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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: intelli78 on Sun, 01 October 2017, 22:07:17

Title: Cherry G86-52400 - the best rubber dome
Post by: intelli78 on Sun, 01 October 2017, 22:07:17: I recently tried a Cherry G86 for the first time. It comes in many different configurations, many of which are POS. Mine is a 52400 which is a 75% compact type.

This is the best rubber dome I have ever used, by a long shot. The tactility is great, the action is smooth, the sound is buttery, and there is no creakiness at all. The board is nice and heavy, around 2 lbs, and well made. I would estimate the key weight to be around 55-60g.

I am not sure why the G86 hasn't caught on. We have quite a few threads about good rubber domes and it's hardly ever mentioned.

I highly recommend this switch.
Title: Re: Cherry G86-52400 - the best rubber dome
Post by: jackalopephoto on Sun, 01 October 2017, 23:04:30: I just bought one myself and love the feel of it https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=91759.0
Title: Re: Cherry G86-52400 - the best rubber dome
Post by: dante on Mon, 02 October 2017, 08:53:12: If you say it's good I believe you. I looked over the layout options and there isn't anything close enough for me to spend more money.

I've been completely satisfied with my Dell KB-522/HP KU-0901 combo to want to try anything else.

I'd give the G86 a go if these didn't exist.
Title: Re: Cherry G86-52400 - the best rubber dome
Post by: jackalopephoto on Mon, 02 October 2017, 11:10:32: As far as full travel rubber dome mini keyboards I think these are one of very few options. Also they are programmable with Cherry software. You can remap any key
Title: Re: Cherry G86-52400 - the best rubber dome
Post by: Daniel Beardsmore on Mon, 02 October 2017, 18:19:34: It looks less cramped than G84, and it even reminds me of the sound of a G84. Curious. I'd like a G84-4400 with Windows keys (to get Win+R, Win+E etc), stretched a bit (the Windows keys versions are too cramped even by G84 standards), and with a trackball that's not slow and scrapy. Without going on a huge hunt, I'm not seeing any G86 in ISO, which is a shame. The G84 series cannot manage proper ISO either, as they've crushed it too small. A G84 19.05 mm would be really nice. Proper 75% layout with no shenanigans, but these small keyboards always have frustrating layout compromises that ruin them, and G86 has similar problems. Every key in its right place!
Title: Re: Cherry G86-52400 - the best rubber dome
Post by: davkol on Tue, 03 October 2017, 06:23:53: I wish I could find a matrix (non-staggered) model again, but those seem to have disappeared. In addition, G86 product line appears to be present almost exclusively in the US market.
Title: Re: Cherry G86-52400 - the best rubber dome
Post by: jackalopephoto on Tue, 03 October 2017, 08:19:21: There are matrix models on eBay
Title: Re: Cherry G86-52400 - the best rubber dome
Post by: davkol on Tue, 03 October 2017, 08:41:22: When I search for "cherry g86", there's only one listing out of 86 (duh), and it has way too high price and no international shipping.
Title: Re: Cherry G86-52400 - the best rubber dome
Post by: pixelpusher on Tue, 03 October 2017, 09:30:09: Quote from: intelli78 on Sun, 01 October 2017, 22:07:17
I recently tried a Cherry G86 for the first time. It comes in many different configurations, many of which are POS. Mine is a 52400 which is a 75% compact type.

This is the best rubber dome I have ever used, by a long shot. The tactility is great, the action is smooth, the sound is buttery, and there is no creakiness at all. The board is nice and heavy, around 2 lbs, and well made. I would estimate the key weight to be around 55-60g.

I am not sure why the G86 hasn't caught on. We have quite a few threads about good rubber domes and it's hardly ever mentioned.

I highly recommend this switch.

I was going to snag one, but I can't find the white version anywhere!
Title: Re: Cherry G86-52400 - the best rubber dome
Post by: klennkellon on Wed, 04 October 2017, 00:24:15: I'd love to pick one of these up. I only seem to find the larger versions on eBay though. Where can they be bought in the US?
Title: Re: Cherry G86-52400 - the best rubber dome
Post by: pixelpusher on Wed, 04 October 2017, 00:33:03: Quote from: klennkellon on Wed, 04 October 2017, 00:24:15
I'd love to pick one of these up. I only seem to find the larger versions on eBay though. Where can they be bought in the US?

https://www.amazon.com/Cherry-Electronics-G86-52400EUADAA-G86-52400-Interface/dp/B01LYOTBOK

If that was white, I would have already bought it :(
Title: Re: Cherry G86-52400 - the best rubber dome
Post by: intelli78 on Wed, 04 October 2017, 00:44:04: This should be the white version, going by the model number: https://www.alliedelec.com/cherry-americas-g8652400euaeaa/70207467/

I think the picture is inaccurate.

G8652400EUAEAA

(https://i.imgur.com/UJKCccb.jpg)
Title: Re: Cherry G86-52400 - the best rubber dome
Post by: jackalopephoto on Wed, 04 October 2017, 16:03:17: Quote from: intelli78 on Wed, 04 October 2017, 00:44:04
This should be the white version, going by the model number: https://www.alliedelec.com/cherry-americas-g8652400euaeaa/70207467/

I think the picture is inaccurate.

G8652400EUAEAA

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/UJKCccb.jpg)

I guess 514 is black and 524 is white. The layout is also different
Title: Re: Cherry G86-52400 - the best rubber dome
Post by: intelli78 on Wed, 04 October 2017, 16:14:58: EUADAA = black

EUAEAA = white
Title: Re: Cherry G86-52400 - the best rubber dome
Post by: pixelpusher on Wed, 04 October 2017, 17:46:37: Thanks for the link. I'm planning to buy one, but I'm about to go out of town for a week. I'll pick one up when I get back!
Title: Re: Cherry G86-52400 - the best rubber dome
Post by: klennkellon on Wed, 04 October 2017, 20:37:35: Hmm that's a bit pricey but not too bad.

Another great compact rubber dome worth mentioning is the BTC 5100c with BTC Domes. The older one with an AT connector is superior from what I've heard. There's also a foam and foil version (the 5100) which I would be curious to try too tbh.

Also this really cheap rubber dome chiclet keyboard is great and also comes in white and wireless.

https://www.amazon.com/Perixx-PERIBOARD-407B-Mini-Keyboard-Dimension/dp/B0053O9ZNQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1507168196&sr=8-2&keywords=perixx+keyboard
Title: Re: Cherry G86-52400 - the best rubber dome
Post by: davkol on Thu, 05 October 2017, 04:02:29: Quote from: klennkellon on Wed, 04 October 2017, 20:37:35
Also this really cheap rubber dome chiclet keyboard is great and also comes in white and wireless.

https://www.amazon.com/Perixx-PERIBOARD-407B-Mini-Keyboard-Dimension/dp/B0053O9ZNQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1507168196&sr=8-2&keywords=perixx+keyboard
Meh. That thing has been sold for ages under different brands. I still have one, like the layout, but everything else is unremarkable. Stiff, quite loud and neither smooth, nor very tactile.

But this getting derailed…
Title: Re: Cherry G86-52400 - the best rubber dome
Post by: jackalopephoto on Sat, 07 October 2017, 18:14:21: I noticed today at Barnes & Noble that they use the G86 with the touchpad on the right and numpad above at their kiosk where you search for books