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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Novus on Wed, 25 February 2015, 17:18:27

Title: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: Novus on Wed, 25 February 2015, 17:18:27: Filco used to be that legendary brand, priced 30-40% higher than the rest of the stock boards.
We used to always ask - Is it better than a Filco?
Do you think Filco is still the gold standard today?
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: Flyersfan1 on Wed, 25 February 2015, 17:21:56: I still really enjoy using mine. I do think they've rested on their laurels a bit and let some competitors like Ducky and KUL catch up in regards to quality. Not to mention they are also somewhat difficult to obtain in the US Market currently.
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: sorijealut on Wed, 25 February 2015, 17:22:43: I wasn't around at the time of Filco's pinnacle, but it's probably still doing well enough so they don't feel the need for an update.

If they're not the standard, they could easily reclaim that spot.

In my personal comparison I found the KUL better than Filco MJ2
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: brimborion on Wed, 25 February 2015, 17:46:41: I think since they let Rosewill rebrand one, they must have lost their cachet.

(I have no basis for this claim, just something i read somewhere. They do look similar though.)
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: hwood34 on Wed, 25 February 2015, 18:27:58: Surprisingly enough, I haven't really heard anyone talking about Filcos recently. Not to say that their quality or anything is a problem, people have just moved on to other companies
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: BrewCaps on Wed, 25 February 2015, 18:47:11: Filco is life. Blues are heaven.
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: Puddsy on Wed, 25 February 2015, 18:56:10: yes
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: lolkey on Wed, 25 February 2015, 19:20:00: Filco still has the sexiest stock case.
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: demik on Wed, 25 February 2015, 19:31:26: i was asking myself this the other day

Quote from: lolkey on Wed, 25 February 2015, 19:20:00
Filco still has the sexiest stock case.
KUL's cases are pretty cool tho
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: Novus on Wed, 25 February 2015, 20:15:10: The new "modern" standard is definitely thick PBT keycaps and thicker keyboard feet.
Just some stuff I've noticed.
Internals is still another story though.
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: CommonCurt on Wed, 25 February 2015, 20:21:57: Quote from: lolkey on Wed, 25 February 2015, 19:20:00
Filco still has the sexiest stock case.

Hands down :thumb:
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: swill on Wed, 25 February 2015, 21:00:54: Interestingly I was thinking about this recently. A filco was one of my first mechs. I used it as my daily driver for years until I got into the building scene. I have built and used two different boards/layouts in the past year and they have been my daily driver. I also have an fc660c at work. Recently I sold my last build project, so I dusted off the old filco and threw on some gmk dolch caps on it. After about an hour on that board I remember thinking "damn, I did pretty good with my first mech purchase, this thing is ****in solid". So ya, it is still up there as one of the best boards I own. I don't think you can go wrong with filco tbh.

I am currently splitting time at home with my filco and a unicomp board.
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: hwood34 on Wed, 25 February 2015, 21:09:14: Quote from: CommonCurt on Wed, 25 February 2015, 20:21:57
Quote from: lolkey on Wed, 25 February 2015, 19:20:00
Filco still has the sexiest stock case.

Hands down :thumb:
Uhh I beg to differ:

(http://i00.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v1/663934966_1/supremacy-T20-wired-Ak47-gameing-keyboard-for-DOTA.jpg)
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: Touch_It on Wed, 25 February 2015, 21:20:17: Quote from: hwood34 on Wed, 25 February 2015, 21:09:14
Quote from: CommonCurt on Wed, 25 February 2015, 20:21:57
Quote from: lolkey on Wed, 25 February 2015, 19:20:00
Filco still has the sexiest stock case.

Hands down :thumb:
Uhh I beg to differ:

Show Image
(http://i00.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v1/663934966_1/supremacy-T20-wired-Ak47-gameing-keyboard-for-DOTA.jpg)

not.....even......fair......

Delux!
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: slip84 on Wed, 25 February 2015, 21:24:12: We all know what they need to do to be relevant again: add a volume knob and a ruler to the bottom of the case. Obviously.
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: strict on Wed, 25 February 2015, 21:59:42: Quote from: hwood34 on Wed, 25 February 2015, 21:09:14
Uhh I beg to differ:

Show Image
(http://i00.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v1/663934966_1/supremacy-T20-wired-Ak47-gameing-keyboard-for-DOTA.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/491YFJq.gif)
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: daerid on Wed, 25 February 2015, 22:01:47: If they made a board with Clears, I'd ditch my WASDs for Filcos in a heartbeat.
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: madhias on Wed, 25 February 2015, 22:08:56: Quote from: lolkey on Wed, 25 February 2015, 19:20:00
Filco still has the sexiest stock case.

Definitely! Nice case for sure, I like it much more than those Duckys for example.

(http://i.imgur.com/5LCTxaZ.jpg)
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: Special K on Thu, 26 February 2015, 01:02:43: I bought my first Filco from EK in 2009 and am still using it as my daily driver at home. I recently picked up a 2nd one for work. Finding one can be kind of hit or miss, but if you know where to look (The Keyboard Co (and their US-based Amazon storefront), NCIXUS) and are patient, you can still get a new one.

That said, some of the legends on my 2009 Filco have completely worn off and I now wish Filco would use PBT and some other printing method for more durable keycaps and legends.
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: Nai_Calus on Thu, 26 February 2015, 01:14:28: I have to admit that as someone newer to the keyboard scene, Filco is something that hasn't ever actually crossed my radar. I never really see them anywhere or hear about them to where when I first saw one mentioned I assumed it was some obscure low-end brand until I learned more. XD;;;
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 26 February 2015, 03:24:13: Has Filco made any new keyboards recently?

Ducky has had quite a few, of various sizes.

DAS has had one or two.

KUL is around, CODE arrived, all these Koren keyboards.

But nothing from Filco? Maybe people are starting to forget about them in the absence of any new keyboards.
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: KatzenKinder on Thu, 26 February 2015, 03:38:11: I just picked up my second and third filcos from my package-holding-friend simultaneously today (they had full-size MX blues for $90 w/ free shipping on amazon some time ago) so I got them for friends.

They really are super solid, more so than say my first board which was a Zowie. I didn't remember stock blues being so scratchy though -.- ah also I like their use of costar stabs over cherry stabs compared to say ducky and kul

If anything I think they're just not putting themselves out there as much, and other companies have catered to the US far more extensively than they have.
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: SpikeBolt on Thu, 26 February 2015, 04:24:00: What better (stock) keyboard is there with Costar stabilizers and ISO support? ;)
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: Polymer on Thu, 26 February 2015, 06:58:39: They're still relevant..and still probably the gold standard...but with a few good solid contenders out there that are easier to get and with more options, you're just not seeing them mentioned as often...

But the fact that people still compare their keyboards to them and when someone is speaking positively about say, a KUL there is often mention of Filco...
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: oledome on Thu, 26 February 2015, 08:28:50: The advice I had from here before purchasing my first mechanical keyboard in January was to get a Filco rather than Ducky as far as quality was concerned. So if Filcos are still recommended they are still relevant. I love my Filco.

Quote from: rowdy on Thu, 26 February 2015, 03:24:13
Has Filco made any new keyboards recently?

Ducky has had quite a few, of various sizes.

DAS has had one or two.

KUL is around, CODE arrived, all these Koren keyboards.

But nothing from Filco? Maybe people are starting to forget about them in the absence of any new keyboards.

People like the new shiny shiny.
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 26 February 2015, 08:29:49: I've never had a filco.
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: davkol on Thu, 26 February 2015, 13:07:17: Filco Majestouch2 is still the go-to high-quality ordinary keyboard with a huge modding potential, esp. in Europe, where Ducky isn't as strong and WASD or KUL have to be imported.

They have the new Filco Convertible 2 model as well.
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: i3oilermaker on Thu, 26 February 2015, 13:18:39: Still my daily driver at work - rock solid feel.
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: pexon on Thu, 26 February 2015, 13:23:02: I have used Filcos as my go to boards for work. I've had 2x Brown switch and 1x Black switch models and all have been real solid boards. I regret selling my beige with stainless steel plate, it was one of my favourite boards.
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: madhias on Thu, 26 February 2015, 13:33:13: Quote from: rowdy on Thu, 26 February 2015, 03:24:13
Has Filco made any new keyboards recently?

Ducky has had quite a few, of various sizes.

DAS has had one or two.

KUL is around, CODE arrived, all these Koren keyboards.

But nothing from Filco? Maybe people are starting to forget about them in the absence of any new keyboards.

Exactly that is what I like. Why change a good product just because. I wanted to buy a beige Filco recently, but then the TX1800 came across :)
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 26 February 2015, 13:34:29: I love my Filcos. It's still my favorite stock keyboard.

My main Filco is a full size that I modded with clear stems, 85g gold Korean springs, and lubed with Krytox, and aboStudio clear switch tops. With a stainless steel switch plate I had laser cut. With Cherry keycaps, that keyboard is as good as any I own, honestly.

In total, I own 9 Filcos currently. I have sold several over the years, and picked up new ones.

I own a Ducky Shine 3, which is almost as good, and I just sold my KUL ES-87.
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: madhias on Thu, 26 February 2015, 13:44:13: Quote from: jdcarpe on Thu, 26 February 2015, 13:34:29
I love my Filcos. It's still my favorite stock keyboard.

My main Filco is a full size that I modded with clear stems, 85g gold Korean springs, and lubed with Krytox, and aboStudio clear switch tops. With a stainless steel switch plate I had laser cut. With Cherry keycaps, that keyboard is as good as any I own, honestly.

In total, I own 9 Filcos currently. I have sold several over the years, and picked up new ones.

I own a Ducky Shine 3, which is almost as good, and I just sold my KUL ES-87.

Oh wow, you are like the guys with several HHKBs like Bunny Lake, but with Filcos :)
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: pexon on Thu, 26 February 2015, 13:55:32: Quote from: jdcarpe on Thu, 26 February 2015, 13:34:29
I love my Filcos. It's still my favorite stock keyboard.

My main Filco is a full size that I modded with clear stems, 85g gold Korean springs, and lubed with Krytox, and aboStudio clear switch tops. With a stainless steel switch plate I had laser cut. With Cherry keycaps, that keyboard is as good as any I own, honestly.

In total, I own 9 Filcos currently. I have sold several over the years, and picked up new ones.

I own a Ducky Shine 3, which is almost as good, and I just sold my KUL ES-87.

A Filco with a stainless steel plate is heaven
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: Novus on Thu, 26 February 2015, 14:11:25: Quote from: jdcarpe on Thu, 26 February 2015, 13:34:29
I love my Filcos. It's still my favorite stock keyboard.

My main Filco is a full size that I modded with clear stems, 85g gold Korean springs, and lubed with Krytox, and aboStudio clear switch tops. With a stainless steel switch plate I had laser cut. With Cherry keycaps, that keyboard is as good as any I own, honestly.

In total, I own 9 Filcos currently. I have sold several over the years, and picked up new ones.

I own a Ducky Shine 3, which is almost as good, and I just sold my KUL ES-87.

Quote from: TacticalStache on Wed, 25 February 2015, 18:56:10
yes

Let me ask you two this because I know you guys liked your KUL.
If you had to choose between kul or filco TKL to use exclusively as your only and main board for the next year which would it be? Also you can't pick between MX greens and MX clear which only kul offers :p
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: foxer on Thu, 26 February 2015, 14:19:25: I still really miss my ISO Filco TKL with browns. Luckily, Baldgye is awesome and I know he looks after it dearly.
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: CommonCurt on Thu, 26 February 2015, 17:48:58: Quote from: hwood34 on Wed, 25 February 2015, 21:09:14
Quote from: CommonCurt on Wed, 25 February 2015, 20:21:57
Quote from: lolkey on Wed, 25 February 2015, 19:20:00
Filco still has the sexiest stock case.

Hands down :thumb:
Uhh I beg to differ:

Show Image
(http://i00.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v1/663934966_1/supremacy-T20-wired-Ak47-gameing-keyboard-for-DOTA.jpg)

Wow! Dat case :eek:

Is Filco still relevant? I think so.
More
(http://i.imgur.com/IV0W9R3.jpg)
I did sell one of the 104s though.
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: BucklingSpring on Thu, 26 February 2015, 19:40:18: Quote from: CommonCurt on Wed, 25 February 2015, 20:21:57
Quote from: lolkey on Wed, 25 February 2015, 19:20:00
Filco still has the sexiest stock case.

Hands down :thumb:

I drink to it too :-)
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: BucklingSpring on Thu, 26 February 2015, 19:42:07: Quote from: hwood34 on Wed, 25 February 2015, 21:09:14
Uhh I beg to differ:

Show Image
(http://i00.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v1/663934966_1/supremacy-T20-wired-Ak47-gameing-keyboard-for-DOTA.jpg)

Low blow
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: ianbullock on Thu, 26 February 2015, 21:06:47: Just got a Filco Minila (MX Blue) today. Liking it. Pretty interesting keyboard with the mini-spacebar and easy access to the function layer on either side. I think the layout is actually pretty unconventional in terms of what the commercial manufacturers are providing (but I could be wrong).

At any rate it seems like they are at least open to trying new things, which may help them stay relevant in the future.
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: IPT on Thu, 26 February 2015, 23:12:37: i still prefer my filco boards more than all the other boards i've used.
Sold my ducky's and leopolds cause i just don't like cherry stabs.

i have 4 filcos right now, 1 MJ1 104 (mx red), 1 MJ2 104 (mx blue), 2 MJ2 TKL (mx red & blue).
i've been using my MX clear CODE for a little bit, but im thinkin of sellin it and going back to my fulltime Filcos.

Only slight annoyance for me is the non detachable USB in some situations, but that's easily remedied if you need.
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: tbc on Fri, 27 February 2015, 00:08:35: last one filco made was the minila?

super awesome board except the keycaps ( so bad )
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: skuko on Fri, 27 February 2015, 02:43:56: even though i don't use my filcos anymore (or at least haven't used them for a relatively long time, since i got my FC660C), i do not think they are any less relevant.

quite the opposite, this thread has me actaully think about getting my MX red and MX black out of their boxes :)
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: Battou62 on Fri, 27 February 2015, 08:56:56: All I know is that I have had a Filco in the classifieds at an extremely nice price, for a long time now. Demand seems to have gone down quite a bit.
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: Dihedral on Fri, 27 February 2015, 09:06:20: Quote from: Battou62 on Fri, 27 February 2015, 08:56:56
All I know is that I have had a Filco in the classifieds at an extremely nice price, for a long time now. Demand seems to have gone down quite a bit.

Subtle advertising :P
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: miroslav on Fri, 27 February 2015, 09:30:12: Filco was my first REAL mech kb after coming from a Razer BW (blue switches). It was also my first step into the world of premium keyboards. I currently own 6 Filcos (2 fullsized, 2 tkl and 2 minila air) and I still love them. I think most boards put out today are still often compared to a Filco in terms of build quality but I'm not too sure (I still compare boards that I buy to a Filco but ofc IBM Model M wins hands down). Also Filco have finally released a full size with bluetooth into the English market. (Filco Convertible 2) and it can connect via either mini b or the BT4. The board was originally exclusive in a Japanese Layout but I believe it now has both US and UK layout.

http://www.gdm.or.jp/pressrelease/2015/0227/105364 (release of their red edition)
https://www.diatec.co.jp/en/det.php?prod_c=1877 (Filco convertible 2 standard case)

Even to this day my daily driver is still a Full sized Filco but alternate between an RF 55G uniform.
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: vivalarevolución on Fri, 27 February 2015, 10:07:54: As long as beauties like these are still available, Filco is still relevant:

http://www.diatec.co.jp/shop/kobo/
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: Novus on Fri, 27 February 2015, 15:23:45: If only they stopped using thin abs haha
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: jackalope on Fri, 27 February 2015, 15:43:43: Quote from: prdlm2009 on Fri, 27 February 2015, 10:07:54
As long as beauties like these are still available, Filco is still relevant:

http://www.diatec.co.jp/shop/kobo/
I need this in my life. droool
[attach=1]
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: Novus on Fri, 27 February 2015, 15:51:17: Oh right so I always whine about the ABS.
What about detachable usb vs fixed or do you not care?
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: strict on Fri, 27 February 2015, 17:23:29: Quote from: the1onewolf on Fri, 27 February 2015, 15:51:17
Oh right so I always whine about the ABS.
What about detachable usb vs fixed or do you not care?

Personally I prefer a fixed cable. For how often I disconnect my keyboards, it seems like a waste to have an extra failure point. I consider the fixed cable a positive for both my Filco and Realforce.
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: pr0ximity on Fri, 27 February 2015, 17:34:35: I recently pulled my MJ2 with Reds out and stuffed some dampening mats inside to reduce reverb and it still feels great. I use it heavily for gaming when my Realforce is at work and as far as MX boards go I never feel like I need to upgrade unless I look at Korean customs.

Sure it has absolutely no bells or whistles, but I look at that as more of a feature than anything. I've never seen dipswitches that would be useful to me and outside of Korean boards there aren't any stock fully programmable boards that tickle my fancy enough. LEDs look gross in plastic cases, and I don't move it enough where a detachable cable is all that important.

I'll be putting Ivan's black-on-black set on it once those ship, and I think it's really going to tie the room together.

Quote from: prdlm2009 on Fri, 27 February 2015, 10:07:54
As long as beauties like these are still available, Filco is still relevant:

http://www.diatec.co.jp/shop/kobo/

(http://www.diatec.co.jp/shop/kobo/Classicwoodbrown/image-3.jpg)

Holy **** why does that not come in TKL :eek:
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: vivalarevolución on Fri, 27 February 2015, 18:34:19: Quote from: jackalope on Fri, 27 February 2015, 15:43:43
Quote from: prdlm2009 on Fri, 27 February 2015, 10:07:54
As long as beauties like these are still available, Filco is still relevant:

http://www.diatec.co.jp/shop/kobo/
I need this in my life. droool
(Attachment Link)

I'm more of a fan of the chia pet Filco:

[attach=1]
Title: Re: Is Filco still relevant?
Post by: Novus on Fri, 27 February 2015, 19:13:53: (http://i.imgur.com/qad90Vv.png)