Mashby made this great list of 60% keyboards (http://cpkey.com/keyboards/). I like the Poker 2 and Pure personally.
Thanks for the link CPTBadAss! :thumb:
In my experience, one of the tipping points on if a 60% board is going to work for you comes down to a couple of issues:
1. Do you need cursor/arrow keys?
You can of course use the Fn key and then access cursor keys that way, but some people prefer dedicated keys. If you do, then you'd be looking at the Tex Beetle (http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=375) or Pure Pro (http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=632).
2. How short can the right shift be?
Unfortunately, in order to add those keys, the right shift key gets quite a bit shorter and that can present a problem for some. I know it did for me. My first mechanical was the Race (http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=145) and I found the right shift to be way too short and I kept miss hitting the key and then deleting text that I was typing. It was maddening.
If you don't need dedicated arrow keys, then it's really not an issue, the Poker X (several in the classifieds) and the Poker II have a standard ANSI layout. The Pure (http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=108) adds one key, the "~" key to the right of the shift key, and I've found no issues typing on them.
The only issue with the Pure is that if you ever want to replace your key cap set, you'll have to find one with a Tsangan set to include the short right-shift key. Most group buys here have this set, but many commercial sets do not.
Other Options
Happy Hacking Keyboard (HHKB) - If you're willing to look outside of Cherry-MX, the HHKB (http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=pfu_keyboards,hhkbpro2&pid=pdkb400w) is a really nice board. It has a much different layout, which is a deal breaker for some, but it also has a reputation of converting people over to the layout and making zealots out of them (as Linkbane can attest). They are expensive, but they are very well made. If you're looking to tweak out your board, there are fewer options. No metal cases and very not as many key caps sets.
Leopold FC660 - this is a little bigger than 60%, but is a nice compromise between having dedicated cursor keys in a standard ANSI layout. They come in Topre (http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,compact&pid=fc660c) and Cherry-MX (http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,compact&pid=fc660mneb) versions.
GH60 - this is a project board that you'll have to build yourself, or have someone build for you. We're a couple of months away from seeing the kits ship, so you might as well get a board for now. :p However, once you've gotten your first 60%, if you find you like the form factor then I think this board will give you pretty much any Cherry-MX option you heart could dream of.
Hope that helps!
Get an HHKB, it's the only keyboard worth getting. Full size is for the proletariat scum and TKL is for hipsters who think that they're unique by having a smaller board. HHKB4lyfe.
Thanks a lot for the replies all, very helpful in terms of looking. I'm really torn still, but looking at the Choc Mini due to relatively low price. I also really like the Duck Viper that was posted not too long ago, would love to get in on building.
Thanks a lot for the replies all, very helpful in terms of looking. I'm really torn still, but looking at the Choc Mini due to relatively low price. I also really like the Duck Viper that was posted not too long ago, would love to get in on building.
Now you know why we call GeekHack, "WalletHack". Each of these boards is special in it's own way and I seem to have lost my ability to say no to any of them. I seem to have succumbed to the "Pokemon Effect" -- gotta collect them all!!! :p
GH60 - this is a project board that you'll have to build yourself, or have someone build for you. We're a couple of months away from seeing the kits ship, so you might as well get a board for now. :p However, once you've gotten your first 60%, if you find you like the form factor then I think this board will give you pretty much any Cherry-MX option you heart could dream of.
I was under the impression that orders for this are closed? Is there a way to still participate in the group buy? (Please say no for the sake of my wallet).
Get an HHKB, it's the only keyboard worth getting. Full size is for the proletariat scum and TKL is for hipsters who think that they're unique by having a smaller board. HHKB4lyfe.
Get an HHKB, it's the only keyboard worth getting. Full size is for the proletariat scum and TKL is for hipsters who think that they're unique by having a smaller board. HHKB4lyfe.
HHKB is a tool for the proletariat to dismantle the capitalist bourgeois means of production. you're just using it for evil.
Full size is a format standardized by IBM, about as far from the proletariat as you can get.
your trolling has been pretty wack lately
The FC660M is my personal favorite, while I can live without arrow keys, I dislike the Poker layout and WASD arrow keys and much prefer the HHKB fn arrows.
The FC660M is my personal favorite, while I can live without arrow keys, I dislike the Poker layout and WASD arrow keys and much prefer the HHKB fn arrows.
it comes down to how much you want arrow keys and function keys.
poker 2 if you don't need them, and you want a standard layout so swapping out keycaps is much easier.
if you want arrow keys, then filco minila, tex beetle, or pure pro.
if you just want something smaller than TKL, then you can look at the leopold FC660, or some other boards like the keycool 84, choc mini, or race, which give you dedicated function and arrow keys.
Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/WuzkQWU.jpg?1)
Hey all,Nice choice! How do you like the format? I've been loving the modded black I'm typing on right this very minute. Lighter springs really makes them come alive.
My Choc Mini with MX Blacks came in the mail today -- totally loving it. The switches feel great for typing and gaming, definitely very pleased with the Chocs quality and feel.
Thanks again for all the input on 60%'s. Also, for others reading the thread, would definitely recommend the Choc Mini as a great keyboard for working/gaming on the go. Great size without sacraficing function keys and great build quality.
Some pics:Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/WuzkQWU.jpg?1)
To my good friend OP;
All i can say is that i am currently running a Poker II with browns and it is a very good choice price-wise. For an hundred dollars keyboard you really get a good quality build and a fully-programmable 60% board.
Of course the choice is yours but my final vote is a Poker II. I'm a sellout haha.
To my good friend OP;
All i can say is that i am currently running a Poker II with browns and it is a very good choice price-wise. For an hundred dollars keyboard you really get a good quality build and a fully-programmable 60% board.
Of course the choice is yours but my final vote is a Poker II. I'm a sellout haha.
I second this. Good quality for reasonable money.
And even if you don't need programmable keyboard, it's better to have one - you don't know when you'll want to program crazy macro :)
To my good friend OP;
All i can say is that i am currently running a Poker II with browns and it is a very good choice price-wise. For an hundred dollars keyboard you really get a good quality build and a fully-programmable 60% board.
Of course the choice is yours but my final vote is a Poker II. I'm a sellout haha.
I second this. Good quality for reasonable money.
And even if you don't need programmable keyboard, it's better to have one - you don't know when you'll want to program crazy macro :)
Honestly, would really love one of these but I'm having a hard time finding on the internet -- waiting for one to show up in the classifieds!
To my good friend OP;
All i can say is that i am currently running a Poker II with browns and it is a very good choice price-wise. For an hundred dollars keyboard you really get a good quality build and a fully-programmable 60% board.
Of course the choice is yours but my final vote is a Poker II. I'm a sellout haha.
I second this. Good quality for reasonable money.
And even if you don't need programmable keyboard, it's better to have one - you don't know when you'll want to program crazy macro :)
Honestly, would really love one of these but I'm having a hard time finding on the internet -- waiting for one to show up in the classifieds!
http://www.banggood.com/KBC-Poker-2-Mini-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard-Cherry-MX-Black-Switch-p-85373.html
Black Poker II with Crerry MX Black
I started with a KBT pure , but couldn't get used to the small right shift , got in on a massdrop for the poker 2 with blues and i am in love.
been using it as my daily and I still bust out my dell at101 for gaming , and since messing with the 60% boards I have started making my own 60% out a busted dell AT101. Getting a teensy to set it up and might program it close to how the poker2 is set up.
speaking of 60% boards ... anyone know if any one has made a 60% with the option of a 7bit layout?
even a PCB would do , I have no problem building it myself but I would really like to have it be a plate mount with a real PCB.
I know there is the phantom but its a 75% but I'm wanting a 60%
To my good friend OP;
All i can say is that i am currently running a Poker II with browns and it is a very good choice price-wise. For an hundred dollars keyboard you really get a good quality build and a fully-programmable 60% board.
Of course the choice is yours but my final vote is a Poker II. I'm a sellout haha.
I second this. Good quality for reasonable money.
And even if you don't need programmable keyboard, it's better to have one - you don't know when you'll want to program crazy macro :)
Honestly, would really love one of these but I'm having a hard time finding on the internet -- waiting for one to show up in the classifieds!
http://www.banggood.com/KBC-Poker-2-Mini-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard-Cherry-MX-Black-Switch-p-85373.html
Black Poker II with Crerry MX Black
To my good friend OP;
All i can say is that i am currently running a Poker II with browns and it is a very good choice price-wise. For an hundred dollars keyboard you really get a good quality build and a fully-programmable 60% board.
Of course the choice is yours but my final vote is a Poker II. I'm a sellout haha.
I second this. Good quality for reasonable money.
And even if you don't need programmable keyboard, it's better to have one - you don't know when you'll want to program crazy macro :)
Honestly, would really love one of these but I'm having a hard time finding on the internet -- waiting for one to show up in the classifieds!
http://www.banggood.com/KBC-Poker-2-Mini-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard-Cherry-MX-Black-Switch-p-85373.html
Black Poker II with Crerry MX Black
Thanks for the link, just dropped on one with blues -- cant wait for it to get here.
Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/WuzkQWU.jpg?1)
An excellent purchase, I remember that Noppoo were really popular when I first joined eight months ago. Things seem to have quieted down about them, but that doesn't make them any worse. Hope you can get some cool custom caps to put on. :D
Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/WuzkQWU.jpg?1)
An excellent purchase, I remember that Noppoo were really popular when I first joined eight months ago. Things seem to have quieted down about them, but that doesn't make them any worse. Hope you can get some cool custom caps to put on. :D
That's a downside of the Choc Mini, it doesn't have standard sized keycaps which makes it hard with custom keysets. For example the spacebar is different in size.
I used to have the Noppoo Choc Mini in the past but I recently sold it and bought a Keycool 84 instead. I like the last one alot better. Besides the fact that it's easier to customize keycaps, it also has a detachable USB-cable (great for transport) which the Choc Mini hasn't. I would recommend purchasing the white version because it comes with PBT keycaps, they feel and sound a little bit nicer than ABS and POM in my opinion. You can even get them with MX Clears.