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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: 1391406 on Tue, 13 March 2012, 11:17:45

Title: FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
Post by: 1391406 on Tue, 13 March 2012, 11:17:45

In your experience, between these two boards, which of these do you prefer in terms of key switch feel? I can't afford both but I have a choice of either an early FK-2001 (winkeyless) or a new Chicony 5181. Any thoughts?

Title: FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
Post by: Magna224 on Tue, 13 March 2012, 11:27:53

It depends on the switch. The Chicony could have fake MX Blue, real MX Blue, clicky ALPS or Monterey. The Focus should have clicky ALPS. I think the winkeyless Focus feels better to type on than the chicony in my opinion in terms of the actual keyboard and also doesn't have the small backspace.

Title: FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
Post by: notnay on Tue, 13 March 2012, 11:44:10

If you can get the Chicony with Montereys then I would suggest go with that. If not, then the FK.

Title: FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
Post by: 1391406 on Tue, 13 March 2012, 12:50:29

Thanks for the suggestions.

Title: FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
Post by: Jamesbeat on Tue, 13 March 2012, 15:48:16

Never tried a Chicony, so I can't offer a comparison, but I do own an FK-2001 (winkeyless) and I love it.
If you like clicky switches, I seriously doubt you'd be disappointed with the Focus.
Good build quality, nice feel, double shot keycaps.

Title: FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
Post by: Findecanor on Tue, 13 March 2012, 19:07:59

Quote from: notnay;544556

If you can get the Chicony with Montereys then I would suggest go with that. If not, then the FK.

I much prefer the Monterey switches over white ALPS, but the build quality of the Chicony 5181 leaves a bit to be desired. The case is creaky.
The Chicony has also a small Backspace key.

Title: FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
Post by: Touch_It on Tue, 13 March 2012, 19:47:11

chicony, is my daily driver along with a board with space invaders, amazing feel

Title: FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
Post by: fohat.digs on Tue, 13 March 2012, 21:44:05

The Chicony with blue Montereys feels exquisite, but the small backspace is very frustrating. I have had 3 of these and they all had the Montereys.

I have also had 3 Focus 2001s and they all had white Alps which were very nice.

I recommend that you buy the Chicony, because those switches are much harder to find, and, in my opinion, better feeling, even though the board as a whole is not of the highest quality.

Title: FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
Post by: 1391406 on Wed, 14 March 2012, 00:55:25

Thanks again for the replies and suggestions.

Title: FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
Post by: 1391406 on Wed, 14 March 2012, 13:32:32

By the way, for anyone who has an opinion, how do the Monterey switches compare with MX Blues?

Title: FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
Post by: fohat.digs on Wed, 14 March 2012, 13:41:28

I consider them very similar. I may prefer the Montereys.

I would love to find a higher-quality board to make a complete comparison, rather than just comparing the switches themselves.

Title: FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
Post by: 1391406 on Wed, 14 March 2012, 14:36:49

Quote from: fohat.digs;545933

I would love to find a higher-quality board to make a complete comparison, rather than just comparing the switches themselves.

Just curious, which board are you referencing?

Title: FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
Post by: Magna224 on Wed, 14 March 2012, 15:29:24

He was talking about the Chicony 5181, its a notoriously low quality keyboard but one of the few you can get Monterey switches in.

Title: FK-2001 or Chicony 5181?
Post by: TexasFlood on Mon, 14 May 2012, 15:02:41

Quote from: ripster;546009

F3 my sig for Chicony 5181 for LOTS of pics and switch disassembly.

Post in the review if you have any questions.

Not any more, just says "Sent From Brother Ripster's iPad" now.