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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: edlp456 on Thu, 05 April 2018, 23:37:53

Title: Looking for a 65% keyboard without floating key design
Post by: edlp456 on Thu, 05 April 2018, 23:37:53

Hello. I'm a newbie here and after reading for a while I think I decided on what kind of keyboard I want, although I still need to decide which one I'm gonna buy. The Tada68 is definitely one of my candidates but I want to see other options just in case I missed one. Like the title says, I was thinking of getting a 65% keyboard, but I noticed a lot of other models have that "floating key" design, which I'm not really a fan of. Are there any of these like that? Also, I'm not sure how I feel about DIY kits. I would prefer it if I didn't have to build it myself. :-X That's all, thanks in advance!

Title: Re: Looking for a 65% keyboard without floating key design
Post by: Sup on Fri, 06 April 2018, 01:49:28

Leopold FC660M

(https://elitekeyboards.com/proddata/images/th/fc660m_full1000_th620x400.jpg)

Title: Looking for a 65% keyboard without floating key design
Post by: enrique.aliaga on Fri, 06 April 2018, 09:48:28

Either Leopold FC660M (if you want Cherry Mechanical switches) or Leopold FC660C (if you want Topre Capacitive switches).

I think Leopold makes fantastic boards. Very high quality. And they don’t have that floating-key design that you despise.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Looking for a 65% keyboard without floating key design
Post by: ThoughtArtist on Fri, 06 April 2018, 18:02:37

Yep. Floating design sucks if you don't have caps designed for it and don't mind stabbing your fingertips from time to time on the bottom edge of the caps.

Surprised this gets overlooked by all the GMk ****s (like myself who now knows better)

Title: Re: Looking for a 65% keyboard without floating key design
Post by: zappysnap on Fri, 06 April 2018, 20:24:28

Varmilo VA68M is my favorite....I had a pre-built one with clears, but just built another with box navies, and it's amazing.


(https://i.imgur.com/3iBYcJT.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/TOkfc7v.jpg)

Title: Re: Looking for a 65% keyboard without floating key design
Post by: edlp456 on Sat, 07 April 2018, 23:29:36

Quote from: zappysnap on Fri, 06 April 2018, 20:24:28

Varmilo VA68M is my favorite....I had a pre-built one with clears, but just built another with box navies, and it's amazing.

Show Image

(https://i.imgur.com/3iBYcJT.jpg)

Show Image

(https://i.imgur.com/TOkfc7v.jpg)

Oh, that one actually looks good. I might look into it. Thanks :)

Quote from: enrique.aliaga on Fri, 06 April 2018, 09:48:28

Either Leopold FC660M (if you want Cherry Mechanical switches) or Leopold FC660C (if you want Topre Capacitive switches).

I think Leopold makes fantastic boards. Very high quality. And they don’t have that floating-key design that you despise.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That one looks really nice also. Thanks :D

Title: Re: Looking for a 65% keyboard without floating key design
Post by: Archedemus on Sun, 08 April 2018, 02:30:25

You could go with KBD66 or KBD661 , high profile aluminum case, boi


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Title: Re: Looking for a 65% keyboard without floating key design
Post by: DMacKB on Sun, 08 April 2018, 18:18:34

Tada68 from kbdfans is a lovely example with thick juicy keycaps too. They’re on aliexpress or MyShopify.

Title: Re: Looking for a 65% keyboard without floating key design
Post by: Puddsy on Sun, 08 April 2018, 21:20:56

Clueboard!

Title: Re: Looking for a 65% keyboard without floating key design
Post by: spiceBar on Wed, 11 April 2018, 17:29:54

As others have already said, I would strongly advocate for an FC660C or FC660M (I own both).

The "C" is Topre, and unfortunately is not easily customizable. But it has this very pleasurable Topre signature "Thock".

The "M" has Cherry MX switches (different kinds available), and you can easily find keysets for it: all the keys are standard except the right Shift (it's the same as the left one), and the Win (Meta or Super) key, which is 1u wide (not hard to find).

I know some people dislike the shape around the Insert/Delete key island, but for me it's a valuable feature. Remember, your hands don't see. The right part of the keyboard is actually very well done, as it allows to find the navigation keys easily, by touch. It's something that you should not underestimate. I have other keyboards with more compact layouts and I am always annoyed by the fact that the navigation keys are lost in the pack.

Needless to say, the build quality is very good. You will have to work hard to get the same quality on a DIY.