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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Mesort on Mon, 18 June 2018, 16:19:08

Title: 84 Layout
Post by: Mesort on Mon, 18 June 2018, 16:19:08
Do you guys have any suggestions for 84 key layout keyboard? Recently i got niz/plum 84 keyboard but i didnt like the 35g switches. Any ideas?
Title: Re: 84 Layout
Post by: Sup on Mon, 18 June 2018, 16:26:14
KBD75  aluminium with your own switches and profile key caps and fully programmable with QMK there u go bruv.
Title: Re: 84 Layout
Post by: Mesort on Mon, 18 June 2018, 16:38:04
KBD75  aluminium with your own switches and profile key caps and fully programmable with QMK there u go bruv.

Im looking for prebuild ones or brands man. %75
Title: Re: 84 Layout
Post by: Leslieann on Mon, 18 June 2018, 17:23:10
Best off-the-shelf is probably the Vortex Race3.
You can reprogram it, however it's not as easy as a custom like the KBD75 and you can only reprogram the FN layer (which would let you remove that annoying calculator shortcut).
Title: Re: 84 Layout
Post by: Mesort on Mon, 18 June 2018, 17:27:47
Best off-the-shelf is probably the Vortex Race3.
You can reprogram it, however it's not as easy as a custom like the KBD75 and you can only reprogram the FN layer (which would let you remove that annoying calculator shortcut).

i`ve been checking those but Esc key seems weird and all the top row changes because of that esc or delete button. Any other advice?
Title: Re: 84 Layout
Post by: Leslieann on Mon, 18 June 2018, 18:07:58
i`ve been checking those but Esc key seems weird and all the top row changes because of that esc or delete button. Any other advice?
Every 75% will have at least one key that is a hassle to replace, it's the nature of the beast.
Of all common layouts, 75% is the least standardized and has one of the smallest market shares, as such, key caps tend to be model specific. 

The Esc key can use a normal size and doesn't actually distract from the looks nearly as much as you think. Also, Vortex has some great keycaps for it. That said, you aren't going to be able to put custom caps on a 75% like you can a TKL or full size. A few sets will work with only a small gap up near the delete and esc, and possibly an odd function key, but if your goal is to use custom keycap sets, you do not want a 75% (and to a lesser extent a 65%), keycap support just isn't there.

More info in this thread:
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=95756.0

Basically if you want keycaps, stick to TKL, full size, 40%, 60%, or even a 68. Basically almost anything other than 65 or 75%.
Title: Re: 84 Layout
Post by: Mesort on Tue, 26 June 2018, 15:00:19
Its not about keycaps. Because esc is wider f1 is not allinged with 1 and the other keys too
Title: Re: 84 Layout
Post by: Tactile on Tue, 26 June 2018, 16:43:02
Can you deal with PS/2? is 2KRO acceptable? If so here's the most bang-per-buck in a 75% keyboard. These are made by TG3 for the computers in cop cars. Cherry MX black switches, fully backlit in red, and they're built like, ...well..., like they were designed to ride along in police cars. If you can deal with the limitations these (https://www.ebay.com/itm/TG3-Electronics-BL82-Series-82-key-LED-Backlit-KeyboaRD-KBA-BL82-5RBIVS-PS2/263674086050) rock.
Title: Re: 84 Layout
Post by: Leslieann on Tue, 26 June 2018, 17:50:24
Its not about keycaps. Because esc is wider f1 is not allinged with 1 and the other keys too
You do realize that all 75% have a different alignment on the f-keys than a normal keyboard, right?

The Race is actually more properly aligned than most others because of the wide ESC key. Normally the F1 key is offset by a full key width, while the Race is only off by half a key. In both cases alignment only gets worse as it goes because of the missing gaps.

And if this is some OCD thing, NONE of the other rows line up, and none have an even number of keys.  :))
Title: Re: 84 Layout
Post by: Light on Wed, 27 June 2018, 17:02:54
You do realize that all 75% have a different alignment on the f-keys than a normal keyboard, right?

Actually, that's not true. OP, you might be interested in the Magicforce 82. (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Magicforce-82-Key-Mechanical-Keyboard-Cherry-MX-Brown-BRAND-NEW/253667868438?hash=item3b0fc87f16:g:4rgAAOSwhvFZGiH7) I had one and it's a pretty solid board. Would've been happy with it as my daily driver if I didn't want something other than MX switches.
Title: Re: 84 Layout
Post by: Leslieann on Wed, 27 June 2018, 17:14:50
Actually, that's not true. OP, you might be interested in the Magicforce 82. (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Magicforce-82-Key-Mechanical-Keyboard-Cherry-MX-Brown-BRAND-NEW/253667868438?hash=item3b0fc87f16:g:4rgAAOSwhvFZGiH7) I had one and it's a pretty solid board. Would've been happy with it as my daily driver if I didn't want something other than MX switches.
You're right, I forgot about that one, but generally, most will be odd.

While Magicforce (also sold as Qisan) are not bad, the stabs are not so good. Also, you can find that same keyboard with Cherry switches for under $80 with some looking, and well under $70 with other switches such as Gaterons.