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Author Topic: Full-size (104-key) keyboard recommendations  (Read 1539 times)

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Offline Tarzan

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Full-size (104-key) keyboard recommendations
« on: Sat, 09 March 2013, 19:38:27 »
In my quest for the best boards to suit my personal typing style, I've narrowed the field considerably. 

I'm definitely a heavy-handed typist, and I like the feel of the Cherry MX Greens (CM Trigger) and the buckling spring (vintage Model M and new Unicomp) boards I've tried.  Alps (both clicky white and tactile black) don't really appeal to me, I like the keys to push back when I'm hammering out emails or other documents.  Cherry Browns are... meh, I like the tactile feel, but they seem way too soft overall. So I'm going to swap out the keycaps on the CM board with some thick PBT variants, turn off the LEDs and use it for a work keyboard, maybe add red o-rings to keep the bottoming-out to a minimum.  (The Unicomp Model M is also on my list for work, but it is LOUD!)

So now I'm looking for a replacement gaming/typing board for use at home. Mix of gaming and general typing, should be full-size 104-key and green LED backlit (never liked the red lighting on the CM unit).

Any boards I should be looking at?  Ducky is the obvious choice, but the only ones I've seen in stock anywhere with green illumination have MX Brown/Black/Blue/Red.   What switches are closest to Greens, the MX Whites? 

I think Cooler Master is supposed to be coming out with a green LED board "soon," but no idea when that might be, or if they're going to offer this backlighting option on a full-size or only the TKL variants.  Keycool looked promising, but the latest posts I've seen about them are all pretty dismal, no one seems to know if they're still shipping products.

Any ideas?  Should I be looking into custom springs, or buying switches and adding them to a Ducky PCB?  No idea if there are even sources for loose Green/Gray/White switches, at a semi-reasonable price.

Tips and pointers welcome!
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Offline IvanIvanovich

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Re: Full-size (104-key) keyboard recommendations
« Reply #1 on: Sat, 09 March 2013, 19:55:17 »
Yes white is same as green in force, but they feel very different. Only reasonable price source I have seen for those switch is 7bit switch thread over at DT.
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Offline rootwyrm

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Re: Full-size (104-key) keyboard recommendations
« Reply #2 on: Sat, 09 March 2013, 21:19:26 »
Quote from: IvanIvanovich on Sat, 09 March 2013, 19:55:17
Yes white is same as green in force, but they feel very different. Only reasonable price source I have seen for those switch is 7bit switch thread over at DT.

Or this.
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"I remain convinced I am the only person alive who has successfully worn out an IBM Model M mechanically."
Daily Drivers: Adesso 625 (NPKC PBT / Kailh Blue), Rosewill RK9000V2 (KC PBT / MX Brown), 1994 Model M13, Sun Type4, and the rare IBM 1394540.

Offline Tarzan

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Re: Full-size (104-key) keyboard recommendations
« Reply #3 on: Sat, 09 March 2013, 23:04:27 »
Quote from: rootwyrm on Sat, 09 March 2013, 21:19:26
Quote from: IvanIvanovich on Sat, 09 March 2013, 19:55:17
Yes white is same as green in force, but they feel very different. Only reasonable price source I have seen for those switch is 7bit switch thread over at DT.

Or this.

I sent a note to Feng, to ask for his Taobao shopping services, and a quote for that white Keycool board.  No response so far.   :(
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Offline rootwyrm

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Re: Full-size (104-key) keyboard recommendations
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 10 March 2013, 03:33:58 »
Try qtan (E-Sports Equipment) - he has an existing relationship with Keycool so might be able to stock them.
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"I remain convinced I am the only person alive who has successfully worn out an IBM Model M mechanically."
Daily Drivers: Adesso 625 (NPKC PBT / Kailh Blue), Rosewill RK9000V2 (KC PBT / MX Brown), 1994 Model M13, Sun Type4, and the rare IBM 1394540.

Offline IvanIvanovich

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Re: Full-size (104-key) keyboard recommendations
« Reply #5 on: Sun, 10 March 2013, 11:23:06 »
That keyboard is with clears, not white. In China they call clears white, and white milk axis. If you're looking for stiff switch Clear may be for you. I think only the Race have come with whites as a choice so far.
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Offline Tarzan

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Re: Full-size (104-key) keyboard recommendations
« Reply #6 on: Sun, 10 March 2013, 13:13:45 »
Quote from: IvanIvanovich on Sun, 10 March 2013, 11:23:06
That keyboard is with clears, not white. In China they call clears white, and white milk axis. If you're looking for stiff switch Clear may be for you. I think only the Race have come with whites as a choice so far.

Got a quick response from Qtan.  Not the best news, however...

"...no, not MX clear in stock."

I guess I'm back to waiting for Ducky or CM to release a 104-key board with stiff switches, green LEDs.  Hurry it up, already!   :mad:
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