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geekhack Community => New Members => Topic started by: mps on Sun, 20 July 2014, 12:44:15

Title: Hello and a question
Post by: mps on Sun, 20 July 2014, 12:44:15

Hi,
I've spent the last 30 years disappointed with computer keyboard since using IBM keyboards and typewriters in the 70s and 80s. I just stumbled on this site a couple of days ago and discovered that there are much better options than the crappy Dell keyboard I'm typing this on. Thanks for putting together such a great resource.

Since most of the keyboards discussed here need to be acquired sight unseen (unless someplace in Chicago that stocks good keyboards), I was wondering if I could ask for some advice.

I am looking for a keyboard that is

• Quiet even when bottoming out: my daughter and I share an apartment that only has one room other than bedrooms, and she complains constantly about the noise of my typing. While I'd like to learn to type without bottoming out, I've pounded the keyboard for about 40 years, so I want to be prepared even if my typing style doesn't change.
• 60% typing/40% gaming: All of the typing is me. Most (but not all) of the gaming is my daughter. My primary focus is work, but we both play the sort of games that would benefit from a good keyboard, so that would be a nice bonus.
• Well-made: I'd like good build quality for the keyboard as well as the switch and understand that it could cost a little extra.

I'd really appreciate any suggestion for keyboards or switches. I was thinking of something like a Filco keyboard with Cherry MX Brown keys but read they are only quiet if you don't bottom that out. Would that be my best choice anyway?

Thanks so much,

Mike

Title: Re: Hello and a question
Post by: thesupergeek on Sun, 20 July 2014, 13:15:46

You can get O rings on MX reds or browns that reduce the noise of bottoming out. As for a full keyboard suggestion, I would get a Ducky Shine 3. They are very well made, and very high quality, and they come in brown and red switches.

Title: Re: Hello and a question
Post by: mps on Sun, 20 July 2014, 13:32:48

Quote from: thesupergeek on Sun, 20 July 2014, 13:15:46

You can get O rings on MX reds or browns that reduce the noise of bottoming out. As for a full keyboard suggestion, I would get a Ducky Shine 3. They are very well made, and very high quality, and they come in brown and red switches.

Thanks for the very helpful response, supergeek. I'm working through the "O-Ring and Dampeners" thread where several people mentioned that some keycaps don't work very well with O-Rings. Do you know if the Ducky keycaps work will with O-Rings and dampeners? How about Filco?

Thanks again,

Mike

Title: Re: Hello and a question
Post by: thesupergeek on Sun, 20 July 2014, 13:58:59

Quote from: mps on Sun, 20 July 2014, 13:32:48

Quote from: thesupergeek on Sun, 20 July 2014, 13:15:46

You can get O rings on MX reds or browns that reduce the noise of bottoming out. As for a full keyboard suggestion, I would get a Ducky Shine 3. They are very well made, and very high quality, and they come in brown and red switches.

Thanks for the very helpful response, supergeek. I'm working through the "O-Ring and Dampeners" thread where several people mentioned that some keycaps don't work very well with O-Rings. Do you know if the Ducky keycaps work will with O-Rings and dampeners? How about Filco?

Thanks again,

Mike

O rings work fine on Duck caps, but I am not sure about filco.

Title: Re: Hello and a question
Post by: mps on Mon, 28 July 2014, 18:43:27

I am typing this reply on my brand new Filco Majestouch 2 with Cherry Brown. It seemed to have good reviews and the very understated design was nice and makes it easy to justify to work that if they are paying $200 for my keyboard, it's not for bling  ;D  I ordered some O-Rings and will try that mod when they arrive.

First impressions are interesting. My last mechanical keyboard was an M-Series 30 years ago. This has a feel that is much different but at the same very similar. It's far better than what I've been typing on since then. More detailed opinions will have to wait until I've had a chance to settle in with it.

I would be very interested in advice on how to position it, pads, etc. I'm currently using it with the risers on the back opened up.

Thanks!

Mike

Title: Re: Hello and a question
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 28 July 2014, 19:36:53

Quote from: mps on Mon, 28 July 2014, 18:43:27

I am typing this reply on my brand new Filco Majestouch 2 with Cherry Brown. It seemed to have good reviews and the very understated design was nice and makes it easy to justify to work that if they are paying $200 for my keyboard, it's not for bling  ;D  I ordered some O-Rings and will try that mod when they arrive.

First impressions are interesting. My last mechanical keyboard was an M-Series 30 years ago. This has a feel that is much different but at the same very similar. It's far better than what I've been typing on since then. More detailed opinions will have to wait until I've had a chance to settle in with it.

I would be very interested in advice on how to position it, pads, etc. I'm currently using it with the risers on the back opened up.

Thanks!

Mike

There's a few threads on keyboard angle:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=37219.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=8670.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=8581.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=55992.0