geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: chuckster on Thu, 01 January 2015, 03:10:54
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Hey guys, I'm looking for a board with spherical keycaps. The switch doesn't matter so much, but I like it to be authoritative, so to speak, like a Cherry Red is very light and linear, or a BS is very tactile and clicky. I would really prefer a TKL, but that, again, is no deal-breaker. I'm just hoping for a good board, preferably under $100, that has nice thick spherical keycaps, preferably Dye-Sub PBT, like the Model M's.
Also, MX-compatible PBT keycaps are a possibility, but I would strongly prefer a vintage board, since the only modern board I have is a partially-mechanical Corsair K65.
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Model M keycaps are cylindrical, not spherical :p
Why not Model M? if it matches all your criteria ...
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I only know of a couple of “vintage” keyboards with spherical dyesubs, and both are incredibly rare (one has pretty mediocre switches, and I don’t know where any copies of the other one can be found, but it’s mentioned on a website from the early 90s, and would probably easily sell in the $500+ range).
The best deal I know on a keyboard with spherical keycaps is this tee-mount Alps board, but you’ll have to do some work to convert it to USB:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/380994210683
(http://i.imgur.com/WpZWJxO.jpg)
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Get a vintage MX board (Cherry G80) and wait for a spherical keycap groupbuy to come up.
Spherical keycaps are pretty rare, I don't think you'll get them preinstalled on a keyboard.
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Model M keycaps are cylindrical, not spherical :p
Why not Model M? if it matches all your criteria ...
I have a Model M, and I love it to death, especially the PBT Dye-Sub caps, but I wish they were spherical.
I appreciate the feedback guys, it looks like I may have to go for a MX set and a modern board. The spherical keyboards I've seen are all either very old (requiring conversion) or foreign-language.
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If you are a fan of complicated linear Alps and you don't mind some DIY to replace the controller (see here: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50437.msg1193047#msg1193047) then that board with vintage style t-mount Alps switches is a great option. The keycaps are doubleshot ABS. Looks like it has full contour, too, although it's "flat" on the "Q" row instead of the "A" row.
Or buy a Filco Majestouch 2 TKL in whichever switch type you prefer and then get the Filco High Profile Keycap set for it. They are Signature Plastics SA profile doubleshot ABS sphericals with Row 2 profile on the top 2 rows and Row 3 profile on the rest. Best price for a set of SA profile and they look and feel really nice.
The only downside of them is they come with the Filco / Costar stabiliser inserts glued in, so you can only use them on a board with Costar stabs, unless you can remove the inserts without doing damage, but I don't know how easy this is.
The upside of getting a modern MX board is that you can take part in all the upcoming SA profile Group Buys (possibly Retro, Midnight or Skull Squadron by Matt3o, 1976 (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65935.0), etc.), although your wallet probably sees it as a negative.
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Wow, that SA profile looks perfect! After an Alien marathon and Alien: Isolation, I am really digging the 1976 set. I just hate to spend the required funds to get another board with it... replacing the main set and numpad wouldn't look so hot with the remaining black keys on my current board. Now may be the time for a 60% adventure.