Author Topic: My Dream Keyboard (Read 4216 times)

Inf3rn0_44 · « **on:** Sat, 15 October 2011, 15:58:42 »

I have some requests for the geekhack community. I am hoping to find keyboards with at least some of these specifications, any help would be appreciated.

First off my dream keyboard would have a non staggered layout of the keys, either Cherry MX Red's or Brown's, no numpad/tenkeyless (smaller form factor) or numpad on the left side of keyboard, 6 Key Rollover or better. Extras would be back lit illumination and a low price (haha). The closest I have come to this would be the Truly Ergonomic, which I am considering getting. Do you guys know of anything close to this this?

Other requests

1. What are the cheapest keyboard with 6KRO and QWERTY for sale today? Including used keyboards as well.

2. All mechanical non staggered/grid/matrix layout keyboards with 6KRO at least.

N8N · « **Reply #1 on:** Sat, 15 October 2011, 16:00:51 »

I think the least expensive mechanical keyboards available in the US through normal retail channels are the Rosewill RK-9000xx from Newegg and the Leopolds that you can get from Elite Keyboards. But that might be different if you live elsewhere. Neither of those are matrix layout.

Ascaii · « **Reply #2 on:** Sat, 15 October 2011, 16:03:08 »

Your request is actually quite easy to handle. Take a look at used Access or Tipro modules, they are fully programmable, use matrix layout, and both have models that are NKRO.
One small form factor board I have used myself and am now selling is an access AKEOCTI299 with a 6*15 matrix of mx-blacks with diodes. You can easily program these boards using free software from Access to whatever layout you want.

Inf3rn0_44 · « **Reply #3 on:** Sat, 15 October 2011, 16:08:49 »

Quote from: N8N;431906

I think the least expensive mechanical keyboards available in the US

I don't need the mechanical, I need the cheapest keyboard with 6KRO and QWERTY for sale today?

N8N · « **Reply #4 on:** Sat, 15 October 2011, 16:14:39 »

well, if you don't insist on mechanical, there's the M*cr*s*ft Sidewinder... but really, it's not that much cheaper than a Rosewill or Leopold, and I hate M*cr*s*ft and it's undoubtably a rubber dome POS...

Inf3rn0_44 · « **Reply #5 on:** Sat, 15 October 2011, 16:17:51 »

Quote from: Ascaii;431908

Your request is actually quite easy to handle. Take a look at used Access or Tipro modules, they are fully programmable, use matrix layout, and both have models that are NKRO.
One small form factor board I have used myself and am now selling is an access AKEOCTI299 with a 6*15 matrix of mx-blacks with diodes. You can easily program these boards using free software from Access to whatever layout you want.

I have found those before, but I would not know what to do with them, they have no letters, no large keys for space bars/shift/tab and with software would I need to program them? I also feel that they are mighty expensive.

Inf3rn0_44 · « **Reply #6 on:** Sat, 15 October 2011, 16:29:48 »

I am just looking for a keyboard to game on, since my TypeMatrix 2030 doesn't farewell with FPS or simultaneous key presses for that matter. I just wanted to find out if there are any cheap keyboards that allow me push more than 3 keys at one time. I thought I could find a cheap one since it would only be used for gaming.

Lanx · « **Reply #7 on:** Sat, 15 October 2011, 16:50:52 »

http://www.microsoft.com/appliedsciences/KeyboardGhostingDemo.mspx
am i doing it right? kinesis shows all keys so over 6nkro.

but you said cheap... and now... so i guess you can try ebay, i got 3 used kinesis for 50 to 80 each in various conditions. weirdly enough the 50$ one was the cleanest, newest one.

Inf3rn0_44 · « **Reply #8 on:** Sat, 15 October 2011, 17:16:26 »

My Typematrix cannot do W,A,S,D at the same time and best case scenario can do up seven presses at once. Bummer, I can't do donuts in GTA 4.
But my: G15 v2 Can q,w,e,a,s,d all at the same time.

fohat.digs · « **Reply #9 on:** Sat, 15 October 2011, 18:29:44 »

My dream keyboard would be an IBM Model M, shrunk about 1 cm on each side, with capacitive buckling spring switches, flossed, and an actuation of about 40 grams or less.

pitashen · « **Reply #10 on:** Sat, 15 October 2011, 18:34:49 »

My dream keyboard is free realforce.

Lanx · « **Reply #11 on:** Sat, 15 October 2011, 19:35:26 »

g15 is WASD cluster optimized, i know from soldering the matrix, lol along with alt/ctrl/shift modifiers.

Bongoojingie · « **Reply #12 on:** Sat, 15 October 2011, 20:44:25 »

Ripster has a list of *KRO keyboards in the wiki. I'd link, but I'm posting from a phone.

jpc · « **Reply #13 on:** Sat, 15 October 2011, 21:28:31 »

OP described a Kinesis Contoured.

Some dreams come true.

Lanx · « **Reply #14 on:** Sat, 15 October 2011, 23:09:46 »

Quote from: jpc;432038

OP described a Kinesis Contoured.

Some dreams come true.

op wanted it cheap tho, which unless you find a good used kinesis, isn't gonna happen for him/her.

Inf3rn0_44 · « **Reply #15 on:** Sat, 15 October 2011, 23:14:33 »

Op? What does that mean? I have checked out the kinesis, it looks amazing for typing but not too practical for me.. Its huge and not too comfortable for gaming I presume.

Lanx · « **Reply #16 on:** Sun, 16 October 2011, 02:01:00 »

op=original poster.(you)
I don't game on my pc anymore, but if i did, i wouldn't have any issue with gaming on the kinesis that i'm on, especially since i used to game on my n52, which is basically the same "left side" as a kinesis basically. It is huge lol.

Ascaii · « **Reply #17 on:** Sun, 16 October 2011, 02:16:50 »

Quote from: Inf3rn0_44;431914

I have found those before, but I would not know what to do with them, they have no letters, no large keys for space bars/shift/tab and with software would I need to program them? I also feel that they are mighty expensive.

Well, you can use alpha keys from any other cherry board, or you can order sets with POS spacing at SP. The largest space Ive seen is 3u wide. The software needed is called Softprog and is available for free download from Access. Shift, Tab can be replaced with 2u wide keys of course. Getting them used would negate your cost factor fear (what a sentence). Ive purchased several boards for 30€ or less.

Here is a link to an access board on ebay.co.uk. It does not match your needs, since it has a semi-staggered layout, but you can see the caps available. The white squares are blocked off switches. Also, it is possible to emulate a split layout matrix board using two Access boards like hoggy did here:
http://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=283

Same goes for Tipro modules, though you need different software for them.

dorkvader · « **Reply #18 on:** Sun, 16 October 2011, 09:43:49 »

Quote from: jpc;432038

OP described a Kinesis Contoured.

Some dreams come true.

I'm hearing more of a 'key64' sound.
http://www.key64.com/

or maybe a symmetric stagger:
http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:19613

Or, draw up a DoxKb in a non-staggered style:
http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:19227
----
Note: not all the Diy options will be cheap, though.

jpc · « **Reply #19 on:** Mon, 17 October 2011, 18:49:22 »

Quote from: Lanx;432074

op wanted it cheap tho, which unless you find a good used kinesis, isn't gonna happen for him/her.

Okay, price aside, the Kinesis is what the OP described. lol

FWIW a Kinesis is less expensive than a datahand, a uTron, or a Maltron in comparable condition. My Kineses were $50 each in clean used condition. On craigslist of all places! Are there cheaper non-staggered boards (aside from homebrew)?

Inf3rn0_44 · « **Reply #20 on:** Mon, 06 February 2012, 20:35:55 »

Haha

looking back on all this is kinda funny and how I actually did take up ascaii's offer. On the Access matrix POS keyboard. Its got Cherry Black's and is totally nkro! A great board for me after-all! Once again thanks a bunch, its as close to perfect as I can get for it.

sordna · « **Reply #21 on:** Mon, 11 February 2013, 09:22:17 »

Is it the AKEOCTI299 ? Can you post a photo of it?

schizrade · « **Reply #22 on:** Mon, 11 February 2013, 10:54:08 »

I want a HHKB with MX-greens or Buckling Springs... will never happen.

alaricljs · « **Reply #23 on:** Mon, 11 February 2013, 11:26:52 »

Doesn't the GH60 have an HHKB layout option? That + greens and a case (several options) and you're there.

schizrade · « **Reply #24 on:** Mon, 11 February 2013, 13:11:39 »

Quote from: alaricljs on Mon, 11 February 2013, 11:26:52

Doesn't the GH60 have an HHKB layout option? That + greens and a case (several options) and you're there.

Wait, what's this now?

What the heck is a GH60?

*runs off to Google*

alaricljs · « **Reply #25 on:** Mon, 11 February 2013, 13:18:40 »

There's a number of threads here in 'Making Stuff Together', it's basically a big DIY keyboard project.

KB - http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34959.0
Case - http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=39599.0

SmallFry · « **Reply #26 on:** Mon, 11 February 2013, 13:20:50 »

And Samwisekoi is doing a 60% M mod, so that may satisfy your IBM 60% love.

schizrade · « **Reply #27 on:** Mon, 11 February 2013, 13:30:54 »

Quote from: alaricljs on Mon, 11 February 2013, 13:18:40

There's a number of threads here in 'Making Stuff Together', it's basically a big DIY keyboard project.

KB - http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=34959.0
Case - http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=39599.0

I might have to get in on that one. Love the HHKB layout, don't love the HHKB price and Topre Switches very much.

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Author Topic: My Dream Keyboard (Read 4216 times)