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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: jikman on Fri, 26 March 2010, 17:29:20

Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: jikman on Fri, 26 March 2010, 17:29:20: Hi everyone,

I got exposed to a mechanical keyboard for the first time a few days ago (to be precise, Dell AT-101W), and I got REALLY interested in finding a mechanical keyboard that is right for me. Naturally, google led me to this forum :D

I don't know about you guys, but I have a REALLY hard time in finding places to try out various mechanical keyboards mentioned in this site. As a poor comp sci student, the last thing I want to do is to shell out hundreds of dollars in buying a mechanical keyboard and be not happy with it!

Any recommendations on getting physical exposure to various types of mechanical keyboards out there? Maybe some kind of hardcore nerdy keyboard convention I can hit up to find the keyboard that is right for me?

-Jik
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: Arc'xer on Fri, 26 March 2010, 18:14:16: Unless you live in Asian territories like Japan or Taiwan there's little chance you will find anything but mass produced membrane style keyboards.

Especially here in the U.S. it's not common knowledge. I'm sure people would love to have, if they only knew about mechanical. But it's something that most would probably be going "WTF who in their right mind pays so much for a damn keyboard". Just like when I go around the usual forums I visit I see so many gamers and ignorant people screaming the same ****. My cheapo keyboard works fine, you don't need such a over priced keyboard. Same ignorance is bliss story going around. Unless here in the U.S. you work as a cashier or in some department with mechanical keyboards good luck finding a store that even knows about them. In some ways mechanical aren't for everyone that's true but still don't just outright say some negative **** like that.

If your in Europe you might have a little bit more luck. I've read that some of the stores carry cherry keyboards and some of the gamer cherry mx keyboards like the Steelseries and whatnot. At least you can give it a try even though the steelseries are linear mx black.
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: EverythingIBM on Fri, 26 March 2010, 18:23:28: go to some dumpsters and try finding a model M. It's a good keyboard to start with.
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: elbowglue on Fri, 26 March 2010, 18:28:56: Where do you live bro? Fry's has a Siig white alps board on display.
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: Phaedrus2129 on Fri, 26 March 2010, 18:31:32: Yup.

Or do what I've done/am doing: buy keyboards for as cheap as possible on eBay. Got my Model M for $20 shipped, my G84-4100 for $16.50 shipped, and the Compaq keyboard I'm bidding on is at $21.50 shipped currently.

Model Ms and Dell AT101Ws are common on eBay, it's possible to get them for quite cheap, but the price fluctuates and has been going up recently. There's a person on eBay selling NIB G84-4100s for $25 shipped, but they aren't a great starter mechanical keyboard; I'd rate their typing feel as below that of some high-end rubber domes. There are a few other Cherry keyboards that are worth getting, but only the G80/G81/G82/G84 are mechanical (to my knowledge). I'll ask you not to bid on any Compaq keyboards in the next couple of days, I don't want mine getting bid up. :p

There are also a handful of relatively inexpensive retail mechanical keyboards. The ABS M1 uses the same switches as the AT101W and is usually about $50 on newegg.com. The iOne Scorpius M10 generally goes for $50-$60. The Adesso MKB-125B is also fairly cheap. For a bit more you can get the Adesso MKB-135B or the Unicomp Customizer, which is the modern version of the IBM Model M.
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: Nonmouse on Fri, 26 March 2010, 18:57:11: Quote from: Phaedrus2129;167182
but only the G80/G81/G82/G84 are mechanical (to my knowledge).

Unh-huh. G81 and G82 are membrane keyboards. G80 uses the MX switch, G84 uses the ML switch, and most G86s are membrane- the one only exception I've seen is the ricercar SPOS (G86-6241OEUAGSA). I have no idea how the newer J8x boards fall down as far as switches used.

Figuring out Cherry's codes has been a pastime for many on here for quite awhile. Check out the Wiki up there^.
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: Phaedrus2129 on Fri, 26 March 2010, 19:00:41: Thanks... Cherry gives me a headache. :p
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: Mental Hobbit on Fri, 26 March 2010, 19:19:25: Quote from: Phaedrus2129;167196
Thanks... Cherry gives me a headache. :p

Really simple: If it starts with G80, it's interesting. If it starts with G8anythingelse, it's crap. Levels of crapiness vary, but as a rule of thumb that's all you need to remember.
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: Nonmouse on Fri, 26 March 2010, 19:23:25: Quote from: Mental Hobbit;167209
Really simple: If it starts with G80, it's interesting. If it starts with G8anythingelse, it's crap. Levels of crapiness vary, but as a rule of thumb that's all you need to remember.

Enh, some people like the ML switches (G84), and there is that anomalous ricercar SPOS G86 with MX switches...
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: jikman on Fri, 26 March 2010, 19:39:02: Thanks for the input everyone.

I am well aware of the fact that mechanical keyboards are not popular nowadays. That is precisely the reason why I asked if there IS some kind of gathering where I can TOUCH and FEEL all these wonderful mechanical keyboards mentioned on geekhack.

I live in the Bay Area (San Francisco), and even the "dumpster diving" times (aka, wait for schools/libraries to "upgrade" their keyboards) have been long gone. So far on campus, I have used Dell AT101W, a Unicomp keyboard, a few Model Ms, and a Kinesis keyboard a grad student friend of mine treasures like his own son...but that's it. All these Cherry switch business...I have only heard of it on this forum, and never seen one myself.

I guess there isn't really a paradise where a poor soul like me gets to try all these wonder keyboards.

Sigh.
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: EverythingIBM on Fri, 26 March 2010, 19:49:27: Quote from: ripster;167198
This is either MW, Kishy, Neptunewhatever, Basementwhatever or EverythingIBM. You guys start sounding alike after a while.
I haven't seen a IBM Model M in a lawyers office, a school, a library, or a Goodwill in years. Of course, I don't live in a third world place like Canada or Michigan though.

Well, Brandon seems to say the same thing (http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/categories.main/parentcat/10191):
Quote from: Brandon from clickykeyboards
"Were you lucky enough to find one of these keyboards in your local dumpster?"

And, I think all of north america is going to become third world if the debt keeps rising.
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: HaaTa on Fri, 26 March 2010, 20:14:34: Quote from: ripster;167198
Of course, I don't live in a third world place like Canada or Michigan though.

Michigan, LOL. People from Canada avoid that place like a plague. Its where we send our garbage.

Quote from: jikman;167221

I guess there isn't really a paradise where a poor soul like me gets to try all these wonder keyboards.

Sigh.

Japan? Well minus buckling spring boards (gotta ebay/yahoo auction for those).
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: hyperlinked on Fri, 26 March 2010, 20:21:34: Quote from: jikman;167221
I live in the Bay Area (San Francisco), and even the "dumpster diving" times (aka, wait for schools/libraries to "upgrade" their keyboards) have been long gone.

There are a number of us here who are in the Bay Area. I suppose it's not out of the question we could do a meet somewhere. What part of the Bay Area?
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: Mental Hobbit on Fri, 26 March 2010, 20:43:08: Quote from: Nonmouse;167213
Enh, some people like the ML switches (G84), and there is that anomalous ricercar SPOS G86 with MX switches...

As I said: Levels of crappiness vary. And some people even like MY switches. But then, a lot more people like Logitech rubber domes.
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: kishy on Fri, 26 March 2010, 20:46:54: Quote from: ripster;167198
This is either MW, Kishy, Neptunewhatever, Basementwhatever or EverythingIBM. You guys start sounding alike after a while.
Show Image
(http://uniter.ca/images/articles/63-26-Feature-DumpsterDiving1-Reimer.jpg)

I haven't seen a IBM Model M in a lawyers office, a school, a library, or a Goodwill in years. Of course, I don't live in a third world place like Canada or Michigan though.

Oh come on, I've got SOME class.

Facial hair is an accurate representation though.
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: elbowglue on Fri, 26 March 2010, 20:47:29: PM me bro - I live in danville (SF bay area) if it is not too far for you, you can come by and try out my topre/blue cherry/brown cherry/buckling spring/ cherry black/ cherry fakes. And I call everyone bro too.
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: ricercar on Fri, 26 March 2010, 21:53:10: Quote from: jikman;167221
I live in the Bay Area (San Francisco) ... I guess there isn't really a paradise where a poor soul like me gets to try all these wonder keyboards.

I'm in Sunnyvale. PM me if you want to check out Cherry blue, black, brown..

PS if you tried out the Kinesis, you've touched a Cherry brown board.
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: jikman on Mon, 05 April 2010, 14:10:03: I am in Berkeley.

If we get enough Bay Area keyboard enthusiasts...I can book a room on campus where we can all show off our keyboards? I know a lot of students (especially in CS) will be really interested...
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: Nonmouse on Mon, 05 April 2010, 14:13:23: A keyboard pr0n con?
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: jikman on Mon, 05 April 2010, 14:53:21: Quote from: nonmouse;169775
a keyboard pr0n con?

:d

yes.
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: elbowglue on Tue, 06 April 2010, 01:05:11: Name the time and place. Bad news is I sold off all my topres since you originally posted this :P (well one day left on my ebay auction then the topre 101 will be gone)
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: jikman on Tue, 06 April 2010, 01:30:34: Toughest part is probably parking. Parking cost WAY TOO MUCH anywhere around campus.

Let me see if I can find some ways to get _someone_ to sponsor parking.
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: Nonmouse on Tue, 06 April 2010, 02:17:24: Hey, what about travel scholarships for those of us not in the Bay Area?
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: jikman on Tue, 06 April 2010, 02:28:28: Unfortunately, I am not that well connected.
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: Nonmouse on Tue, 06 April 2010, 02:32:52: *Snap!*
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: kohan69 on Fri, 09 April 2010, 14:48:01: Is anyone in and/or around the Los Angeles area?
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: clickclack on Fri, 09 April 2010, 15:00:36: Quote from: ripster;167198

...I haven't seen a IBM Model M in a lawyers office, a school, a library, or a Goodwill in years. Of course, I don't live in a third world place like Canada or Michigan though.

OMG....HAAHAAAAAaa, my face hurts, haahaaaaa
CLASSIC!

Quote from: kohan69;170984
Is anyone in and/or around the Los Angeles area?

jes... watsittooya? =)
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: phoenix on Fri, 09 April 2010, 17:50:24: I drove past the store front of the local computer recycling place today and decided to check it out, and sure enough, there were a bunch of mechanical keyboards on the shelf. Model F, Model M, NMB, Chicony, but nothing with Cherry. The IBMs are $30 plus tax and the rest are $8 plus tax. I wasn't sure of the compatibility for some that I liked so I didn't buy any (should've spent time in the wiki...). I'll probably go back tomorrow for what seems to be an AT Model F. It's in absolutely pristine condition by ebay standards.
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: phoenix on Fri, 09 April 2010, 18:06:31: Quote from: ripster;171050
Make sure it says AT on the label and you should be good to go. Need an AT to PS/2 adapter as well.

I'll double check tomorrow. Thanks for the tip! All I remembered was the label on the back. Made in United Kingdom (why?) April 1st, 1987.
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: clickclack on Fri, 09 April 2010, 19:11:13: Quote from: ripster;170991
Well, the Canadians and those other Hockeylovers didn't laugh.

I thought it was great and I am from Michigan! =D

Back on topic though, the OP can try their relatives (older relatives) you would be amazed at what some older folks still have from ther grown up kids. The usually end up being Model M's or Dell AT101's. And if you are lucky they might even have a typewriter, each one is like a treasure =D
Tip: Collecting typewriters is great if you want a hernia :S
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: HaaTa on Sat, 10 April 2010, 07:12:06: Quote from: ripster;171050

Show Image
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=9019&stc=1&d=1270853578)

Your ~ seems to be printed pretty high on the key compared to mine (my battery is dead so no pic for a bit).

Whenever I think about Canadian ISPs it reminds me that we are a third world country...
My cheapo internet connection that came with my apartment fees whoops pretty much anything you can get in Canada under $150 per month. I'm gonna miss it (not to mention no bandwidth limits).
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: Mental Hobbit on Sat, 10 April 2010, 07:26:16: I guess your appartment rent in Canada is a bit more than $150 cheaper than in Japan?
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: kishy on Sat, 10 April 2010, 10:57:56: To provide perhaps a little more insight...

I'm not exactly in a rural area, and the best DSL connection I can get is 512Kb/s at 20-something dollars per month, no contract. I do have a 200GB usage cap but at this speed, I'll never hit it. Now, a couple blocks west, I can get a 5Mb/s connection but with a cap at 60GB (I think, it's been a while since I looked it up). Problem is of course I'm 5km from a central office, but in this day and age there is no good reason why the infrastructure for this crap isn't virtually everywhere.

Cable, well, that'd be much better, but for the most part usage is capped at either 20GB or 60GB depending on how much you pay. I believe the 20GB cap is on the service that comes to something in the neighbourhood of $50 per month, and that's even if you bundle it in with cable TV (something that in my opinion has been obsoleted by ATSC over-the-air digital TV).
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: jdonner on Wed, 26 May 2010, 01:57:31: Quote from: ripster;167198
Of course, I don't live in a third world place like Canada or Michigan though.

I apologize on behalf Immigration Canada that you're still waiting for us to process your application for a Canadian permanent resident card. The situation is that we as country with the highest immigration per capita in the world are forced to place many applicants on a long waiting list. So we ask for your patience and understanding.

Thank you.
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: washuai on Wed, 26 May 2010, 04:13:05: @Kishy internet woes. Some days I get nostalgic for the days when my ISP was The Simpsons and free XD, which was totally slow dial up. I do know that even though Comcast annoys me, at least I can be thankful they keep getting faster and I haven't noticed any caps. I have more problems with the actual cable service, than I do the internet service.

On topic - I really get the whole ugh, I want to try the @#$% things out. A good return policy is a good way to return something you don't like, but not a good way to know what you like best.
I'd attend this Berkley 'board meetup (although if it conflicts with upcoming business, grrr, I guess I'd have to go with plan B - bug an alternate geekhack local). Definitely is good to get hands on experience. Pfft on parking, its a nuisance. Transit (which they're working on ruining) or a driver will solve that problem, depending on your income.
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: jdonner on Tue, 28 February 2012, 23:13:13: That's the difference between you and me Ripster; I had 2 posts in 2 years, while you had 52,198. Conclusion: I have a life, you don't.

See you again in 2014 when you have 100,000+ posts.

Some people.... tsk, tsk, tsk....
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: Wildcard on Tue, 28 February 2012, 23:52:23: Quote from: jdonner;530328
That's the difference between you and me Ripster; I had 2 posts in 2 years, while you had 52,198. Conclusion: I have a life, you don't.

See you again in 2014 when you have 100,000+ posts.

Some people.... tsk, tsk, tsk....

It lives, it breathes, and it types.

I'd say he has a life... Or do zombies crave ping?

Edit: You seriously waited 2 years just to post something judgmental? I can't wait till 2014, the clock starts now.
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: demik on Tue, 28 February 2012, 23:54:52: Quote from: jdonner;530328
That's the difference between you and me Ripster; I had 2 posts in 2 years, while you had 52,198. Conclusion: I have a life, you don't.

See you again in 2014 when you have 100,000+ posts.

Some people.... tsk, tsk, tsk....

really? you came back almost 2 years later just to insult him?

"Some people.... tsk, tsk, tsk...."
Title: A place to try mechanical keyboards?
Post by: quickcrx702 on Wed, 29 February 2012, 00:58:49: At Fry's here in Vegas, they have had on display white Alps, as well as Cherry red, blue, and black. I know because I like to type on keyboards when I walk by them, and also because morons like to steal the key caps revealing the switch underneath.