first mechanical keyboard -- weirdnesses?

[mscottveach]

so, i don't know much about mechanical keyboards, but I'm a professional
 writer and I know that I've been unable to find a keyboard that I like for
years...

...it only dawned on me that there might be high-end keyboards and
manufacturers other than logitech about two weeks ago.

I found these forums - read for a day or two and ordered a realforce.

I just got it today and have noticed some weird behaviors--

1. I type pretty fast and it seems to miss keystrokes from time to time;

2. I held down the backspace key and it backspaced for 15-20 characters
and then just "hung" -- when i released and repressed the backspace it
started deleting again.

3. Once when I started backspacing it acted as if it was a left arrow key --
it moved the cursor to the left but didn't delete the character.

Anyone have any advice on what's going on?

I'm running Win7 -- I didn't d/l any drivers for the keyboard and none came
with it -- do I need to try and find some drivers or something?

[manfaux]

missing keystrokes are totally normal with a new keyboard, but that backspace is def worth looking into, try it on a different PC see if the problem persists.

[mscottveach]

so, i was just playing around with it and this is what I've realized--

--it takes longer to release keys than i am used to and I am striking
keys simultaneously without realizing it.

The halting backspace occurs when I hold backspace down and then
inadvertently strike a letter key.

The left arrow behavior is happening because the side of my right hand
is resting on the left-arrow button while I am holding backspace down
and this causes the dominant behavior to be "left-arrow."

So, basically, as both the replies say... I just need to get used to it.

[stuiees]

just wait about a week when you try your logitech again.  i think that is when the difference really becomes most apparent.  give it some time and eventually you will not settle for anything less.

[woody]

@mscottveach: from using HHKB, my own personal subjective experience is that Topre switch has suboptimal force curve with regard to tactility.

As a friendly advice, and since you're a writer, try the Cherry MX Blue switch. The pronounced sharp tactile point is there for a reason, so is the audible click.

[Tony]

Unlike the membrane keyboards, mechanical keyboards are so responsive and easy to press that it will take you a week at least to get used to it.

From then on, there is no turning back.

[Ascaii]

@mscottveach: from using HHKB, my own personal subjective experience is that Topre switch has suboptimal force curve with regard to tactility.

As a friendly advice, and since you're a writer, try the Cherry MX Blue switch. The pronounced sharp tactile point is there for a reason, so is the audible click.

I'll second trying different boards.
I recently got into Mechs myself, and found the Mx Blue to be my personal fave writing my term papers in the past weeks. Currently switching a lot between a g80-1800 with blacks, a g80-3000 with blues, and a black alps Dell...I've gone through buckling springs, clear, blacks, blues, black alps, white alps, white cherry...the best bet is to really try several different ones if you have the chance and go by feel. Yes, you will eventually get used to anything, as the millions of "domers" prove, but that doesn't mean there might not be something better out there waiting for you. Best bet is to keep your eyes open at yard sales, goodwill, places that resell old industrial and business junk, ebay, etc. Chances are you'll be able to pick up some form of a mech for 5 bucks or less, definitely worth trying out...and if you don't like it, you can always resell those boards.

[cheeseds]

i agree with everything posted above you need to get use to the board. I just got my first mech board just yesterday barley 24 hours in and im already staring to get use to it, although to be honest my typing speed has dropped a bit but i blame that on not being use to mechanical switches.

on a happy side note, i was programing at school today on a membrane keyboard and it just felt so, blah, it makes me want to get either a HHKB or Noppoo Choc Mini with cherry brown for mobile/public use

[Ascaii]

i agree with everything posted above you need to get use to the board. I just got my first mech board just yesterday barley 24 hours in and im already staring to get use to it, although to be honest my typing speed has dropped a bit but i blame that on not being use to mechanical switches.

on a happy side note, i was programing at school today on a membrane keyboard and it just felt so, blah, it makes me want to get either a HHKB or Noppoo Choc Mini with cherry brown for mobile/public use

Same here...I've started carrying my Black g80-1800 around with me, since it fits nicely in my bag.

[keyboardlover]

With the backspace thing I would try unplugging the keyboard and then plugging it back in again. I got an issue like that before and that was how I resolved it.

[mscottveach]

WOW.

I took the advice of some of the above posts and went ahead and
ordered a Das Model S Pro --

-- it was like a bolt of lightning from the first moment I started typing. I was
really scratching my head on the mechanical keyboard thing with my Topre but
now I totally *get* it.

Thanks so much for suggesting I try a different switch! I can't begin to express
how shocked I am at the difference it makes... the closest I can come is to
liken it to getting a new pair of skis or going from a sedan to a sports car.

Amazing.

[shortround]

So how much do you want for your Topre now!?

[mscottveach]

So how much do you want for your Topre now!?

lol, what's fair? 1/2? 1/3? i'd sell it to anyone who wants it for a "on the low-end of fair" price...

[nocturn4l3030]

I'll second trying different boards.
I recently got into Mechs myself, and found the Mx Blue to be my personal fave writing my term papers in the past weeks. Currently switching a lot between a g80-1800 with blacks, a g80-3000 with blues, and a black alps Dell...I've gone through buckling springs, clear, blacks, blues, black alps, white alps, white cherry...the best bet is to really try several different ones if you have the chance and go by feel. Yes, you will eventually get used to anything, as the millions of "domers" prove, but that doesn't mean there might not be something better out there waiting for you. Best bet is to keep your eyes open at yard sales, goodwill, places that resell old industrial and business junk, ebay, etc. Chances are you'll be able to pick up some form of a mech for 5 bucks or less, definitely worth trying out...and if you don't like it, you can always resell those boards.

don't want to hi-jack the thread but i guess i'm going to anyways..

but how did you personally feel about the clears when compared to other cherry switches?  did you personally feel your fingers tired after typing for a while?  i've been really debating myself if i want to dish out the money to try them (deck boards)

i love the topre.. but im lookin to get a 2ndary board for when i'm coding.

i found the browns too light.. blues just a little too annoying for me because of the sound my kb makes when bottomingg out. and the model m is just too stiff for me after i've been so used to the topre and blues atm.

[keyboardlover]

If you're interested in clears, but don't want to pay the hefty Deck price, check out the cherry clear board in my sig. For $50 and with full nkro and doubleshots IMHO it's a Deck killer.

[keyboardlover]

Solution: get new job.

It's NOT as bulky as it's often made out to be. It's probably just as large as a full-size Deck. And it's not ugly! I think it's purty! You're making it cry!

[keyboardlover]

The 2nd row of F keys is another row of free doubleshots!  And the card reader is so cool cuz it actually works! Lots of fun at parties!

(Make sure your friends are drunk first).