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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: cmadrid on Sun, 12 April 2015, 11:47:40

Title: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: cmadrid on Sun, 12 April 2015, 11:47:40
There is a massdrop going for this thing.. how hard would it be to get something similar going, but with a programmable PCB and no switches/caps included? 
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: hwood34 on Sun, 12 April 2015, 13:09:10
(https://massdrop.imgix.net/resizer/362x/product-images/MD-6957_20150409100533_86a426d8c83bf55c.jpg?fm=jpg&q=70)

lol
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: Bromono on Sun, 12 April 2015, 13:19:15
Quote from: hwood34 on Sun, 12 April 2015, 13:09:10
Show Image
(https://massdrop.imgix.net/resizer/362x/product-images/MD-6957_20150409100533_86a426d8c83bf55c.jpg?fm=jpg&q=70)


lol

oh damn. didnt see that
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: Fnzzy on Sun, 12 April 2015, 15:04:04
Quote from: hwood34 on Sun, 12 April 2015, 13:09:10
Show Image
(https://massdrop.imgix.net/resizer/362x/product-images/MD-6957_20150409100533_86a426d8c83bf55c.jpg?fm=jpg&q=70)


lol

To be fair it doesn't look any different on a Duck Viper. USB is just as low with a huge hole.
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: Novus on Sun, 12 April 2015, 15:37:00
Seems like a good price aside though aside from the above
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: taylordcraig on Sun, 12 April 2015, 15:48:47
Quote from: Fnzzy on Sun, 12 April 2015, 15:04:04
Quote from: hwood34 on Sun, 12 April 2015, 13:09:10
Show Image
(https://massdrop.imgix.net/resizer/362x/product-images/MD-6957_20150409100533_86a426d8c83bf55c.jpg?fm=jpg&q=70)


lol

To be fair it doesn't look any different on a Duck Viper. USB is just as low with a huge hole.

Was gonna say, my Lightsaver is more centred but the gap is about the same.
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: tbc on Sun, 12 April 2015, 15:49:44
um

i don't get it.

what is wrong with the pic?
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: Novus on Sun, 12 April 2015, 15:51:00
Quote from: tbc on Sun, 12 April 2015, 15:49:44
um

i don't get it.

what is wrong with the pic?

It's just a bit off
More
[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: cmadrid on Sun, 12 April 2015, 17:11:39
Yeah.. I'd just like to see something with that style case, with a plate that lets you open switches (not sure if this one does or not), stabilizers, and a programmable pcb.. can save money to keep price similar by leaving out switches and caps (and maybe stabs).
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: Novus on Sun, 12 April 2015, 17:13:05
Who's buying this?
Convince me to buy it?
thanks
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: cmadrid on Sun, 12 April 2015, 17:31:13
I'm not planning on buying this, at least not until there is more information about the pcb. 
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: uJalled on Sun, 12 April 2015, 17:55:55
I'm not sold. Something seems fishy about that price for an aluminum case.
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: KHAANNN on Sun, 12 April 2015, 20:06:57
the titanium color is nice, the bezel is ... large
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: Sifo on Sun, 12 April 2015, 20:13:10
I remember wanting one of these like a year and a half ago... maybe 2+ years now :P
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: Novus on Sun, 12 April 2015, 20:13:52
Quote from: Sifo on Sun, 12 April 2015, 20:13:10
I remember wanting one of these like a year and a half ago... maybe 2+ years now :P

Oh it's that old.
Screw this then.
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: HPE1000 on Sun, 12 April 2015, 20:19:13
Quote from: Sifo on Sun, 12 April 2015, 20:13:10
I remember wanting one of these like a year and a half ago... maybe 2+ years now :P
Same here, it's been so long.
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: Wilba on Sun, 12 April 2015, 20:36:48
Quote from: hwood34 on Sun, 12 April 2015, 13:09:10
Show Image
(https://massdrop.imgix.net/resizer/362x/product-images/MD-6957_20150409100533_86a426d8c83bf55c.jpg?fm=jpg&q=70)


lol

Would look a lot better if they mounted the USB on the top side of the PCB, but I guess that's not as viable for mass-production.
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: Photoelectric on Sat, 25 April 2015, 01:48:37
http://www.pcwaishe.cn/thread-459882-1-1.html

USB hole looks fine once the cable is pluged in, as seen in post #2.  I don't see a problem :)   How often is your keyboard unplugged while on your desk?
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: Novus on Sat, 25 April 2015, 01:55:30
Quote from: Photoelectric on Sat, 25 April 2015, 01:48:37
http://www.pcwaishe.cn/thread-459882-1-1.html

USB hole looks fine once the cable is pluged in, as seen in post #2.  I don't see a problem :)   How often is your keyboard unplugged while on your desk?

when cleaning of course
Which incidentally when I'm the most AR
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: Jersern on Sat, 25 April 2015, 03:17:50
Why can't mkc just sell the case?! :( (or does he and I'm just blind?)
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: nightdriver on Thu, 02 July 2015, 22:38:11
well, i received mine today and i love the case, but... i've got a handful of keys that simply do not register at all, and a handful of LEDs that flicker of their own accord when in reactive mode.

guess i should have been warier of this drop, but i was excited at the chance to get an aluminum keyboard with my own choice of switches and LEDs.

as an aside, the browns on this one somehow feel less tactile than the browns on my blackbird or my filco.  could just be some kind of perception thing i guess... but kicking myself for not splurging and getting the clears.
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: ceflame on Thu, 02 July 2015, 22:42:20
Quote from: nightdriver on Thu, 02 July 2015, 22:38:11
well, i received mine today and i love the case, but... i've got a handful of keys that simply do not register at all, and a handful of LEDs that flicker of their own accord when in reactive mode.

guess i should have been warier of this drop, but i was excited at the chance to get an aluminum keyboard with my own choice of switches and LEDs.

as an aside, the browns on this one somehow feel less tactile than the browns on my blackbird or my filco.  could just be some kind of perception thing i guess... but kicking myself for not splurging and getting the clears.

That's sad to hear :(

I'm curious though, how much does it weigh?
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: nightdriver on Thu, 02 July 2015, 22:53:01
you know, i honestly don't have a scale in my apartment, and my filco-in-a-vortex-case is at work for the weekend, so i haven't got a whole lot to compare it to here.  it's, uh, heavier than my ducky year of the snake (and that's a fullsize so it's physically bigger), but i'm pretty sure it's lighter than the vortex filco at least based on memory.  this case has a much smoother finish than the vortex, and doesn't have any imperfections that i've noticed.

the keycaps are junk, but that's to be expected.
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: fuzzyx3000 on Sat, 04 July 2015, 16:08:23
Quote from: nightdriver on Thu, 02 July 2015, 22:38:11
well, i received mine today and i love the case, but... i've got a handful of keys that simply do not register at all, and a handful of LEDs that flicker of their own accord when in reactive mode.

guess i should have been warier of this drop, but i was excited at the chance to get an aluminum keyboard with my own choice of switches and LEDs.

as an aside, the browns on this one somehow feel less tactile than the browns on my blackbird or my filco.  could just be some kind of perception thing i guess... but kicking myself for not splurging and getting the clears.

I received mine a few days ago too with gateron browns, and I can't even get the driver to install. The caps lock LED flashes when i plug it in, but none of the keys will register :( I e-mailed massdrop and mkc, but neither have responded yet
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: KHAANNN on Sat, 04 July 2015, 16:35:13
the registry issues sounds like they could be electrical, it happens to me on 60%'s if I don't isolate the metal case, could it be a similar situation?
(on my last build, I just used Scotch tape for insulation, worked pretty well)
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: nightdriver on Sat, 04 July 2015, 20:00:35
that sounds possible but i'm not pulling this thing apart and voiding the warranty until i hear back from massdrop or mkc.
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: KHAANNN on Sat, 04 July 2015, 20:20:47
Quote from: nightdriver on Sat, 04 July 2015, 20:00:35
that sounds possible but i'm not pulling this thing apart and voiding the warranty until i hear back from massdrop or mkc.

hmm, I thought it was a custom build keyboard

I don't think I will ever buy anything else from massdrop, they are very well intentioned, yet anything that can go wrong goes wrong with their drops, they also don't seem to learn from their mistakes, instead they repeat them over and over again, to make things worse, they fix (fix, not correct :) their mistakes, I don't know how they find the funds to be this reckless
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: nightdriver on Sat, 04 July 2015, 20:31:39
custom by MKC.  i mean, maybe it wouldn't be a problem, but i'm worried they'll refuse to take it back if i monkey around with it.
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: nightdriver on Wed, 28 October 2015, 02:07:17
finally got a working keyboard!!

at this point, my only real quibble is the C and V LEDs seem mysteriously brighter than the rest of the board, but that's really no big deal.  you don't notice unless you're looking really closely. 

instead of the thin laser etched ABS caps that the first drop came with, this drop came with blank black PBT caps.  they actually have a great texture, but i'm not keeping them on here.

this thing is solid as a rock, and the clear switches i got in it feel real nice.  a little heavy for my tastes, but the tactile bump is so good!  i suspect some flavor of zealio purple switches are my ideal...  all that said, i'm not sure i can really recommend these keyboards to anyone.  it clearly took me months and months to get a working board, so unless you really don't care how long it takes, spend your money elsewhere.
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: getf on Fri, 30 October 2015, 11:06:06
.
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: nightdriver on Mon, 02 November 2015, 00:04:52
just switched to SA keycaps and i'm noticing the same thing about the backspace.  i hadn't noticed it with the stock blank PBT caps.  i guess i'm gonna shoot massdrop another message about it.

also, what's up with these stabs not rotating a full 90 degrees like every other keyboard i've ever owned?  makes it so much more maddening to put on stabilized keys!!

something feels a little not quite right with the enter key too, though i can't put my finger on what it is.  shift and space stabilizers seem fine, for what it's worth...
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: getf on Mon, 02 November 2015, 08:41:18
Quote from: nightdriver on Mon, 02 November 2015, 00:04:52
just switched to SA keycaps and i'm noticing the same thing about the backspace.  i hadn't noticed it with the stock blank PBT caps.  i guess i'm gonna shoot massdrop another message about it.

also, what's up with these stabs not rotating a full 90 degrees like every other keyboard i've ever owned?  makes it so much more maddening to put on stabilized keys!!

something feels a little not quite right with the enter key too, though i can't put my finger on what it is.  shift and space stabilizers seem fine, for what it's worth...


Have you tried replacing your stabilizers?

I really don't want to deal with massdrop support anymore and am thinking I can just get away with swapping all the stab parts out
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: nightdriver on Mon, 02 November 2015, 19:56:09
haven't tried it yet but i was considering the same thing.

i tried just swapping the wires with another board and that didn't work.  you could no longer push the key all the way down.  haven't tried swapping the little plastic wire mounts that go into the plate yet.

if anyone else tries it first, let me know so i don't waste my time. haha.
Title: Re: MKC Geekey 87A Full Metal Keyboard
Post by: nightdriver on Mon, 02 November 2015, 19:57:11
the spacebar stabilizer actually seems better than the spacebar stabilizer on any other board i've used, interestingly enough.