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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: kgrad5 on Thu, 07 November 2013, 08:07:13

Title: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: kgrad5 on Thu, 07 November 2013, 08:07:13: My first mech keyboard was a QFR TKL with blues, mainly to try it out as I got into it and because it's a not-expensive board.
I then wanted to try browns and picked up a DAS keyboard. After using this for a while, I stumbled upon geekhack and wanted to try clears. That's also when I got interested in smaller / 60% ish boards. So I picked myself up both an FC660M with clears and a Poker II with browns.

That brings me to the present, where I am now thinking about trying Topre but haven't yet pulled the trigger!

What about you? Go!
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: terrpn on Thu, 07 November 2013, 08:17:08: model m and then all you know what broke lose.............. :eek:
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 07 November 2013, 08:17:15: I think there are a couple threads just like this...
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: alosec on Thu, 07 November 2013, 08:22:10: Blackwidow Ultimate 2012 (blues) -$120
WASD Switch Sampler -$15
Leopold FC200r (reds) -$110
Leopold FC660c (Topre) -$200
Filco MJ2 White Ninja (browns) -$110
IBM Model M (buckling springs) -$50
DSA blank keycap set -$43
Leopold FC660m White (blues) -$130

All in all, $778
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 07 November 2013, 08:29:14: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49882.0
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: terran5992 on Thu, 07 November 2013, 08:30:34: Filco Majestouch 2 Ninja > Unicomp Model M > Black Widow ultimate > Quick Fire TK > Topre RealForce > Happy Hacking > (Soon) Korean Custom
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: aicrono on Thu, 07 November 2013, 08:31:15: I started with some old awful Gateway rubber domes then I found a couple of Model M's in my attic with production dates older than I am and never turned back. Just the weight and construction felt great and I knew that I was on to something. Since then I have bought a Rosewill RK9000 with browns(which are now clears) and a Das with blues. I am looking into building a keyboard out of the spare switches I have from my Rosewill and getting a topre keyboard. If only Phantom plates weren't so hard to come by.
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: czarek on Thu, 07 November 2013, 09:30:43: Keyboards I used as daily drivers for longer periods:

Cherry G80-3000 (MX Blue) -> Filco Tenkeyless Otaku (MX Brown) -> IBM Model M 1390131 -> Unicomp EnduraPro -> IBM Model M SSK -> Unicomp Spacesaver M -> HHKB Pro 2 -> Topre Realforce EK edition (45g) -> QFR MX Reds -> Filco Metallic AI (full size MX Blue) with thin blank PBT keycaps.

Some of those I sold, some I still keep in my collection. I also own (and owned) keyboards I never used as daily drivers as I like their looks / feel but I don't like something about them (layout of vintage boards, IBMs / Unicomps are too tiring to work on, Topre I no longer like, Space Invaders I can't connect to my Mac).
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: kgrad5 on Thu, 07 November 2013, 09:43:21: Quote from: czarek on Thu, 07 November 2013, 09:30:43
Keyboards I used as daily drivers for longer periods:

Cherry G80-3000 (MX Blue) -> Filco Tenkeyless Otaku (MX Brown) -> IBM Model M 1390131 -> Unicomp EnduraPro -> IBM Model M SSK -> Unicomp Spacesaver M -> HHKB Pro 2 -> Topre Realforce EK edition (45g) -> QFR MX Reds -> Filco Metallic AI (full size MX Blue) with thin blank PBT keycaps.

Some of those I sold, some I still keep in my collection. I also own (and owned) keyboards I never used as daily drivers as I like their looks / feel but I don't like something about them (layout of vintage boards, IBMs / Unicomps are too tiring to work on, Topre I no longer like, Space Invaders I can't connect to my Mac).

out of curiosity, why did you switch from the fancy topre boards to the qfr with reds?
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: Emospence on Thu, 07 November 2013, 09:56:46: Filco Majestouch 2 (MX brown) → Rosewill RK-9000 (MX blue) → HHKB Pro 2

Hope to add Realforce 87UW 55g to it soon
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: czarek on Thu, 07 November 2013, 10:00:58: Quote from: kgrad5 on Thu, 07 November 2013, 09:43:21
out of curiosity, why did you switch from the fancy topre boards to the qfr with reds?

I didn't like this switch, reds felt scratchy and I gave it time to break in but they still feel scratchy. I went back to my origins and bought myself filco with blues, which felt nicer than my G80, especially after I put on PBT keys.
I like this combination so much that switching back to HHKB when I'm travelling is not a pleasant experience. Topre feels sluggish and very rubbery. Yes it's smooth and tactile but it just doesn't feel mechanical, and I miss the sparkly, snappy and sharply tactile blues when I use HHKB... Unfortunately there are no 60% keyboards with MX switches and usable layout - I absolutely need 2 command and 2 option / alt keys on both sides of the keyboard, easily accessible ESC, ` and \ keys for work.
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Thu, 07 November 2013, 10:01:14: M4-1>Model M>TG3-BL82>Ducky DK1087 w/Blues>two more Model Ms>SiiG MiniTouch w/White XMs>QFR w/Blues>Genius M1 w/Clears

^Order I bought them in.

Order I use them in:

QFR w/Blues + Ducky DK1087 w/Blues > Genius M1 w/Clears >Model M

Would use a Model M more often if it wasn't lent out at the moment...
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: 1pq on Thu, 07 November 2013, 10:05:40: Apple Chicklet --> Model M --> Das (Mac Edition, blues) --> FC660C (coming tomorrow)

Although my das is pretty nice, I'm very excited to check out topre switches
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: BliTzKiN on Thu, 07 November 2013, 10:08:37: Lycosa > BWU > Filco Black > Filco Brown > Ducky TKL Blues > Filco TKL Browns > 65g Filco Ergo Clears/Filco TKL Blues > Phantom 62g Ergo Clear/Filco Blue/Phantom 55g Black > (On the way) Ergodox Ergo Clears

Just realized how much of a Filco fanboy I am after listing them out. hehe
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: absyrd on Thu, 07 November 2013, 10:11:30: Chicony KB7000 > Model M > QFR MX Blue > Poker MX Brown, Black, Ergo Clear > Topre 55g > QFR MX Blue
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: bueller on Thu, 07 November 2013, 10:40:53: Boards in red I sold and green are the boards currently in rotation. Plan on adding a couple of FACE60 boards in the next month or so, both with 62g clears :D

Quickfire Pro (Red) -> Quickfire TK (Brown) -> Filco TKL (Brown) -> TECK107 (Brown) -> KBT Pure (Ergo Clear)

I've actually been pretty restrained when it comes to keyboards in the year I've been using mechanicals, it's the keycaps that have been the real wallet killer.
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: Hellmark on Thu, 07 November 2013, 10:50:29: For me, after I started using my own equipment, I had a few rubber domes, then I've been on a string of Model M's. Trying to get an XT model F going now, since that was the first keyboard I really used.
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: Air tree on Thu, 07 November 2013, 10:53:15: I haven't bought the keyboard yet but my first keyboard is going to be straight to topre, HHKB pro 2. Quite a odd start :P
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: Neo.X on Thu, 07 November 2013, 11:35:08: Bought mechanical keyboards from store: BWU, K70, Filcos....

Bought mechanical keyboards from GHers: Topre, Model M, Poker...

Bought mechanical keyboards from GHers: Korean Customers....

Current: stop buying after burning too much money......
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: Lastpilot on Thu, 07 November 2013, 11:41:43: Race -> Poker X -> KMAC LE

Lightsaver next!
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: soleusrex on Thu, 07 November 2013, 12:30:48: FC200r TKL (blues) --> FC660c

I also bought a WASD Code TKL and a FC700r TKL (reds) but ended up selling both when I found that I didn't like them as much as expected.
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: Willy on Thu, 07 November 2013, 14:28:08: My first keyboard was some ****ty dell membrane keyboard that came with my household computer. My second keyboard was a Gigabyte Force K3(was a gift). It was membrane, but as far as membrane is concerned, I have no gripes with that keyboard. It was sturdy, heavy, and comfortable to type on. My third keyboard (first mechanical keyboard) is my QFR with blues. Now, I LOVE my QFR.
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: SneakyRobb on Thu, 07 November 2013, 17:57:02: Thin apple white chicklet keyboard
CMSTORM mx cherry brown keyboard.
Unicomp buckling spring keyboard.
IBM model F terminal with archaic layout
IBM model F terminal 122 key is in the mail to arrive at some point soon
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: BucklingSpring on Thu, 07 November 2013, 18:07:46: Mainframe terminals
IBM M Bucklingspring
Years of all sort of rubber dome junk
Keytronic better rubber dome
NMB even better rubber dome
IBM M Bucklingsping
NMB Space Invader
DAS MX Blue
Unicomp M Bucklingspring
Deck MX Black
Deck MX Clear
Filco TKL MX Blue
Topre 87U All 55g
TVS Gold MX Blue
xArmor MX Brown junk (will never buy iOne ish products again)
Topre 103U variable weight
Matias Quiet Pro
Unicomp M Quiet Touch (Rubber dome)
Filco AI II MX Blue
Matias Mini Quiet Pro
CM QFR MX Green Junk
CM Strom Trigger MX Green Junk (In replacement of the QFR, will never buy CM product again)
Ducky 9008G2 MX Green PBT Caps

And the next (the LAST keyboards I will ever buy). KMAC, Deck Francium and Deck Hassium ;-)
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: jevvix on Thu, 07 November 2013, 18:13:54: Model M as a kid and growing up
Multiple different rubber dome 'gaming' kbs for a long time
Quickfire XT w/Blues, loved it so much I bought a...
Quickfire XT w/Reds on sale
Tandy Enhanced Peerless garage sale pickup (novelty)
... and full circle back to an IBM Model M 1391401.
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: noisyturtle on Thu, 07 November 2013, 18:27:16: ITT the inevitable march towards customs

Filco MJ2 yellow - browns
Model F AT
Pure LE - blues
Ducky YotD - reds
Custom board - ergo clears

soon - Topre
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: jevvix on Thu, 07 November 2013, 18:30:44: Quote from: noisyturtle on Thu, 07 November 2013, 18:27:16
ITT the inevitable march towards customs
Must... resist... :D
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: calavera on Thu, 07 November 2013, 18:47:12: Too long to list really. My very first mech keyboard was a cherry 3000 QUERTZ board with black switches back in the mid 90's. I didn't even know about mech keyboards then nor were there any demand for it as there is now I think.
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: terran5992 on Thu, 07 November 2013, 19:11:18: Quote from: noisyturtle on Thu, 07 November 2013, 18:27:16
ITT the inevitable march towards customs

Filco MJ2 yellow - browns
Model F AT
Pure LE - blues
Ducky YotD - reds
Custom board - ergo clears

soon - Topre

You cant resist topre
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: Air tree on Thu, 07 November 2013, 19:18:59: Quote from: terran5992 on Thu, 07 November 2013, 19:11:18
Quote from: noisyturtle on Thu, 07 November 2013, 18:27:16
ITT the inevitable march towards customs

Filco MJ2 yellow - browns
Model F AT
Pure LE - blues
Ducky YotD - reds
Custom board - ergo clears

soon - Topre

You cant resist topre
I can't resist it either and i haven't even bought a Cherry board :P

I guess i'm starting from the top in some eyes :P
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: tp4tissue on Thu, 07 November 2013, 19:31:40: Poop (Black widow).....Blue Poop (Black widow ultimate)... Staggered qwerty rubbish ... Topre rubbish... Aluminum rubbish.... More rubbish...

Salvation .... Egdx.... (http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/016.gif)
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: eyesmiles on Thu, 07 November 2013, 19:36:38: Model M (I believe it was) - Was not aware of what I was using being a child at the time. Typed on one while learning Lotus 1 2 3 (nothing else to do at the age of 5 in a server room while visiting my Dad's workplace)
Some Crap Dell RD
Logitech Media Center Elite - Was a nice RD. Lasted through many CS 1.5/1.6 scrims
Logitech Illuminated - Absolutely hated the thing
Leopold FC200R (MX Clear) - First mechanical keyboard I purchased for myself
Filco Majestouch 1 104 (MX Blue) - First taste of clicky, felt a bit light
Filco Majestouch 2 TKL (MX Red) - First taste of linear, felt too light
Filco Majestouch 2 TKL Yellow (MX Black) - Felt too heavy at that time of switch experimentation
Ducky 9008 G2 Pro (MX Green) - Was fun, but felt was exhausting after awhile
Modified the Filco MJ2 TKL (MX Black) to Panda Clears - One of my Daily Drivers
Tried an HHKB at a job site - Felt Underwhelmed at Topre
KBT Pure (MX Blue) - First PCB mount / First 60%, felt nice
Poker X (MX White 65g) - My friend's KB. I really like how 65g MX Whites feel. Will have them on one of my GH60s
Poker II (MX Brown) - Still dislike MX Browns
Poker II (MX Black) - Fun
FC660M (MX Clear) - Layout really grew on me. One of my Daily Drivers

GH60 & Sprit's 60% near future ...
Korean custom - Some day

After typing that list, I find it interesting how my tastes have change. Didn't enjoy MX Blacks at first, now I adore them. Still love stock MX Clears. Panda Clears are by far my favorite.
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: Tony on Fri, 08 November 2013, 06:54:30: Compaq MX11800 x 3
IBM model M
Filco 104 brown
Filco 87 brown
Choc mini Blue + Red
Choc mini brown
QFR black
Choc mini Blue
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: RabRhee on Fri, 08 November 2013, 10:13:02: IBM Model Fs. about 83-88
IBM Model Ms 86-2005
G15 2005-2013
Qpad MK-85 with blues for a month.
Neo KB-87 with ghetto greens.
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: MKULTRA on Fri, 08 November 2013, 10:15:54: Various rubber domes -> Filco MJ2 -> A.87 (I rotate between this and my Filco)
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: vivalarevolución on Fri, 08 November 2013, 11:02:05: -Started my keyboard journey with Logitech Wave
-Then Kinesis Freestyle and Goldtouch Adjustable
-First Mechanical with Kinesis Advantage w/Reds
-Then Maltron w/ Blacks
-Noppoo Choc Mini with w/ Blues
-Apple Extended Keyboard I with Orange Alps
-Bought a few Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard (aka Apple IIGS) with Orange Alps and White SMK
-Next came the Ergodox phase
-Then came a couple Model Ms and Unicomp
-Now I am in love with the Model F

Currently own a IBM Model M13, IBM Model F 122 key, two Ergodoxen, an Apple IIGS, a Chicony 5181 (Monterey Blue), and a Maltron. I think that's it.

And I might be forgeting a couple. Owned a few ergo mice as well--Rollermouse, CST Ltrac, Kensington Slimblade, and MouseTrapper.

What's next? Probably a Topre board, that 60% Alps, and something else, and offload a couple of my other boards.
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: PointyFox on Fri, 08 November 2013, 11:31:30: Unknown > Dell keyboard > Dell keyboard > Dell keyboard > CM Storm QF Pro > QFR > QFR > Majestouch 2 > Poker II
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: Photekq on Fri, 08 November 2013, 11:33:49: (http://techgage.com/reviews/logitech/cordless_desktop_wave/logitech_wave_03_thumb.jpg)
(http://assets.razerzone.com/eeimages/products/2917/razer-black-widow-2013-gallery-3.png)
(http://www.chennaishop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/FILCO-Ninja-Majestouch-Tenkeyless.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/UuDBVsj.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/vDmOmNq.jpg)
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: xmagusx on Fri, 08 November 2013, 13:03:39: First --
Apple M0116, M0118, Extended, Extended II
Then moved to PC --
Various 104 (plus various media key configurations) rubber dome keyboards
Then my hands hurt --
Microsoft Ergo 4000
Then I found this site --
ErgoDox (MassDrop gb3, clears)
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: Grendel on Fri, 08 November 2013, 13:37:50: 1st was a Cherry serial KB I was using w/ my 1st more serious computer, mid-80's. After that it's PC's:

IBM 5170 PC AT, back in the late 80's
IBM Model M during the 90's
IBM 8923 2000-2005
Deck Legend Fire 2005-2011
Unicomp Customizer 104/105 at work 2009-2013
XArmor U9BL-S 2011-2013

Currently using a Deck Legend Frost and Corsair K70 Brown at home and a CM Storm QF XT Green at work. Planning to build my own in the near future :)
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: Hyde on Fri, 08 November 2013, 14:07:36: Das Keyboard MX Brown (Costar)
Filco Ninja 104 MX Red
Matias Quiet Pro
Cherry G84-4100
Topre Type Heaven
Poker II

For me I start with Das Keyboard because it was the cheapest full size Costar keyboard at the time. I use number pad a lot so I always get full size keyboards.

Then after that my rule is I don't buy the same switches twice, because I want to try all the different switches if I can.

Poker is my first exception because MX Clear isn't available. It's also my first non-full size keyboard. This one is an impulse buy because I saw an aluminum case that I really like so I bought the case first then bought the keyboard.

:P
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: PointyFox on Fri, 08 November 2013, 14:47:57: Quote from: Photekq on Fri, 08 November 2013, 11:33:49
Show Image
(http://techgage.com/reviews/logitech/cordless_desktop_wave/logitech_wave_03_thumb.jpg)

Show Image
(http://assets.razerzone.com/eeimages/products/2917/razer-black-widow-2013-gallery-3.png)

Show Image
(http://www.chennaishop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/FILCO-Ninja-Majestouch-Tenkeyless.jpg)

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

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

Looks like you've transcended the need for keys. The next step for you will be an entirely thought-based keyboard.
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: Puddsy on Fri, 08 November 2013, 14:49:48: Nothing

QFR

Ducky DK1087

MJ2 (both), HHKB, miniLA

Pure Pro
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: Beca on Fri, 08 November 2013, 14:51:37: Leopold FC200R with browns > Leopold FC660M with clears > Poker 2 with blues > Noppoo Choc Mini with blues

I've already sold/given away two of those boards already (Leopold FC200R and Poker 2), but I'm hoping to one day sell all these boards and get a KMAC Mini and an HHKB.
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: kgrad5 on Fri, 08 November 2013, 14:53:24: Quote from: noisyturtle on Thu, 07 November 2013, 18:27:16
ITT the inevitable march towards customs

So true. Those Gon's are soooo nice though!
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: boost on Fri, 08 November 2013, 15:02:45: Duck TKL MX Brown
Filco TKL MC Brown
KMAC MX Black
The Cheat MX Clear
RF 10th AE 55g
RF 55g
KMAC MX Red
MX MIni Black
The cheat MX Green
KMINI MX Black
KPAD MX Black
LZ-MX MX Black
LZ-SE MX Black
356mini black MX Black
456gt MX Black
IBM SSK
356mini red MX Black
456gt MX Red
5 Phantoms
5 gh60

I know I'm missing a few
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: Puddsy on Fri, 08 November 2013, 15:03:33: Quote from: boost on Fri, 08 November 2013, 15:02:45
Duck TKL MX Brown
Filco TKL MC Brown
KMAC MX Black
The Cheat MX Clear
RF 10th AE 55g
RF 55g
KMAC MX Red
MX MIni Black
The cheat MX Green
KMINI MX Black
KPAD MX Black
LZ-MX MX Black
LZ-SE MX Black
356mini black MX Black
456gt MX Black
IBM SSK
356mini red MX Black
456gt MX Red
5 Phantoms
5 gh60

I know I'm missing a few

I take it MX blacks are your favorite switch?
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: boost on Fri, 08 November 2013, 15:21:01: Quote from: TacticalStache on Fri, 08 November 2013, 15:03:33
Quote from: boost on Fri, 08 November 2013, 15:02:45
Duck TKL MX Brown
Filco TKL MC Brown
KMAC MX Black
The Cheat MX Clear
RF 10th AE 55g
RF 55g
KMAC MX Red
MX MIni Black
The cheat MX Green
KMINI MX Black
KPAD MX Black
LZ-MX MX Black
LZ-SE MX Black
356mini black MX Black
456gt MX Black
IBM SSK
356mini red MX Black
456gt MX Red
5 Phantoms
5 gh60

I know I'm missing a few

I take it MX blacks are your favorite switch?

Different flavors of MX blacks, from 50g-65g springs
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: Fragil1ty on Fri, 08 November 2013, 17:26:14: Started off with a Blue Razer Blackwidow, progressed to a Noppoo Choc mini /w reds, progressed (lol) to a Keycool 84 w/ blacks and now I'm finally at that sweet point with a Keycool 84 /w Browns.

Still prefer reds though.
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: SamirD on Fri, 08 November 2013, 19:15:41: Started out on the Texas Instruments 99/4A, then a Commodore 64, then an IBM M that came as part of a IBM 30-286, then a Keytronic for our first 486, and then back to the IBM M since I found someone selling them for 50 cents each and grabbed about 20.
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: fohat.digs on Fri, 08 November 2013, 20:05:00: I had a good Model M during the 1980s that finally died. Got a Dell AT101 with a Dell system in the 1990s and used it until Windows XP came out.

Then I bought a Compaq system that came with an SK-2800 (excellent rubber dome with media keys, I still think those are pretty good boards) and used that for several years (~ 2003-09). Then one day I was helping a ex-co-worker upgrade his computer gear and found another AT101 in his closet, which he gave me.

Shortly after, I got a Northgate Omnikey (with a couple of dead keys) at a salvage store and really liked it. Finally gave up on it and sold it for parts on ebay (today I would have known to transplant a couple of switches from the AT101!) and started researching mechanical keyboards, which landed me here. Surprise!

Reading various things convinced me that I needed a Model M. After getting it and reading other things here, I wanted to try a Model F. At that time XTs were dirt cheap ($10 + shipping) and it took a $50 Hagstrom converter to make them run. I did that but could not abide the layout, so I sold the XT with the Hagstrom on ebay for over $100 to an Apple employee in California to use at work! Eventually I acquired a really nice Model F AT but it mostly stays stored away.

Starting during this period, and continuing until the present day, I have bought dozens of keyboards at various ebay/salvage/yard sale/thrift store/dumpster diving and other venues, with a wide variety of switches. I really like Alps, and the Apple Extended keyboard is nice, Focus 2001, etc. I had a cool Alps branded board that I sold to jdcarpe so it found a good home. White Alps are just too heavy for me.

I have had a few Monterey blue keyboards and I LOVE those switches. SMK switches are great although I do not currently own them. Just today I got a black space invaders board and it seems much better than the white space invaders I tried a couple of years ago. I have had 2 different weird buckling spring knock-offs that were strange and basically sucked.

Cherry switches have never turned me on, although I keep a couple of G80-11900s around and my teenage son loves to game on them. I would like to have a TKL lightweight board with reds or browns and O-rings just for giggles. I was lucky to get in on the tours, and jailhouse blues and ergo clears really appeal to me, especially jailhouse blues. One day I may build one.

Sometime later (mid-2011?) Soarer revealed his magic and I pounced on the Model F 122-key terminal modified to near-ANSI with the Teensy and I have never left it for any substantial length of time since, although I will move it aside for a few minutes/hours/days at a time to test drive something else.

I have 3 prime F-122s which should last a lifetime (I am 61.5 after all) and my "permanent vintage collection" stored away in the basement consists of 3 Model Ms (a heavily modded and upgraded 1390131 and a dead stock 1390131 from 1986, and an unmodified 1391401 from 1991), an un-modded F AT (which I want to ANSI mod and add Alt keys), G80-11900 with O-rings, AEK and AEK2, Chicony 5181, and soon to include the black space invaders DTK and a Dell AT101 with blue and orange Alps transplanted into it.

Plus a box of at least half a dozen really good rubber domes and a super-tiny Logitech that fits in a laptop bag.
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: Larken on Fri, 08 November 2013, 21:46:29: Filco Majestouch Brown
Ducky 1087 Brown
Cherry G80-3494 Reds
Unicomp 104 Classic
Cherry G80-8113 Clears
CM QFR Blues with UTKL plate

Those were the stock boards I'd tried before I decided to get my hands dirty and try modding, which brought me to basically the same boards, but switch modding which included

1. Multiple variants of ergoclears, lubed and unlubed (going from superlube to krytox), all weights from stock mx 45, to korean 55-65.
2. Blues with clear springs
3. Reds with clear springs
4. and other assorted combinations

After a period of trial and error, I built my ergodox with 55g ergoclears, which remain my daily board to this day. This was eventually followed by another ergodox with 62g clears, which is still nice, but I prefer 55g. The ergodox kept me from getting other boards like topre/alps to try out, as I have no wish to return to a staggered layout again (which also really helped the wallet). I like BS, but I can't get used to using it for extended periods of time.

Looking forward to the time when Acidfire's boards are out and I'd probably break this no-buying thing I have going now.

I'd given away most of my stock boards to family and friends except for a few I thought I would miss. Planning to eventually mod the rest of what's, but haven't had the motivation to do anymore for a while after completing the filco recently.
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: swill on Fri, 08 November 2013, 22:01:40: Filco MJ2 w/ Browns
CM QFR w/ Blues
IMSTO Thick PBT caps (for MJ2)
Filco 104 w/ Reds (to replace the QFR)
A couple sets of PBT caps for 104
Leopold FC660C (to replace Filco 104)

Now I am packing my FC660C around with me: Home -> Work -> Home -> (repeat)...

So it seems that the FC660C has replaced all of them. Haha. For now anyway...
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: keymaster on Fri, 08 November 2013, 22:07:28: Leopold 200R (MX Brown) -> QFR (65g clears, 62g clears) -> RealForce 103UB (55g) -> RealForce 87U (55g)

I'm pretty satisfied with the Topre switch. I may want to try the the 45g Topre switch on something like a RealForce or the future CM Topre-MX hybrid. The HHKB felt a bit underwhelming...possibly due to all the plastic.
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: dante on Fri, 08 November 2013, 22:07:59: leopold 87 mx brown (x2)
cherry g80-11900 ghetto red
siig minitouch
filco 87 mx black
wyse pce 900866-1 vintage mx black
dell quiettouch thailand
SGI Granite (dampened alps)
keycool 87 mx clear
leopold 87 mx black (x2)
cm storm qfr 87 mx black
logitech ultra-x
logitech illuminated
cm storm qfr 87 mx blue
unicomp kentucky wildcats
steelseries 6gv2 mx black
tte meka g1 mx black
das 2 (x3)
dell kb1421
wasd v1 104 mx black barebones
deck legend 105 frost tactile mx clear
realforce 86ub 45g
kbc poker mx black
kbc poker mx red
ibm m4-1
cherry g84-4100
zenith zkb-2 linear green alps
dell at101w black alps (x3)
ducky 1087xm green (x2)
ducky 2108 zero mx red
matias quiet pro
apple iigs smk white alps
dtk graf space invaders
nmb space invaders
ibm terminal m
ibm m2

and a few m's. I'm forgetting a few probably but these came to mind.

I won't say what my favorite is - what a joke - I change my mind all the damn time.

I will say typing height/profile and ability to use comfortably without a wrist rest is more important than the type of switch.
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: keymaster on Fri, 08 November 2013, 22:12:39: Woah, I had no idea you went through that many boards, dante. How many of those do you still have? Which switches/keyboards are you settling down for, if any?
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: dante on Fri, 08 November 2013, 23:06:54: Quote from: keymaster on Fri, 08 November 2013, 22:12:39
Woah, I had no idea you went through that many boards, dante. How many of those do you still have? Which switches/keyboards are you settling down for, if any?

I only have a couple boards; I'm somewhat of a minimalist.

It's hard to narrow down but I'll try:

When it comes to high speed racing for slips $$$ typing competition keyboard - not necessarily just good feeling but something to push oceans of text from brain into the computer as fast as humanely possible (think cmdr data) it's: M2 > Apple IIGS (A9M0330) SMK White Alps > Cherry MX Brown. All other switches just hold me back and slow me down in some way.

For gaming - I mostly play FPS - for mass produced keyboards I've stated/restated like a skipping CD: The Tte Meka G1 is the best Cherry MX Black board I've ever tried. The keycaps are crap and completely too tall (for me) for typing but the switches in this feel brilliant. I swear they feel lubed and 5g-10g lighter! Even the WASD V1 which is a clone doesn't feel as good as this. Other than Wyse boards I've never had a better experience with MX Blacks out of the box. There are smatterings of reviews on Amazon/Newegg also backing this up; if you hated MX Blacks because of the stiffness and think the MX Reds are too light - see if you test one out at Microcenter/Fry's.

So ... typing M2, gaming Meka G1
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: Tony on Sat, 09 November 2013, 01:17:14: Quote from: keymaster on Fri, 08 November 2013, 22:12:39
Woah, I had no idea you went through that many boards, dante. How many of those do you still have? Which switches/keyboards are you settling down for, if any?

I still keep all the keyboards, selfish I am
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: kansas city shuffle on Sat, 09 November 2013, 01:23:41: After the generic Dell kbs...

1) Creative Fatal1ty White & Black 104 Normal Keys USB Slim Gaming Keyboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823200007

2) Filco Majestouch 2 FKBN104MC/EB (Cherry MX Blues)

3) IBM Model M

4) Realforce 104U
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: YoungMichael88 on Sat, 09 November 2013, 01:34:51: Race ---> Poker ---> LZ-GH ---> Phantom (still just a PCB)
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: mapple on Sat, 09 November 2013, 06:22:01: 1. model m as a kido -->
2. long years with shi**y rubber domes, ergonomic/gaming/sluggish -->
3. razer blackwidow ultimate (brown cherry) -->
4. blackwidow (blue) -->
5. steelseries 6gv2 (black cherry). -->
6. unicomp model m -->
7. hhkb/realforce borrowed from friend -->
8. qpad (red cherry)
9. filco mj (brown cherry)
10. IBM MODEL M -->
11 Ducky g2 pro/PBT (green cherry) -->
12. IBM MODEL M2 -->
13. Waiting for delivery ducky shine 3 tkl (cherry blue).
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: Melvang on Sat, 09 November 2013, 07:46:38: Started with various rubber dome keyboards. Last couple were a Saitek with adjustable colored backlighting then a Wolf King gaming board with a gaming cluster on the left with the other part essentially being a 75% board. After that I bought myself a costar built Das with browns. His is currently my own mech board but am in the process of building my own. (build log in my sig).
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: inteli722 on Sat, 09 November 2013, 07:55:44: Rubber Domes
Leopold FC200R in Browns
Quickfire Rapid in Blues and Greens

Haven't left Greens yet. So perfect!
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: Game Theory on Sat, 09 November 2013, 08:25:03: Atari 800 -> Atari 800XE -> Gateway AnyKey -> Northgate OmniKey 101 -> Avant Stellar Prime -> Noppoo (MX Blues) -> Keycool (MX Reds) -> Filco (MX Blues) -> SSK -> KMAC LE (MX Greens) -> Filco (MX Blues) -> Realforce 91U -> IBM F XT -> IBM F AT -> IBM 5251 Beam Spring and Realforce 104UG Hi-Prof.
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: n0husty on Sat, 09 November 2013, 08:32:37: QFR w/ Blues -->
Topre Type Heaven

I really want to grab my self a 60% board next.
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: davkol on Sat, 09 November 2013, 13:36:20: I've used way too many keyboards... definitely more than fifty... To name a few:

Logitech UltraX
Genius LuxeMate i200
Dell Multimedia Pro
LiteOn SK-6000
SteelSeries 6Gv2 w/ Cherry MX Black
Lenovo SK-8855
TypeMatrix 2030
Noppoo Choc Mini w/ Cherry MX Red
ErgoDox w/ Cherry MX Clear
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: elton5354 on Sat, 09 November 2013, 13:45:27: Logitech G15
Ducky Shine MX Blue- first mech kb
CM QFR MX Red
Leopold FCR 200 MX Clears
Filco MJ2 TKL MX Blues
Poker X MX Black
Poker X MX Blue
KBT Pure MX Blue
Poker X modded with MX Blue, MX White, MX Red
LZ GH MX Clear 62g
Duck Mini V2 w/ Matias Clicky ALPS
KMAC Happy MX Clears 62g - Currently using
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: dragonxx21 on Sat, 09 November 2013, 13:52:11: Generic Rubber Domes
CM Quickfire Rapid
Model M - Industrial Case
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: Niomosy on Sun, 10 November 2013, 01:07:50: First mech was probably back in the 90's when we bought our first home computer. After that, a Compaq with Alps at work for a bit. The first one I owned personally was an SGI Granite with Alps, a gift from work along with 3 decommissioned SGI servers/workstations. After that, a Model M. Neither of which got too heavy usage as my forearms just couldn't handle them. First mech I've specifically purchased to use is the Ducky G2 Pro I'm currently using. I still have to be careful with my typing now that I'm not on an MS ergo but being on a mech keyboard is nice.
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: itzmeluigi on Sun, 10 November 2013, 05:13:40: My first mechanical keyboard was a Ducky Shine 2 TKL with MX reds, coming from the Razer Lycosa it was one of the best upgrades ever.

Ducky Shine 2 TKL MX red > Ducky Shine 2 MX blue > Ducky Shine 2 MX blue > Ducky Shine 3 MX blue
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: AKIMbO on Sun, 10 November 2013, 14:32:58: A list of my keyboards (in chronological order):
-Xarmor U9W (mx blues)
-Nopoo Choc Mini (mx blacks)
-Nopoo Choc Mini (mx reds)
-CM Storm QFR (mx reds)
-Filco TKL (mx blacks)
-Unicomp Model M
-IBM AT F
-IBM XT F
-Filco Ninja TKL (mx brown)
-Filco Camo (mx blue)
-Filco Camo (mx brown)
-Dell AT101 (black alps)
-KMAC LE (ergo clears)
-KMAC Mini (62g mx blacks)
-IBM F122
-KMAC Mini (65g mx blacks)
-SGI Granite (dampened cream alps)
-SIIG minitouch (xm alps)
-SGI (dampened white alps)
-Dolch PAC (mx blue)
-Omnikey 101 (white alps)
-Zenith ZKB2 (green alps)
-Zenith ZKB2 (yellow alps)
-IBM SSK
-Dell AT101W (black alps)
-Apple M106 (orange alps)
-CM Storm QFR (mx greens)
-PLUM 96 (mx browns)
-Vortex RACE LE (mx browns)
-Filco Zero (orange alps)
-Old logo Dell AT101 (salmon alps)
-Realforce EK Edition 87ub (45g uniform)
-Chicony KB5181 (mont blues)
-Chicony KB5161 (blue alps)
-Mkawa SSK.R
-Mtek M104 (mont blues)
-Leading Edge DC3014 (blue alps)
-Computerland (blue alps)
-Realforce 87u (55g uniform)
-HHKB Type S
-Kingsaver (matias quiet click alps)
-Kingsaver (blue alps)
-Kingsaver (salmon alps)

Holy crap my wallet. I'm getting off of this site now!
Title: Re: What was your keyboard progression?
Post by: MOZ on Sun, 10 November 2013, 14:52:26: - TVS-e GOLD (MX Blue) (SOLD)
- BlackWidow Ultimate (MX Blue) (SOLD)
- TVS-e GOLD (MX Blue) (With parents)
- Ducky ZERO DK2108 (MX Blue) (SOLD)
- CM QFR (MX Blue)
- ErgoDox (MX Blue 80g)
- Unicomp PC122

I rotate between the ErgoDox, and the Unicomp PC122, one I love for the layout, the other for the feel. I just tried Matias Clicky which I got from 7bit, and the feel really good, better than MX blue, so I might try build a Alps ErgoDox/60%.

I really enjoyed the building the ErgoDox, and have this itch to try and make as many different layouts, to see if there is something I might prefer more and just to build a collection :D, so got a few PCBs coming in and cases cut up.