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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: dasmoothride on Fri, 25 July 2014, 00:53:13

Title: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: dasmoothride on Fri, 25 July 2014, 00:53:13
Hi all,

I'm now looking for a compact mechanical keyboard since my full size Ducky Shine 3 has been superb so far but lacking on the ergonomics side. Anyway, which one would you say is a better keyboard quality-wise? I've been eyeing on Vortex, Keycool, and Noppoo Choc Mini. I don't like HHKB's layout so that's out of the equation.  Can you please tell me which is the best of them all? I tend to go with Cherry Brown switch.
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: rowdy on Fri, 25 July 2014, 00:56:49
Do you want 60% keyboard, or TKL?  TKL is probably better if you rely on dedicated arrow keys and function keys.
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: dasmoothride on Fri, 25 July 2014, 00:58:07
Quote from: rowdy on Fri, 25 July 2014, 00:56:49
Do you want 60% keyboard, or TKL?  TKL is probably better if you rely on dedicated arrow keys and function keys.

60% keyboard. TKL is still too wide for me; I need something less straining on my arms.
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: rowdy on Fri, 25 July 2014, 01:29:08
I'll let someone else take over - the only 60% keyboard I have experience of is the HHKB :p

Although I will mention the Ducky Mini which is supposed to be coming out soon.  Some people don't like the case, but it does have a standard layout and backlighting.
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: BlueBär on Fri, 25 July 2014, 03:36:15
The Poker II is a very nice and generally recommended 60%. It features a standard ANSI layout and it can be backlit. It is plate mounted and the non-backlit version comes with thick PBT keycaps. You can't ask for much more on a stock 60%.
I'm not sure what the Ducky Mini could make better than the Poker II. Maybe PBT dyesubs? Backlighting effects?
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: Oobly on Fri, 25 July 2014, 03:56:26
The Keycool 84 and Noppoo Choc Mini are 75% boards, the Poker II and others of its size are 60%.

The 75% boards are hard to find replacement keycaps for, if you ever want to do that, with the Noppoo Choc Mini being almost impossible due to the non-standard spacebar size, but it does come with good keycaps by default.

Of the 60% size boards, the Poker II is very popular and for good reason. The non-backlit version comes with good caps, can have backlight LED's added if needed. It has a decent Fn layer and can be programmed. Standard keycap layout so it's easy to replace them, fits almost all aftermarket 60% cases, etc.

IMHO, the Ducky Mini will be a decent quality board, but the case is large and goes against the philosophy of having a 60% sized board.
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: Quardah on Fri, 25 July 2014, 07:04:43
Poker II

Poker II

Poker II

Poker II

Poker II

Poker II

 :D
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: Frenir on Fri, 25 July 2014, 07:06:55
Quote from: Quardah on Fri, 25 July 2014, 07:04:43
HHKB Pro 2

HHKB Pro 2

HHKB Pro 2

HHKB Pro 2

HHKB Pro 2

HHKB Pro 2

 :D
I couldn't agree more.
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: CPTBadAss on Fri, 25 July 2014, 07:10:24
(http://i.imgur.com/2ORkF9m.jpg)

6019284
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: FrostyToast on Fri, 25 July 2014, 07:55:17
Quote from: CPTBadAss on Fri, 25 July 2014, 07:10:24
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/2ORkF9m.jpg)


6019284

Well.... he never mentioned that price was an issue.  :p
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: CPTBadAss on Fri, 25 July 2014, 07:58:28
They weren't that expensive when I bought mine/proxied them. Like $130. Now they might be worth something though.

And the title said best compact mechanical keyboard :P
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: dasmoothride on Fri, 25 July 2014, 08:02:10
Thanks for the reply y'all! I forgot to mention that arrow keys are important to me so I won't be considering the Poker II. I'm now leaning towards Leopold's FC660M and Filco's Minila. Any thoughts about them?
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: FrostyToast on Fri, 25 July 2014, 08:04:16
Quote from: dasmoothride on Fri, 25 July 2014, 08:02:10
Thanks for the reply y'all! I forgot to mention that arrow keys are important to me so I won't be considering the Poker II. I'm now leaning towards Leopold's FC660M and Filco's Minila. Any thoughts about them?

The original poker had a mode where you could turn the right function, shift, alt, and ctrl keys into arrows. It's actually quite nice to use.
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: FrostyToast on Fri, 25 July 2014, 08:07:19
Quote from: CPTBadAss on Fri, 25 July 2014, 07:58:28
They weren't that expensive when I bought mine/proxied them. Like $130. Now they might be worth something though.

And the title said best compact mechanical keyboard :P

I offer you $130.01 for your Kishaver. I'll even cover paypal fees because I'm such a bro  :thumb:
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: loki993 on Fri, 25 July 2014, 08:25:00
The Leopold looks nice but I needed f keys so that was out for me. I decided on a Keycool 84, it has f keys and arrow keys, though I cant comment on it really because its still in the mail. Also, correct me if im wrong, but I think it has the best key compatibility. One thing about the keycool though is they recently changed over to Kailh switches from Cherrys. So finding one with actual cherrys, if that's a concern for you, may be a challenge so grab one soon if that's what your looking for.
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: Quardah on Fri, 25 July 2014, 10:35:24
Quote from: dasmoothride on Fri, 25 July 2014, 08:02:10
Thanks for the reply y'all! I forgot to mention that arrow keys are important to me so I won't be considering the Poker II. I'm now leaning towards Leopold's FC660M and Filco's Minila. Any thoughts about them?

Hum just so you know, if you press FN + Space on the Poker II, WASD becomes arrow keys until you repress FN + Space. It's better than arrow keys if you always have your left hand on the WASD at rest position (most people do)

I respect your choice tough, the FC660M and Filco Milina are both great choices as well in my opinion, but ditching the Poker II only for it's lack of physical arrow keys is missing out imo, as the workarround works flawlessly.

Also for a 60% i strongly believe there is no better choices for a 100$ ish board.
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: loki993 on Fri, 25 July 2014, 10:56:15
I wasn't sure id like it either but I figured it had to be so popular for a reason, so when the massdrop for the one with the clears came I jumped on it. I figured even if I somehow hate it selling it wouldn't be an issue at all. In fact I don't think ever selling a Poker II is very hard.
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 25 July 2014, 10:59:29
For a compact board with arrow keys I've fallen in love with the layout of the Keycool 84.
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: Quardah on Fri, 25 July 2014, 12:32:53
Quote from: loki993 on Fri, 25 July 2014, 10:56:15
I wasn't sure id like it either but I figured it had to be so popular for a reason, so when the massdrop for the one with the clears came I jumped on it. I figured even if I somehow hate it selling it wouldn't be an issue at all. In fact I don't think ever selling a Poker II is very hard.

Selling a Poker II with clear will mostly be one of the easiest keyboard to sell for it's inexpensive, it's somewhat rare (very few available) and clears are amongs people current favorite (flavor of the year it seems).

Hope you enjoy the Poker II keyboard, check out about programmability, it's always nice to use!
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: hwood34 on Fri, 25 July 2014, 13:07:56
Can vouch for the FC660M, really like it so far. The one thing I'm not a fan of is the OEM caps, they just seem to be shaped oddly
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: loki993 on Fri, 25 July 2014, 14:53:33
Quote from: Quardah on Fri, 25 July 2014, 12:32:53
Quote from: loki993 on Fri, 25 July 2014, 10:56:15
I wasn't sure id like it either but I figured it had to be so popular for a reason, so when the massdrop for the one with the clears came I jumped on it. I figured even if I somehow hate it selling it wouldn't be an issue at all. In fact I don't think ever selling a Poker II is very hard.

Selling a Poker II with clear will mostly be one of the easiest keyboard to sell for it's inexpensive, it's somewhat rare (very few available) and clears are amongs people current favorite (flavor of the year it seems).

Hope you enjoy the Poker II keyboard, check out about programmability, it's always nice to use!

Thats why I bought it, but I think Ill like it unless I hate clears for some reason. The only real reason I use F keys is in games and only one game. If its that much of an issue I can just use it as work. The more I though about it though I can just remap the 4 or so f keys I actually if I absolutely had to.  I really done see an issue.
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 26 July 2014, 03:44:42
Quote from: dasmoothride on Fri, 25 July 2014, 08:02:10
Thanks for the reply y'all! I forgot to mention that arrow keys are important to me so I won't be considering the Poker II. I'm now leaning towards Leopold's FC660M and Filco's Minila. Any thoughts about them?

Reviews of FC660M here:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44310.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=57623.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45013.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48646.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47947.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42501.0
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: Lammie on Sat, 26 July 2014, 15:11:41
Yeah FC660! Or a Cherry G84 with ML's
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: Puddsy on Sat, 26 July 2014, 16:14:33
miniLA was my favorite keyboard for a few months. That thing is INCREDIBLY solid. It's KUL levels of good.
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: dasmoothride on Sun, 03 August 2014, 19:13:30
Thank you all for the replies. I decided to get the Filco Minila board. I love my DKS 3 but I find the FM much easier to use. I'll post pics soon.
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 03 August 2014, 19:57:16
Quote from: dasmoothride on Sun, 03 August 2014, 19:13:30
Thank you all for the replies. I decided to get the Filco Minila board. I love my DKS 3 but I find the FM much easier to use. I'll post pics soon.

We like pics :)
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: Oobly on Mon, 04 August 2014, 03:01:00
Quote from: dasmoothride on Sun, 03 August 2014, 19:13:30
Thank you all for the replies. I decided to get the Filco Minila board. I love my DKS 3 but I find the FM much easier to use. I'll post pics soon.

Looking forward to pics :)

Hope you find the layout suits you.
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: dasmoothride on Thu, 07 August 2014, 00:41:51
Sorry for the late pics, but better late than never. Thanks again for all the suggestions.
I may get wait for HHKB to have arrow keys with Pro 2's layout or I may just get the Pro JP version in the future :D

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3867/14847052504_ac58803de8_c.jpg)

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3903/14662967457_151855cd31_c.jpg)

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5563/14846433611_1638d70271_c.jpg)
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: Grim Fandango on Thu, 07 August 2014, 00:49:19
Nice , the manila looks good :D

I always wonder whether people have an issue with the space bar. For me personally, when gaming for example, it might be an issue because it does not stretch all the way under the C and part of the X keys. I am guessing left FN can be made to function like a space bar, but its placement would still be less convenient when using WASD compared to the normal placement of a spacebar. It would also be annoying to swap back and forth since I suspect it would be the left FN key that I used most out of the two.

I do love the no nonsense approach of the keyboard.
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: katushkin on Thu, 07 August 2014, 01:01:26
That right shift though O.O

And the spacebar is like an ANSI left shift size...
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: dasmoothride on Thu, 07 August 2014, 01:24:31
Quote from: Grim Fandango on Thu, 07 August 2014, 00:49:19
Nice , the manila looks good :D

I always wonder whether people have an issue with the space bar. For me personally, when gaming for example, it might be an issue because it does not stretch all the way under the C and part of the X keys. I am guessing left FN can be made to function like a space bar, but its placement would still be less convenient when using WASD compared to the normal placement of a spacebar. It would also be annoying to swap back and forth since I suspect it would be the left FN key that I used most out of the two.

I do love the no nonsense approach of the keyboard.

Thank you. I don't really have an issue with the miniature space bar;  I don't have large hands and when I play FPS on this I just turn on the left function as my spacebar. By the way, the left function key is very comfy for my left thumb to rest on :).

I just wish that HHKB had an arrow key on their Pro 2.
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: dasmoothride on Thu, 07 August 2014, 01:26:35
Quote from: katushkin on Thu, 07 August 2014, 01:01:26
That right shift though O.O

And the spacebar is like an ANSI left shift size...

I don't really mind the right shift key, I cannot type with 10 fingers mostly 3-4 fingers at most and I got really used to just pressing left shift key anyway hehe.
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: Oobly on Thu, 07 August 2014, 03:47:34
Quote from: Grim Fandango on Thu, 07 August 2014, 00:49:19
Nice , the manila looks good :D

I always wonder whether people have an issue with the space bar. For me personally, when gaming for example, it might be an issue because it does not stretch all the way under the C and part of the X keys. I am guessing left FN can be made to function like a space bar, but its placement would still be less convenient when using WASD compared to the normal placement of a spacebar. It would also be annoying to swap back and forth since I suspect it would be the left FN key that I used most out of the two.

I do love the no nonsense approach of the keyboard.

Switch to ESDF?

I like the layout, mostly, but since I also like to put aftermarket keycaps on my boards, the MiniLa is not for me. Also that right shift WOULD cause me trouble since I use right shift almost exclusively, having come from ISO layouts where the left shift is practically useless due to it's size. _+{}":?<> especially would take some practice, and I use those a LOT when programming.

If I think about the OP's question again, the BEST 60% I can think of in terms of flexibility would be the GH60, the BEST in overall terms would have to be either the GON NerD60 or Duck Eagle or Viper.
Title: Re: Best Compact Mech KB
Post by: dustinhxc on Thu, 07 August 2014, 05:10:14
GON NerD 60 :)

Or cheaper, Poker 2.

If you can find one... Ducky Mini V1.