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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Whiskey in the Jar-o on Wed, 03 October 2007, 07:50:25

Title: Keyboard with capacitive switches
Post by: Whiskey in the Jar-o on Wed, 03 October 2007, 07:50:25

We all know about the HHK Pro. Does anybody know anything about these guys:

http://www.topre.co.jp/e_products/comp/index.html

This looks nice, BTW:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Realforce91ubk.jpg

I've only found Japanese sights. This one is full of force-distance graphs for a bunch of keyboards:

http://www5f.biglobe.ne.jp/~silencium/keyboard/html/otherpc.html

Title: Keyboard with capacitive switches
Post by: iMav on Wed, 03 October 2007, 14:17:08

Not sure I'm diggin' the key layout...but that "space saver" one you linked too has promise.  (assuming alternative layouts would be available)

Title: Keyboard with capacitive switches
Post by: Whiskey in the Jar-o on Wed, 03 October 2007, 22:53:22

Yeah Japanese layouts are somewhat different, and also have those extra meta keys and usually a tiny space bar. Nothing that can't be remapped. I never look at the keys anyway. Those extra meta keys can come in handy. Say, remap the Ctrl key to one of them. The thumbs are really underused on normal keyboards.

Title: Keyboard with capacitive switches
Post by: iMav on Thu, 04 October 2007, 02:20:55

If I'm going to use my thumb(s) for anything other than the space bar, that space bar is going to have to be REALLY tiny.  I don't see how people can alt-tab with their thumb on the alt key.  I have to shift my whole hand WAY over to execute the key combination in that manner.  That is simply not conducive to my touch typing.

That another reason why I dislike touch pads and love the trackpoints so much.  It's awkward using your thumbs on a touchpad (and I refuse to move a hand from the keys to use a built-in pointing device).  If I am taking a hand off the keyboard, it will be to reach for a Logitech Trackman Marble.  ;)

Title: Keyboard with capacitive switches
Post by: xsphat on Thu, 04 October 2007, 11:01:50

I want this one:

(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1103/1483671385_fe85a7e94f_b.jpg)

Title: Keyboard with capacitive switches
Post by: iMav on Thu, 04 October 2007, 11:08:10

I like it!

Title: Keyboard with capacitive switches
Post by: xsphat on Thu, 04 October 2007, 11:39:27

So do I, I really want one but i can't find anything on it on the net. If you find anything, give me the heads up, I'd love to review it if it has decent switches.

Title: Keyboard with capacitive switches
Post by: Whiskey in the Jar-o on Thu, 04 October 2007, 17:45:48

Quote from: xsphat

I want this one:

Yes, yes, this rocks. I could do without the LEDs though... and the color keys.

Title: Keyboard with capacitive switches
Post by: xsphat on Thu, 04 October 2007, 19:42:40

Quote from: Whiskey in the Jar-o

Yes, yes, this rocks. I could do without the LEDs though... and the color keys.

Word.

Title: Keyboard with capacitive switches
Post by: Whiskey in the Jar-o on Sat, 22 December 2007, 22:15:57

From the pictures on the PFU and Topre sites, it looks like the capacitive part is only responsible for the electrical signal, whereas the tactile feedback is due to the sping.  Cherry G81 keyboards use rubber domes, but the key return is provided by a spring.  I guess you can call them "half-mechanical".  They are fairly cheap.  A G81-3000 should be around U$40-50. Has anyone tried one?

EDIT: BTW, G81 is specified as linear feel.

Title: Keyboard with capacitive switches
Post by: xsphat on Sat, 22 December 2007, 23:20:12

Nope. I was kind of wondering about that to. For all we know, they could be nice.