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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: swill on Mon, 04 November 2013, 22:32:10

Title: Whats so special about KMAC?
Post by: swill on Mon, 04 November 2013, 22:32:10: I am guessing it is just a programmable keyboard. Why are they always like $400+? What sets them apart from any other programmable PCB + Controller?
Title: Re: Whats so special about KMAC?
Post by: bueller on Mon, 04 November 2013, 22:33:14: Quote from: swill on Mon, 04 November 2013, 22:32:10
I am guessing it is just a programmable keyboard. Why are they always like $400+? What sets them apart from any other programmable PCB + Controller?

You're paying for the case more than anything else, they are seriously solid. If you tried to purchase one separately you'd be looking at $250+ easily.
Title: _
Post by: moogle on Mon, 04 November 2013, 22:33:35: _
Title: Re: Whats so special about KMAC?
Post by: Photoelectric on Mon, 04 November 2013, 22:36:41: Aluminum case, small number custom production. I imagine if they were mass produced, they'd cost a bit less, but still, considering the case + finish, it'd be close to $300. When you can have a plastic mass-produced keyboard for $150.
Title: Re: Whats so special about KMAC?
Post by: metalliqaz on Mon, 04 November 2013, 22:37:23: They are the highest quality keyboard I've ever used.
Title: Re: Whats so special about KMAC?
Post by: swill on Mon, 04 November 2013, 22:48:06: Thanks for the responses, that helps me understand why they are so desirable...
Title: Re: Whats so special about KMAC?
Post by: MKULTRA on Mon, 04 November 2013, 23:51:55: Quality, rarity, status symbol. Apparently the programming functions aren't all that great.
Title: Re: Whats so special about KMAC?
Post by: hashbaz on Mon, 04 November 2013, 23:56:48: Yeah programming it is kind of a pain. The weight and solidity are what I love about it, plus the super classy titanium look.
Title: Re: Whats so special about KMAC?
Post by: BliTzKiN on Mon, 04 November 2013, 23:58:42: Collectors item, sort of?
Title: Re: Whats so special about KMAC?
Post by: demik on Mon, 04 November 2013, 23:58:47: for me it's the case and the weight of it.

also stepped caps lock and 1.5 alt/ctrl
Title: _
Post by: moogle on Tue, 05 November 2013, 00:00:32: _
Title: Re: Whats so special about KMAC?
Post by: okooko on Tue, 05 November 2013, 00:01:33: KMAC2 base guaranteed to so through windows.

If I made my house from those bases - it'll be a nuke shelter.

Quote from: swill on Mon, 04 November 2013, 22:48:06
Thanks for the responses, that helps me understand why they are so desirable...
Title: Re: Whats so special about KMAC?
Post by: dorkvader on Tue, 05 November 2013, 13:44:58: Quote from: demik on Mon, 04 November 2013, 23:58:47
for me it's the case and the weight of it.

also stepped caps lock and 1.5 alt/ctrl

As far as I understand it, all KMAC's support either center stemmed or offcenter (stepped) capslocks. My KMAC has support of 87 key winkey layout.

The programming is terrible, but the case is very well made. That much CNC and hard anodyzing costs a bundle.

That said, it's not too expensive for a CNC metal case TKL keyboard.

I don't think it's that rare either, especially compared to other customs at the time. For a while the KMAC and the TYpeNow Solid were probably the only two metal cased keyboard you could get as a GH'er in America.

Ofcourse I am referring to cherry MX keyboards. Vintage metal keyboards have always been common.
Title: Re: Whats so special about KMAC?
Post by: acantha on Tue, 05 November 2013, 13:49:41: I've got the kmac mini and the kmac happy, and i love both of them. Crazy high build quality. the programming is super tetchy but once you get it, its not so bad. better than the phantom, i think.
Title: Re: Whats so special about KMAC?
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 05 November 2013, 14:01:52: The Kmac is the absolute BEST of the WORST keyboards....

The Egdx is the absolute BEST of the BEST keyboards....

Therefore Egdx > Kmac

But.... If you're nostalgic, there is still some "merit" in owning obsolete-tech...

Just REMEMBER that when you post about it oh GH, it is out of the fond "Memories" and subsequent "Emotions".

If you are an OBJECTIVE human being, who aims to become a hyper-efficient cyborg one day... then the Egdx's superiority should be obvious...

(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion_custom/th_0pride.gif)
Title: Re: Whats so special about KMAC?
Post by: Puddsy on Tue, 05 November 2013, 15:18:11: Quote from: tp4tissue on Tue, 05 November 2013, 14:01:52
The Kmac is the absolute BEST of the WORST keyboards....

The Egdx is the absolute BEST of the BEST keyboards....

Therefore Egdx > Kmac

But.... If you're nostalgic, there is still some "merit" in owning obsolete-tech...

Just REMEMBER that when you post about it oh GH, it is out of the fond "Memories" and subsequent "Emotions".

If you are an OBJECTIVE human being, who aims to become a hyper-efficient cyborg one day... then the Egdx's superiority should be obvious...

Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion_custom/th_0pride.gif)

But... Korea

ಥ_ಥ
Title: Re: Whats so special about KMAC?
Post by: Moosecraft on Tue, 05 November 2013, 15:21:11: Lets make a request for KoreaDox
Title: Re: Whats so special about KMAC?
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 05 November 2013, 15:40:31: Quote from: Moosecraft on Tue, 05 November 2013, 15:21:11
Lets make a request for KoreaDox

This is a good idea.. but we have to improve the thumb cluster ever so slightly.. Make it 1.5 cm closer to the main cluster... then the Egdx will be PERFECTION.
Title: Re: Whats so special about KMAC?
Post by: Hellmark on Tue, 05 November 2013, 15:45:35: Quote from: tp4tissue on Tue, 05 November 2013, 14:01:52
The Kmac is the absolute BEST of the WORST keyboards....

The Egdx is the absolute BEST of the BEST keyboards....
Therefore Egdx > Kmac

But.... If you're nostalgic, there is still some "merit" in owning obsolete-tech...

Just REMEMBER that when you post about it oh GH, it is out of the fond "Memories" and subsequent "Emotions".

If you are an OBJECTIVE human being, who aims to become a hyper-efficient cyborg one day... then the Egdx's superiority should be obvious...
Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion_custom/th_0pride.gif)

Hey now, I thought part of the terms of your probation is to not talk about ergodox in threads not about ergodox. Don't want you getting banned. You've actually been cool lately.
Title: Re: Whats so special about KMAC?
Post by: Linkbane on Tue, 05 November 2013, 17:33:33: Quote from: tp4tissue on Tue, 05 November 2013, 15:40:31
Quote from: Moosecraft on Tue, 05 November 2013, 15:21:11
Lets make a request for KoreaDox

This is a good idea.. but we have to improve the thumb cluster ever so slightly.. Make it 1.5 cm closer to the main cluster... then the Egdx will be PERFECTION.

Just as a matter of wondering, why don't you type out 'ergodox'?
And you know, I'm actually considering starting the build of a Dox.
Title: Re: Whats so special about KMAC?
Post by: gameaholic on Tue, 05 November 2013, 17:44:19: Quote from: Linkbane on Tue, 05 November 2013, 17:33:33
Quote from: tp4tissue on Tue, 05 November 2013, 15:40:31
Quote from: Moosecraft on Tue, 05 November 2013, 15:21:11
Lets make a request for KoreaDox

This is a good idea.. but we have to improve the thumb cluster ever so slightly.. Make it 1.5 cm closer to the main cluster... then the Egdx will be PERFECTION.

Just as a matter of wondering, why don't you type out 'ergodox'?
And you know, I'm actually considering starting the build of a Dox.
Egdx wnrs dnt nd vwls. Lts y typ tht mch fstr.
Title: Re: Whats so special about KMAC?
Post by: swill on Tue, 05 November 2013, 17:48:00: Go hijack (aka:dox) someone else's thread. :p
Title: Re: Whats so special about KMAC?
Post by: Morwrath on Tue, 05 November 2013, 17:49:20: Quote from: Linkbane on Tue, 05 November 2013, 17:33:33
Quote from: tp4tissue on Tue, 05 November 2013, 15:40:31
Quote from: Moosecraft on Tue, 05 November 2013, 15:21:11
Lets make a request for KoreaDox

This is a good idea.. but we have to improve the thumb cluster ever so slightly.. Make it 1.5 cm closer to the main cluster... then the Egdx will be PERFECTION.

Just as a matter of wondering, why don't you type out 'ergodox'?
And you know, I'm actually considering starting the build of a Dox.

Maybe he want to pretend he is not spamming useless stuff about ergodox again, I don't get it....
Title: Re: Whats so special about KMAC?
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:12:47: Quote from: swill on Tue, 05 November 2013, 17:48:00
Go hijack (aka:dox) someone else's thread. :p

Your question is technically already answered...

So.. I don't see how it's hijacking.... Merely salvaging what is already a discussion-topic that's reached completion.
Title: Re: Whats so special about KMAC?
Post by: swill on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:48:00: Quote from: tp4tissue on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:12:47
Quote from: swill on Tue, 05 November 2013, 17:48:00
Go hijack (aka:dox) someone else's thread. :p

Your question is technically already answered...

So.. I don't see how it's hijacking.... Merely salvaging what is already a discussion-topic that's reached completion.

Not sure that's a justification. Maybe other people have relevant things they want to add to 'this' conversation.
Title: Re: Whats so special about KMAC?
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:50:12: Quote from: swill on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:48:00
Quote from: tp4tissue on Tue, 05 November 2013, 18:12:47
Quote from: swill on Tue, 05 November 2013, 17:48:00
Go hijack (aka:dox) someone else's thread. :p

Your question is technically already answered...

So.. I don't see how it's hijacking.... Merely salvaging what is already a discussion-topic that's reached completion.

Not sure that's a justification. Maybe other people have relevant things they want to add to 'this' conversation.

FINE!!!!!!!!!

(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/d79df121.gif)
Title: Re: Whats so special about KMAC?
Post by: dorkvader on Wed, 06 November 2013, 12:31:23: Quote from: acantha on Tue, 05 November 2013, 13:49:41
I've got the kmac mini and the kmac happy, and i love both of them. Crazy high build quality. the programming is super tetchy but once you get it, its not so bad. better than the phantom, i think.

The programming is pretty easy to actually do on the KMAC, the issue is that many features (even those listed as options in the GUI) simply do not work.

I find the phantom's teensy-loader easier to use than the normal atmel flip program, but they both are pretty easy.