronic :(

Quote from: ripster;459562
I posted in the Wiki a nice Keytronic.

Still, the OP won't like it because it's not a MS 4000.  My wife is like that.


Guess I'm your wife then ;)

Maybe if keytronic made one with a normal enter and backspace..
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: rodtang on Sun, 27 November 2011, 17:48:35
Pistols at dawn.
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: Trueepower on Sun, 27 November 2011, 18:33:03
Quote from: bbbbqq;459755
do you mean this (http://www.logitech.com/en-us/keyboards/keyboard/devices/4740) one ?



It's not so much the layout (which I do like) as much as the key action. Brown just feels like mush. How is theh apple aluminum board feel ?



I would, but the gigantic enter key and tiny backspace ruin it for me. It's not 1980 anymore keytronic :(



Guess I'm your wife then ;)

Maybe if keytronic made one with a normal enter and backspace..


Yeah, you might be better off just sticking with whatever is the cheapest. Certainly that is going to save you the most money:) Topre are nice, but they are a risk to purchase with no RMA available. The risk would only be worth it, if you like rubber dome boards, and really want a high quality one. Otherwise, I think you should just stick with whatever you are comfortable with. No sense in spending a lot on keyboards which you don't like. Good luck!
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: nocturn4l3030 on Sun, 27 November 2011, 23:50:55
Quote from: bbbbqq;459755
I would, but the gigantic enter key and tiny backspace ruin it for me. It's not 1980 anymore keytronic :(

http://keyboards.keytronic.com/home/Shop/shop.asp?h_ck=TP65N5

i see quite a few without the gigantic enter key and a normal backspace.  i loved those keyboards before i found mechanicals. lemme know if you end up getting one and what you think of it.

EDIT:  if you can afford it, i think you would really like a topre too.  look through the classifieds and see if you can get a good price.
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: Nighted on Mon, 28 November 2011, 00:04:16
Happy Hacking Lite seems like a nice little membrane board...or you could use lasers. ;)

[video=youtube;HH8CUTimTvY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH8CUTimTvY[/video]
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: In Stereo! on Mon, 28 November 2011, 00:23:14
You can try to get a rubber dome Model M. I rather like mine ... not really the daily ride type of keyboard for me, but nice to type once in a while. I'd just like to add that I loathe the MS 4K.
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: MKB on Mon, 28 November 2011, 03:45:26
We are near identical in our keyboard likes from what I can tell...

OPTIONS:
buckling spring
Filco - Zero
TOPRE maybe...  Realforce and not HKB

The filco zero is my favorite so far.
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: bbbbqq on Mon, 28 November 2011, 05:56:08
Quote from: rodtang;459757
Pistols at dawn.

Pistols at dawn it is.

Quote from: nocturn4l3030;459881
http://keyboards.keytronic.com/home/Shop/shop.asp?h_ck=TP65N5

i see quite a few without the gigantic enter key and a normal backspace.  i loved those keyboards before i found mechanicals. lemme know if you end up getting one and what you think of it.

EDIT:  if you can afford it, i think you would really like a topre too.  look through the classifieds and see if you can get a good price.

Hmm,  that actually looks great. How many KRO are keytronic boards ? and, know anywhere in Canada to get one ?

Quote from: MKB;459936
We are near identical in our keyboard likes from what I can tell...

OPTIONS:
buckling spring
Filco - Zero
TOPRE maybe...  Realforce and not HKB

The filco zero is my favorite so far.


Which one is the white fukka alps, the clicky + tactile ? and, why not hkb ?
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: cbf123 on Mon, 28 November 2011, 14:47:11
Quote from: bbbbqq;459951
Hmm,  that actually looks great. How many KRO are keytronic boards ? and, know anywhere in Canada to get one ?

http://www.ergocanada.com sells one Keytronic board...they may be able to order others.  They also have the Kinesis Freestyle board, which is supposed to be a tactile membrane.
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: Gerk on Mon, 28 November 2011, 15:03:26
I think Input Nirvana also has a used Kinesis Freestyle for sale here in the classifieds if that helps.
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: Gin on Mon, 28 November 2011, 16:37:26
Have you tried Qsenn keyboards? They're one of the best rubberdomes.
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: Lanx on Mon, 28 November 2011, 20:34:04
I consider myself very familiar with the ergo 4k, i "think" like what many have said, you're just accustomed to the way the ergo 4k is split and the way it feels, essentially the ergonomics of it, cuz in terms of tactility it sucks monkey donuts. I found it impossibly difficult to go back to a ergo 4k once i tried cherry browns for a while. Is it really the feel or the ergonomics of the 4k that is swaying your opinion? cuz all regular tenkeyless or 104keyboards really really really suck for ergonomics too, cherry or otherwise.
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: dorkvader on Mon, 28 November 2011, 22:43:45
I consider my Olivetti to be the best Rubberdome, though the only keytronic I've compared it with, I wasn't able to use for much.
Title: I don't like Cherry. Now what ?
Post by: hashbaz on Mon, 28 November 2011, 22:54:13
Hearing mention of Olivetti makes me wonder where The Solutor is...