60% board for travel?

[niftyprose]

Hi chaps, Google wasn't much help with this one.

I'm travelling a lot at the moment, and a tablet-with-ext.-keyboard combination is looking like a better bet than my existing Netbook. There are a couple of ruggedized tablets reaching the market soon that seem well-suited -- I'm keen on the Duke (meetduke.com) and the Toughlet (toughlet.com), both of which are water-resistant, daylight-readable etc.

What I can't find easily is a good keyboard. I'm picky (of course) and have yet to see anything suitable. I wonder if anyone is aware of a board with the following features:

* 60% or smaller (don't really have need of elaborate function layers, just full ascii plus the usual modifiers)
* Good-feeling key action (I'm on Blues at the moment but tend to like a crisp, rather stiff clicky)
* USB
* Lightweight
* Tough, waterproof etc -- see next para

I stated 'tough' rather than 'rugged' because ruggedized stuff tends to be heavy. Lightweight plastic would be fine if it's stiff, but the board must be resistant to water spills, dust, sand etc. Waterproof would be great, but I know it's a bit unlikely.

Open to all suggestions...

Best, W.

[clakdale661]

I don't think any keyboard fits the last part. Light, AND water, dust, sand resisant? You gotta be more realistic  )

[niftyprose]

Hello Clarkdale, you missed my typical subtle body swerve (a habit of the pro writer). I didn't actually say 'light' in the last para -- I said, not 'ruggedized', because that tends to imply several kg of armour casing... not the thing for a frequent flyer. A better way to put it would be: the lightest board that will get the job done, spec as per bullets above. Suggestions? Best, W.

[Sai]

Tex 60% with aluminium top half

Read about Tex here.

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poker II

Read about Poker II here.

contact qtan for stock.

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KBT Pure

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GH60 - programmable, different layout, community developed keyboard. once in a life time keyboard.()

More info about GH60 is here

Group Buy Link - GH60
( The group buy is closed but who knows who is gonna cancel his/her order )

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I guess those are the options that fit your criteria . I won't ask you to consider HHKB though as its different from the ones listed above.

Hope this helps your quest.

[niftyprose]

Hi Sai, thanks for the info. I'm aware of those 60% boards (and am keen on getting a Tex Beetle for desktop use, especially if they come out with a gunmetal version). However, I'm not aware that these products are pitched as being suitable for outdoor use. Maybe you can set me right? Best, W.

[vivalarevolución]

I think you're going to have a hard time finding a compact, mechanical keyboard that is suitable for outdoor use with features such as waterproof and resistant to dirt.  Perhaps you could take a page from some of the enterprising individuals on this keyboard forum and make a board yourself?

[jabar]

Mechanical keyboards do not like environments outside the office. The only mech keyboard I can think of which has some liquid protection is a TG3 BL-82, where some of them come with a decent silicone splash shield under the keycaps (sometimes it's merely saran wrap). In this instance a HHKB might be justified: it's 60%, lightweight, portable (with carrying case option) but is expensive and won't be happy with outdoors.

[czarek]

I use HHKB Pro 2 when travelling. Best layout out there (if you use Unix at least), Topre switches, built in USB hub and lightweight (but still sturdy, stock keycaps are dyesub PBT) construction make it just perfect.

[niftyprose]

Hi guys, thanks for all suggestions. I would have been delighted to find a mechanical switch keyboard that had in some way been prepared for the outdoors, but am unsurprised to find that there's nothing like that out there. I love the HHKB but am I going to use it while planting trees on a beach? Or jumping off a boat into four feet of water with my gear held over my head because no-one told me there wasn't a jetty? Probably not...

I turned up two boards which I'd like to present to the group.

One's probable. It's available for GBP 80 from keyboardpsecialists.co.uk and does most of what I need, tho' it's a little bigger than I wanted:

http://www.keyboardspecialists.co.uk/Shop/KBS/Product/4800/KYB500-K82E/AccuratusK82ESealedIP65MiniKeyboard.aspx

I suspect that I won't like the switches much, and I'd appreciate if someone with hands-on wants to talk me out of it.

The other one is really too big for me, but I thought you US bargain-hunters might appreciate a heads-up because this is a quality item and the vendor's claim of a $400 MSRP is genuine:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/iKey-SlimKey-SLK-101-Backlit-Keyboard-AquaPoint-Mouse-Waterproof-Spillproof-/190726529337?pt=Keyboard_Mice_Bundles&hash=item2c682fe139

The downside? The keys have a 200g actuating force!

Best, W.

[esoomenona]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TG3-Electronics-BL82-Series-82-key-LED-Backlit-KeyboaRD-KBA-BL82-5RBIVS-PS2-/230929437364?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item35c47792b4

Look for one of these? They can be had for cheaper. They come with a rubber insert to help with the "water proofing". And they seem fairly durable. And even then, if you get it cheap enough, who cares? If you search TG3 keyboard, they even have some with touchpads, if you'd like that for use on your tablet. And best of all, small form factor with full TKL keys!