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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: o2dazone on Thu, 19 March 2009, 22:23:36

Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: o2dazone on Thu, 19 March 2009, 22:23:36
I finally made the dip and ordered a g80-3000 from GeminiComputers.com - This is my first mechanical keyboard, about 1½ weeks after finding this forum, I told myself I had to have one. Be apart of what everyone was talking about.

I was originally going to write a review, but being my first mechanical board, I have nothing to compare it to. Getting used to the non-membrane feel. Getting used to the solid feeling, the bottoming out of the keys, and not that mushy indirect response you get with normal keyboards. I really don't have much so to say, so I'll just move onto something I'm better at than reviewing boards; pictures :P

(http://kb.o2dazone.com/cherry01.jpg)

Nothing amazing here, sorry about the dirty desk. This gives you a shot of the general board. I didn't yank any keys off...just because I'm paranoid and haven't read about the infamous "two paperclip method" yet.



(http://kb.o2dazone.com/cherry02.jpg)

An artsy photo with an amazing trackball in the background. You can also see that my black glass desk gets dirty easily.




(http://kb.o2dazone.com/cherry03.jpg)

The G80-3000 lacks dimples on the F and J keys, instead they are a little more concave than the other keys. You can see this in the photo. I use my forearm to the edge of the desk to keep my arms in place, so I don't really rely on the keys to tell me where my hands are, but I did notice it's easier to feel the sharper 'edge' of the F/J keys than it is to feel the concavity of it.



(http://kb.o2dazone.com/cherry04.jpg)

The asian characters on the keyboard (Chinese I'm guessing) don't really bother me because I hardly look at the keyboard itself. I'm sure if they ever start offering affordable keys, I'll pick up a blank set, in the meantime, I'm just overwhelmed by the tactility and sound (god...I could go on about the sound) of it. So far, I love it. Well, thats my 'review' :P
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: bhtooefr on Thu, 19 March 2009, 22:36:38
Yeah, that model will be the G80-3000LSCRC-2, correct? So, yeah, Chinese.

How are you liking the weight of the keys? If this is your first mechanical keyboard... you've got nothing to compare to such as a Model M or something... (a lot of people whose first mechanical boards were Model Ms can't stand Cherry blues, although I love them. Then again, I'm typing this on an EnduraPro right now just to have some variety.)
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: D-EJ915 on Thu, 19 March 2009, 22:57:51
that looks great, nice pics!
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: lam47 on Fri, 20 March 2009, 05:15:14
Thanks for taking pictures :)
They are very good! I have trouble getting good shots of black keyboards.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Fri, 20 March 2009, 08:02:35
Quote from: lam47;24957
Thanks for taking pictures :)
They are very good! I have trouble getting good shots of black keyboards.


Yes, thank you for the nice pictures. I like the third one in particular, where the focus is drawn on just a few keys, and the rest of the picture is blurry. This draws viewers attention to just these few keys, and let them have a nice look.

Mine, also from geminicomputers.com, arrived yesterday. I like mine a lot. Enjoy your new keyboard. You must be in keyboard heaven.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: lal on Fri, 20 March 2009, 08:27:29
Incredible pics indeed...
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: jpeck on Fri, 20 March 2009, 08:31:55
These pics have me really curious. This board looks so close to my Das 2 that I can't tell the difference besides the keys and the logo. Are these two boards both manufactured by Cherry?
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 20 March 2009, 08:39:17
Quote from: jpeck;24970
These pics have me really curious. This board looks so close to my Das 2 that I can't tell the difference besides the keys and the logo. Are these two boards both manufactured by Cherry?


The Das 2 was a relabeled G80-3000.  The Das III is made by Costar who also makes ABS and Filco (among others).
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: lal on Fri, 20 March 2009, 08:39:36
AFAIK the Das II is just a relabeled G80-3000, yes.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: FKSSR on Fri, 20 March 2009, 09:43:55
Glad you're liking it!  

It wasn't for me, but that's why we have so many different types of keyboards, for all different types of people. :)
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: davidc on Fri, 20 March 2009, 22:50:00
Have you noticed any ringing when the keys are pressed or the board tapped?  I raised a thread about this a while ago as my Cherry G80-3000had this ring which drove me nuts.  There was no way to get rid of it I could see - it was the individual key mechanisms that were ringing.  But if no one else has this issue maybe I just got a bad copy - I'd get another one if it came without the ringing.

Have you found any ring qhen you use the keyboard?
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Fri, 20 March 2009, 23:10:56
Quote from: davidc;25008
Have you noticed any ringing when the keys are pressed or the board tapped?  I raised a thread about this a while ago as my Cherry G80-3000had this ring which drove me nuts.  There was no way to get rid of it I could see - it was the individual key mechanisms that were ringing.  But if no one else has this issue maybe I just got a bad copy - I'd get another one if it came without the ringing.

Have you found any ring qhen you use the keyboard?


I don't know if o2dazone's unit has a ringing noise, but mine does. It's more pronounced when I use a lot of force on the keys. But, since I read your thread before getting mine, I cannot go back not hearing it. It does not bother that much except maybe at night when it's more quiet around my place. The ringing noise is similar to the ring you sometimes here when you are bouncing a basketball.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: o2dazone on Fri, 20 March 2009, 23:34:46
Thanks for all the photo comments :) Photography is a hobby of mine, so I spend a lot of time just setting up for one shot ( out of the 4 I posted, I took about 70 lol! )

The das II question was answered so :] yes - there's a photo floating around here where someone removed a key on the top row (or maybe it was the function keys) of a Das II and it showed a teal G80-3000 sticker underneath. Small world of keyboards!

And yes I'm in keyboard HEAVEN ! In fact, I refrained from typing up a response to this thread at work, just so I can get some good long typing in at home (I usually game, so I don't type as often as I'd like.) I, for once, was actually ANXIOUS to get my taxes done! Tackity tack tack


Edit: FKSSR - I messaged a few people, and they all told me different things! A couple browns, a couple blues, some swore by buckling springs. I already told myself before ordering the g80, I'd end up getting a Unicomp Customizer haha...now I understand the addiction.

Edit2: It could be the keyboard has ringing and I just don't know how to detect it. If it's anything like a squeeky 'switches rubbing' sound I'm not getting anything, and pounding on the keys doesn't seem to produce any different sounds. Could you go into more detail about what I should be listening for?
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: davidc on Fri, 20 March 2009, 23:34:51
Sorry to have drawn this your attention - but it's very helpful to know that you hear the ringing too.  Must be a design issue.  Pity.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: o2dazone on Sat, 21 March 2009, 01:34:43
Just yanked off a few keys, attempting to dampen the spacebar a little, due to the subtle sound difference. It seems to have a green cherry keyswitch underneath. It's definitely distinguishable, but I think it's coupled by the metal bar too. Any way to 'denoise' that? After fiddling with getting the bar back onto the board, and whatnot (what a pain) I retired for the evening...but I'm not giving up completely!
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: lam47 on Sat, 21 March 2009, 05:28:03
The ringing is part of the switch mechanism and is there on every cherry blue if the owner can here it or not.
There is a loose piece of plastic that sits on the main blue stem part. Its this that causes the click and the ringing after. The ring comes from the spring and the plastic part vibrating inside the switch after each key stroke. The part bounces slightly and rubs the spring as it does so.
Its not a flaw in the design just a part of it.

If you have a blue cherry to hand you can open it and see what I mean. I should take some shots of it I guess.
Or just hold down the stem and shake the switch. You will hear the white part rattle and touch the spring.

:)
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: davidc on Mon, 23 March 2009, 12:56:33
Quote from: lam47;25019
The ringing is part of the switch mechanism and is there on every cherry blue if the owner can here it or not.
There is a loose piece of plastic that sits on the main blue stem part. Its this that causes the click and the ringing after. The ring comes from the spring and the plastic part vibrating inside the switch after each key stroke. The part bounces slightly and rubs the spring as it does so.
Its not a flaw in the design just a part of it.

If you have a blue cherry to hand you can open it and see what I mean. I should take some shots of it I guess.
Or just hold down the stem and shake the switch. You will hear the white part rattle and touch the spring.

:)



It's a design flaw if the ringing gets on your nerves!
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: CX23882 on Mon, 23 March 2009, 14:29:34
My G80-3000LSCGB rings, but it's not noticeable unless you hammer the keys and bottom out, or tap on the casing.  In other words, it seems to be any impact onto the base/PCB will make the switches ring.  Gentle presses produce the click but not the ringing.

I prefer plasticy "clacks" to metallic clicks or ringing.  I've tried two boards with white Alps and one of them is almost completely plastic noise whereas the other is a loud pinging.  I couldn't get on with the pinging board at all.  On that board it is much more noticeable than with the blue Cherry switches, which are tolerable.

I'm slightly neurotic about unwanted noises.  Over the years I've probably poured several hundred £ into making my computer(s) quiet... then I go and buy a noisy clicky keyboard.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: travnewmatic on Mon, 04 May 2009, 15:10:01
Woo hoo!

Mine just came in about an hour ago and I'm loving it!  This is my first mechanical keyboard and I can tell this is going to change my life.  I can definitely understand how this can become an addiction...  :D

Interestingly, whenever i turned on my computer with it connected via USB, GRUB didnt see it, but when Ubuntu loaded it worked...  I guess I need to use the PS/2 to USB adapter if I want to be able to pick my OS at startup...  but that's a minor detail...

Best ~$70 I've ever spent!
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: o2dazone on Mon, 04 May 2009, 15:14:52
Congratulations on your purchase, and welcome
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 04 May 2009, 15:16:19
Quote from: travnewmatic;89003
Woo hoo!
 
Mine just came in about an hour ago and I'm loving it! This is my first mechanical keyboard and I can tell this is going to change my life. I can definitely understand how this can become an addiction... :D
 
Interestingly, whenever i turned on my computer with it connected via USB, GRUB didnt see it, but when Ubuntu loaded it worked... I guess I need to use the PS/2 to USB adapter if I want to be able to pick my OS at startup... but that's a minor detail...
 
Best ~$70 I've ever spent!

 
The G80-3000 is a fantastic 'board.  I love mine; I have browns in mine, though.  One day, I might get one with blues, but I am pretty content with the browns for now.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: travnewmatic on Mon, 04 May 2009, 15:54:39
Yeah i'm really excited to take mine to work, i work at call center doing tech support, and i type pretty much continually throughout my 8 hour shift.  If i'm typing that much theres no reason why i should be using a $10 dell keyboard...  also i want to show off my new toy to my coworkers ...and potentially annoy the hell out of them :D
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 04 May 2009, 16:52:27
Quote from: travnewmatic;89018
theres no reason why i should be using a $10 dell keyboard

You better take that back.  I have 2 $10 Dell keyboards that I absolutely love.
 
 
You'll be suprised how little you can get a couple of NIB AT101Ws for. :)
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: ozar on Mon, 04 May 2009, 16:56:17
Quote from: itlnstln;89045
You'll be suprised how little you can get a couple of NIB AT101Ws for. :)

Isn't that the truth... I've got one that was picked up on eBay for under $20 NIB and have no intentions of giving it up.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 04 May 2009, 17:00:27
A bunch of us, myself included, bought a ton of them (NIB) from some guy selling them for $10 each.  Great, great 'board.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: ozar on Mon, 04 May 2009, 17:03:47
Quote from: itlnstln;89050
A bunch of us, myself included, bought a ton of them (NIB) from some guy selling them for $10 each.  Great, great 'board.

Perhaps mine came from the same bunch because it came from Central Texas.  Not sure, though.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: pmyshkin on Wed, 06 May 2009, 03:58:40
I bought a g81-1800 recently and the lack of dimples on F/J annoyed the hell out of me. If it wasn't for you mentioning it I would never have noticed the concavity difference. I wonder why they thought concavity would be easier to feel out than dimples.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: keyb_gr on Wed, 06 May 2009, 08:01:01
Quote from: pmyshkin;89411
I bought a g81-1800 recently and the lack of dimples on F/J annoyed the hell out of me.

People have also complained about the exact opposite... :rolleyes: (That's because Cherry went to dimples in the early '00s. Those are a little on the large side and somewhat irritating for my taste.) Seems to be a matter of what you're used to.
Quote
If it wasn't for you mentioning it I would never have noticed the concavity difference. I wonder why they thought concavity would be easier to feel out than dimples.

That you'll have to ask whoever decided to do it that way back in '87.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: pmyshkin on Wed, 06 May 2009, 16:11:13
My shipment of this keyboard just arrived (yes, I bought the g81-1800, didn't like it, and immediately bought the g80-3000, complete waste of $60). It does feel kind of strange to type on right now since this is my first mechanical keyboard, but the clicks are so satisfying... kind of like biting into a really thick steak.

BTW, my keyboard smells strangely of formaldehyde out of the box. Did yours also smell like that?
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: o2dazone on Wed, 06 May 2009, 17:24:27
Mine didn't have any particular odor, in before you find smuggled body parts in the box it came in :o
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: pmyshkin on Wed, 06 May 2009, 18:29:55
Quote from: o2dazone;89602
Mine didn't have any particular odor, in before you find smuggled body parts in the box it came in :o


Along those lines, I forgot to mention that the outer box it came in was about the size of a child's coffin, absurdly huge considering all it contained was a keyboard. Pretty bizarre.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: o2dazone on Wed, 06 May 2009, 18:33:41
Same here, did you buy yours from GeminiComputers?
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: huha on Wed, 06 May 2009, 18:53:24
Quote from: pmyshkin;89586
BTW, my keyboard smells strangely of formaldehyde out of the box. Did yours also smell like that?


Mine doesn't smell of formaldehyde, but there is what I'd call a "PCB smell"--although a rather nasty one (still not as nasty as some of the graphics cards I had, though).

-huha
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: pmyshkin on Wed, 06 May 2009, 19:07:20
Quote from: o2dazone;89615
Same here, did you buy yours from GeminiComputers?


No, i bought mine from totalbarcode.com.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: keyb_gr on Thu, 07 May 2009, 06:40:28
The formaldehyde smell might be explained by POM (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyoxymethylene) keycaps. I guess the 'board in question is black?
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: lowpoly on Thu, 07 May 2009, 08:46:06
Quote from: pmyshkin;89411
I bought a g81-1800 recently and the lack of dimples on F/J annoyed the hell out of me. If it wasn't for you mentioning it I would never have noticed the concavity difference. I wonder why they thought concavity would be easier to feel out than dimples.
You just have to feel horizontal instead of vertical. Scooped F and J keys are quite elegant, IMO.

Quote from: huha;89619
Mine doesn't smell of formaldehyde, but there is what I'd call a "PCB smell"--although a rather nasty one (still not as nasty as some of the graphics cards I had, though).

-huha
Pcbs are basically paper and Formaldehyde.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: pmyshkin on Thu, 07 May 2009, 12:49:42
Quote from: keyb_gr;89703
The formaldehyde smell might be explained by POM (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyoxymethylene) keycaps. I guess the 'board in question is black?


Yup. I guess that explains it. Thanks.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: kip on Thu, 14 May 2009, 09:07:04
Quick Question: I see a lot of different listings for the Cherry G80-3000 when I Google it. Prices seem to vary from $60 to $110.  Can someone help me understand the Cherry part numbers and how to identify those using MX brown switches?  Thank you in advance for your help.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: lowpoly on Thu, 14 May 2009, 09:20:21
Current G80-3000s don't have brown but clear stems for the tactile version. The spring is a bit stronger.

Model # would be G80-3000LQCEU-2, for ex.

G80: MX switch
3000: the big case
L: lasered caps
Q: soft tactile P:linear S:clicky X:might be brown (special order)
EU: country code for layout
-2: black -0 white or gray
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: itlnstln on Thu, 14 May 2009, 09:45:16
Quote from: ripster;90809
Let us know if you find a Cherry Brown one that does NOT have the Chinese lettering for less than $100. I did a half hearted search once and came up empty

You won't.  It is not a standard production model.  The one I bought from DataCal was a custom build just for them.  I paid $107 shipped for it.  When I bought mine, they only had a few left, so you might want to hurry.  In one of the threads (I think it was something about cheap blue Cherry 'boards; I'm too busy to look right now), I left some contact info for the Sales Director for DataCal.  She said she would give anyone from the site the "education" discount (which is about $10) if you order through her.  I can't recommend this keyboard enough.  I platoon it with my Filco at work (I can't decide which one I like better).
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: neptunebadger on Wed, 20 May 2009, 04:23:21
I'm considering getting this keyboard because I want another board with Cherry blues. Has anyone purchased from POSGlobal.com? Geminicomputers seems to be out of stock on this particular model.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: neptunebadger on Wed, 20 May 2009, 16:11:30
The fact that the image on the product page has a broken link does not give me a good impression about POSGlobal, which is why I'm kind of hesitant.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: Idiot_Hacker on Sat, 23 May 2009, 12:44:58
Can someone post a pic of a few of the keys removed so I and everyone can see which cherry switch they use.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: o2dazone on Sat, 23 May 2009, 13:15:42
hows this

(http://kb.o2dazone.com/cherryswitch.jpg)
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: Idiot_Hacker on Sat, 23 May 2009, 14:28:10
I love keyboards. I have to say the photos you put up are damn sexy.........
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Sun, 24 May 2009, 07:23:45
Quote from: neptunebadger;91813
The fact that the image on the product page has a broken link does not give me a good impression about POSGlobal, which is why I'm kind of hesitant.

POSGlobal seems very interesting. Its site says free shipping US and Canada. Very tempting :) Since my Cherry is now my favourite keyboard, I might as well buy a spare one. Still want to try a Cherry brown though...
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Sun, 24 May 2009, 11:27:25
Quote from: ripster;92455
Yeah, buy it and let us know if they really have it in stock.  The POS thing in the name seems to be scaring everyone off.    Since Gemini is sold out it's the only game in town.

I'll give them a call tomorrow and find out if they are selling new or used keyboards G80-3000. Too bad Gemini is sold out. The other place where this keyboard is available is http://www.poshouse.com. Again POS.

But you want me to be the Guinea Pig, right? Well, I guess I can do that if I others have done it for Topre boards. If they do offer free shipping to Canada and use USPS, and if they are selling new items, then it will be good deal, that I will find hard to pass.


Quote

I wish you were a REAL Canadian (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TncdhLGjFTE) so  I could tell more Canadian jokes.


Too bad for you :-) I won't get a lot of them.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Sun, 24 May 2009, 11:45:44
Quote from: ripster;92458
LOL - POSglobal vs POShouse - got em mixed up.

NO hits on Reseller Ratings for either.  Hmm.....

If you could only get Canadian Tire to special order.



Yes. That's the problem. Geminicomputers has good reviews. I wish Canadian Tire would sell keyboards LOL. There is one very close to where I live.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Sun, 24 May 2009, 14:39:43
Quote from: ripster;92458
LOL - POSglobal vs POShouse - got em mixed up.

NO hits on Reseller Ratings for either.  Hmm.....


From PCWorld (http://www.pcworld.com/shopping/merchantreviews/prtprdid,61423502-prtretid,8285/reviews.html).

From Shopping.com (http://www3.shopping.com/xMR-posglobal+com~MRD-302529~S-1)
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: sixty on Mon, 25 May 2009, 05:00:27
I actually contacted the German distributor of cherry keyboards today. They also do laser/print special layouts, so I figured I might as well give it a shot and ask for a blank layout. To my surprise they said it would be no problem and they can deliver the g80-3000 with either blue or black switches and completely blank keys. This goes at about $10 more than the retail price, which makes this a really cheap DASII. I think I'll order one!
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Mon, 25 May 2009, 05:04:35
Quote from: sixty;92554
I actually contacted the German distributor of cherry keyboards today. They also do laser/print special layouts, so I figured I might as well give it a shot and ask for a blank layout. To my surprise they said it would be no problem and they can deliver the g80-3000 with either blue or black switches and completely blank keys. This goes at about $10 more than the retail price, which makes this a really cheap DASII. I think I'll order one!


Lucky you.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Mon, 25 May 2009, 09:50:08
Quote from: ripster;92572
LOL -

The Germans get the Cherrys.
The Americans got Unicomps, lots of Ebay, Deck, a few others.
The Japanese get the best.
The Canadians get:

Show Image
(http://img.metro.co.uk/i/pix/2007/05/Beaver_450x403.jpg)


OMG. Nearly killed myself laughing at work.

Actually the Canadians have Matias Tactile Pro, eh!
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: ironcoder on Mon, 25 May 2009, 09:51:20
I'm alriiiiiiiiiight
Nobody worry 'bout me...
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Mon, 25 May 2009, 10:58:11
I'm not too sure about POSGlobal.com. I called them a few times only to get a message saying that all the operators are currently busy and to press 0 to speak with an attendant. Not once have had a person on the phone. I've left them a message, and will see if they call back.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Mon, 25 May 2009, 11:03:06
Could someone please tell me the difference between the two keyboards here: http://www.poshouse.com/search.asp?keywords=g80-3000 ?
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: huha on Mon, 25 May 2009, 11:18:33
Okay, there are two models:

Model 1: G80-3000LPCEU-0
Grey, linear actuation characteristic (black MX modules)
US layout with "€" key.

Model 2: G80-3000LSCRC-2
Black, click actuation characteristic (blue MX modules)
Chinese layout (there's a user review here).


So ... I'd get the LSCRC-2 if chinese characters in addition to US characters on the keycaps don't bother you.

-huha
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: jayray999 on Mon, 25 May 2009, 11:44:50
I got a G80-3000SCRC from posglobal.com using Google Checkout for $59 and change. I never managed to call them and only got an order confirmation from Google. PosGlobal did not respond to my email queries. But a brand new keyboard arrived one week later in a gigantic box that even the UPS guy commented on. The keyboard is fantastic and I wish I got two.

If you want to try Cherry Browns don't throw a C bill down at Datacal till you are sure Browns are your thing which they might well be. I followed Manish7's lead and got a used Compaq MX-11800. Great keyboard for the price ($27).

Now I only use these two 'value' keyboards and I must say I much prefer them to buckling springs and Alps sliders.

The tough choice for me is between them.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: IBI on Mon, 25 May 2009, 11:47:58
Quote from: sixty;92554
I actually contacted the German distributor of cherry keyboards today. They also do laser/print special layouts, so I figured I might as well give it a shot and ask for a blank layout. To my surprise they said it would be no problem and they can deliver the g80-3000 with either blue or black switches and completely blank keys. This goes at about $10 more than the retail price, which makes this a really cheap DASII. I think I'll order one!


Yeah, cherry germany do seem particulaly friendly towards the customer. I seem to remember a thread where someone contacted them and got a reply that if you wanted a custom G80 (e.g. a G80-1800 with blue switches and a custom layout) then the minimum order was only 10 units instead of the normal 100 or 1000.

Quote from: ripster;92572
LOL -

The Germans get the Cherrys.
The Americans got Unicomps, lots of Ebay, Deck, a few others.
The Japanese get the best.
The Canadians get:


The Canadians get Ergo Canada, a shop that actually tells you what type of switch their mechanical keyboards are using.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Mon, 25 May 2009, 12:00:55
-Ripster
Not quite ready for the jump yet.

-huha
I have the G80-3000LSCRC-2 and was wanting a backup one since the price is quite interesting at POSGlobal.com.

-jayray999
Did you have any choice in courier company? UPS is the worst for us because they charge a ridiculous amount as customer broker fee.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: jayray999 on Mon, 25 May 2009, 12:15:35
Quote from: patrickgeekhack;92599

-jayray999
Did you have any choice in courier company? UPS is the worst for us because they charge a ridiculous amount as customer broker fee.


I don't remember but look at this: https://www.posglobal.com/global_shipping.asp

But it's a moot point because the website wont let you checkout till it is back in stock. I remember when I ordered it said 6 In Stock. Now it just says Call.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Mon, 25 May 2009, 12:27:15
I know I said that I would not buy any more keyboard until December, but I took the plunge (I hope I won't regret it).  I checked UPS site, and it will charge me CDN $19.45 as custom broker since the total is under CDN $100.00. It's like paying shipping.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Mon, 25 May 2009, 12:29:22
Quote from: jayray999;92606
I don't remember but look at this: https://www.posglobal.com/global_shipping.asp

But it's a moot point because the website wont let you checkout till it is back in stock. I remember when I ordered it said 6 In Stock. Now it just says Call.


Oops. I did not see that. It did let me check out though.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: Hak Foo on Mon, 25 May 2009, 12:33:38
Quote from: ripster;92572
LOL -

The Germans get the Cherrys.
The Americans got Unicomps, lots of Ebay, Deck, a few others.
The Japanese get the best.
The Canadians get:

Show Image
(http://img.metro.co.uk/i/pix/2007/05/Beaver_450x403.jpg)



Why does the beaver have a Trackpoint?
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: jayray999 on Mon, 25 May 2009, 12:43:27
Quote from: patrickgeekhack;92617
Oops. I did not see that. It did let me check out though.

I just tried again. Same thing. It empties my cart after I enter my Zipcode or I click Checkout. Weird. Try http://www.barcodespot.com if you are keen. They sell it for $67 buy again not sure if it is in stock.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Mon, 25 May 2009, 12:47:28
Quote from: jayray999;92623
I just tried again. Same thing. It empties my cart after I enter my Zipcode or I click Checkout. Weird. Try http://www.barcodespot.com if you are keen. They sell it for $67 buy again not sure if it is in stock.


Weird indeed. I got a receipt for my order by e-mail:

Order Details:

Part #: G80-3000LSCRC-2
Description: G80-3000 Standard PC Keyboard (USB/PS-2 Combo Keyboard, MX Gold CrossPoint Key Switch) - Color: Black
Unit Price: $59.57
Qty: 1
Extended Price: $59.57


Subtotal: $59.57
Tax: $2.98
 Shipping&Handling: $0.00

Total: $62.55
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Mon, 25 May 2009, 12:50:32
But if I try it again now, it empties my cart. Did I get the last one in stock? God knows.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Mon, 25 May 2009, 13:00:53
Quote from: ripster;92632
Patrick,

I didn't say jump YET!

Show Image
(http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/lf/images/6_1/2007_11_13_SkyHawks_Recruiting_M.jpg)


Well, I'm hoping for a soft landing at least.

Grrrr!!!!
Curiously, I'm not feeling too happy about it. On one hand, I'm very happy to have a spare G80-3000. Over time, it became my favourite keyboard. On the other hand, I went against my principle and did not show discipline. I said I would not buy any more keyboard before the end of year. It's kind of a battle going inside my head.

What is true, though is after having tried Buckling Spring, ALPS Black, Cherry Blue and Fake ALPS Black, my favourite is Cherry Blue. I like the ABS and the Dell for my workplace as they are the less "noisy" and more tolerated among my keyboards. For free typing to find essay ideas, I like the Customizer for I can let my imagination run wild. But, when the times to put everything in place and polish the final work, the Cherry is my favourite one.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: jayray999 on Mon, 25 May 2009, 13:09:47
Quote from: patrickgeekhack;92629
But if I try it again now, it empties my cart. Did I get the last one in stock? God knows.


Perhaps. Congratulations if you did.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Mon, 25 May 2009, 13:46:46
Quote from: ripster;92637
Don't sweat it.  I had to file a credit card complaint against Cheapshotbilliards.com.  Webwit had an issue with DeviantArt (LOL - had it's Dada aspects though).  Stuff happens.

I betcha it'll work out.

Discipline.  What's that??

I hope it does work out. Discipline...used to be my middle name, not anymore I guess.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: jayray999 on Mon, 25 May 2009, 14:13:50
Quote from: patrickgeekhack;92644
I hope it does work out. Discipline...used to be my middle name, not anymore I guess.

Like I said, mine arrived in a week, But the person at the other end of the transcation was about as chatty as a hardboiled **** from a 50s noir movie.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: jayray999 on Mon, 25 May 2009, 15:00:36
Quote from: ripster;92648
eww.....   That didn't come out right.

If it makes you feel any better I edited "it's" to "its" in my last post.  Picky, picky, pikcy.


Yeah too close to parboiled. Anyway I fixed it.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Tue, 26 May 2009, 07:12:38
I doubt I'll ever buy from POSGlobal.com again. Pricing and shipping cost are good, but for peace of mind, this site is very bad. Returning products there would be a nightmare since nobody answers the phone there.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Tue, 26 May 2009, 07:13:51
jayray999

If I read you correctly, the packing and the shape in which the product arrived were very good, right?
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: ironcoder on Tue, 26 May 2009, 09:08:11
Quote from: patrickgeekhack;92727
I doubt I'll ever buy from POSGlobal.com again. Pricing and shipping cost are good, but for peace of mind, this site is very bad. Returning products there would be a nightmare since nobody answers the phone there.

Yeah but it's POS GLOBAL. That means your call had to go to an Indian help desk and then they routed it to a Chinese customer support rep. Because of the time zone differences, they called you two and a half years ago. You were out having a pizza and you never returned their message because you didn't recognize the 27 digit phone number (small village in China) or the order reference number (because you wouldn't place the order for another couple of years.) Their calls from 3 and 5 1/2 years ago also went unanswered.

Maybe POS doesn't stand for what everybody thinks it does!
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: ironcoder on Tue, 26 May 2009, 09:28:15
Yeah that was the Swedish Bikini Support Team!
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: jayray999 on Tue, 26 May 2009, 12:52:47
Quote from: patrickgeekhack;92728
jayray999

If I read you correctly, the packing and the shape in which the product arrived were very good, right?

Overpacked by a mile I would say. Of course they might just have used whatever they could grab on that occasion. I had just finished telling my wife how I was cutting down on online purchases except for the odd keyboard when the UPS guy shows up at our door with this enormous box. He winks at me and as I sign, says in a loud voice, "You buy 'em, we ship 'em buddy. No questions asked."

For $62.47 you can order from http://www.totalbarcode.com where people not only pick up the phone but will inform you that if you order via NexTag.com (search for G80-3000), they'll waive the the $3 Ground shipping charge. Unfortunately TotalBarcode don't currently keep it in stock but promise to ship in 7-10 business days after you've ordered.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Tue, 26 May 2009, 13:05:44
Quote from: jayray999;92768


For $62.47 you can order from http://www.totalbarcode.com where people not only pick up the phone but will inform you that if you order via NexTag.com (search for G80-3000), they'll waive the the $3 Ground shipping charge. Unfortunately TotalBarcode don't currently keep it in stock but promise to ship in 7-10 business days after you've ordered.


I'll have to wait for about a week and see what happens since I already placed an order.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: jayray999 on Tue, 26 May 2009, 13:07:20
Quote from: ironcoder;92731
Maybe POS doesn't stand for what everybody thinks it does!


Speak for yourself. ripster and I always knew:
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8c/Priory_of_Sion_Logo.png) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priory_of_Sion)
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Tue, 26 May 2009, 13:14:18
Okay, believe it or not, I managed to get someone on the phone at posglobal.com. He said he has to cancel my order since he does not have the keyboard in stock.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Tue, 26 May 2009, 13:36:11
Quote from: ripster;92778
I was going to say congrats but am not sure if that's appropriate.



To be honest, I'm quite happy it's over with POSGlobal because I like to be able to get someone on the phone whenever I call. In this respect, Geminicomputers.com was great. I would buy from these guys again without any problem. I will probably get a G80-3000 again.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Tue, 26 May 2009, 13:51:39
Quote from: ripster;92769

You should bribe your UPS guy to just sneak them into the garage for you.  After answering the door I always tell my wife, "Honey, it's just a Jehovah's Witness again..." and sneak it down to the basement.


Thank God I don't have to do that. All I have to do is just let her know that  have bought yet another keyboard. She has given up on me.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: jayray999 on Tue, 26 May 2009, 14:22:06
Quote from: patrickgeekhack;92776
Okay, believe it or not, I managed to get someone on the phone at posglobal.com. He said he has to cancel my order since he does not have the keyboard in stock.


Sorry it did not work out.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Tue, 26 May 2009, 14:40:48
Quote from: jayray999;92788
Sorry it did not work out.


Don't feel sorry for me. I was actually quite relieved. I would look some other place where I can get someone on the phone LOL all the time.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Tue, 26 May 2009, 17:28:44
Just got off the phone from geminicomputers.com. They don't have it in stock, but they can custom order one from Cherry for the same price. The ETA is fairly long however: between 6 and 30 days. So, if any of you are interested in one of these keyboards, you can custom order one.

I might get one, still debating. I just don't want to make a spontaneous purchase again. I went through some scary moments with POSGlobal yesterday.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Tue, 26 May 2009, 17:51:27
Quote from: ripster;92821
Patrick, if nothing else I think you've scared off anyone from ordering from a company with POS in their name.

I wonder why Cherry is selling these cheaply despite retailers having to special order them???   Doesn't sound like an overstock problem like I originally thought.  Strange.

Thanks for the Gemini post - we'll try and talk a non-Canadian next time into going through the process.  Or at least a Québécois .



Well, I got someone on the phone from POS Global on my first try today. He said that yesterday was a holiday. I did not know that. That being said, there are some reviews of buyers complaining not getting anyone on the phone. jayray999 is a good example in fact.

I, too, was wondering why Cherry would sell these keyboards so "cheap" even if they have to be special ordered. I'm very tempted to get one, but I will sleep on it first before making my decision. I've been given a second chance to stick to my discipline thing.  That being said, it the best keyboard I've had so far. I have the feeling that I type very fast on my ABS. The keys are so smooth compared to my Dell, yet I'm always close to 80 WPM. The best score I can get is around 85 WPM. I can get about 87-90 WPM on the Customizer, but get tired very quickly. Weird, isn't? I have the feeling that I type much faster on the ABS but the numbers don't follow. But, on the Cherry, I can constantly hit 87 WPM and up.

I've been using all of them actually. I might seem stupid to some, but when I need ideas for my essays, I free type with the Customizer, then arrange my first drafts using my ABS, and write the final copy with my Cherry. This workflow seems to work nicely for me.

I still keep a rubber dome around though. I sometimes get migraines, and when I do, click and clack are the last thing I want to hear.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: pmyshkin on Tue, 26 May 2009, 22:22:36
I've had this keyboard for a while now, and there were a few times where one of the modifier keys would stick until I pressed it again. It didn't physically stick in place, but my computer thought it was still pressed down. I can't reproduce this in any consistent way, so I don't know if it was just a fluke or my imagination or my computer. Has anyone else had this problem?
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: pmyshkin on Tue, 26 May 2009, 22:58:30
Quote from: ripster;92861
Maybe start with the basics -  What OS are you running?


I'm running Linux.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Wed, 27 May 2009, 02:53:11
Quote from: ripster;92828
You only said that because Obama wouldn't invade Canada.  You're lucky Cheney isn't in charge.


What is his first name again?
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Wed, 27 May 2009, 02:54:43
Quote from: pmyshkin;92859
I've had this keyboard for a while now, and there were a few times where one of the modifier keys would stick until I pressed it again. It didn't physically stick in place, but my computer thought it was still pressed down. I can't reproduce this in any consistent way, so I don't know if it was just a fluke or my imagination or my computer. Has anyone else had this problem?


No, I have not had this problem. That being said, I have not used mine on Linux intensively to notice this. I've used mine mainly on a Mac and sometimes on a Windows PC. I will try using it on VectorLinux on the week-end.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Wed, 27 May 2009, 07:22:54
Quote from: ripster;92828
You only said that because Obama wouldn't invade Canada.  You're lucky Cheney isn't in charge.


By the way, Obama won't invade Canada. He likes beavertail. Personally, I prefer a different kind of beaver :-)
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 27 May 2009, 07:24:19
Quote from: patrickgeekhack;92822
I have the feeling that I type very fast on my ABS. The keys are so smooth compared to my Dell, yet I'm always close to 80 WPM. The best score I can get is around 85 WPM. I can get about 87-90 WPM on the Customizer, but get tired very quickly. Weird, isn't? I have the feeling that I type much faster on the ABS but the numbers don't follow. But, on the Cherry, I can constantly hit 87 WPM and up.

I have found that the shapes of keyboards influence my typing speed apart from the switches themselves. Keyboards with higher keys (Model M, Filco, ABS, etc.) cause me to type slower than 'boards with lower keys (Dell, Cherry, etc). Also keyboards with wider front "lips" (Model M, Dell Cherry) help me type faster as well as my hands don't feel as cramped on the 'board (the Filco and ABS have thinner front lips).
 
That being said, the Cherry G80 and the Dell AT-101W are my two fastest 'boards.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Wed, 27 May 2009, 07:48:04
Quote from: itlnstln;92893
I have found that the shapes of keyboards influence my typing speed apart from the switches themselves. Keyboards with higher keys (Model M, Filco, ABS, etc.) cause me to type slower than 'boards with lower keys (Dell, Cherry, etc). Also keyboards with wider front "lips" (Model M, Dell Cherry) help me type faster as well as my hands don't feel as cramped on the 'board (the Filco and ABS have thinner front lips).
 
That being said, the Cherry G80 and the Dell AT-101W are my two fastest 'boards.


In my case, I found that because the keys on the Cherry feels smaller, I make less mistakes and go faster. I mean that the gap between keys seems to be wider. Of course, the level of humidity also affects my speed. If my fingers get a bit sweater, they tend to leave each key relatively slower. The "Teflon" coating on the Cherry helps in that case. I wonder what it would be like to have an ABS with clicky ALPS. I would then be comparing fairly similar keyboards. Maybe the click on the Cherry is helping me type faster.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: o2dazone on Wed, 27 May 2009, 09:46:53
Quote from: patrickgeekhack;92895
In my case, I found that because the keys on the Cherry feels smaller, I make less mistakes and go faster. I mean that the gap between keys seems to be wider. Of course, the level of humidity also affects my speed. If my fingers get a bit sweater, they tend to leave each key relatively slower. The "Teflon" coating on the Cherry helps in that case. I wonder what it would be like to have an ABS with clicky ALPS. I would then be comparing fairly similar keyboards. Maybe the click on the Cherry is helping me type faster.



You're right about the keys being wider on Filco's
(http://kb.o2dazone.com/filco01.jpg)
(Filco Majestouch & Cherry G80-3000).

I also noticed that, and thought it was NKRO that was making me error out so much. With that said, my muscle memory has made up for the bigger surface on the keys and "taught" me to type more precisely. I feather type a little better on browns than blues, probably because of lower resistance in the spring...but really I don't bother too much with my wpm, it's VERY rare I'm typing faster than I can think
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Wed, 27 May 2009, 09:53:24
Quote from: o2dazone;92917
...it's VERY rare I'm typing faster than I can think



I would be worried if I could do that :-) Most likely it would be my brain dying more than my typing speed increasing dramatically.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: o2dazone on Wed, 27 May 2009, 10:30:41
I've always figured they were just wider...but the keytops on the Filco don't look closer together to you?? Maybe it's the petite frame playing a trick on my eyes. Also the barrel distortion is actually just a wide shot (18mm) but yeah it tends to skew the image if you're not comparing the gaps between keys from the center of the photo.


Quote from: patrickgeekhack;92919
I would be worried if I could do that :-) Most likely it would be my brain dying more than my typing speed increasing dramatically.

I guess I should reword that LOL. I'm almost never in a typing situation where I don't stop to think about what I would type. Even stopping for a few second will dramatically decrease how many words you can cram into a full minute.

Allow me to go on a rant...to be honest, I only find "word per minute" to be good for bragging rights for social networking virtuoso's. Otherwise, I'm busy staring at code forming logic in my head more than I am furiously striking keys. Most wpm tests don't really use characters I'm familiar to using (regular expressions anyone?) anyways...so I find them to be less important the more tests I take.

Edit: I take that back, having a fast WPM does have it's niche. Things like word processing or a secretary position, basically looking at a sheet of paper and typing it into a computer still requires that you type very fast. But more and more as paper is phased out, I find this becoming less important.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 27 May 2009, 10:42:08
Quote from: o2dazone;92917
You're right about the keys being wider on Filco's
Show Image
(http://kb.o2dazone.com/filco01.jpg)

(Filco Majestouch & Cherry G80-3000).
 
I also noticed that, and thought it was NKRO that was making me error out so much. With that said, my muscle memory has made up for the bigger surface on the keys and "taught" me to type more precisely. I feather type a little better on browns than blues, probably because of lower resistance in the spring...but really I don't bother too much with my wpm, it's VERY rare I'm typing faster than I can think

That's what I have always thought. The keycaps on other 'boards are wider than the Filco. That's one reason why I had always seemed to make more typos on the Filco/ABS than their Cherry/Dell counterparts.
 
Ripster - you can tell from the pic that the F keys on the Cherry span wider than the Ctrl keys on the Filco. The F keys on the Cherry and the Ctrl keys on the Filco are in line with the left/right edges of the letter key section, thus showing that the Cherry is wider than the Filco. If the keys do not fit, you must acquit.
 
Edit:  I just compared my Filco with a Dell here at work, and it is noticably smaller than the Dell.  I was wondering why my thumb knuckles kept colliding on the spacebar of the Filco when I was on the home row.  Now I know, and knowing is half the battle.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: o2dazone on Wed, 27 May 2009, 10:46:42
G i jooooooooooooooooooooe
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 27 May 2009, 10:48:26
One more point of distinction. The top of the keycaps on Costars might not be smaller than other keyboards (I am not going to measure - I don't really care), but the bases of them certainly could be, thus causing the keys to be closer. While I might have the same amount of surface area to press each key with, the spacing can certainly jack with your muscle memory. After using "big" keyboards for years, it does take me a little while to switch to a Costar after using a "big" keyboard for some time.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 27 May 2009, 10:49:39
Quote from: o2dazone;92925
G i jooooooooooooooooooooe

I got this shirt: http://shirt.woot.com/friends.aspx?k=8693. It's a classic.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 27 May 2009, 12:04:39
Quote from: ripster;92935
I have the phone recording. Must convict.
 
Numbers don't lie.
 
Measuring the main key cluster:
 
IBM - Width 11" (CTL to CTL)
Height 3.5" (~ to CTL)
Filco - Same
Realforce - Same
Das - Same
$10 Logitech - tad bigger and kinda wierd left CTL placement (LOL)
 
Using a Starrett Hardened Steel Machinist Ruler - Precision measurements since 1880. (http://www.starrett.com/)
 
Ladies and Gentleman of the jury - if the key tops are the same and the spacing is the same....
 
Note: the Realforces have an ever so slightly mid-bulge.
 
I don't have a Dell or Cherry board to compare but I'm skeptical anybody would mess with IBM spacing.

The Dell and Cherry keys are lower in height than the IBM and Filco.  The Filco looks a couple of millimeters shorter in width than the Dell, but I am not sure about the Cherry.  It's not a lot, but it does make a slight difference.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Wed, 27 May 2009, 13:13:29
Quote from: ripster;92941
I'm just reacting to this.  When I have a typo it has nothing to do with the key size.  Key feel and texture.... maybe.



But numbers don't lie. In the case of the G80-3000 vs. ABS M1, the gap, the key feel, and the texture, all feel different. Each contributed a bit.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Wed, 27 May 2009, 13:19:50
Quote from: o2dazone;92921

Allow me to go on a rant...to be honest, I only find "word per minute" to be good for bragging rights for social networking virtuoso's. Otherwise, I'm busy staring at code forming logic in my head more than I am furiously striking keys. Most wpm tests don't really use characters I'm familiar to using (regular expressions anyone?) anyways...so I find them to be less important the more tests I take.

Edit: I take that back, having a fast WPM does have it's niche. Things like word processing or a secretary position, basically looking at a sheet of paper and typing it into a computer still requires that you type very fast. But more and more as paper is phased out, I find this becoming less important.


It is a bragging right in a way. I won't deny that. It's also very satisfying for my ego :-). The reason why I learned to touch type was because I was wasting too much time when I was learning to code, and when I started to code for a living (long time ago).  But, like you said, it does have its benefits. I'm currently working towards an Arts degree part-time which means a lot of essays to write. I'm so glad I can type fast. Now, I'm trying to be as accurate as possible. Typing fast is useless if I'm going to leave mistakes everywhere and have to go back and make some corrections.

I'm not so sure about a paperless world though. I find people printing more as  a result. People print more e-mails, print more invoices, etc. The same amount of printing is occurring, but shifted from being done by the service companies to being done by the customers.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 27 May 2009, 13:43:49
Quote from: patrickgeekhack;92956
It is a bragging right in a way. I won't deny that. It's also very satisfying for my ego :-). The reason why I learned to touch type was because I was wasting too much time when I was learning to code, and when I started to code for a living (long time ago). But, like you said, it does have its benefits. I'm currently working towards an Arts degree part-time which means a lot of essays to write. I'm so glad I can type fast. Now, I'm trying to be as accurate as possible. Typing fast is useless if I'm going to leave mistakes everywhere and have to go back and make some corrections.
 
I'm not so sure about a paperless world though. I find people printing more as a result. People print more e-mails, print more invoices, etc. The same amount of printing is occurring, but shifted from being done by the service companies to being done by the customers.

The only professions I see where pure typing speed is beneficial are in writing, dictation and transcribing fields.  I code at work, and I spend more time thinking about what to type than actually typing it.  Same thing posting here.  My thought process slows down my typing since I have to think about what I type.  I almost never do any straight transcription.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Wed, 27 May 2009, 13:52:26
Quote from: itlnstln;92960
The only professions I see where pure typing speed is beneficial are in writing, dictation and transcribing fields.  I code at work, and I spend more time thinking about what to type than actually typing it.  Same thing posting here.  My thought process slows down my typing since I have to think about what I type.  I almost never do any straight transcription.


I went from hunt and peck to touch typing. Therefore, I noticed a big difference. Please note, that from 1992 to 1996, I did not touch a keyboard at all, so when I went to learn programming, typing was a nightmare.

Today, it's a skill I'm glad I acquired. Because I work full-time and study part-time, I'm glad I can spend more time reading textbook than typing. I like to read, and then summarize what I've read.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 27 May 2009, 14:07:25
Quote from: patrickgeekhack;92966
I went from hunt and peck to touch typing. Therefore, I noticed a big difference. Please note, that from 1992 to 1996, I did not touch a keyboard at all, so when I went to learn programming, typing was a nightmare.
 
Today, it's a skill I'm glad I acquired. Because I work full-time and study part-time, I'm glad I can spend more time reading textbook than typing. I like to read, and then summarize what I've read.

I learned to touch type in 1995 when I got my first ergo 'board (the original MS Natural).  I was pretty much forced to since you really can't hunt and peck on those (that, and pretty much defeats the purpose of having an ergo 'board).
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Wed, 27 May 2009, 14:13:45
Quote from: itlnstln;92970
I learned to touch type in 1995 when I got my first ergo 'board (the original MS Natural).  I was pretty much forced to since you really can't hunt and peck on those (that, and pretty much defeats the purpose of having an ergo 'board).


Exactly. Forgot to mention that my first PC in 1997 came with an ergo keyboard, similar to the MS Natural, but better in my opinion because it had a nice feel to it and a nice clacking sound :-) Like you said, hunt and peck is not the greatest thing to do on an ergo keyboard.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: o2dazone on Wed, 27 May 2009, 14:20:38
Oh, add 'stenographer' to the list of having "skills to pay the bills" lol
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: lowpoly on Wed, 27 May 2009, 15:29:03
Someone pull two adjacent standard keycaps on a Filco and measure the distance from switch end to switch end with a caliper. Standard is 19.05mm.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: IBI on Wed, 27 May 2009, 15:45:09
Quote from: ripster;92935
Measuring the main key cluster:

IBM - Width 11" (CTL to CTL)
          Height 3.5" (~ to CTL)
Filco - Same
Realforce - Same
Das - Same
$10 Logitech - tad bigger and kinda weird left CTL placement (LOL)

Using a Starrett Hardened Steel Machinist Ruler - Precision measurements since 1880. (http://www.starrett.com/)


A more precise unit would have been nice, milimetres say.

Certainly measuring my keyboards the height is well over 3.5", it looks like 94mm by 284mm is standard
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: D-EJ915 on Wed, 27 May 2009, 16:24:53
don't get caught up in buzzwords, being precise has nothing to do with your unit of measure and is also the wrong word in the first place: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accuracy_and_precision
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: IBI on Wed, 27 May 2009, 18:26:16
Quote from: ripster;93011
LOL - I actually measured using the 1/64th inch scale but it worked out exact IF you measure from top of key cap edge to edge.  We're only talking the part your fingers touch. Area and spacing, not whether it's scooped etc.


Ah, I was assuming you'd measured from the bottom of each key and rounded it off to the nearest half-inch instead of trying to work out whether it was nine sixteenths or seventeen thirty-twoths.

D-EJ915: No, it was the right word. I don't know what precision ripster's super-rule has but my ruler is only marked in tenths of an inch which are significantly bigger than the milimetres on the other side. (come to think of it, they must be 2.54 times bigger)
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Wed, 27 May 2009, 18:35:48
Quote from: ripster;93011
LOL - I actually measured using the 1/64th inch scale but it worked out exact IF you measure from top of key cap edge to edge.  We're only talking the part your fingers touch. Area and spacing, not whether it's scooped etc.

Don't make me buy another Starret rule - they're expensive!


You can always return it after, can't you? :whoo:
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: D-EJ915 on Wed, 27 May 2009, 20:21:45
Quote from: IBI;93018
D-EJ915: No, it was the right word. I don't know what precision ripster's super-rule has but my ruler is only marked in tenths of an inch which are significantly bigger than the milimetres on the other side. (come to think of it, they must be 2.54 times bigger)

Precision has nothing to do with accuracy, just closeness, it could be totally incorrect but precise.  You can say that the millimeter is a better form of measurement and provides higher accuracy for the measurement but that has nothing to do with precision.  Even this is a bit wrong lol.

Accuracy = how many places you get.  So having 1/64" marks is more accurate than having 1/32" marks by 1/64" like a millimeter adds accuracy to the meter, say 1.0 meter vs 1.00 meter 1.00 is the most accurate

I'm also going to say I could be totally incorrect, lol, but that is not likely.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: jayray999 on Wed, 27 May 2009, 20:42:42
I am reminded of the 1999 Mars Orbiter (http://www.cnn.com/TECH/space/9909/30/mars.metric.02/).
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: D-EJ915 on Wed, 27 May 2009, 21:13:31
that was a huge facepalm when that went down lol
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Sat, 30 May 2009, 12:24:57
Geminicomputers.com have them in stock again.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Sat, 30 May 2009, 12:34:57
Quote from: ripster;93409
LOL - that's no fun.


Why not? LOL...makes it easier to spend money.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: neptunebadger on Sat, 30 May 2009, 19:24:08
Thanks for the heads up on geminicomputers.com having them back in stock. Just ordered mine. :)
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: Idiot_Hacker on Wed, 03 June 2009, 01:49:52
I just received this keyboard today and using it to type this reply.  This is my first blue cherry switch keyboard.  It has a definitely higher pitch click then my model Ms.  The keys feel crisp but that maybe because it's new.  I do love the look of the keyboard on my desk.....  It does a better job of matching my monitors and pc.  I am not sure if I love the feel of the blue cherry switch but I will give it some time for me to adjust to it.  Since I switch keyboards depending on my mood and I have so many model Ms with different degrees of spring tension, I have to say I have been leaning towards my compaq 11800 these days but will probably revert to back to my trusty Model M from '88 soon.  It's weird that when I do a typing speed test, I type fastest on my IBM Ultranav keyboard.  Go figure!
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: neptunebadger on Wed, 03 June 2009, 02:36:06
My girlfriend says that there are two ways to type Chinese, and those different sets are for different parts of a character.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: sixty on Tue, 16 June 2009, 03:06:52
Just got this board in the mail. Have to say I'm shocked how big it is. Guess I am too spoiled my the HHKB and Majestouch. Also for some reason it refuses to work on the mac at all. Gotta look into this later.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: Hak Foo on Sat, 05 September 2009, 23:45:54
I just broke down and ordered one from TotalBarcode-- anyone dealt with 'em?  (I can't keep them straight-- it's 'one of those till dealers')
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: Hak Foo on Tue, 08 September 2009, 20:42:08
Quote from: ripster;115178
As long as they don't have P.O.S. in the title you should be OK.

Here's one person (http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=88548&postcount=8) who bought from them.


Backordered til December.

I tried Barcode Giant now.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: Hak Foo on Fri, 11 September 2009, 23:00:44
Out of stock there too.  Nice of them to wait days to let me know.

Evidently, I may be just putting the G80 on my christmas list.  "I want Japanese comics and keyboards."  Is that wrong to say at my age and career level?
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Fri, 11 September 2009, 23:05:11
Quote from: Hak Foo;117184
Out of stock there too.  Nice of them to wait days to let me know.

Evidently, I may be just putting the G80 on my christmas list.  "I want Japanese comics and keyboards."  Is that wrong to say at my age and career level?


Have you tried geminicomputers.com? I bought my first one from them. Then I wanted one for backup and they were out of stock. However, they custom ordered one and did charge anything extra.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: HOLYCOWBATMAN on Sat, 03 October 2009, 15:15:41
if any canadian want a G803000LSCRC2 you could try :
http://www.1click2computers.com/product_details/detail.asp?prod_id=G803000LSCRC2&from_dist=I

i bought mine there, they seem out of stock for now... but sending an email to know the eta isnt that hard =)
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Sat, 03 October 2009, 15:18:34
Quote from: HOLYCOWBATMAN;122634
if any canadian want a G803000LSCRC2 you could try :
http://www.1click2computers.com/product_details/detail.asp?prod_id=G803000LSCRC2&from_dist=I

i bought mine there, they seem out of stock for now... but sending an email to know the eta isnt that hard =)


How much did it cost for shipping?
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: HOLYCOWBATMAN on Sat, 03 October 2009, 15:38:48
Quote from: patrickgeekhack;122635
How much did it cost for shipping?


Cherry - G80-3000LSCRC-2 $73.46

Sub Total: $73.46
Shipping and Handling: $15.00
(5.00%)   Gst: $4.42
(7.50%)   Qst: $6.97
Total:$99.85

order date 12/8/2008
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Sat, 03 October 2009, 15:41:06
Quote from: HOLYCOWBATMAN;122643
Cherry - G80-3000LSCRC-2 $73.46

Sub Total: $73.46
Shipping and Handling: $15.00
(5.00%)   Gst: $4.42
(7.50%)   Qst: $6.97
Total:$99.85

order date 12/8/2008


Not bad, but not much different from geminicomputers.com if you are in Ontario. I paid roughly the same amount for my first one and a little about CAD $90 for my second one. Of course, exchange rate played a role since the price of the keyboard in US $ did not change nor did the cost of shipping.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: HOLYCOWBATMAN on Sat, 03 October 2009, 15:44:26
just something that some might find usefull... when i got the keyboard the spacebar was really stiff because it was actually a green keyswitch so i took it apart and changed it for a blue one from some other useless key...i used the print screen keyswitch if i remember correctly.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Sat, 03 October 2009, 15:48:26
Quote from: HOLYCOWBATMAN;122647
just something that some might find usefull... when i got the keyboard the spacebar was really stiff because it was actually a green keyswitch so i took it apart and changed it for a blue one from some other useless key...i used the print screen keyswitch if i remember correctly.


True, since it's usually harder for Canadians to get mechanical keyboard in Canada. It's nice to see that there are some options.

Yes, I found the spacebar and the backspace to be stiffer. I got used to them after a while. It's my favourite keyboard even though I've tried brown cherries, buckling spring and black ALPS and like them too. In fact, I'm much faster and make less typo on my G80.
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Sat, 03 October 2009, 16:00:12
Quote from: ripster;122655
Musta been on your Filco typing this.


?
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 05 October 2009, 09:03:46
You misspelled "typos;" you forgot the "s."
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Mon, 05 October 2009, 09:07:48
Quote from: itlnstln;123087
You misspelled "typos;" you forgot the "s."


Ah...
Title: Cherry g80-3000 (pics inside)
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Mon, 05 October 2009, 22:40:20
Quote from: HOLYCOWBATMAN;122647
just something that some might find usefull... when i got the keyboard the spacebar was really stiff because it was actually a green keyswitch so i took it apart and changed it for a blue one from some other useless key...i used the print screen keyswitch if i remember correctly.


How do you like besides the swap in the switch?