Best replacement for a Mitsumi

[anothergol]

Hello,

I'm programming for over 20 years now, & have always used the same keyboard, a Mitsumi KPQ-E99-something (all the labels are gone, so not exactly sure of the model).
I've never really been interested in keyboard technologies so far, I wouldn't even pretend a keyboard is better than another, it's just that to me it becomes an extension of the hands, & changing it means re-learning. I know I always feel like a big noob when I work on another keyboard.

So, a keyboard hardly lasts 20 years, & I already got a replacement for this Mitsumi, but obviously PS/2 ports won't always be there, and most importantly, although there are a couple of KPQ's on ebay, a French KPQ is nearly impossible to find these days (although I'm sure there's a dumpster somewhere full of them).
I actually don't even wanna change it because it's broken, it's just that it has become a big box of filth.

So what I'm looking for is the closest I can get to a Mitsumi KPQ. From what I understand it's not mechanical, but kinda hybrid rubber dome. It's actually exactly the same switches as the Amiga 2000 kb described here http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=19761.0

I don't much like today's popular keyboards, what I like about the KPQ is the ability to push keys from any corner without them blocking. I'm also very used to the pressure required to type a key, I think that's an important factor, to know up to where exactly you can press a key until it registers. Those keys are resisting at the top, from what I understand mechanical kbs are more resisting at the bottom?

As for the sound, I really don't care, clicky or not. As for rollover, this kb is pretty bad so any kb can't be worse.

So, if anyone here has used a Mitsumi KPQ & loved it, any advice for a replacement?

20 years ago I remember I didn't much like Cherry's, but I only tested one of their switches so I don't know. I have a Key Tronic around as well, I don't know what it is (it doesn't have rubber domes), I don't find the feel that different from the Mitsumi, only I don't like the sharp key caps.


Thanks

[SpAmRaY]

So you have/had these?

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=14480.0

[anothergol]

yep, exactly that (just different key layout)

[Tony]

I also used Mitsumi before, and I think you will quickly appreciate brown or blue, or buckling spring.

For me, I immediately like brown.

Mech keyboards only require half key travel to register, that's what you will have to adapt. Coming from Mitsumi, all new users will press keys with all their might, which is not necessary. Press half way, the keys are already registered, so you can dance on the keyboard instead of punching the keys.

[anothergol]

Mech keyboards only require half key travel to register, that's what you will have to adapt.

mmh, not sure I'm ready for that

I very often find myself cancelling a press just before it registers, avoiding a mistake & correction. I'm sure that those with a mechanical kb have adapted to do just the same, but how much time until that?

I also quite like how, if you have to repeat a key 5x with this keyboard, you can press 5x just 1 millimeter. That is, you press the key, and any extra key is just a little impulse of your finger. Granted, only useful to scroll around & in games.

Despite this, I never felt like I had to smash the keys, it's more with other keyboards that I have this feeling.

[rowdy]

As a side-topic, you can get PS2 to USB adaptors, so you can keep using old PS2 keyboards on newer computers.

[Findecanor]

Mech keyboards only require half key travel to register, that's what you will have to adapt.

Mitsumi key switches actuate about half-travel. Not sure of exact figure, but it sure isn't at the bottom.

It is not a typical rubber dome switch, but a hybrid: a rubber sleeve (or even coiled spring) directly underneath the keycap, and then a bridge of conductive rubber at the bottom of the slider.
The rubber bridge touches the bottom and buckles a little bit.

[AKIMbO]

What about a topre board.  They resist at the top. If you don't need the tenkey you can get an 87u uniform 55g.

[MTManiac]

Ahhh good old rubber dome on a stick!

I might be convinced to let go of my only Mitsumi

Mine has pink rubber cups hehehe

YGPM

[anothergol]

As a side-topic, you can get PS2 to USB adaptors, so you can keep using old PS2 keyboards on newer computers.

nice, I thought those only existed the other way around

[anothergol]

Mech keyboards only require half key travel to register, that's what you will have to adapt.

Mitsumi key switches actuate about half-travel. Not sure of exact figure, but it sure isn't at the bottom.

Trust me that it's not the case at all, at least with mine

The key only registers when all the way down, or maybe 95% of it, because it's a tiny bit elastic at the bottom (as you say, probably rubber at the bottom, but it's very thin).
All the resistance is at the top of the key (the rubber cone I assume), and you can press a key down to the bottom without registering anything. I don't know if it's on purpose, but I find it just the right amount of time to realize a mistake & avoid it.