geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: TheProcess on Sun, 01 July 2018, 12:05:52

Title: To Filco or not to Filco?
Post by: TheProcess on Sun, 01 July 2018, 12:05:52
So I am on the hunt for a new keyboard and have made the choice to most likely ditch the number pad in order to save more room. Since I already have 2 keyboards with brown and blue switches, I have made up my mind to get a keyboard with red switches. Now the question is if I should stick with the Filco brand or move onto something else in order to save some money. The current Filco TKL keyboards run for about $130 dollars. The other keyboard that I have been debating on getting is the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro which cost $80 dollars. Now the question is if the Filco keyboard is worth the extra $50 dollars or if I should just get the HyperX keyboard and save some money? Any advice would be appreciated! PS. If you have any other recommendations I'd be glad to hear as well. Keyboard will be used mainly for gaiming. Link for keybaords will be given here:

https://www.amazon.com/HyperX-Alloy-FPS-Pro-Ultra-Compact/dp/B074F5L8GQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1530464386&sr=8-1&keywords=hyperx+fps+pro

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=3667
Title: Re: To Filco or not to Filco?
Post by: Puddsy on Sun, 01 July 2018, 12:14:27
always filco
Title: Re: To Filco or not to Filco?
Post by: Hyde on Sun, 01 July 2018, 12:33:05
always filco

Yes always Filco, it's always better to buy 1 good one than many bad ones.

Though these days Leopold might be better bang for buck since it's around same price and you get more features.  But Filco will always have a spot in my heart lol.
Title: Re: To Filco or not to Filco?
Post by: fohat.digs on Sun, 01 July 2018, 12:39:50
I don't use Cherry but my teenage son has gamed a Filco TKL (blacks with O-rings) relentlessly for at least 3-4 years without any problems whatsoever.
Title: Re: To Filco or not to Filco?
Post by: _PixelNinja on Sun, 01 July 2018, 13:05:05
I love FILCO but Diatec is stuck in 00s — Leopold's current offering has rendered their keyboards irrelevant in my view. For more or less the same price you are getting a keyboard with better attention to detail and build quality (sound dampening mat, thick PBT keycaps, nicer tuned stabs etc.)
Title: Re: To Filco or not to Filco?
Post by: zslane on Sun, 01 July 2018, 13:43:26
Either a Filco or a Varmillo.
Title: Re: To Filco or not to Filco?
Post by: Kavik on Sun, 01 July 2018, 14:10:18
Others may disagree with me, but, if you want to go the cheaper route, I'd suggest Coolermaster. I've had a Quickfire TK with MX Reds for just about five years with absolutely no problems. It's a fairly solid feeling board too for having a plastic case. The only negative is that the keycaps are painted abs, which gets a little slippery over time, but only one key has a slight chip in the paint.

You can get the CM Masterkeys S TKL with PBT keycaps for $80 on Amazon, which has better keycaps than mine. It also has a pretty similar case shape to the Filco. Coolermaster makes a decent keyboard despite being gamer oriented.
Title: Re: To Filco or not to Filco?
Post by: Sup on Sun, 01 July 2018, 17:07:21
I mean Filco is great expect the stock keycaps those are crap. I do at the moment have this one posted https://www.reddit.com/r/mechmarket/comments/8vcrpm/euuk_h_filco_majestouch_2_tkl_gateron_yellow_in/. If you are interested in the keyboard we can work something out about the shipping.
Title: Re: To Filco or not to Filco?
Post by: Leslieann on Sun, 01 July 2018, 17:41:52
There are cheaper keyboards, there are more expensive ones, there are better deals and worse deals.

However, you really can't go wrong with a Filco.
In 5 years will you care about that extra $50? Probably not, but you will appreciate that you still have an awesome keyboard that still works. May not be able to read the symbols on the keys, but it will still work like new.
Title: Re: To Filco or not to Filco?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sun, 01 July 2018, 19:55:10
Leopold obviously.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Title: Re: To Filco or not to Filco?
Post by: nguyenhimself on Sun, 01 July 2018, 21:00:15
Aside from the Filco Minila Air (probably the most solid wireless mech keyboard), I don't see why one would go for Filco instead of Leopold: Just as great build quality, sound-absorbing mat, and great double-shot PBT keycaps.
Title: Re: To Filco or not to Filco?
Post by: moh18one on Sun, 01 July 2018, 22:56:48
IKBC MF87 RGB or Mistel Sleeker

imo Varmilo and  Leopold are better bang for bucks than Filco
Title: Re: To Filco or not to Filco?
Post by: crtexcnndrm99 on Mon, 02 July 2018, 08:13:18
If any OG’s still have a tricked out Filco in the back of your closet (first of all, hopefully the the 356cl didn’t squish it), I was thinking of adopting one for old times’ sake. TIA :thumb:


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: To Filco or not to Filco?
Post by: rxc92 on Mon, 02 July 2018, 10:04:51
Filco is so stagnant. Yeah, you can get a keyboard from them, no, it's nothing special and you'll have to desperately convince yourself that you like it when its only redeeming quality is durability, despite costing more than any other comparable board. 
It'll never be a terrible choice, but you could always get something better. I don't really get the case with people saying other boards won't last you; they'll last you exactly as long unless you're playing cricket with your keyboard; heck, my Corsair and CM that I bought first and sold to friends are still in perfect condition seven years later.
Title: Re: To Filco or not to Filco?
Post by: Hyde on Mon, 02 July 2018, 11:28:58
Oh I forgot to mention, if you want to save some money and have almost Filco like qualities.  You can also go with this:

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823201085&cm_re=rosewill_keyboard-_-23-201-085-_-Product

2 of my friends both bought it recently and have no problem, they have fixed the issue with the Mini B port in Version 2 update (Version 1 it break easily).

This is way cheaper but also still made by Costar (same OEM as Filco).
Title: Re: To Filco or not to Filco?
Post by: Kavik on Mon, 02 July 2018, 11:47:01
Oh I forgot to mention, if you want to save some money and have almost Filco like qualities.  You can also go with this:

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823201085&cm_re=rosewill_keyboard-_-23-201-085-_-Product

2 of my friends both bought it recently and have no problem, they have fixed the issue with the Mini B port in Version 2 update (Version 1 it break easily).

This is way cheaper but also still made by Costar (same OEM as Filco).

I'm not sure if Filcos are like this, but the only thing I don't like about my Rosewill (albeit V1) is that the plate/PCB is not secured in the case very well. I can push on the edges (like the numpad and Esc keys) and see and feel it give about 1mm or 2mm.