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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: chrisyou on Mon, 11 June 2012, 14:09:20

Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: chrisyou on Mon, 11 June 2012, 14:09:20
I just received my Filco (Browns) Camo and I'm absolutely hooked. I left that keyboard at work, but now I want something for home.  What's another keyboard that's in the same league or a bit higher in quality than my current Filco (must be TKL)? Are there any upcoming keyboards I should hold out for? I really wanted to purchase the same exact keyboard, but in white or black. Amazon does not stock that combo for now :(. Thanks in advance for all the suggestions. I love this community!
Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: Degree on Mon, 11 June 2012, 14:17:42
If you are looking for a cheaper keyboard but is the exact same as the Filco.
Look at the CM Storm Quickfire Rapid: http://www.cmstore-usa.com/quickfire-rapid-mechanical-gaming-keyboard/
Same exact thing, just rebranded.
Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: emptythecache on Mon, 11 June 2012, 14:21:57
Filcos should be restocked at amazon any day now, fwiw.
Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: chrisyou on Mon, 11 June 2012, 14:36:45
thanks for the suggestions guys. I'll guess i'll check out the quickfire. Great Deal!
Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: Squelos on Mon, 11 June 2012, 14:36:56
Topre. its a notch up.

Maybe not as durable (check the rubber dome aging thread), but the build is better, and the switches are pretty über.

If you want a silent keyboard, go for reds with an oring mod ( i recommend WASD keyboards orings).
But i would say that the topres are quite superior in feel. You get pretty much the best of all with topres, even if you also might not like directly. Within a few weeks, you will find that they are really good to use. Smooth, good tactile feedback, great build. Really, there is nothing to them.
Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: MMB on Mon, 11 June 2012, 14:38:17
Quote from: Squelos;611384
Topre. its a notch up.

Maybe not as durable (check the rubber dome aging thread), but the build is better, and the switches are pretty über.

Definitely a matter of opinion. I had an HHKB. Sold it, and went back to MX (Ergo-clears).
Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: emptythecache on Mon, 11 June 2012, 14:39:49
I too had a topre (RealForce 87u variable) and sold it and went back to MX browns/reds. Reds feel light but crisp to me, while topres feel mushy.
Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: tsangan on Mon, 11 June 2012, 14:47:27
Quote from: emptythecache;611387
I too had a topre (RealForce 87u variable) and sold it and went back to MX browns/reds. Reds feel light but crisp to me, while topres feel mushy.

I'm the opposite I feel that topre is bouncy and red feels mushy :rofl:
Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: Internetlad on Mon, 11 June 2012, 14:53:08
The Logitech Keyboard K120 takes it to the next level.

Seriously though, just try different switches, I'd reccomend trying LESS expensive keyboards rather than try MORE expensive keyboards, because then you can compare what you have to a more cost effective mech.

I've been wanting to see a serious comparison between Filco and Rosewill, because i've heard such wild variations from "they're pretty much the same board" to "Rosewill is crap compared to a Filco"
Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: mantle on Mon, 11 June 2012, 15:14:55
Regarding Topre, 'mushy' to one person is 'nicely damped' to another! I've had my Realforce for less than a week, but I love it. It definitely lacks the tactile excitement and presence of some of the Cherry switches (those that I've tried), but to me it has an understated, damped feel that gets out of the user's way. I could see how some would call that mushy, but to me it feels like a professional, precision tool. To each their own!

To the OP, the Filco-like, upcoming, TKL board that I'm waiting for is the Leopold FC700R.
Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: chrisyou on Mon, 11 June 2012, 16:16:45
double post
Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: chrisyou on Mon, 11 June 2012, 16:19:43
Quote from: Internetlad;611399
The Logitech Keyboard K120 takes it to the next level.

Seriously though, just try different switches, I'd reccomend trying LESS expensive keyboards rather than try MORE expensive keyboards, because then you can compare what you have to a more cost effective mech.

I've been wanting to see a serious comparison between Filco and Rosewill, because i've heard such wild variations from "they're pretty much the same board" to "Rosewill is crap compared to a Filco"

The k120 was my work keyboard (have three of them).  I brought in the filco to expose them to "real" work.  I liked the kb so much I left it there.
Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: chrisyou on Tue, 12 June 2012, 18:17:20
Quote from: Degree;611366
If you are looking for a cheaper keyboard but is the exact same as the Filco.
Look at the CM Storm Quickfire Rapid: http://www.cmstore-usa.com/quickfire-rapid-mechanical-gaming-keyboard/
Same exact thing, just rebranded.

Thanks for the tip. I just ordered this with blue switches.  If I like the feel, I'll use this as my work keyboard. Thank goodness everyone wears headphones around here!
Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: Reptile on Tue, 12 June 2012, 18:21:44
Quote from: Raging Salmon;611510
I liked Topre but every board I tried had a loud space bar - it's supposed to be "the Topre way" but seems out of place when the rest of the board is so quiet.

?

My space bar isn't louder
Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: spolia optima on Tue, 12 June 2012, 19:58:38
I agree with most of the ppl above me... Realforce or HHKB is the way to go if you're looking for current, top-of-the-line keyboards.

Some other alternatives which you might wanna try, if you haven't already:
-PCB-mounted Cherry Brand 'boards
-Unicomp Spacesaver or Endurapro
-Fujitsu LiberTouch


AFTER you try Topre, however, you will face your greatest challenge as a budding keyboard nerd; be ready to fight against being sucked into what I call the "vintage vortex".
Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: Wildcard on Wed, 13 June 2012, 13:34:02
Quote from: spolia optima;612285
be ready to fight against being sucked into what I call the "vintage vortex".

It's true ; )
Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: chrisyou on Wed, 13 June 2012, 14:00:08
Thanks for the suggestions. Topre is definitely next on my list.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2
Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: longweight on Wed, 13 June 2012, 14:08:50
Quote from: chrisyou;611361
I just received my Filco (Browns) Camo and I'm absolutely hooked. I left that keyboard at work, but now I want something for home.  What's another keyboard that's in the same league or a bit higher in quality than my current Filco (must be TKL)? Are there any upcoming keyboards I should hold out for? I really wanted to purchase the same exact keyboard, but in white or black. Amazon does not stock that combo for now :(. Thanks in advance for all the suggestions. I love this community!

HHKB2, it will make you look down on the Filco! I never thought I would say that!
Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: MMB on Wed, 13 June 2012, 14:14:41
Quote from: longweight;612796
HHKB2, it will make you look down on the Filco! I never thought I would say that!

It's all a matter of personal opinion and taste. Those are two completely different switch types, and typing experiences.
Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: longweight on Wed, 13 June 2012, 14:21:30
Quote from: MagicMeatball;612798
It's all a matter of personal opinion and taste. Those are two completely different switch types, and typing experiences.

Oh of course!

I received my HHKB2 yesterday and.it just sounds and feels so much nicer to me than Cherry boards.

Just my opinion though!
Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: chrisyou on Wed, 13 June 2012, 17:03:28
My quickfire with blues just came in.  This is definitely a typist's switch.  I'm really enjoying the feel and i'm sure i'll get used to them in a week's time. The build quality is definitely on point with my Filco Camo and it was 72 dollars cheaper! Thanks again for the suggestions!
Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: mkawa on Wed, 13 June 2012, 17:16:12
buckling spring and/or topre. i think the three major switches that everyone should have a copy of to cycle through are

1) your fave cherry
2) a solid BS board
3) topre heaven
Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: Internetlad on Wed, 13 June 2012, 17:30:40
Quote from: chrisyou;611482
The k120 was my work keyboard (have three of them).  I brought in the filco to expose them to "real" work.  I liked the kb so much I left it there.


I know what you mean. I've got 4 stations, each with an el cheapo kensington keyboard and mouse. They work okay, but i've been slowly filling the stations with vintage ALPS/BS boards. The problem is finding inexpensive/vintage boards that also have windows keys and work with a cheap 5PIN/PS2/USB converter. I think I only have one KB that actually fits that bill, but I change out one station with a smattering of different boards as needed.

Labour of love, I suppose.
Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: chrisyou on Wed, 13 June 2012, 20:29:19
Am I crazy? My cm quickfire rapid feels more solid than my amazon purchased Filco Camo TKL! I'm pretty anal about creaky plastics, but at least the keys are fine. When I pick up my Filco I can feel the plastic space below the space bar creak.  I can also lightly push that same space and it'll give. I understand these casings are snapped in together and there might be some play. I think I might return the Filco and hope for a better casing.
Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: Internetlad on Mon, 25 June 2012, 18:18:24
In my experience i've heard as many people say other brands are "As good as filco" as people who say "there's nothing like a filco"

I've never used a filco but i'm pretty happy with my rosewill, except for the lasered keycaps which rubbed down within a week.
Title: Officialy Hooked. What's the next level?
Post by: mkawa on Mon, 25 June 2012, 18:44:52
the key with board collecting is variety. try lots of different switch types and find the ones that best fit your various moods. your browns are lightly tactile, and not all that noisy. do you think you want to try something quieter? something louder? something more or less tactile? start with that, and go from there.