geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Homiko on Mon, 26 March 2012, 14:32:41

Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Homiko on Mon, 26 March 2012, 14:32:41
Ok so I got my first Cherry MX blue the other week, my first mechanical keyboard, and what can I say.. I want MORE, I want to test more switchs and feel them. I like the MX blues, but one thing is that they are loud, but I want everyone to hear them, so they know I got a new keyboard!

the next keyboard i want to buy is a cherry MX black, what keyboard should i buy(with black switchs..)

btw, is it normal :P and i'm new here.
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: hazeluff on Mon, 26 March 2012, 14:55:34
Welcome to Geekhack and everything you are feeling now is normal. You may be very confused, but let us guide you. Everything will be alright. Buy ALL the keyboards!
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Homiko on Mon, 26 March 2012, 15:01:27
Quote from: hazeluff;557479
Welcome to Geekhack and everything you are feeling now is normal. You may be very confused, but let us guide you. Everything will be alright. Buy ALL the keyboards!


One does not simply buy all the keyboards, buy them one buy one!

(http://static.fjcdn.com/comments/3143910+_59a384cd931e813bb7b539f5b88a23f3.jpg)

but seriously what cherry MX black should I buy, or should I buy another type of keyboard to test it?
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: alaricljs on Mon, 26 March 2012, 15:02:09
Hazeluff, you are slipping...

Homiko, what you need to do now is go to the Group Buy forum and invest in sets of keycaps.  Like the Diable Exocet set  :)


(oh yeah, you'll have to wait for someone that likes blacks to come by and make a recommendation)
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Homiko on Mon, 26 March 2012, 15:16:21
Quote from: alaricljs;557481
Hazeluff, you are slipping...

Homiko, what you need to do now is go to the Group Buy forum and invest in sets of keycaps.  Like the Diable Exocet set  :)


(oh yeah, you'll have to wait for someone that likes blacks to come by and make a recommendation)

Sorry for the noob questions but what are keycaps?
and can you link me to the fourm you are talking about?
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: demik on Mon, 26 March 2012, 15:19:03
Oh you're going to hate yourself for asking that question


RIP to your wallet also.
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Homiko on Mon, 26 March 2012, 15:21:07
Quote from: demik;557487
Oh you're going to hate yourself for asking that question


RIP to your wallet also.

i think i got the part with the keycaps, but why should i buy some, i want to try other mechanical keyboards with other MX cherry parts or other switchs.
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: jrockroll on Mon, 26 March 2012, 15:21:13
personally I hate black switch.
After mechanical, you'll go for topre then Ibm...etc
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: alaricljs on Mon, 26 March 2012, 15:21:18
Muayuahahahaha,... So here's the Diablo buy (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?29132-IC-Diablo-Exocet-87-Extras-Double-Keyset)  and here's the Group Buy (http://geekhack.org/forumdisplay.php?70-group-buys) forum in general.
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: net2522 on Mon, 26 March 2012, 15:24:45
Quote from: alaricljs;557481
Hazeluff, you are slipping...

Homiko, what you need to do now is go to the Group Buy forum and invest in sets of keycaps.  Like the Diable Exocet set  :)


(oh yeah, you'll have to wait for someone that likes blacks to come by and make a recommendation)

after you went to GB then this one http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?27950-Geekhack-is-bad-for-your-wallet
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Homiko on Mon, 26 March 2012, 15:27:10
Quote from: jrockroll;557489
personally I hate black switch.
After mechanical, you'll go for topre then Ibm...etc

maybe I will too but I got to try them first..

Quote from: alaricljs;557490
Muayuahahahaha,... So here's the Diablo buy (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?29132-IC-Diablo-Exocet-87-Extras-Double-Keyset)  and here's the Group Buy (http://geekhack.org/forumdisplay.php?70-group-buys) forum in general.

k thnx but can you plz tell me why should i buy the keycaps set, i don't want design I want to try new ones, maybe after I get another one I will buy the keycaps?
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: alaricljs on Mon, 26 March 2012, 15:29:45
Well, you're just starting out but generally once someone has gotten the 'multiple switches' bug you end up getting the 'pimp my KB' bug and try out different colors and fonts and materials...
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Homiko on Mon, 26 March 2012, 15:34:13
Quote from: alaricljs;557497
Well, you're just starting out but generally once someone has gotten the 'multiple switches' bug you end up getting the 'pimp my KB' bug and try out different colors and fonts and materials...

sounds fun, but first I need another KB, so  no one can tell me what keyboard with cherry mx black i sould get, or should I get another switch.
and on that keycaps note - can i buy not a full set but just some keycaps?
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: alaricljs on Mon, 26 March 2012, 15:36:29
That's specific to the buy... they're working up a small set of Portal caps for a 2nd round, num/F-key row only.  All sorts of choices.  Couple of Asian sellers have many different colored sets of 37 keys (the alpha and punctuations) and other unique options.
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: fohat.digs on Mon, 26 March 2012, 15:39:09
Since you are OK with a less-than-silent switch, you owe it to yourself to try buckling springs.

Then sail back towards the mainstream if you are not happy with the baddest board on the block.
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Homiko on Mon, 26 March 2012, 15:42:59
Quote from: fohat.digs;557508
Since you are OK with a less-than-silent switch, you owe it to yourself to try buckling springs.

Then sail back towards the mainstream if you are not happy with the baddest board on the block.

And what keyboards have buckling springs?
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Warduke on Mon, 26 March 2012, 17:25:03
The legendary IBM Model M

But if you want a new keyboard with buckling springs. then there's Unicomp (http://www.pckeyboard.com/).
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: bazemk1979 on Mon, 26 March 2012, 18:34:50
Quote from: hazeluff;557479
Welcome to Geekhack and everything you are feeling now is normal. You may be very confused, but let us guide you. Everything will be alright. Buy ALL the keyboards!


lol dude funny stuff there
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: bazemk1979 on Mon, 26 March 2012, 18:36:18
Quote from: Warduke;557569
The legendary IBM Model M

But if you want a new keyboard with buckling springs. then there's Unicomp (http://www.pckeyboard.com/).
got to admit, not a single switch in the world feels as satisfying as buckling spring.
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Soarer on Mon, 26 March 2012, 19:18:09
Quote from: Warduke;557569
The legendary IBM Model M

And the even more legendary IBM Model F!
Capacitive buckling spring, full NKRO.
For feel, it can't be beaten, IMO.
For layout and compatibility, hmm, that takes some work.
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: wiredPANDA on Mon, 26 March 2012, 21:55:53
Just had to go look at the Model F.  Definitely has an interesting layout, but I think I like the F keys on the side.

And the more I keep hearing everyone talk about buckling springs, the more I want to go find an old Model M to bring to work.
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: demik on Mon, 26 March 2012, 23:58:15
Quote from: alaricljs;557490
Muayuahahahaha,... So here's the Diablo buy (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?29132-IC-Diablo-Exocet-87-Extras-Double-Keyset)  and here's the Group Buy (http://geekhack.org/forumdisplay.php?70-group-buys) forum in general.

we would be terrible sponsors lol

Quote from: fohat.digs;557508
Since you are OK with a less-than-silent switch, you owe it to yourself to try buckling springs.

Then sail back towards the mainstream if you are not happy with the baddest board on the block.


getting a BS keyboard is like a must. even if you dont end up liking it, its one of those things you must at least own once.
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: noisyturtle on Tue, 27 March 2012, 00:21:12
Nothing beats fapping with a Maltron one hand keyboard.:eyebrows:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]45899[/ATTACH]
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Homiko on Tue, 27 March 2012, 00:31:54
Quote from: Warduke;557569
The legendary IBM Model M

But if you want a new keyboard with buckling springs. then there's Unicomp (http://www.pckeyboard.com/).


so any model from unicomp will do?
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: zirb on Tue, 27 March 2012, 04:42:04
Quote from: Homiko;557494
k thnx but can you plz tell me why should i buy the keycaps set, i don't want design I want to try new ones, maybe after I get another one I will buy the keycaps?


The day will come. Have fun until then.

Random thread, random page. Just browse some time through this thread is my suggestion:
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?20464-What-did-you-add-to-your-Keyboard-today-Post-Your-Pics/page12

Also, which keyboard do you have with Blues?
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Soarer on Tue, 27 March 2012, 07:26:54
Quote from: wiredPANDA;557775
Just had to go look at the Model F.  Definitely has an interesting layout, but I think I like the F keys on the side.


Ah, Model F is really the type of switch - there's quite a few layouts that use it, many of them horrible! I'm guessing you found the AT (my favourite), which is definitely the easiest to get working on a modern PC - it's PS/2 compatible with just a simple connector adapter. It's even better modified (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:25919), but then it helps to use a custom USB converter (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:17458).

This particular rabbit hole goes pretty deep!

If you really want to scare your coworkers, there's no substitute for one of these:

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=44352&d=1331856125)
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: fohat.digs on Tue, 27 March 2012, 08:25:36
Soarer is the man who made it all possible for the proletariat.


[ATTACH=CONFIG]45923[/ATTACH]


And if you are willing to take it apart and move little parts around, you can achieve a near-ANSI layout with F keys top and side.
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Homiko on Tue, 27 March 2012, 09:33:19
Quote from: zirb;557984
The day will come. Have fun until then.

Random thread, random page. Just browse some time through this thread is my suggestion:
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?20464-What-did-you-add-to-your-Keyboard-today-Post-Your-Pics/page12

Also, which keyboard do you have with Blues?


I got the Razer BlackWidow because in my counrty (Israel) none of the keyboards you were talking about are less then 188$, but now it's a holiday and i'm going to the US so i want to buy there some keyboards.

so i asked if any unicomp is ok to buy if i want buckling springs?
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Soarer on Tue, 27 March 2012, 09:49:38
Quote from: Homiko;558109
so i asked if any unicomp is ok to buy if i want buckling springs?

They do rubber dome and buckling spring versions of most of their keyboards, it's usually clearly stated if not.
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Homiko on Tue, 27 March 2012, 09:58:02
Quote from: Soarer;558122
They do rubber dome and buckling spring versions of most of their keyboards, it's usually clearly stated if not.

So, this one - http://pckeyboard.com/page/FeaturedProducts/UB40P4A or this one http://pckeyboard.com/page/FeaturedProducts/UB4044A
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Soarer on Tue, 27 March 2012, 10:05:59
Quote from: Homiko;558130
So, this one - http://pckeyboard.com/page/FeaturedProducts/UB40P4A or this one http://pckeyboard.com/page/FeaturedProducts/UB4044A

Yep, both. They've redesigned their site since I last looked; seems like all the rubber domes are now hidden here (http://pckeyboard.com/page/category/QTRD).
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Homiko on Tue, 27 March 2012, 10:11:58
Quote from: Soarer;558132
Yep, both. They've redesigned their site since I last looked; seems like all the rubber domes are now hidden here (http://pckeyboard.com/page/category/QTRD).

lol, but what model should I pick?
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Soarer on Tue, 27 March 2012, 10:18:43
Oh, that I don't know!

I think it's just down to which case style you'd like, but other geekhackers might be able to offer up some practical reasons why one is better than the other...
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Zamorph on Tue, 27 March 2012, 10:19:02
Something with cherry blue switches!
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Soarer on Tue, 27 March 2012, 10:21:03
Quote from: Zamorph;558147
Something with cherry blue switches!

^ has not read thread :-p
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Zamorph on Tue, 27 March 2012, 10:31:13
Quote from: Soarer;558150
^ has not read thread :-p

Can never have too much blues! Fine, get reds!
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Homiko on Tue, 27 March 2012, 10:57:59
Quote from: Zamorph;558164
Can never have too much blues! Fine, get reds!


lol.. I am thing of getting a buckling springs.
thnx soarer i will wait and see what people say about those two :)
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: alaricljs on Tue, 27 March 2012, 11:14:33
Lots of people think the big 'old IBM' Classic style case provides stiffness to the KB and it's a positive.  Others like the relative smallness of the Ultra Classic.
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Homiko on Tue, 27 March 2012, 11:28:23
Quote from: alaricljs;558210
Lots of people think the big 'old IBM' Classic style case provides stiffness to the KB and it's a positive.  Others like the relative smallness of the Ultra Classic.

oh ok, then i think i will take the Ultra Classic Black Buckling Spring USB model. the keyboard is well made? the parts are good quality because i never had a keyboard of unicomp and i don't know..
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Rexxed on Tue, 27 March 2012, 13:40:48
Quote from: Homiko;558224
oh ok, then i think i will take the Ultra Classic Black Buckling Spring USB model. the keyboard is well made? the parts are good quality because i never had a keyboard of unicomp and i don't know..


I've used the same unicomp keyboard daily since 2001.  The build quality is high!
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Homiko on Tue, 27 March 2012, 13:45:00
Quote from: Rexxed;558345
I've used the same unicomp keyboard daily since 2001.  The build quality is high!

Thnx, going to order one to the place I will stay in the US, and I will tell you if I like it or not :)
THNX guys for all of the help, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: slueth on Tue, 27 March 2012, 14:27:04
Damn came too late to recommend a cherry black switch keyboard, looks like the buckling switch crowd got to you first :D.  Wish Unicomp still made capacitive buckling switch keyboards... My godlike BS keyboard would be a SSK sized capacitive keyboard.
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Homiko on Tue, 27 March 2012, 14:37:43
Quote from: slueth;558385
Damn came too late to recommend a cherry black switch keyboard, looks like the buckling switch crowd got to you first :D.  Wish Unicomp still made capacitive buckling switch keyboards... My godlike BS keyboard would be a SSK sized capacitive keyboard.


you can still recommend a black switch keyboard i'm still thinking about it.
btw guys if i will buy an ibm model m also from ebay what model do you think i should get from here- http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?LH_TopRatedSellers=1&LH_ItemCondition=4&_sacat=0&_nkw=ibm+model+m&_arm=1&_armm=95&_ruu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3FLH_FS%3D1%26LH_TopRatedSellers%3D1%26LH_ItemCondition%3D4%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3Dibm%2Bmodel%2Bm%26_arr%3D1
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Soarer on Tue, 27 March 2012, 15:37:33
lol, customs ARE going to give you funny looks when they scan your bags!
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: hella on Tue, 27 March 2012, 16:00:54
Quote from: fohat.digs;557508
Since you are OK with a less-than-silent switch, you owe it to yourself to try buckling springs.

Then sail back towards the mainstream if you are not happy with the baddest board on the block.


I have to agree with this.  I actually use cherry mx blues full time but I prefer my buckling spring keyboard much more.  I can't wait to get my old board back.
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: sth on Tue, 27 March 2012, 16:03:26
Quote from: hella;558468
I have to agree with this.  I actually use cherry mx blues full time but I prefer my buckling spring keyboard much more.  I can't wait to get my old board back.
OT: sup oakland
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Soarer on Tue, 27 March 2012, 16:04:11
Oh, come on, you're not even trying!

The game is to make him buy an extra bag for the trip home, just to carry the keyboards!!

Someone mention Topre....
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Homiko on Tue, 27 March 2012, 16:25:22
Quote from: Soarer;558458
lol, customs ARE going to give you funny looks when they scan your bags!

:)

Quote from: Soarer;558472
Oh, come on, you're not even trying!

The game is to make him buy an extra bag for the trip home, just to carry the keyboards!!

Someone mention Topre....

lol, so what do you think, should I buy a new unicomp keyboard or try my luck with a ibm model m from ebay and in that case what model number should i pick (I gave a link to the ebay page the other reply
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Rexxed on Tue, 27 March 2012, 16:54:49
The only issue with buying a used keyboard from ebay is that there may be a problem with it that requires a return/exchange.  I've bought some Model Ms on ebay that were fine, but you never know if you'll get a bad board.  I purchased a SIIG Minitouch on ebay that had to be exchanged because some of the keys didn't work, and that added a couple of weeks of time due to shipping the bad one back and having it replaced.  If you don't mind the possible risk, then purchasing a keyboard on ebay should be fine.
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Homiko on Tue, 27 March 2012, 17:03:40
Quote from: Rexxed;558507
The only issue with buying a used keyboard from ebay is that there may be a problem with it that requires a return/exchange.  I've bought some Model Ms on ebay that were fine, but you never know if you'll get a bad board.  I purchased a SIIG Minitouch on ebay that had to be exchanged because some of the keys didn't work, and that added a couple of weeks of time due to shipping the bad one back and having it replaced.  If you don't mind the possible risk, then purchasing a keyboard on ebay should be fine.

That's why I only go fo the top sellers that ensure that it works fine + the ebay buyer protetction is in so if something go's wrong I can contact them and they will give me my money back and fix it with the seller :)
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: NYC on Tue, 27 March 2012, 17:17:41
would just go for new so you dont worry about nothing at all your first to open~
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Homiko on Tue, 27 March 2012, 17:39:49
Quote from: NYC;558522
would just go for new so you dont worry about nothing at all your first to open~

but I want to "real thing" the ibm model m is the first one and the unicomp is the one that came after.
but still you are right, I'm still new and I don't want to get stuck with a keyboard that will brake or something after a year.

still thinking..
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Soarer on Tue, 27 March 2012, 19:12:44
Hmm, I dunno. I guess I had roughly the same choice when I wanted my first buckling spring, but it was biased by the fact that I could get the IBM here vs paying hefty shipping and taxes to get a Unicomp sent over from the US. Have a read up about bolt-modding (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:6615) the IBM before you decide, because that fixes the most likely fault you'll find with a Model M, which is broken plastic heat-stakes (aka rivets).
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: slueth on Tue, 27 March 2012, 19:23:52
I would get the cheap Kentucky keyboard from Unicomp, I prefer Unicomp keyboards because they have that windows key and also it is USB :D.
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Homiko on Wed, 28 March 2012, 12:35:01
Quote from: slueth;558591
I would get the cheap Kentucky keyboard from Unicomp, I prefer Unicomp keyboards because they have that windows key and also it is USB :D.
I don't really use the windows key i usually turn it off..
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: slueth on Wed, 28 March 2012, 12:53:50
hmm.. Unicomp has versions that do not have window keys as well, just trying to get you to buy from Unicomp, gotta keep em alive and all :D
Title: I think i'm sick.. with the Mechanical fever!
Post by: Homiko on Wed, 28 March 2012, 16:24:02
Quote from: slueth;559404
hmm.. Unicomp has versions that do not have window keys as well, just trying to get you to buy from Unicomp, gotta keep em alive and all :D

lol, I think I will go with the unicomp one after all, thnx ;)