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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: prpnightmare on Sat, 24 November 2012, 19:59:15

Title: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: prpnightmare on Sat, 24 November 2012, 19:59:15: I've been looking to replace my Das with a QFR because I want to try Reds as well as cut down on the amount of space my keyboard takes. However, sometimes I need to enter numbers, and I like using a numpad infinitely more than hunting and pecking for them.

I saw the post that linked to the ~$15 ALPS one ebay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/260902522660 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/260902522660)) but I want to know if anyone has any other ideas.
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: vun on Sat, 24 November 2012, 20:06:24: Filco makes one, I think Keyboardco sells them, not sure if there are any other sources.
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: damorgue on Sat, 24 November 2012, 20:18:33: In addition to Filco's, Cherry have also made numpads of their own, as well as Goldtouch. Those are all MX.
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Sat, 24 November 2012, 20:21:10: Look for Kinesis AC210, Goldtouch gtc0033/0077, and Genovation. You can usually find one of those on ebay for less than $40 and they all have MX. The Genovations are programmable, so those would be my first choice. The usb ones are usually a little more though. There is also the Adesso AKP-220B with MX, but it's build quality isn't super. Of course the Cherry G80-3700 is a good one too, but is usually a bit harder to find and/or more expensive.
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: Hyde on Sat, 24 November 2012, 21:31:26: Filco Number Pad
http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard_details.asp?PRODUCT=620

OR if you feel like you're balling

Realforce Number Pad
http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=topre_keyboards,rf_numberpad&pid=rf_wc0100
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: Sifo on Sat, 24 November 2012, 21:33:26: I use the Filco Tenkey... I put mx whites in it... it's nice. Got it for a good price from reaperbuddy
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: davkol on Sun, 25 November 2012, 16:26:34: I've just noticed there's also a 22-key from Keycool (http://www.kc-keycool.com/product.php?mod=detail&id=27). They also have a backlit one (http://www.kc-keycool.com/product.php?mod=detail&id=28).
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Sun, 25 November 2012, 16:32:52: Keycool one look interesting. Not too bad $30 or $60 backlight. I only wish they hadn't put the extra row of keys. I don't need that and want one that is same height as Poker, which no one can seem to do.
Title: Re: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: GMC on Sun, 25 November 2012, 16:33:20: Quote from: davkol on Sun, 25 November 2012, 16:26:34
I've just noticed there's also a 22-key from Keycool (http://www.kc-keycool.com/product.php?mod=detail&id=27). They also have a backlit one (http://www.kc-keycool.com/product.php?mod=detail&id=28).
That price! :o they're giving them away
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: Sifo on Sun, 25 November 2012, 16:35:08: Wow, that's pretty cool for $60.
Title: Re: Re: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: GMC on Sun, 25 November 2012, 16:35:22: Quote from: GMC on Sun, 25 November 2012, 16:33:20
Quote from: davkol on Sun, 25 November 2012, 16:26:34
I've just noticed there's also a 22-key from Keycool (http://www.kc-keycool.com/product.php?mod=detail&id=27). They also have a backlit one (http://www.kc-keycool.com/product.php?mod=detail&id=28).
That price! :o they're giving them away
Under ¥200 for non backlight??? That's under £2. Can't be right

Edit where are you getting the $ price? Link just shows me ¥
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: Sifo on Sun, 25 November 2012, 16:36:26: It's Chinese YMB
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: GMC on Sun, 25 November 2012, 16:37:05: Ah. Makes more sense now
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Sun, 25 November 2012, 16:39:31: Yes, it is kind of anoying the yen and yuan use same ¥ symbol.
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: BossBorot on Sun, 25 November 2012, 18:54:28: there is also a filco wireless numpad

(http://i.imgur.com/WvIUJ.jpg)
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: SmallFry on Sun, 25 November 2012, 20:04:37: What is this WIZARDRY?
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: BossBorot on Sun, 25 November 2012, 21:32:41: Its a FKBT22MB

http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B001AXBGPO

I got mine for $100 shipped from japan through someone I know in the army over there. They seem to be out of stock now which would make them much harder to get now.

I replaced the keycaps with all new cherry original doubleshoots through reptile's g80 and g81 group buys.
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: nullstring on Sun, 25 November 2012, 21:36:45: nice thread.
$22 keycool is quite tempting.

Can you get it in browns?
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: BossBorot on Sun, 25 November 2012, 22:00:40: My personal favorite is the genovation 682. It is a highly programmable board which I use for a game pad as well as autohotkey scripts. I find it far more useful then just a numpad which I only use when I need to enter a bunch of numbers.

Here is a pic of it next to my poker. It currently does not have a cable attached as I am building a new one for it.
(http://i.imgur.com/a32Vz.jpg)

TheSoulhunter has one as well:

(http://soulhunters-crappy-website.com/misc/IMG_0262.jpg)

(http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2010/362/5/c/genovation_pad_mod_by_thesoulhunter-d35vnh0.jpg)
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: Hyde on Sun, 25 November 2012, 23:42:20: Quote from: davkol on Sun, 25 November 2012, 16:26:34
I've just noticed there's also a 22-key from Keycool (http://www.kc-keycool.com/product.php?mod=detail&id=27). They also have a backlit one (http://www.kc-keycool.com/product.php?mod=detail&id=28).

Uhhhhhh is it me or the backlit one has multi-color LED :eek:

They have that kind of technology now??!?!!?
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: daerid on Sun, 25 November 2012, 23:43:01: Oh man, I didn't realize EK was getting more of those RF numpads. Looks like I know what I'm gettin myself for xmas
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: Human on Mon, 26 November 2012, 00:49:09: Quote from: Hyde on Sun, 25 November 2012, 23:42:20
Quote from: davkol on Sun, 25 November 2012, 16:26:34
I've just noticed there's also a 22-key from Keycool (http://www.kc-keycool.com/product.php?mod=detail&id=27). They also have a backlit one (http://www.kc-keycool.com/product.php?mod=detail&id=28).

Uhhhhhh is it me or the backlit one has multi-color LED :eek:

They have that kind of technology now??!?!!?
According to them, yes, they are putting color changing LED in it.
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: quake4mhg on Mon, 26 November 2012, 02:14:48: Quote from: davkol on Sun, 25 November 2012, 16:26:34
I've just noticed there's also a 22-key from Keycool (http://www.kc-keycool.com/product.php?mod=detail&id=27). They also have a backlit one (http://www.kc-keycool.com/product.php?mod=detail&id=28).
Omg!! One of each please!!!! Cannot buy online?! :confused:
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: rainb1ood on Mon, 26 November 2012, 02:23:40: Quote from: BossBorot on Sun, 25 November 2012, 22:00:40
My personal favorite is the genovation 682. It is a highly programmable board which I use for a game pad as well as autohotkey scripts. I find it far more useful then just a numpad which I only use when I need to enter a bunch of numbers.

Here is a pic of it next to my poker. It currently does not have a cable attached as I am building a new one for it.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/a32Vz.jpg)

TheSoulhunter has one as well:

Show Image
(http://soulhunters-crappy-website.com/misc/IMG_0262.jpg)

Show Image
(http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2010/362/5/c/genovation_pad_mod_by_thesoulhunter-d35vnh0.jpg)

What type of cherry switches does it use?
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: BossBorot on Mon, 26 November 2012, 02:35:13: It comes with blacks. I spring modded mine to ghetto reds.

I can't remember if TheSoulhunter modded his switches or not.

Also both of ours are painted black and have keycap changes at the very least.

It comes like this in grey not black:
(http://www.fentek-ind.com/images/M_KPP35U.jpg)

However if you put the work into modding it the board is incredible.

Each key can do up to 220 inputs per keystroke, including delays, and the board has multiple layers. In combination with autohotkey you can do some crazy things without highjacking any keys off of your main keyboard and it can be done with the press of one button not many.

(http://i.imgur.com/xvoi9.jpg)
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: rainb1ood on Mon, 26 November 2012, 03:47:03: Thanks for the info! That's a pretty neat tool to have then.

Time to hunt some good Genovation 682 deals online
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: JSaintS on Mon, 26 November 2012, 04:07:04: OMG! having a keycool keyboard but missing the tenkey I wanted to sell it ... now I'm going to keep it and buy that backlit tenkey!!

anyone knows where I can order one like that?
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: quadibloc2 on Mon, 26 November 2012, 07:29:49: Quote from: lysol on Sat, 24 November 2012, 20:21:10
The Genovations are programmable, so those would be my first choice.
My understanding of their web page is that products of theirs like the ControlPad 683 are programmable, but their numeric keypads are not (although they do have an exclusive feature for dealing with laptops for which the numeric keypad on the typing area can't be switched off when NumLock is on).

When they said the keys were "macro-programmable", this scared me, but the brochure says that it supports F1 through F24, so I hope that means one can do scan code programming as well (to get things like the international key).
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: JSaintS on Mon, 26 November 2012, 07:32:24: ok I've looked a bit during my break at school, you can find them on taobao :
Backlit (http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=20992560085&ali_trackid=2:mm_14507416_2297358_8935934:1353936340_410_1522691501)

(for the other one just search "keycool" on taobao and you'll find it on the first or second page I think)

I didn't even see but it has an usb 2.0 hub on it :D it's just what I was looking for (it will go well with my keycool 87 backlit I got 3 months ago)
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: Capitalistix on Mon, 26 November 2012, 12:47:09: Quote from: BossBorot on Mon, 26 November 2012, 02:35:13
It comes with blacks. I spring modded mine to ghetto reds.

I can't remember if TheSoulhunter modded his switches or not.

Also both of ours are painted black and have keycap changes at the very least.

It comes like this in grey not black:
Show Image
(http://www.fentek-ind.com/images/M_KPP35U.jpg)

However if you put the work into modding it the board is incredible.

Each key can do up to 220 inputs per keystroke, including delays, and the board has multiple layers. In combination with autohotkey you can do some crazy things without highjacking any keys off of your main keyboard and it can be done with the press of one button not many.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/xvoi9.jpg)

Does this thing come with legends for certain functions/applications? If not do you know how he got such nice looking ones on his? (ordered them/printed them out etc?)
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: BossBorot on Mon, 26 November 2012, 13:30:33: It comes with 35 1x1 and 3 2x1 grey windowed keycaps. He is using black windowed keycaps likely off of a cherry board but you can rit dye them black if you use very low temp (140 F or bellow for at least three hours) as well.

The program has a key labels tab which gives you a templete to print out your own legends to cut out and put in the windowed keycaps. I don't know exactly what TheSoulhunter did for his but this is likely the route he went. I haven't bothered with the windowed keycaps so he would know a lot more about that then me. He may have used high quality printing or just a home printer to find out you would have to ask him.
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: prpnightmare on Mon, 26 November 2012, 21:31:37: I see a few Genovations (such as this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genovation-631-Wired-Keyboard-/330829025220?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item4d06f24fc4 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genovation-631-Wired-Keyboard-/330829025220?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item4d06f24fc4)) going for cheap on ebay. Is there a reason they're priced so low?
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: Lastpilot on Sat, 12 January 2013, 14:18:50: Sorry to necro this topic, but I couldn't find any good link for the Keycool backlit. Did anybody manage to snag one of these?
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Sat, 12 January 2013, 14:48:54: I don't know of anyone that has yet. Certainly haven't seen anyone post about it in what did you get today thread or anything else. I guess everyone forgot it exist. I suppose you could try someone that offer taobao proxy to get you one.
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: TheSoulhunter on Thu, 24 January 2013, 04:39:28: Quote from: Capitalistix on Mon, 26 November 2012, 12:47:09
Does this thing come with legends for certain functions/applications? If not do you know how he got such nice looking ones on his? (ordered them/printed them out etc?)

Quote from: BossBorot on Mon, 26 November 2012, 13:30:33
The program has a key labels tab which gives you a templete to print out your own legends to cut out and put in the windowed keycaps. I don't know exactly what TheSoulhunter did for his but this is likely the route he went. I haven't bothered with the windowed keycaps so he would know a lot more about that then me. He may have used high quality printing or just a home printer to find out you would have to ask him.

[attachimg=1]

Print to silk matte (but thin!) photo paper -> Cut out with scissors -> Have fun!
Title: Re: Any decent mechanical numeric keypads out there?
Post by: Magna224 on Thu, 24 January 2013, 14:25:07: I use a mitsumi keypad I got at goodwill and put cherry PBTs on.