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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: LightsOut on Tue, 23 February 2010, 03:03:42

Title: Das Model S or Filco
Post by: LightsOut on Tue, 23 February 2010, 03:03:42: Hi I'm about to replace my Saitek Eclipse for one of these mechanical boards with blue cherries. I read a lot of reviews on both the Das and the Filco and was almost sure I'd go with the filco 10-keyless since it's better built and also cheaper.

Until I saw that the das has free shipping and I would also have to pay for tax living in cali on the filco making it cost around 12$ more. So now I'm stuck on which one to get, the das would be cheaper overall and having the 10-key is a plus. So is the filco worth that extra money to the das? Suggestions are appreciated
Title: Das Model S or Filco
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 23 February 2010, 07:28:10: I wouldn't say the Filco is better built than the Das. In fact, they are made by the same OEM. Also, the Das has lasered keycaps, which, in theory, should outlast the Filco. That is, if you aren't interested in the blank versions. Go with the one that has the features and looks you desire. Just make sure you are buying the Das S (the latest version) and not the Das III. The Das III had some logic problems.
Title: Das Model S or Filco
Post by: Freezer on Tue, 23 February 2010, 09:09:51: I agree with itlnstln, get the one you want. Don't let $12 stop you from the keyboard you want. That said, the Das Model S is a great keyboard. I own 2 of them and love them. I wrote a review of the Das model S on this forum if you haven't seen it already. I'm sure either way you'll end up loving your new keyboard.
Title: Das Model S or Filco
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 23 February 2010, 09:29:04: That link doesn't show any structural comparisons. It just shows that the Das has a shiny outer cover, a USB hub and a different font on the keycaps. This link (http://www.costar.com.tw/products01/?p_sid=32) is just as good. Remember, the Ford Edge is the same SUV as the Lincoln MKX (same engine, drivetrain, everything), it just depends on what bells and whistles you want and if you're willing to pay for them.
Title: Das Model S or Filco
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 23 February 2010, 09:47:05: Yeah, the floormat excuse was pretty lame. Anybody that though about that for about 5 seconds either thought that was quite improbable, anyone that had the problem was absolutely flooring the accelerator to even get the floormat and the pedal close enough together in the first place, or both. In some cases, I think we make things too complicated with technology. Decades of proven, simple, mechanical accelerator technology thrown out for some over-complicated, drive-by-wire system. I feel the same way about digital volume controls on audio equipment. More complicated, less contol of my volume.
Title: Das Model S or Filco
Post by: elbowglue on Tue, 23 February 2010, 10:11:45: Think about the form factor. Do you enjoy having your mouse near midilne? Do you use/need a keypad? If you rarely use the keypad, get a filco 87 key. $12 extra is minimal difference, because later down the road you will end up selling your das and getting the filco.

The Das keyboard is wider than a filco 104 key, longer than a filco 104 key. The das looks cool in pictures, but having had the filco, the filco is a sexy beast too. Both use the same plate mounted blue cherry switches, keycaps may differ. Das has shiny finish whereas the filco almost has no space for finish at all because it is so small.

If you don't use the keypad much, get the filco tenkeyless.

FYI: Das is listed as 18x6.5 inches in size. Filco 87key is 14x5.3 in size. It's not about saving space on your desk, it's about not having to torque your wrists all the time because your keyboard is shifted too far over to the left because it's too fricken wide.

Quote from: LightsOut;160073
Hi I'm about to replace my Saitek Eclipse for one of these mechanical boards with blue cherries. I read a lot of reviews on both the Das and the Filco and was almost sure I'd go with the filco 10-keyless since it's better built and also cheaper.

Until I saw that the das has free shipping and I would also have to pay for tax living in cali on the filco making it cost around 12$ more. So now I'm stuck on which one to get, the das would be cheaper overall and having the 10-key is a plus. So is the filco worth that extra money to the das? Suggestions are appreciated
Title: Das Model S or Filco
Post by: mrbill on Tue, 23 February 2010, 10:12:58: Das was in the running for me, until I saw that the "Model S" line lacks the Windows key on the left-hand side of the space bar. That prevents me from remapping it to the Mac's Command key.

In order to get what I want, I'd have to buy the older Professional model, and I hear there's problems with that one.

Went with the Filco, it should be here tomorrow. I'm like a kid two days before Christmas.
Title: Das Model S or Filco
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 23 February 2010, 10:47:00: Quote from: elbowglue;160113
FYI: Das is listed as 18x6.5 inches in size. Filco 87key is 14x5.3 in size. It's not about saving space on your desk, it's about not having to torque your wrists all the time because your keyboard is shifted too far over to the left because it's too fricken wide.

Or... you could slide the keyboard to the right, so the G and H key are centered on the monitor:

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=7150&stc=1&d=1262973209)
Title: Das Model S or Filco
Post by: elbowglue on Tue, 23 February 2010, 11:08:23: Quote from: itlnstln;160123
Or... you could slide the keyboard to the right, so the G and H key are centered on the monitor:

Show Image
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=7150&stc=1&d=1262973209)

But then you gotta me careful not to smash the righthand monitor on your 3 monitor setup with your mouse when you do some rapid mouse gesturing..

:P

Yeah you could do that too. The GH should be centered on the monitor, which should line up with your belly button. But, with some keyboard trays that results in the mouse falling off the edge.. (like on my wife's setup, and the keyboard trays at work). My desk also had a strange angle in on the right side making my mouse bump the angle if it's too far to the right.
Title: Das Model S or Filco
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 23 February 2010, 11:22:03: I kinda forgot about keyboard trays; in that case, slide the monitor to the left.

That pic doesn't have a good perspective on how far the keyboard and mouse are away from the monitors. It doesn't really matter now, anyway. The HHKB gives me plenty of desk space.
Title: Das Model S or Filco
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 23 February 2010, 12:01:06: Numbers are tough right now, but I'm making it happen.

I heard part of that piece on NPR, but I had a couples' spa day with the GF, so I missed most of it. I figure that if it's in a can and the can isn't damaged, it's good.

I'm pretty sure I can get that Dr. Pepper for you. It would be in a different can/bottle, but it's made from cane sugar just like the Heritage. I think it's even bottled in Denton, TX (the "birthplace" of Dr. Pepper). I have to go by the store on the way home, so I'll check if we carry it. It was such a hit when it came out, we carried it for quite some time. I think it's a permanent item now, but it only comes in 6-pack (plastic) bottles, IIRC. I drink Diet Dr. Pepper (like right now, as a matter of fact), so I don't ever get the regular stuff.
Title: Das Model S or Filco
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 23 February 2010, 14:20:47: We get ours through Coke in S. TX. Pepsi does N. TX, IIRC. We had a variety that used Imperial sugar as well, if that means anything to anybody; it must've been a cross-promotional thing. Domino, Imperial, generic - it's all about the same.
Title: Das Model S or Filco
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 23 February 2010, 14:49:08: You can get the cane sugar Dr. Pepper here (http://www.olddocs.com/results.aspx?cat=Drinks&subcat1=Dr+Pepper), too. It's made in Dublin, TX, not Denton.