Second keyboard..

[jdreamer]

So, I bit the bullet and bought my first mechy (Archiss Tenkeyless Brown) last month. After, weeks of using the keyboard and reading GH everyday. I finally think that maybe it's time for me to buy a second keyboard.

Basically, I like the idea of tenkeyless because it sits well on my table with the centered position towards my monitor but on the other hand, I kind of miss my numpad as well even though I do not use them as much. Therefore, I'm wondering whether I should buy another tenkeyless or fullkey?

Other than that, I really love how Brown switch is designed. It's very light yet not making too much 'clicky' noise which my wife is already complaining about Brown being too noisy. Should I continue to get another Brown switch or I should move on and try something else? For example, a Red or Black switch?

At the moment, I am moving my keyboard around when I bring my notebook to the living room, gaming room, etc. That is if I am moving with my notebook. Other than that, it sits well on my table in my room. Based on that reason alone, I'm thinking of making my tenkeyless the 'portable keyboard' and another one rests in my room so I do not have to plug in and out every single time I wanna use my notebook. Blame the feel of mechy that I can hardly part with it anymore.

So..... my question is..

1) Should I get buy another keyboard?
2) If yes, which switch? Blue, Black, Brown or Red?
3) Another tenkeyless or full key?
4) I'm using Archiss (which spacebar is a problem for me at the moment because I can't find anything to replace it), so what other brands should I look at? I'm currently looking at Filco and Ducky full keys though.

Hope to hear from you guys soon.

Cheers!

[noodles256]

get blues, they are loud and sexy

[vun]

get blues, they are loud and sexy

This. Typing this on blues, it's a very enjoyable experience, though they are a bit loud so if you plan on using it a lot in a room with other people or while on VoIP you might run into trouble. My friends don't mind it when I'm on Skype with them, but if you're on vent with a lot of strangers they might not be as tolerant.

Personally I use the blues for typing and games that don't use the WASD cluster for movement and switch to my browns for FPS games or simply when I feel like it.

[sam113101]

Try the buckling spring, that's like the opposite of browns. You want to try them all really, don't stick with a switch without having tried the others.
Edit; I hate blues, but as you see some love them. You can't ask us what you should buy, only ask us how they feel and judge if you'll like them or not, then buy what you think will please you the most.

[BababooeyHTJ]

If you don't mind dealing with a bit of noise you can't go wrong with a model M. I find it to be far more comfortable than cherry blues.

[jdreamer]

Well, my friend has recently just bought a Razer BlackWidow so I think I may wanna go over to his place and try the feel of blue. I heard that Blue is quite similar to Brown except the noise. I know that Brown is slightly lighter compared to Blue but sometimes I do feel that Brown is a little too 'light'. Still, it's awesome and I love typing on it except that sometimes I do miss several keys.

Anyhow, what about Red and Black switch? I heard that Black is 'heavy' and has no tactile feedback meanwhile Red is lighter and similar to Brown? What about Model M? Not very sure on this.

Please advise. Thanks!

[Shuki]

If noise is a problem then I guess the Cherry Reds would be the best choice, however you may like the blues better but of course they are fairly noising comparatively.

[jdreamer]

If noise is a problem then I guess the Cherry Reds would be the best choice, however you may like the blues better but of course they are fairly noising comparatively.

Is there a reason why you recommend Red as the best choice?

[iMav]

Assuming you like the browns, pick up a Poker with browns.  Have the same typing experience available where you are (portability!).

[BababooeyHTJ]

Well, my friend has recently just bought a Razer BlackWidow so I think I may wanna go over to his place and try the feel of blue. I heard that Blue is quite similar to Brown except the noise. I know that Brown is slightly lighter compared to Blue but sometimes I do feel that Brown is a little too 'light'. Still, it's awesome and I love typing on it except that sometimes I do miss several keys.

Anyhow, what about Red and Black switch? I heard that Black is 'heavy' and has no tactile feedback meanwhile Red is lighter and similar to Brown? What about Model M? Not very sure on this.

Please advise. Thanks!

Browns and Blues feel entirely different. I don't like blues at all. On the other hand a lot of people do. Check the geekhack key wiki you'll see the main difference between the two keys and why they feel different.

To me it really sounds like you might like buckling springs. The feel is similar to browns but with a bit more tactile feedback. They are also a fair bit heavier than Browns but unlike MX blacks or Alps blacks not too heavy. As far as feel goes Buckling springs are my favorite switch but like blues they are loud.

[rustybarnacle]

I don't think you'll get a mechanical switch much quieter than the browns.  The reds will probably not be noticeably quieter, especially if you bottom out (which is easier to do on reds than browns).  I have my "wife complains about noise" keyboard, and it's an apple aluminium board.  Not too expensive (but kinda for what it is), but it does have a 10 key when i need it and it is quiet.

[jdreamer]

Some of you may have misunderstood me regarding getting this new keyboard. I am leaving my Archiss tenkeyless in the living room so that I can use it whenever I use my notebook around the house. Therefore, I am looking to get a new full key to be used in my room for my computer.

Anyhow, I still don't quite understand the hype about Red switches and that's why I am asking about the difference about it. I don't think that I will be able to test because, in Australia.. mechy is quite dead and quiet in the market.

Hmm, as for wife, yea.. I lied about getting the current keyboard from the store at $50 (but it costed me $160+ posted from Japan).

Ripster: Nice advise you got there... XD

[rustybarnacle]

Anyhow, I still don't quite understand the hype about Red switches and that's why I am asking about the difference about it.

Tho i'm sure i'll take some flack for this, reds are just linear browns, more or less.  Imagine a brown switch with no bump in it when you push it down.  They're "all the rage" because we're a bunch of OCD collectors that "gotta catch em all" and reds until recently were pretty much only available in asia.

[jdreamer]

Tho i'm sure i'll take some flack for this, reds are just linear browns, more or less.  Imagine a brown switch with no bump in it when you push it down.  They're "all the rage" because we're a bunch of OCD collectors that "gotta catch em all" and reds until recently were pretty much only available in asia.

Collectors, you're right. I start to be poisoned and can't stop looking for more. I thought you guys were crazy to have so many keyboards but now, I think you guys are normal and I was crazy not to have that many keyboards like you all do.

I too advise lying about purchases as a key component of a happy marriage.

This noise thing is still a bit fuzzy.  You wife doesn't like the noise of the keyboard in your computer room?

Yes. She complains about the noise being made by the keyboard. When I wake up early and type something, what she does is throwing the pillow to me and asks me to stop it. Therefore, I type really slow and soft when she's still in bed.

I wonder Blue will be too loud since I don't bottom out that much. As for Red, I read that it's supposed to  be lighter and quieter than Brown.. hmm..

[keyboardlover]

Topre is much quieter and softer than browns. Just expensive

[rustybarnacle]

If noise is an issue, stay far away from blues.

[jdreamer]

Looks like if I don't wanna go for the same Brown switches, my next choice will be Red or Black which I kind of prefer Red more.

[jdreamer]

If she's close enough to hit you with a pillow the ONLY solution is scissor switches or the Topre Silent.  Or earplugs.

That's funny. My desk and bed are quite separated in a distance. It's her pillow throwing skill is good or I should say that she aims very well.

[Tony]

Try a desktop keyboard with scissor switches (Apple perhaps?), it is quieter than brown. Blue and Buckling spring are very noisy, so stay clear.

If you can afford it, get a Topre.

[jdreamer]

Okie, I just tried my friend's Razer BW and I realized that it isn't that noisy for a Blue.. so I think that I will go for the Blue switch for my second keyboard.

Ducky seems to be quite a bargain for me, MechKeyboards is selling the DK9008 Blue switch at $149.95 (including shipping). Meanwhile, Filco 104 keys is around $189.90 or Pink version at $154 at AusPCMarket. That is $40 difference between these 2 boards. Honestly, I can't really tell much different between them after reading the reviews and videos from this forum and youtube. Only thing that I can notice is that DK9008 has 4 extra keys, detachable usb cable and Filco doesn't.

Before I pull the trigger for Ducky DK9008, anyone else wanna give me some opinions? Like other suggestions or try to convince me to get Filco instead of Ducky? Or Pink Filco? Advice please?

Cheers.

[keyboardlover]

Duckys sucky imho.  It reeks of PRC Design Engineering ethos.

Say what you want about PRC Design Engineering.

At LEAST it's an ethos.

[itlnstln]

Duckys sucky imho.  It reeks of PRC Design Engineering ethos.

Get a Filco.  Much better quality.  Help their economy recover from the Tsunami.

I couldn't disagree more.  The 9008 is just as good as the Filco, if not better, and they're made by the same OEM.  Ripster wouldn't know anyway since he hasn't owned one.

[itlnstln]

I thought it might have been a Datacomp, but sixty was thinking that the 1087 was a Datacomp and Costar did the 9008.  Half of the stuff all looks the same, anyway.  I thought the original Leopolds were Costar, and they turned out to be Strongman.  I think Imsto said somewhere, too, that they used a custom controller for the Duckys, but again, I struggle to find the link (I'm kinda busy at work, too).  

Here are some vague pics of the G2 version.  Looks like the same controller board on a red PCB.  There aren't enough pics of the main board to see who made it, though.  To me, they're all pretty much the same, and it's the features that put one over the other.  Functionally, they're both about the same.  I, personally, like the PBT caps, removable cable, shortcut keys and media keys.  All things being equal, if you put the guts from a Filco, Ducky, and probably a Leopold all in the same generic case with the same key caps; I bet one would be hard pressed to tell the difference.

[itlnstln]

That's what we thought about the Das 3 too.  Surely after 3 revs they'd get it right!!!

Anyway in the US it's pretty easy. $99 Leopold versus a $150 Filco get a Leopold or Rosewill - someday -  maybe soon - maybe not.  Ducky is in this odd pricepoint in the middle.  A Chinese clone with premium pricing.

Agreed.  Price is another big factor.  If I were in the Tenkeyless market, I would continue waiting patiently for the Leopold; another $50 for a Filco is out of the question.  If the Leopold stays at $99 and there is no price hike after the launch, Ducky will be at an odd spot.  It will be interesting to see what happens when the Leopold full size 'boards come out.

[itlnstln]

If it is a just a pre-order price, I wonder what would have caused the significant increase?  Maybe something with the situation in Japan, perhaps?

[jdreamer]

Okie, the reason that I'm going for either Ducky or Filco is because of the availability of replacement keycaps sets. I'm currently using Archiss and the spacebar issue bothers me.

Anyhow, what you guys have stated above is suggesting Ducky being poor in quality? Or because ripster doesn't like Moogle?

Hmm, so I should go for Filco? Just to clarify again, I'm looking at full keys, not tenkeyless.

Cheers

[jdreamer]

G2 as in which model? The limited tiger version or the normal dk9008?

Normal Filco is 189, pink version is 154, meanwhile, normal ducky is 149.90 and limited edition is 169.90.

[jdreamer]

I actually ordered Pbt black engraved from the other thread like you did so I can actually use it on this new board or my Archiss tenkeyless but the problem is that I can't replace the spacebar.

So what will you do if you're in my situation?

[keyboardlover]

Personally I would leave the old spacebar on there.

[jdreamer]

Why would you do that?

[keyboardlover]

Because the new one can't fit and the old one will probably look fine with the new keys.

[jdreamer]

Well, I know that but my spacebar has already obtained a shiny spot after a month. Even though its only visible under the light, I thought that I might as well get something to replace it. Just no one is doing the compatible spacebar for Archiss/Leopold yet..

[trievalot]

Where in au are you? I'm an Aussie too!  

We are getting many (well 4 anyway)

I'm on my 3rd topre.....there is a quote on here I like
"don't be a ****, buy a Topre."

[trievalot]

Oh, also I agree....try an M

[jdreamer]

I'm in Victoria and I can see that you're in SA. I'm going over there during Easter break. Driving for 8 hours will be fun!

Which keycaps are supposed to be the best and last longer?

[gilgam]

For the spacebar ?
Pbt are said to shine later.
On the realforce i use quite often the spacebar does not shine yet in three months.


For 'printed' keys the best are the double shot keycaps.

[jdreamer]

Interesting. So, PBT > Doubleshots > ABS?

[keyboardlover]

Interesting. So, PBT > Doubleshots > ABS?

No, it's more confusing than that

Doubleshots ARE ABS. But they range in quality (best quality is Cherry Corp. doubleshots) which are likely at the same level as PBT keys.

[jdreamer]

No, it's more confusing that that

Doubleshots ARE ABS. But they range in quality (best quality is Cherry Corp. doubleshots) which are likely at the same level as PBT keys.

Okie, it gets worse and worse for me. Hahahaha...

So, PBT are amongs the top with top ABS. Done.

[keyboardlover]

Forgot to mention that PBT's range in quality too. PBT engraved and dye sub (like Realforce) seem to be the best. The lasered ones are sub-par to Cherry Corp. Doubleshots.

[jdreamer]

KBL, enough.. I don't wanna be puzzled even more.

Anyhow, I'm still stuck with the decision to buy either a Pink Filco (blue switch) or Ducky DK9008 (normal version) or Ducky G2 limited edition....

Pink Filco - $154
Black Filco - $189.95
DK9008 - $149.90
DK9008G2 - $169.90

[itlnstln]

I just got my Ducky 9008 G2.  Very nice, but I would get the G2 over the regular model for the engraved caps more than anything.  The typing experience is roughly the same, and other than the engraved caps and the writing by the arrow keys, they look pretty similar, too.  There are some internal differences with the PCB, but it doesn't make any difference in the typing feel since the switches are plate-mounted.  On top of the already dubious claim by Diatec, it makes me question even more that the new PCB in the Filco Majestouch 2 does anything for typing feel at all.  It might if the switches were PCB-mounted.

[jdreamer]

Mechkeyboards.com just confirmed with me that the new Red switch will probably be in stock by next week.. eager to find out the price for this board. I think I will decide after it becomes available. If it's too expensive, I will probably just get Blue or Brown switch on pink Filco or the cheaper version of DK9008.