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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: ShakeR on Thu, 08 March 2012, 10:33:28

Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: ShakeR on Thu, 08 March 2012, 10:33:28: MechanicalKeyboards.com is set to launch later this month.

We're attempting to construct the largest dedicated catalog of Mechanical Keyboards available. Outside of the standard, readily available boards, I'm trying to focus on offering keyboards that are really hard to find / non-existent in the United States / Canada. If you have a certain style, model, or brand of keyboard you've always wanted access to in North America, let me know and I will do my best to get it.

Any kind of contact information, etc for the Manufacturer to go along with it and make my life easier is appreciated :)
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: sth on Thu, 08 March 2012, 10:35:29: KBT/KBC stuff.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: Magna224 on Thu, 08 March 2012, 10:43:29: Filco Zero >.> Its one of my long lost dreams. (and I'd buy a JP realforce if they had em for around $200)
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: reaper on Thu, 08 March 2012, 10:50:37: ^ Have you tried putting the words out (that you want one) in Classifieds section? You just might get lucky since I know quite a few members here have the Zero.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: Lmnr on Thu, 08 March 2012, 10:55:38: The Limited edition topres and the new edition leopolds possibly.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: sth on Thu, 08 March 2012, 10:59:00: I DOUBT they'll be able to carry anything or any brands already carried by EK. Niche market and all.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: Typhaeon on Thu, 08 March 2012, 13:34:14: I second the KBT/KBC stuff. I'm very interested in trying out a Race or Pure with MX Browns, but can't justify the hassle and expense of importing. A Poker might be a good alternative, I suppose.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: sth on Thu, 08 March 2012, 13:35:49: Quote from: Typhaeon;539291
I second the KBT/KBC stuff. I'm very interested in trying out a Race or Pure with MX Browns, but can't justify the hassle and expense of importing. A Poker might be a good alternative, I suppose.
I got in on the RACE GB and got browns; plan on a little review when I get it.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: ShakeR on Thu, 08 March 2012, 14:04:29: Quote
Oh, and the obvious answer is a REAL Filco distributor for North America.
Ocean freighting keyboards from Japan to Europe, then from Europe to Amazon Fulfillment centers in the United States isn't the most efficient distribution method IMO (about 60 days in transit / customs time alone - not to mention the added cost). I'm working on it. Not an easy one...

Quote
I second the KBT/KBC stuff.
Anyone have the name / site for manufacturer for KBT/KBC? Landed on a Chinese eBayer at one point who I thought was distributor / manufacturer but no luck. If not, I'll keep digging.

Quote
PBT Black Blank/Otaku keycaps
We'll have them at site launch later this month.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: sth on Thu, 08 March 2012, 14:06:57: Quote from: ShakeR;539321

Anyone have the name / site for manufacturer for KBT/KBC? Landed on a Chinese eBayer at one point who I thought was distributor / manufacturer but no luck. If not, I'll keep digging.

VorTex -- https://www.facebook.com/Vortexgear

They're super friendly and helpful, which is... helpful.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: sordna on Fri, 16 March 2012, 15:12:18: The uTron / μTRON keyboard.

http://xahlee.org/kbd/uTRON_keyboard.html
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: Typhaeon on Fri, 16 March 2012, 15:33:18: I don't understand why these would be freighted from Japan to the EU if you're selling them in America. Why not just have them sent across the Pacific to California?
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: Netdewt on Fri, 16 March 2012, 15:38:08: Maybe I should wait to buy my first mechanical? Can you give an idea of what your planning to carry now?
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: snowboarder3 on Fri, 16 March 2012, 17:30:25: folco and KBC distribution
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: sth on Fri, 16 March 2012, 20:18:30: Quote from: snowboarder3;548163
folco and KBC distribution
[ATTACH=CONFIG]44523[/ATTACH]
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: demik on Fri, 16 March 2012, 20:28:50: OTD 356 series.

but you can't provide that.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: Hak Foo on Sun, 18 March 2012, 00:50:17: Honestly, someone who offered the Ducky line without having to deal with non-English sites would be a good choice. I've tried to suggest the 1008XM to other people, but the concept of ordering from PCHome is a bit of a barrier to entry. At 55 USD, it's comparable to buying the latest Microsoft or Logitech board, but much better.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: vurt on Sun, 18 March 2012, 01:06:03: I will have to echo others in the thread and say a Filco distributor in the US is paramount to ensure my bank account stays empty at all times. I would also like to see some Vortex/KBC/KBT stuff...mainly a reliable place to get PBT caps/sets...but nothing ultra fancy. Minimalism = win.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: Awful on Sun, 18 March 2012, 01:24:06: Filco/KBT/KBC :(

Maybe keyboard.co can get kbt/kbc and sell them though Amazon as well. Then it won't be an issue.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: kaiserreich on Sun, 18 March 2012, 01:28:08: Quote from: Hak Foo;549496
Honestly, someone who offered the Ducky line without having to deal with non-English sites would be a good choice. I've tried to suggest the 1008XM to other people, but the concept of ordering from PCHome is a bit of a barrier to entry. At 55 USD, it's comparable to buying the latest Microsoft or Logitech board, but much better.

OCN has it no?
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: Hak Foo on Sun, 18 March 2012, 01:47:40: are they a retailer?
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: reaper on Sun, 18 March 2012, 01:53:04: ^ More like etailer but they're based in US (Michigan to be exact). Here's the link to their website (http://www.tankguys.com/mechnical-keyboards.html). They also have Ducky Shine but I don't think I've seen the XM series on there yet... but I could be wrong. lol =P
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: REVENGE on Sun, 18 March 2012, 02:08:18: I'm a little surprised nobody mentioned the TVS Gold.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: Human on Sun, 18 March 2012, 11:26:33: Quote from: dante;549665
Tiger Imports has the XM, and a whole lotta shine:

http://tigerimports.net/sunshop/index.php?l=product_list&c=73

They have 1008XM's in stock and 1087XM's being restocked soon. They imported the 1087XM 3-4 days before Christmas and sold out before Christmas :)

They also have some unique items like a Japanese format Shine.

Cool, thats strange. Ducky even aim for Japan market?
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: Shogunner on Wed, 28 March 2012, 19:31:04: I can't seem to find the ANSI Quick Fire Rapid in Blacks here ANYWHERE :(
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: SmallFry on Wed, 28 March 2012, 19:38:07: I would really care for a modders forum where we could start to really investigate boards like the OTD boards on a more regular basis than the Phantom. Then again, things that are good are always too good on the internet.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: Lmnr on Wed, 28 March 2012, 20:28:00: LOL Limited edition duckys anyone?
Only one I know who sells them is tigerimports
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: ShakeR on Mon, 09 April 2012, 17:45:46: Quote from: Typhaeon;548079
I don't understand why these would be freighted from Japan to the EU if you're selling them in America. Why not just have them sent across the Pacific to California?

Sorry if my original response wasn't clear. I was actually 'poking fun' at Diatec's current US distribution method (which is the exact scenario you outlined above). We have air freight sources than can get new product from Asia to the States in 3 Days (not a typo). Anything sent by vessel averages around 35 days in total (door-to-door).

As opposed to current method: Ship to Europe (35+ days), Ship to US Amazon center (35+ days) -- at least 70 days assuming nothing is going air (most likely scenario). By the time the newest models make it to the US in the current format, they're 3 months old in Japan.

I've dedicated more time to securing Filco than any other brand. The ground work is established; however, they want to see the site up and running and before committing (understandable).

Quote
Maybe I should wait to buy my first mechanical? Can you give an idea of what your planning to carry now?

I'm planning to carry everything. That's the long term goal and it will happen, but, despite my incredibly impatient nature, it will take time. Just finding contact info for many of the Eastern brands is a nightmare, then once you find it , you get DNS errors and kicked back emails (noppoo). Couple this with the 'exclusivity' agreements someone mentioned earlier, and I'm nowhere near content with our current offering; however, I will have 16 unique brands and over 60 models in stock at launch. The snowball will begin growing (hopefully rapidly) April 16th and brands / models / accessories will be added monthly, weekly, daily...

As far as what we'll have for sale on April 16th that is hard to find or soon to be hard to find in the US - Ducky Keycap Sets (4 varieties), CM QuickFire every switch type and QuickFire Pro (brown cherry), every RK-9000 switch type, every Ducky Shine (Purple and Yellow LED) switch type - see tigerimports.net for other colors. I may have forgotten some others. See / please like http://www.facebook.com/pages/MechanicalKeyboardscom/302383559805193 for any updates not posted here.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: ShakeR on Mon, 09 April 2012, 20:37:12: Quote from: dante;571822
You might want to reconsider the RK9000; if the Newegg reviews are anything to go by they've had a crapload RMA'ed due to faulty switches, sticky switches, and of course snapped USB connectors.

Thanks for the heads up. The goal at this point is to offer as a wide of a selection as possible and, as tends to be the case, let customer reviews / write ups determine the overall fate of a given keyboard. Sorted by 'rating' the RK9000 is 2nd on Newegg.com (last I checked), so there must be decent percentage of customers with satisfactory units. We'll know soon enough either way.

Of course any particularly RMA prone models will be pulled after they've been given their fair shot.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: sherryton on Mon, 09 April 2012, 21:01:14: ripster, it is really not that easy haha. i have tried

Quote from: ripster;539635
Should be straightforward. We have a pretty big continent:
Show Image
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=43109&d=1331226699)

tell Diatec this is how Americans feel.
[video=youtube;NHtwYFq_2lU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHtwYFq_2lU&feature=related[/video]
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: ShakeR on Tue, 10 April 2012, 16:01:11: Quote from: dante;571936
Understood. But if you're looking to bring new models to the market place see if you can bring the Leopold FC700R.

I can't say I'd buy one but I'd pay money to buy a ticket for a front row seat to that event :)

Ha! Noted.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: nigritude on Wed, 11 April 2012, 00:04:31: +1 for the Leopold FC700R.

Been wanting to try a Leopold but would really like the PBT keys. And a couple of important birthdays coming up --- thinking this keyboard would make a nice gift for them.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: kikkobots on Wed, 11 April 2012, 12:15:05: fc700r.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: AKIMbO on Wed, 11 April 2012, 12:25:44: I will just echo what others have requested:
-Filco
-KBT/KBC
-Topres (Realforce)
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: Typhaeon on Wed, 11 April 2012, 14:05:40: You've piqued my interest with your response to my inquiry. I haven't been around to know all of the nuts and bolts of the mech keyboard importer industry.

I'll definitely be patronizing your storefront when you open.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: pkamb on Wed, 11 April 2012, 17:47:56: Japanese keyboards have a small spacbar and extra modifier keys.

It would be really cool to re-map those extra modifiers to "Backspace" or "Delete" or other frequently used keys. Easy access with your thumb.

I'd especially like to get one of these Japanese Thinkpad keyboards with Trackpoint.

http://i.imgur.com/4dWVJ.jpg

[ATTACH=CONFIG]48122[/ATTACH]
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: Omerta on Wed, 11 April 2012, 20:34:44: I just want complete customization for topre switches/caps, a place where we can buy barebones of everything. Switches, springs, PBT, keycaps in every color of the rainbow, LED's, custom cases. Pretty much the ability to buy every part we need to literally build our own keyboard from home.

Now that would be ideal.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: Human on Thu, 12 April 2012, 13:05:23: Quote from: dante;573747
Can you confirm whether or not you will be getting any White G80-3494LYCUS-0 (reds) or White G80-3600LYCEU-0 (reds) in the next 3 months? I was about to ask someone to order one of these off pchome/taobao but if you will get these in by the end of the year I'll purchase from you.

G80-3600? I think you probably mean g80-3496?
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: ShakeR on Fri, 13 April 2012, 19:23:08: Quote
Can you confirm whether or not you will be getting any White G80-3494LYCUS-0 (reds) or White G80-3600LYCEU-0 (reds) in the next 3 months?

Cherry is supposed to be getting back to me Monday with a full catalog (same day as site launch). I'm optimistic, but could very likely be limited to what the domestic factories have in stock in the beginning. Hard for me to give an ETA now, but I'll add these models to my 'wish list' and update our Facebook page accordingly once I get more concrete info.

Quote from: Omerta;573389
I just want complete customization for topre switches/caps, a place where we can buy barebones of everything. Switches, springs, PBT, keycaps in every color of the rainbow, LED's, custom cases. Pretty much the ability to buy every part we need to literally build our own keyboard from home.

Now that would be ideal.

That sounds amazing. I will certainly try. Manufacturer contact info for all of the above is appreciated and will rapidly increase the speed at which I'm able to accomplish such a goal. I have a spreadsheet full of contacts; however, it's likely 10% of what's available in the collective mind of geekhack :)
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: ShakeR on Fri, 13 April 2012, 19:26:30: Speaking of which, and thanks to your support, our Facebook page has reached sufficient 'likes' to allow us a static URL which is now much easier to remember.

facebook.com/mechanicalkeyboards
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: peizilla on Sun, 15 April 2012, 13:37:46: this. http://www.diatec.co.jp/en/det.php?prod_c=888

is all i have to say. <3
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: reaper on Sun, 15 April 2012, 13:43:41: ^ First post.. welcome to Geekhack! =)
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: Game Theory on Mon, 16 April 2012, 00:31:22: realforce91U and I'd have one if Amazon.co.jp would ship to the US. Guess I'll have to go with dropshiping to a service if the desire persists.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: peizilla on Mon, 16 April 2012, 01:09:22: Quote from: reaper;575369
^ First post.. welcome to Geekhack! =)

I'm that that guy that is always on irc and lurks the forums but never post. Anyways, thank you. :>
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: Netdewt on Mon, 16 April 2012, 09:58:23: Launching today?
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: Bruce on Mon, 16 April 2012, 14:16:17: Guys
I think I need to clear this up.
All the gear we list on Amazonusa ships direct from Diatech to Amazonusa. It is the shortest distribution channel we could devise and thus the most cost effective.
Much as we would love some feet on the ground - and we are open to serious ideas - any profit/wages/rent involved will have an impact on price and we have not found anything to date that might be less cost than Amazon.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: Geekmie on Mon, 16 April 2012, 14:23:11: KBT/KBC keyboards like Pure, Race, Poker
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: Netdewt on Mon, 16 April 2012, 17:00:58: Hey now, it's 5:00pm CST.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: Exort on Mon, 16 April 2012, 17:53:44: None of the Vertox/Filco/Leoped/KBC/KBT keyboard stuff.
No keycap beside some ducky ones.
Hopefully them are just late to the party. I know Filco said they want to wait and see.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: sth on Mon, 16 April 2012, 17:54:11: Too much flashy stuff :( Looking forward to stock expansion.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: snowboarder3 on Mon, 16 April 2012, 17:55:17: Quote from: Bruce;576242
Guys
I think I need to clear this up.
All the gear we list on Amazonusa ships direct from Diatech to Amazonusa. It is the shortest distribution channel we could devise and thus the most cost effective.
Much as we would love some feet on the ground - and we are open to serious ideas - any profit/wages/rent involved will have an impact on price and we have not found anything to date that might be less cost than Amazon.

Thanks for the information Bruce. Appreciate the service you guys provide for us over here. I agree that Amazon is probably the best, if not for the price simply for the convenience. Everybody trusts amazon, many of us have prime and are addicted to $3.99 overnight shipping, and they are wonderful with returns from a customer side, not sure about to vendors though. Thanks again for doing what you do! Would have been way harder to find a filco around these parts without you!
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: megnin on Mon, 16 April 2012, 18:50:21: Order ID: 10003 for a Ducky DK1087XM Mechanical Keyboard (Green ALPS)

I've been wanting to try an ALPS keyboard and putting in a "first day" order on MechanicalKeyboards was a good excuse.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: mkawa on Mon, 16 April 2012, 20:39:01: woah, black alps 1087xm? is this the non-clicky version of the green?
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: volund on Mon, 16 April 2012, 21:28:37: I see you are out of stock on the Cherry G84-4700, but what you should really consider carrying are the keycaps that go with it to do a fully custom keypad. The cherry ML relegendables are an utter PITA to find (at reasonable prices at least), and cherry won't sell them to an individual.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: mkawa on Tue, 17 April 2012, 01:33:53: omg already OOS on the black alps :/
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: ShakeR on Wed, 18 April 2012, 20:00:51: Quote from: dante;576412
I'm going to wait a couple of days for things to get flushed out before I put in an order. Some of the search things aren't working quite right.

+'s:
Black Blank PBT's for $46
Ducky 1087/1008 XM Black Alps ~ Definitely going to buy one of these.
CM Storm Cherry Black ~ really awesome price. Definitely scooping up one.

-'s:
No wire key pullers!

The description for black alps on the site does not apply to the Ducky I believe. The black alps in the Ducky are linear and much softer than in the AT101W.

?'s:
A spot for Yellow Alps??

Suggestion(s):
Add a search criteria for finding Ducky keyboards that have stiffer switches for the space bar AND what that switch is. I'm really interested in buying a full size 900X but think black switch instead of clears for Brown switch is a bit of a weird decision.

Otherwise nice job :)

I could have sworn I replied to this thread 2 days ago (night of launch). I think my iPad much have tricked me. That's what I get for not using a real keyboard :)

Black ALPS are very limited (as you point out a couple posts later). I'll see about getting some in next shipment though. They may incredibly limited soon as Ducky may or may not go forward with ALPS switch production.

Will attempt to secure wire key pullers ASAP.

You're description of the Black ALPS is accurate. What description of the Black ALPS are you referring to? I can't find it.

Spot for Yellow ALPS may be outdated. I don't think we have any models on the horizon with Yellow ALPS.

From Ducky:

"Now DK-1087,DK-1008,DK-9000/9008G2 and DK=9008G2 Pro will follow up below regulation.

Brown switch type: entire Brown switch
Red switch type: entire Red switch
Blue switch type: Green switch in space bar
Black switch type: Gray switch in space bar"
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: ShakeR on Wed, 18 April 2012, 21:06:15: Quote from: Bruce;576242
Guys
I think I need to clear this up.
All the gear we list on Amazonusa ships direct from Diatech to Amazonusa. It is the shortest distribution channel we could devise and thus the most cost effective.
Much as we would love some feet on the ground - and we are open to serious ideas - any profit/wages/rent involved will have an impact on price and we have not found anything to date that might be less cost than Amazon.

Ahh... OK, that makes much more sense from a logistical standpoint. Does "The Keyboard Company" have ownership in Diatech?
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: ShakeR on Wed, 18 April 2012, 21:09:46: Quote from: mkawa;576541
woah, black alps 1087xm? is this the non-clicky version of the green?

More or less. Blacks are linear / non clicky.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: Game Theory on Wed, 18 April 2012, 22:12:22: My guess is no but its more that "The Keyboard Company" has the U.S. bound ones sent directly to Amazon U.S. to keep shipping down to keep prices lower.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: ShakeR on Wed, 18 April 2012, 22:31:56: Quote from: dante;578504
The Ducky 1008 that you sell with the "L" enter key and Red switches: does this use 2 switches under the Enter key or 1 switch with a stabilizer? It's been reported that some "L" Duckys have been using 2 switches.

I need to stay off this forum because I'm going to end up taking all of my stock apart to check different technical aspects :)

Let me shoot Ducky an email and see what I can find out. Problem is if it's a change they instituted in the past 2 months, it's hard for me to know which version I have without pulling it apart.

Quote
Can you go into further detail of what the DK9008G2 Pro is?

I suppose I could but I'm thinking I may want to 'Vortex' this model for a bit (that's right, Vortex is officially a verb). Maybe just leak one or two details every 10 days. There are 5 improvements over the current DK9008G2. Pick 1 and I'll post it. (as in pick a number 1 to 5) Also, I'm not entirely sure how much I can legally divulge now anyway... I don't think they'll mind 1 detail - especially if it's random
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: ShakeR on Wed, 18 April 2012, 22:35:43: I'm going to make a 'Launch Thread' so the title is a little more relevant.
Title: Keyboards you WISH were in North America?
Post by: ShakeR on Wed, 18 April 2012, 22:36:51: 1. ?
2. ?
3. WASD keys are LED backlit
4. ?
5. ?

:)

Jump to: http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?30480-MechanicalKeyboards-com-Launched! <-- (mods) this OK?