Need some help with cheap Cherry keyboards

[grimonce]

What's the difference between those two:
-Cherry NTK Technology G83-6000

-Cherry FTSC-Technology G81-3000

Which one should I choose for lets say gaming, I think they are both ergonomic, I play a lot of rts (like sc2) and I believe the gaming stuff is strongly overpriced + it's real bad imo .
I've tried to find some good informations about those, but failed.
Please help ^^ - also I don't mind if they'll "click really loud".

[appie747]

Can you tell me what is ergonomic about it?

[grimonce]

Can you tell me what is ergonomic about it?

They're both qwerty keyboards, they have standart sizes, the buttons sizes seem to be fitting my "demands" (considering my comfort) = I think that's what ergonomics is all about being a study of designing "equipment and devices that fit the human body".

Tho could you please help me choose ? Is NTK a mechanical keyboard, because I've found that FTSC is some kind of hybrid already, somewhere on those forums.

[Human]

They're both qwerty keyboards, they have standart sizes, the buttons sizes seem to be fitting my "demands" (considering my comfort) = I think that's what ergonomics is all about being a study of designing "equipment and devices that fit the human body".

Tho could you please help me choose ? Is NTK a mechanical keyboard, because I've found that FTSC is some kind of hybrid already, somewhere on those forums.

FYI, Cherry G81(MY) and G83(rubber dome) both isn't mechanical kb.
Also, if you are taking the keyboard layout into consideration for ergonomic. QWERTY is among the most not ergonomic layout. At least layout like COLEMAK is more ergonomic than it.

[keyb_gr]

As a rule of thumb for Cherry 'boards, unless you can afford a G80 (which is one of the least expensive mechanicals in Euroland), you might as well not bother.

G83s are pretty average rubber domes (some Cymotion / G86 series boards are supposed to be reasonably good though). You might as well get a FSC (now only Fujitsu) KBPC PX - best look out for B-stock on the 'bay, regular pricing is a bit steep for a 'dome. Not fond of the weak labeling, but the feel is pretty good. I don't think you can find new Keytronics over here any more.
G81s would have most people claim that they're WORSE than rubber domes. The steep linear force curve is an acquired taste, and off-center friction doesn't help matters.

For Cherry model numbering in general, you can check the "Dating Cherry keyboards" wiki. Information on the MY mechanism (G81) is in "Cherry switches and boards".

[noodles256]

wlcm 2 gh

[Ekaros]

ML is mechanical as I understand it, but it's laptop-style short-travel switch, nothing spectacular. G80 with MX is the prefered one, and still I don't personaly like the Cherry's style, too much flex...

[Findecanor]

MY is mechanical as I understand it, but it's laptop-style short-travel switch, nothing spectacular.

No, that is the Cherry ML switch. It was used in older laptops (back in the '90s), and nowadays in some compact keyboards and separate key pads. Still nothing spectacular.

Cherry MY switches (G81 series keyboards) have plungers and springs over membrane. They feel awful in comparison to anything with MX switches in them. The only good thing about them is that some of the key caps are compatible with MX and some variants that Cherry manufactured are better in many ways than some others of other keyboard makers.

[Ekaros]

No, that is the Cherry ML switch. It was used in older laptops (back in the '90s), and nowadays in some compact keyboards and separate key pads. Still nothing spectacular.

Cherry MY switches (G81 series keyboards) have plungers and springs over membrane. They feel awful in comparison to anything with MX switches in them. The only good thing about them is that some of the key caps are compatible with MX and some variants that Cherry manufactured are better in many ways than some others of other keyboard makers.

Meant ML ofcourse. Don't know why did I typo that one.

G80 with MX is only thing to go for if not ultracompact keyboard is looked for...

On other hand I do use G84-4700 as a hub for my IBM, if I even need to use another PS board it's there...

[The Solutor]

both isn't mechanical kb.

 
Mechanical keyboard, to define the microswitches keyboard, is one of the wrongest definition ever created.

Any keyboard that requires a mechanical action to register an event is a mechanical keyboard, from the first Harpsichord to the Blackberry Storm's touchscreen.

Also the microswitches definition is not a lot more precise, because just the topre and the hall effect based keyboard are excluded from this definition.

Discrete "microswitches keyboard" could be a good definition to define cherry and alps board, but model M and model F will be excluded.

So I think that the only common item is the metal spring, which is present in cherry, alps, model M and F, and also in topre boards.

Should we call metal spring boards what we currently call mechanical keyboard.

[woody]

So I think that the only common item is the metal spring, which is present in cherry, alps, model M and F, and also in topre boards.

While I agree that the "mechanical" keyboard definition is very moot and commonly misunderstood, the metal spring in Topre switch has nothing to with springiness or adding tactile properties. It replaces the foil used before for capacitive sensing actuation.
Also, if you classify Model M BS as mechanical, then buckling sleeve are mechanical just as well. And so are the (buckling) rubber domes (of which Topre is a fancy kind).