God damn you guys - Already considering buying a new keyboard...

[Gupux]

Sup dudes I'm new here.

So, I recently bought my first mechanical keyboard, a Filco MJ2 Tenkeyless with blues. It's everything I expected, I really love the sound and feel of the Cherry MX blues. Reading this forum helped with my choice very much.

However for some reason I decided to stick around this forum after my purchase and I'm already wanting to try a new keyboard. Not saying this came as a surprise but when I decided I want to buy a mechanical I thought it would be my last keyboard for the next few years at least haha. Now, I'm an IT-student and quite a geek anyway so It's not that hard to justify having a few different keyboards around since I spend probably 40% of my life in front of a computer. Only problem is money. I have to get by with a little over 600€ per month from which I have to pay the rent etc. so I really don't have much money to spend. Luckily I will most likely have a job during the summer so I can afford some luxuries then.

I also have the perfect excuse to get another keyboard. My girlfriend doesn't exactly share my love with the Cherry blues. This isn't a problem during daytime but I'm often up longer than she is (I'm usually playing some games or something) and being a broke student my apartment is really small. This is a problem because there's only ~1 meter or even less between my "battlestation" and my bed so you can probably imagine how my "me-time" is detrimental to her sleep. She's a really heavy sleeper but my new favorite keyboard is just a bit too much even for her.

This leads to my choices for the next keyboard. I'm really intrigued by the Topres (they sound really nice and soothing from the samples I've heard) and also to some extent Cherry MX reds. To narrow it further I'm pretty limited in my choices due to the layout I need (FI/SWE ISO). The only Topre board available, atleast to my knowledge, is the Realforce 88UB (only available with variable key weights) as I don't want a full size. And for the Cherry reds there are probably others but I like my Filco so much that I'd like to stick with them. I heard The Keyboard Company will be getting Filcos with reds in EU layouts during the summer.

Give me your thoughts/opinions or anything else related to this please. Is it worth paying ~60-70 euros more for the Topre? I'm also wondering how big of a difference do these 2 switches have in terms of loudness. I've listened to samples of both but it's difficult to compare as I haven't found a video which shows them both. I can type without bottoming out on the blues but I would imagine it is much harder with the reds.

[MyNameIsFinn]

Once you are here, you will see your wallet becoming smaller and smaller, if  you have a lot of money but some new keyboards, if not change your paypal password or you are screwed.

[mickd]

This is a problem because there's only ~1 meter or even less between my "battlestation" and my bed so you can probably imagine how my "me-time" is detrimental to her sleep.

Was not sure which you were referring to as the "battlestation" until i got to "and my bed".

Sorry I can't comment on the Topre switches, never tried them. But they sound like they could be the solution you're looking for. Mind you it'll still be loud, just soft for a mechanical keyboard

[mbc]

Why don't you simply trade your blue for a red instead of dumping all your money on useless stuff

[Wildcard]

Welcome to geekhack.

To answer your question, you've already tried MX blues which have an actuation force of around 50cN and a peak force around 60cN. So one of the questions you need to ask is, should I go lighter or heaver? Since you know that the "click" isn't going to appease your significant other, clicky is out, tactile and linear force are in. Since you're a gamer, linear is probably more your style. Linear is like a straight through push vs tactile which offers resistance mid stroke (much like cherry blues). MX Brown is closer to your blues but without the click. I like MX brown, but they're so boring compared to the blues.

If you like a heavier feel then go MX Black 60cN if you want a lighter feel MX Red 45cN.

Topre switches are tactile in nature, but the key stroke is very smooth. This resistance changes depending on your key weight. Variable is a unique beast that has a love/hate relationship but is a good typing board. If you want a more uniform feel Realforce does come in different 30g/45g/55g keyweights, some of these are hard to come by though depending on location and availability.

And if you're set on a 45g key weight (close to MX Red) consider a Realforce or HHKB Pro ("not" Lite).

Lastly with sound being an issue. You can lower the sound when the keys bottom out by adding o-rings or foam dampers to a cherry switch, or foam dampers to Topre. Realforce and HHKB do sell "silent" models that already have these included, so that's something to consider.

Any of these options will put a nice dent in your wallet, but that's the price you pay for a great input device.

[Gupux]

Why don't you simply trade your blue for a red instead of dumping all your money on useless stuff

Thing is I don't want to get rid of my Filco with blues. And I don't really mind spending money on a new keyboard once I get some money from my job.

[Awful]

Sup dudes I'm new here.

So, I recently bought my first mechanical keyboard, a Filco MJ2 Tenkeyless with blues. It's everything I expected, I really love the sound and feel of the Cherry MX blues. Reading this forum helped with my choice very much.

However for some reason I decided to stick around this forum after my purchase and I'm already wanting to try a new keyboard. Not saying this came as a surprise but when I decided I want to buy a mechanical I thought it would be my last keyboard for the next few years at least haha. Now, I'm an IT-student and quite a geek anyway so It's not that hard to justify having a few different keyboards around since I spend probably 40% of my life in front of a computer. Only problem is money. I have to get by with a little over 600€ per month from which I have to pay the rent etc. so I really don't have much money to spend. Luckily I will most likely have a job during the summer so I can afford some luxuries then.

I also have the perfect excuse to get another keyboard. My girlfriend doesn't exactly share my love with the Cherry blues. This isn't a problem during daytime but I'm often up longer than she is (I'm usually playing some games or something) and being a broke student my apartment is really small. This is a problem because there's only ~1 meter or even less between my "battlestation" and my bed so you can probably imagine how my "me-time" is detrimental to her sleep. She's a really heavy sleeper but my new favorite keyboard is just a bit too much even for her.

This leads to my choices for the next keyboard. I'm really intrigued by the Topres (they sound really nice and soothing from the samples I've heard) and also to some extent Cherry MX reds. To narrow it further I'm pretty limited in my choices due to the layout I need (FI/SWE ISO). The only Topre board available, atleast to my knowledge, is the Realforce 88UB (only available with variable key weights) as I don't want a full size. And for the Cherry reds there are probably others but I like my Filco so much that I'd like to stick with them. I heard The Keyboard Company will be getting Filcos with reds in EU layouts during the summer.

Give me your thoughts/opinions or anything else related to this please. Is it worth paying ~60-70 euros more for the Topre? I'm also wondering how big of a difference do these 2 switches have in terms of loudness. I've listened to samples of both but it's difficult to compare as I haven't found a video which shows them both. I can type without bottoming out on the blues but I would imagine it is much harder with the reds.

Do you think you could sleep that close through Mx blues? My lady can sleep through mine, but she has an mx blue Ducky and I can't sleep through hers :O

Anyway I agree with Riff about the O-rings. You could always try them. Unless you're using the noise as a means to justify a new purchase, and if so. Sir, I salute you.

Once you are here, you will see your wallet becoming smaller and smaller, if  you have a lot of money but some new keyboards, if not change your paypal password or you are screwed.

haha this ^

[Gupux]

Do you think you could sleep that close through Mx blues? My lady can sleep through mine, but she has an mx blue Ducky and I can't sleep through hers :O

Anyway I agree with Riff about the O-rings. You could always try them. Unless you're using the noise as a means to justify a new purchase, and if so. Sir, I salute you.

Haha I most likely couldn't. I'm not really digging the O-ring idea, though I appreciate the help very much. I am indeed using the sweet, sweet clickety sounds of the blue switches to justify buying this. It was probably the main reason I got blues. So I would rather buy a Topre as a secondary keyboard instead of getting something with reds and mod them with O-rings or even put O-rings on my current keyboard. Though the reds seem pretty quiet by themselves unless you really hammer on them but it seems like I've already decided on getting the Realforce, heh. I think I would prefer the feel of the Topre switches to the reds as I'm not a huge fan of linearity. What interests me in the reds is their lightness.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

Why don't you simply trade your blue for a red instead of dumping all your money on useless stuff

I've only sold off one keyboard so far, and I regret it – Chicony with Monterey switches. Should have kept it, it was nice. (Still hoping to get the 105-key version)

Selling will lead to regrets, and it's nice to keep a decent spare, and of course to switch board for fun.


Get a silenced Topre – that will put a nice hole in your wallet ;-) Topres are a lot quieter, that's for sure. If you ever want to break up with her without saying a word, though, get an ABS M1 – my goodness the noise from a tactile switch. Or a Tactile Pro 3. Either one is a sign that you want the bed vacated ;-)

[Tony]

I think a Filco MJ2 brown would be good, and its price is as low as a Filco blue. I am typing this with a Filco brown + O-rings for alpha keys, and it's very quiet.

Beware of your girlfriend. She may push you into bad typing postures and it affects your heath.

[1395985]

This is an amusing thing to read, someone blaming others for their lack of restraint.

A fool and his money may be easily parted, but a wise man shops around, calling recycling centres, and picking up keyboards for next to nothing, because he is patient...

[Gupux]

This is an amusing thing to read, someone blaming others for their lack of restraint.

A fool and his money may be easily parted, but a wise man shops around, calling recycling centres, and picking up keyboards for next to nothing, because he is patient...

Hehe don't take the title too seriously. I'm not really blaming anyone here. I think getting an old Model M or something similar from a recycle center would be quite counterproductive for my "issue" here.

[Wildcard]

Haha I most likely couldn't. I'm not really digging the O-ring idea, though I appreciate the help very much. I am indeed using the sweet, sweet clickety sounds of the blue switches to justify buying this. It was probably the main reason I got blues. So I would rather buy a Topre as a secondary keyboard instead of getting something with reds and mod them with O-rings or even put O-rings on my current keyboard. Though the reds seem pretty quiet by themselves unless you really hammer on them but it seems like I've already decided on getting the Realforce, heh. I think I would prefer the feel of the Topre switches to the reds as I'm not a huge fan of linearity. What interests me in the reds is their lightness.

Just to point out the o-rings really aren't needed. Both the realforce and a board with reds will have about the same volume, I was just giving you options to dampen both boards. BTW the reds really do feel good. You might want to throw down $100 for a CM Storm with reds before you go the realforce route. I think you'll be really happy with the linear feel of the reds and the quality of a cm storm board. Plus the cost is probably more reasonable for your situation and you'll find an endless supply of mx caps for your board if you want to customize it.

Edit: $100 ($89.99 + approx $11 shipping) CM Storm Here

[tp4tissue]

Sup dudes I'm new here.

So, I recently bought my first mechanical keyboard, a Filco MJ2 Tenkeyless with blues. It's everything I expected, I really love the sound and feel of the Cherry MX blues. Reading this forum helped with my choice very much.

However for some reason I decided to stick around this forum after my purchase and I'm already wanting to try a new keyboard. Not saying this came as a surprise but when I decided I want to buy a mechanical I thought it would be my last keyboard for the next few years at least haha. Now, I'm an IT-student and quite a geek anyway so It's not that hard to justify having a few different keyboards around since I spend probably 40% of my life in front of a computer. Only problem is money. I have to get by with a little over 600€ per month from which I have to pay the rent etc. so I really don't have much money to spend. Luckily I will most likely have a job during the summer so I can afford some luxuries then.

I also have the perfect excuse to get another keyboard. My girlfriend doesn't exactly share my love with the Cherry blues. This isn't a problem during daytime but I'm often up longer than she is (I'm usually playing some games or something) and being a broke student my apartment is really small. This is a problem because there's only ~1 meter or even less between my "battlestation" and my bed so you can probably imagine how my "me-time" is detrimental to her sleep. She's a really heavy sleeper but my new favorite keyboard is just a bit too much even for her.

This leads to my choices for the next keyboard. I'm really intrigued by the Topres (they sound really nice and soothing from the samples I've heard) and also to some extent Cherry MX reds. To narrow it further I'm pretty limited in my choices due to the layout I need (FI/SWE ISO). The only Topre board available, atleast to my knowledge, is the Realforce 88UB (only available with variable key weights) as I don't want a full size. And for the Cherry reds there are probably others but I like my Filco so much that I'd like to stick with them. I heard The Keyboard Company will be getting Filcos with reds in EU layouts during the summer.

Give me your thoughts/opinions or anything else related to this please. Is it worth paying ~60-70 euros more for the Topre? I'm also wondering how big of a difference do these 2 switches have in terms of loudness. I've listened to samples of both but it's difficult to compare as I haven't found a video which shows them both. I can type without bottoming out on the blues but I would imagine it is much harder with the reds.

Breakup with your girlfriend,, you'll have so much more money,, it's like magic,,,

[tp4tissue]

Just to point out the o-rings really aren't needed. Both the realforce and a board with reds will have about the same volume, I was just giving you options to dampen both boards. BTW the reds really do feel good. You might want to throw down $80 for a CM Storm with reds before you go the realforce route. I think you'll be really happy with the linear feel of the reds and the quality of a cm storm board. Plus the cost is probably more reasonable for your situation and you'll find an endless supply of mx caps for your board if you want to customize it.

Where's this cm storm red for $80

[Wildcard]

Edit: Yeah it looks like the Red Storm is a bit more expensive. I picked up a new board with blues for around $65 new and a slightly used red board from Reaper for $75, you can pick them up here for $100 ($89 + approx $11 shipping) CM Storm Here

[Gupux]

Edit: Yeah it looks like the Red Storm is a bit more expensive. I picked up a new board with blues for around $65 new and a slightly used red board from Reaper for $75, you can pick them up here for $100 ($89 + approx $11 shipping) CM Storm Here

Thanks, that won't help me though as I need the keyboard to be FI/SWE ISO layout. They should be bringing those keyboards to EU soon from what I've heard so I'll have to check it out then.

[Wildcard]

Thanks, that won't help me though as I need the keyboard to be FI/SWE ISO layout. They should be bringing those keyboards to EU soon from what I've heard so I'll have to check it out then.

You might also want to check keyboardco.com. They are still selling Filco's with the limited edition MX Reds which come in an iso layout.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

You might also want to check keyboardco.com. They are still selling Filco's with the limited edition MX Reds which come in an iso layout.

I don't see it ... I've never seen ISO MX Red anything there. They've got MX Red in Japanese layout (ISO enter but ANSI left shift), and ANSI, but not ISO.

[Wildcard]

Ah, correct. It does have the ISO enter in the Japanese layout. I have to admit I'm not the most familiar with ISO layouts.