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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: qtan5370 on Mon, 04 June 2012, 09:46:10

Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: qtan5370 on Mon, 04 June 2012, 09:46:10: Here is new brand released recently called HPE

I am now good at writing review but here are some transited information.

The Chinese review said it has good built quality, which means better than PLU and Key cool (which about 10 dollar higher). Which I am not so sure.

Some details:

87 Keys
ABS laser caps
with Media-control functional keys and block winkey under gaming
21 key roll over under USB, NKRO under PS/2
additional accessory in the box: Please see picture
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: AKIMbO on Mon, 04 June 2012, 11:38:25: Costar or cherry stabilizers?
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: squarebox on Mon, 04 June 2012, 11:58:19: Costar stabilizer.

Looks like a Costar clone espically with a big lip at the edges.
Costar have very slim edges.

I did say it's from iOne.

-No 2 KE
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: AKIMbO on Mon, 04 June 2012, 12:05:18: Seems to be the closest Filco copy I've seen to date. More so than the CM Storm Quickfire Rapid.
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: squarebox on Mon, 04 June 2012, 12:19:06: Quote from: AKIMbO;607271
Seems to be the closest Filco copy I've seen to date. More so than the CM Storm Quickfire Rapid.

(http://i.imgur.com/D9eSg.png)

CM Storm QuickFire Rapid is made by Costar.
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: JaccoW on Mon, 04 June 2012, 12:21:37: That font and even the media icons look exactly like my Keycool.
The only differences I see are a lack of windowed capslock, F12 and scroll lock (but with seemingly the exact same functions), rubber feet on the flip out stands and a non-removable cable.
And a garish logo above the arrow keys like on the Quickfire.

So yeah, I can understand why it is $10 cheaper.

EDIT: that sounded a bit negative. It's a nice board if you are looking for the cheapest mechanical keyboard. But I can see where they cut corners to make it even cheaper.
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: laffindude on Mon, 04 June 2012, 12:22:37: It's a dead ringer for a PLU.
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: AKIMbO on Mon, 04 June 2012, 12:26:18: Quote from: squarebox;607277
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/D9eSg.png)

CM Storm QuickFire Rapid is made by Costar.
Nein...case looks analogous to the Filco. Quickfire doesn't have LED ports in the case too.
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: squarebox on Mon, 04 June 2012, 12:35:00: From the nubs on the F and J keys, it's the same as the ones on Razer Blackwidow. It's iOne.
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: laffindude on Mon, 04 June 2012, 12:37:16: http://media.photobucket.com/image/plu%20ml-87/percycwl/P1180215.jpg I agree it is an iOne. Closest relative is PLU.
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: squarebox on Mon, 04 June 2012, 12:38:05: Here's another iOne made keyboard for comparison...

(http://i.imgur.com/NURX7.jpg)
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: Rafen on Mon, 04 June 2012, 12:40:33: I want one of these boards. Any idea when this board is going to be released?
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: squarebox on Mon, 04 June 2012, 12:43:08: Quote from: Rafen;607298
I want one of these boards. Any idea when this board is going to be released?

You'd be better off with a CM Storm QuickFire Rapid.
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: JaccoW on Mon, 04 June 2012, 13:49:01: Quote from: squarebox;607301
You'd be better off with a CM Storm QuickFire Rapid.
Depending on where you live...
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: qtan5370 on Mon, 04 June 2012, 15:16:22: I have it in stock already.

If you in somewhere has easy access to CM storm, CM might be better but I am quite sure this one has at least the same built quality as CM

I am able to Offer is at 61.99 (MX black and Blue) and 65.99 (MX brown and Red) dollars

Shipping as usual.

Should be on my web store in 1-2 days.

We have white release later this month.

Also, we might be one very similar to Poker coming next month.(also with good price)
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: mkawa on Mon, 04 June 2012, 23:16:27: is there really that big a quality difference between iOne and costar?
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: yearn4 on Mon, 04 June 2012, 23:19:17: Quote from: qtan5370;607372

Also, we might be one very similar to Poker coming next month.(also with good price)

What's that about pokers? omfg yes
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: metafour on Mon, 04 June 2012, 23:24:29: Quote from: qtan5370;607372
Also, we might be one very similar to Poker coming next month.(also with good price)

I'm also very interested to see this. The Pure seems to be receiving lackluster reviews. Not surprising since it was hyped for such an extended period of time while they worked to get it released only to have a single LED color available.
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: qtan5370 on Tue, 05 June 2012, 00:55:30: We also working on the LED control issue.

I mean, the manufacturer is really a petty good one although they just start making Mechanical keyboards. They come up very quick as a factory OEM IT product for 20 years. I hope it can come up with LED control like Ducky dragon year later this year.
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: squarebox on Tue, 05 June 2012, 03:06:07: Quote from: mkawa;607612
is there really that big a quality difference between iOne and costar?

From personal experience, yes.
If you have used high quality goods, you will appreciate Costar made keyboards.
If you are the type that accept cheapen mainstream products that tend to spoilt right after their warranty period is over, it' will be indifferent to you.

It's like buying a KIA or a Honda, the choice is simple but can you live with or should I say without?

There's good reason why Filco is highly recommend around here.
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: GeorgeStorm on Tue, 05 June 2012, 03:44:25: Very interested in the Poker style board...
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: bosjaH on Wed, 06 June 2012, 09:27:11: Quote from: squarebox;607689
From personal experience, yes.
If you have used high quality goods, you will appreciate Costar made keyboards.
If you are the type that accept cheapen mainstream products that tend to spoilt right after their warranty period is over, it' will be indifferent to you.

It's like buying a KIA or a Honda, the choice is simple but can you live with or should I say without?

There's good reason why Filco is highly recommend around here.

I have a filco and a keycool 87 here, and so far I don't really notice that big a difference in quality. Sure the stabilized keys on the filco feel a bit crisper, but I think this is mainly a lubrication/break in issue.
The only real difference are the keycaps imo. The text on the capslock and backspace keys is not really straight, backspace is spelled "back space", the arrows are hideous and the print for quite a few keys lacks detail (especially the media keys).

The filco is better, without a doubt. But "double the price tag" better? I'm not so sure.

On topic: looks like a nice kb, would've bought it in a heartbeat if I still needed a cheap mech for work.
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: qtan5370 on Thu, 07 June 2012, 08:57:50: It is on my web store now, anyone can try.
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: ecwize on Fri, 08 June 2012, 14:33:25: Does this keyboard work under Linux? I've read that this "more than 6" KRO under USB can be a problem under certain OSes.
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: aegrotatio on Fri, 08 June 2012, 20:58:39: I like this layout. This is the perfect layout. I had to retire my two Poker keyboards because I just cannot adapt to the layout--and I'm a HHKB user from the old days. The Ducky mechanical with clone ALPS also uses this layout even though its function keys are not flush with the number keys. All I want is a keyboard with the keypad or the keypad+directionals lopped off and with the Esc-Fun Key row flush with the number row All the other keys should remain the same.

I still love and support the Poker but for doing Unixy things it's just not working out for me.

My ideal layout would be like this with liberal modifications of the Function key row to fit print screen and other essentials. The old SIIG MiniTouch Plus (the rubber-dome-foil one) is nearly perfect but nobody uses that layout anymore.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]52531[/ATTACH]
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: qtan5370 on Sat, 09 June 2012, 06:53:02: Well, I can run a test under Mac.
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: falconpauunch on Tue, 12 June 2012, 03:10:44: I want to wait for reviews, because I would love to purchase one with brown switches.
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: digitalleftovers on Tue, 12 June 2012, 03:48:29: If you are surprised by these low prices, you should browse taobao and check the conversion rates. I would like to see a side-by-side comparison of this with a PLU.
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: dko2o on Thu, 14 June 2012, 07:30:00: Also interested in knowing the quality of this board and how is it compared to the cm quickfire.

Quote from: qtan5370;607372

Also, we might be one very similar to Poker coming next month.(also with good price)

Interesting, can't wait to see what they look like.
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: pocketdrummer on Wed, 20 June 2012, 12:14:27: Has anyone tested one of these out?
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: Nutriment on Fri, 22 June 2012, 00:28:08: I'd be very interested in this one at that price, a lot of my friends would like to go mechanical at a low price (plus they think TKL is badass) so if someone have their hands on a unit, a review or some photos or anything would be great !
Title: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: qtan5370 on Fri, 22 June 2012, 02:52:10: Led version is coming with factory sample next week if every goes well
Title: Re: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: randi on Mon, 29 October 2012, 15:17:45: Does anyone know if there is a way to remove the (ugly) branding ?
Title: Re: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: LollyWater on Sat, 17 November 2012, 06:18:46: Quote from: randi on Mon, 29 October 2012, 15:17:45
Does anyone know if there is a way to remove the (ugly) branding ?

Am I the only one here who actually really likes the branding? I'd even go so far as to say I prefer it over the QFR. $70 ain't bad. If the QFR is pretty much a Filco and a HPE is pretty much a QFR then I may pick this one up. I was so close to buying a QFR in a store today but stopped myself at the last second. I hate the red backplate. A keyboard should be a blank canvas to work on, IMO.
Title: Re: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: EmmaWatson on Sun, 09 June 2013, 03:50:12: Keyboard arrived last week. I have red switches and it feels very solid. the rubber feet on the stand-ups slide on and off a little, but it's a great quality for it's price that's for sure. the media keys work fine and the keycaps it came with are nice and fit the tone of the keyboard, plus the 21 key rollover actually works over USB (which surprised me).

I love reds, and the size of the keyboard is really nice, along with the no windows key mode for gaming. There's no removable USB or whatever, but when it comes to the basics it delivers a solid product for a stupidly cheap price. No fiddly programming or macro keys. Just a very solid, cheap, sustainable mechanical keyboard.

The QSENN DT-30 of mechanical keyboards.
Title: Re: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 09 June 2013, 04:52:31: Welcome to Geekhack!

Any relation to THE Emma Watson? ;)

I got a KeyCool with white case and MX reds from qtan recently, it is great! I wonder what the differences between these two boards is, apart from the PBT/ABS keycaps?
Title: Re: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: davkol on Sun, 09 June 2013, 06:22:16: IIRC HPE has standard spacebar and some people claim that its PCB is slightly higher quality.
Title: Re: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 09 June 2013, 06:55:16: KeyCool has a standard space bar too :)
Title: Re: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: laffindude on Sun, 09 June 2013, 07:22:03: Quote from: rowdy on Sun, 09 June 2013, 06:55:16
KeyCool has a standard space bar too :)

Doesn't it have off center spacebar switch?
Title: Re: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: EmmaWatson on Sun, 09 June 2013, 07:45:11: Quote from: rowdy on Sun, 09 June 2013, 04:52:31
Welcome to Geekhack!

Any relation to THE Emma Watson? ;)

I got a KeyCool with white case and MX reds from qtan recently, it is great! I wonder what the differences between these two boards is, apart from the PBT/ABS keycaps?

ha nono :P just came to give a good review of the keyboard since it was such a bargain. I would definitely recommend it. I would've loved to read a review like this when i was planning to buy one
Title: Re: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 09 June 2013, 18:51:07: Quote from: laffindude on Sun, 09 June 2013, 07:22:03
Quote from: rowdy on Sun, 09 June 2013, 06:55:16
KeyCool has a standard space bar too :)

Doesn't it have off center spacebar switch?

Nope.

See here: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=43143.msg920703#msg920703

Plus I swapped the Filco and KeyCool space bars to the opposite board, and both fitted perfectly.

A lot of people have said that KeyCool has non-standard space bar - maybe that was an older revision?
Title: Re: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: davkol on Sun, 09 June 2013, 18:53:56: Wow, cool. What kind of stabilizers do you have on yours?
Title: Re: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 09 June 2013, 19:29:02: Both boards have Costar.
Title: Re: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: davkol on Mon, 10 June 2013, 05:28:17: Looks like Keycool keyboards are kinda mess. The first ones definitely came with Cherry-like stabs and non-standard spacebar.
Title: Re: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 10 June 2013, 19:09:22: Maybe they listened to consumer feedback?

The one I have is fine. Works well (after one week). Looks good. Feels sturdy. Works on Mac and PC.
Title: Re: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: morpheus on Mon, 10 June 2013, 19:26:10: Yeah, I also got mine with browns from Qtan. I'd say the quality is good and reliable. The keys are stable and they function just like they should. The only board I've bought so far that was over $85 was the Topre Leopold, but the Browns are part of my permanent rotation.
Title: Re: A new 87 key Mechanical Keyboard--- HPE (For only about 60 dollar retail price)
Post by: ImperfectLink on Wed, 26 June 2013, 20:27:59: Has anyone got the ability to do a direct comparison with a Filco. I'd be interested to read about the difference in feel etc.