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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: jaboki on Fri, 26 July 2013, 12:29:26

Title: K65 - Awesome Keyboard
Post by: jaboki on Fri, 26 July 2013, 12:29:26

Since joining the forum not too long ago, I picked up the PokerII since it seemed like one of the popular keyboards to have here. Ever since using it, I can never go back to a normal keyboard, and I needed another keyboard for home use since the PokerII I needed to use primarily at work. I needed something with arrow keys, because the arrow keys on the PokerII were sort of a pain to use when I wanted to quickly access the arrow keys.

I purchased the Corsair K65 from amazon, and man am I happy I did. It is very well built and compact. It works just as well as the PokerII and is awesome to type on. I think most people don't like Corsair's first iterations of mechanical keyboards. All I can say is, in reference to the PokerII, this keyboard is just as good (if not better). Just my .02

Title: Re: K65 - Awesome Keyboard
Post by: Photoelectric on Fri, 26 July 2013, 12:32:14

Thanks for sharing :)  If you like the small size of the Poker but want arrow keys, I'd recommend looking at Leopold FC660M keyboards.

(http://elitekeyboards.com/proddata/images/th/fc660m_full1000_th620x400.jpg)

That one might be my next keyboard if I end up needing a small one.  Plus most of the caps are standard size.

Title: Re: K65 - Awesome Keyboard
Post by: HoosTrax on Fri, 26 July 2013, 12:32:47

It bugs me that Corsair went with non-standard key sizes on the bottom row. I mean why? It's a TKL, but it can't use a normal TKL keyset.

Title: Re: K65 - Awesome Keyboard
Post by: dorkvader on Fri, 26 July 2013, 12:39:57

thanks for your thoughts. I think some of why people didn't' like the older corsair keyboards was that the function keys were membrane, and there was some trouble with the controller.

If I may just ask out of curiosity, what switches did you end up with?

Title: Re: K65 - Awesome Keyboard
Post by: jaboki on Fri, 26 July 2013, 12:50:30

Quote from: dorkvader on Fri, 26 July 2013, 12:39:57

thanks for your thoughts. I think some of why people didn't' like the older corsair keyboards was that the function keys were membrane, and there was some trouble with the controller.

If I may just ask out of curiosity, what switches did you end up with?

I believe the K65 only comes with cherry reds, which is what I prefer. I got the PokerII in reds as well.

Quote from: Photoelectric on Fri, 26 July 2013, 12:32:14

Thanks for sharing :)  If you like the small size of the Poker but want arrow keys, I'd recommend looking at Leopold FC660M keyboards.

Show Image

(http://elitekeyboards.com/proddata/images/th/fc660m_full1000_th620x400.jpg)

That one might be my next keyboard if I end up needing a small one.  Plus most of the caps are standard size.

I saw this one, but to be honest... I was turned off by the placement of the top right buttons.

Quote from: HoosTrax on Fri, 26 July 2013, 12:32:47

It bugs me that Corsair went with non-standard key sizes on the bottom row. I mean why? It's a TKL, but it can't use a normal TKL keyset.

For me, I'm not really a keyboard "hipster" and I don't need to have fancy keycaps. :)

Title: Re: K65 - Awesome Keyboard
Post by: nubbinator on Fri, 26 July 2013, 14:08:11

Quote from: HoosTrax on Fri, 26 July 2013, 12:32:47

It bugs me that Corsair went with non-standard key sizes on the bottom row. I mean why? It's a TKL, but it can't use a normal TKL keyset.

Completely agree, but, then again, you have to expect something like that from Corsair.  I'd expect them to give some response like "it's better for gaming" if they were asked, then two weeks later, they'd release a thin ABS "gaming" pack for the bottom row and charge $50 + shipping for it.

Title: Re: K65 - Awesome Keyboard
Post by: Lu_e on Fri, 26 July 2013, 14:23:55

Didnt even notice the mix of 1.25x and 1.5x ...disappointing since I like the look. Whats the spacebar end up as? something you will never find? although it would be pain, you could get mixed modifiers... just not sure on the spacebar layout. Both size and stem/switch placement.

Title: Re: K65 - Awesome Keyboard
Post by: oTurtlez on Fri, 26 July 2013, 14:28:54

You'd have to get the mother-of-all-Tsangans kits to make any set work with that.

Title: Re: K65 - Awesome Keyboard
Post by: HoosTrax on Fri, 26 July 2013, 14:53:19

Quote from: Lu_e on Fri, 26 July 2013, 14:23:55

Didnt even notice the mix of 1.25x and 1.5x ...disappointing since I like the look.

Shame too. It would have been a perfect alternative to the QFR Red, since it has a aluminum base and is about the same price.

Title: Re: K65 - Awesome Keyboard
Post by: Vehementi on Thu, 08 August 2013, 13:27:51

I was looking at this keyboard because it's on sale on NCIX, but I don't understand what you mean about smaller keys (caps?).  Could someone please explain a bit for me?  Everything looks normal on GIS except the F-keys being close to the number row...

edit: oh derp, the tiny win keys. Right...

Title: Re: K65 - Awesome Keyboard
Post by: Hypersphere on Fri, 09 August 2013, 15:27:28

Like the look of the Corsair 65 keyboard, although if the dimensions I have for it are correct, it is wider and deeper than a Filco TKL. Good price. Would be nice if it came with a choice of Cherry switches.

If you are looking for a true 60%+ layout, I would second the vote for the Leopold FC660M (Cherry switches) or FC660C (Topre switches). I was initially put off by the seemingly odd placement of the arrow cluster and insert/delete keys, but after using the FC660M, it has become one of my favorite boards. It is natural to type on with its standard key sizing and placement, it has dedicated arrow keys, and the Fn layer is minimal and intuitive. Plus the PBT keycaps feel great.

However, what I would really like to see is something like a Keycool 84 layout, but with the F-key row removed and relegated to the Fn layer.
 

Title: Re: K65 - Awesome Keyboard
Post by: Sinzz on Sat, 10 August 2013, 04:51:04

I too would like a keyboard like the one that rjrich proposed. just a little longer than the regular 60% keyboard, though I'm not complaining since the Pure Pro meets all my requirements anyways and the home end pg up pg down keys aren't that difficult to use.

Title: Re: K65 - Awesome Keyboard
Post by: Hypersphere on Sat, 10 August 2013, 09:05:00

Quote from: Sinzz on Sat, 10 August 2013, 04:51:04

I too would like a keyboard like the one that rjrich proposed. just a little longer than the regular 60% keyboard, though I'm not complaining since the Pure Pro meets all my requirements anyways and the home end pg up pg down keys aren't that difficult to use.

I agree that Home, PgUp, etc. are relatively easy to access in the Fn layer. A really good (highly intuitive) implementation of this can be found in the Leopold FC660M, in which Home, PgUp, etc. are mapped to the arrow keys, Fn+LeftArrow, etc.

However, one of the main advantages of the design I have proposed is that the right-shift key is larger than 1x and the staggering in the z-row is standard. This is achieved by moving the arrow cluster to the right. Additional keys are then added for both aesthetic balance and extra functionality. The design is similar to that of the Leopold FC660M but with extra navigation keys. It is also similar to the Race 75, Choc Mini, Keycool 84, or Matias Mini Quiet Pro with the top row of F-keys removed.