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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Xarmydis on Wed, 30 October 2013, 13:17:06

Title: Cheap 60% keyboard?
Post by: Xarmydis on Wed, 30 October 2013, 13:17:06

I want a 60% keyboard that I can take places, like Starbucks, the library, etc. to do work with...but alas, I can't afford a HHKB at this time D: One day, but not today! Are there any good 60% keyboards that y'all know about that I could maybe purchase for under $100? Just need dat portability, with the need to improve from my laptop keyboard.

Also, I'd prefer a switch that's not blues/greens. I love my blue keyboard to death, but in a public place, I just can't afford that noise. My dream keyboard is quiet greens, the closest of which are Clears from what I understand, but for this keyboard, I really don't care as long as it's not absurdly noisy.

Title: Re: Cheap 60% keyboard?
Post by: JPG on Wed, 30 October 2013, 13:19:45

Poker 2 seems a good candidate!

Title: Re: Cheap 60% keyboard?
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 30 October 2013, 13:20:15

starbux eh?  trying to be the king of hipsters?  on a budget?

poker 2 is the board for u.. backlit too.. show that off to all the macbook people..

(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/014.gif)

Title: Re: Cheap 60% keyboard?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 30 October 2013, 13:23:01

I also vote for the Poker 2

Title: Re: Cheap 60% keyboard?
Post by: Xarmydis on Wed, 30 October 2013, 13:25:38

Quote from: tp4tissue on Wed, 30 October 2013, 13:20:15

starbux eh?  trying to be the king of hipsters?  on a budget?

poker 2 is the board for u.. backlit too.. show that off to all the macbook people..

Show Image

(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/014.gif)

Or, you know, it just is the closest place outside my residence to work ^__^ I like the sound of the poker 2 though.

Thanks for the advice! Do you know anywhere it's in stock? mechanicalkeyboards.com appears to be totally out of stock of both Pokers and Poker II's!

Title: Re: Cheap 60% keyboard?
Post by: metalliqaz on Wed, 30 October 2013, 13:46:39

Tex Beetle
[attachimg=1]

Title: Re: Cheap 60% keyboard?
Post by: metalliqaz on Wed, 30 October 2013, 13:49:13

Quote from: Xarmydis on Wed, 30 October 2013, 13:17:06

Also, I'd prefer a switch that's not blues/greens. I love my blue keyboard to death, but in a public place, I just can't afford that noise. My dream keyboard is quiet greens, the closest of which are Clears from what I understand, but for this keyboard, I really don't care as long as it's not absurdly noisy.

Quiet MX Greens are called MX Whites, although they do still have a click.  The "big four" (red/black/brown/blue) are usually the only you can find off-the-shelf, and if you can't have blue, then brown is the closest.

Title: Re: Cheap 60% keyboard?
Post by: kenmai9 on Wed, 30 October 2013, 13:50:39

Quote from: Xarmydis on Wed, 30 October 2013, 13:25:38

Quote from: tp4tissue on Wed, 30 October 2013, 13:20:15

starbux eh?  trying to be the king of hipsters?  on a budget?

poker 2 is the board for u.. backlit too.. show that off to all the macbook people..

Show Image

(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/014.gif)

Or, you know, it just is the closest place outside my residence to work ^__^ I like the sound of the poker 2 though.

Thanks for the advice! Do you know anywhere it's in stock? mechanicalkeyboards.com appears to be totally out of stock of both Pokers and Poker II's!

Look up qtans vendio store.
http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/category/cateogry1-name/catId=3982940

Title: Re: Cheap 60% keyboard?
Post by: AKmalamute on Wed, 30 October 2013, 14:00:49

Does it need to be an MX switch? I've seen a few HHKB-lite2's mentioned on the classifieds here for $50, although I grant you it's a rubber dome but having used one for nearly a decade I can tell you it's way better than a $5 keyboard.

For myself I wouldn't consider a poker because there's no dedicated arrow keys and I use those just too much. So I suggest being lucky and acquire a Noppo or kmac-mini because the former owner needs rid of it because it's cursed or something.

 Of course then you'd be cursed but you'd have a kmac-mini so it would probably even out.

Title: Re: Cheap 60% keyboard?
Post by: reziak on Wed, 30 October 2013, 15:49:22

Poker II! It's really easy to customize, too, so you can add to it and make it how you want as you can afford to do so (that's what I've been doing).

Title: Re: Cheap 60% keyboard?
Post by: fireforce7 on Wed, 30 October 2013, 15:59:08

I would agree with many people here. I would recommend the poker II. I have one with mx reds. Also the Leopold FC660C (or FC660M) are really nice if you like arrow keys and Delete and Insert. I would recommend either, but the Topre switch will be substantially pricy.

Title: Re: Cheap 60% keyboard?
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 30 October 2013, 16:00:46

VERY IMPORTANT

you might even want to get a Poker 1...

for portability,  Weight is a factor...

You can deck out a poker with metal plates, and aluminum undercarriage.. but do you really want to lug all that weight around..

Poker 2 is heavier because it already has a metal plate.

Title: Re: Cheap 60% keyboard?
Post by: spiceBar on Wed, 30 October 2013, 17:43:34

I would concur about the Poker II, but the problem with it is that to get the arrow keys you need to press the Fn key at the same time. You need to be aware of this before you make your mind.

So I would add to the list:
- Poker X (aka Poker 1). It is still possible to find some, used or not.
- KBT Pure: same family as the Poker
- KBT Pure Pro: same family, again, but it has dedicated arrow keys

The Pure and the Pure Pro are slightly over $100, but I mention them anyway.

The Poker X and KBT Pure are not programmable, but Fn+Space turns the right Win-Menu-Ctrl-Shift cluster into arrow keys (Fn+Space acts as a toggle).

The Poker II and KBT Pure Pro are programmable. You can assign macros (several key presses) to almost any key.

The Poker X is the only one that is not backlit, in case you need this. Not all versions of the Pure are backlit, it depends on the keycaps you want.

The Pure Pro is easier to find in ISO than ANSI. The other ones are only in ANSI.

Title: Re: Cheap 60% keyboard?
Post by: LaugeGregers on Thu, 31 October 2013, 03:52:46

Quote from: metalliqaz on Wed, 30 October 2013, 13:46:39

Tex Beetle
(Attachment Link)

I would definitely recommend the Tex Beetle. I have one my self, though it is not exactly cheap, though it is cheaper than a HHKB. It is the most beautiful stock keyboard I've seen around.
It can be bought on mechanicalkeyboards.com if you are in America, or directly from Tex if you contact them on their website www.tex-design.com.tw

Title: Re: Cheap 60% keyboard?
Post by: Oobly on Thu, 31 October 2013, 07:47:36

The Tex Beetle and Poker II don't come with Clear switches, which is closest to what the OP wants.

The KBT Pure does, though:

http://kbtrace.com/kbtpure/kbt-pure/kbt-pure-60-mechanical-keyboard-green-light-ansi.html
http://kbtrace.com/kbtpure/kbt-pure/vortex-kbt-pure-mechanical-keyboard-pbt.html

I really like the 2nd one with PBT caps....  :thumb:

Title: Re: Cheap 60% keyboard?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 31 October 2013, 07:49:06

Quote from: Oobly on Thu, 31 October 2013, 07:47:36

The Tex Beetle and Poker II don't come with Clear switches, which is closest to what the OP wants.

The KBT Pure does, though:

http://kbtrace.com/kbtpure/kbt-pure/kbt-pure-60-mechanical-keyboard-green-light-ansi.html (http://kbtrace.com/kbtpure/kbt-pure/kbt-pure-60-mechanical-keyboard-green-light-ansi.html)
http://kbtrace.com/kbtpure/kbt-pure/vortex-kbt-pure-mechanical-keyboard-pbt.html (http://kbtrace.com/kbtpure/kbt-pure/vortex-kbt-pure-mechanical-keyboard-pbt.html)

I really like the 2nd one with PBT caps....  :thumb:

Those come with clicky whites, not clears (tactile no click), wait...I believe OP is looking for whites, not sure....carry on..... ;)

Title: Re: Cheap 60% keyboard?
Post by: Oobly on Thu, 31 October 2013, 08:34:25

Quote from: SpAmRaY on Thu, 31 October 2013, 07:49:06

Quote from: Oobly on Thu, 31 October 2013, 07:47:36

The Tex Beetle and Poker II don't come with Clear switches, which is closest to what the OP wants.

The KBT Pure does, though:

http://kbtrace.com/kbtpure/kbt-pure/kbt-pure-60-mechanical-keyboard-green-light-ansi.html (http://kbtrace.com/kbtpure/kbt-pure/kbt-pure-60-mechanical-keyboard-green-light-ansi.html)
http://kbtrace.com/kbtpure/kbt-pure/vortex-kbt-pure-mechanical-keyboard-pbt.html (http://kbtrace.com/kbtpure/kbt-pure/vortex-kbt-pure-mechanical-keyboard-pbt.html)

I really like the 2nd one with PBT caps....  :thumb:

Those come with clicky whites, not clears (tactile no click), wait...I believe OP is looking for whites, not sure....carry on..... ;)

Oops, my bad... I think you are correct, the Clears are often called "white" in China / Taiwan, so the Whites are called "milky" according to DeskThority: http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX_White#Esoterica

Hard to know, though, since the ones they call "white" are actually milky and.... now I'm just confused.

(http://cdn.arwrath.com/1/158963.gif)

They're probably as good if not better than Clears for matching what the OP wants (Quieter Greens), so I guess either way it's a good option.

Title: Re: Cheap 60% keyboard?
Post by: kgrad5 on Thu, 31 October 2013, 08:48:22

If arrow keys are something you are after i'm gonna throw in a recommendation for leopold fc660m. I'm typing on one right now and I like it.