Author Topic: Need Help Deciding on First Mech Keyboard Purchase  (Read 2137 times)

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Offline cyberphine

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 45
Need Help Deciding on First Mech Keyboard Purchase
« on: Thu, 13 January 2011, 12:18:15 »
I can't say I'm a convert because I used a IBM Model M forever.  When that died a few months ago I bought a Logitech and immediately got fed up with it.  I googled "clicky" keyboard when I found a WHOLE FREAKIN COMMUNITY for "clicky" keyboards.  I was/am amazed.  

After spending some serious lurking time on here and digging into why things go "click" (and sending back a G110 to Logitech) I decided I'm going to plunge into getting another "clicky" keyboard.

I'm so excited about this community.  And in the fact I'm going to buy another keyboard (although I've got to convince my loving wife).

That said.  Paralysis by Analysis!!!   There's too many to choose!!!  Ugh!!!  I've looked into these damn things so much I'm stuck.  And while this is another "what keyboard should I buy" thread.  I do have a few ideas of what I want.

Cherry MX Brown.  I've never used a brown switch, but just going onto youtube and hearing that type of "click" I can feel it on my fingers as being nice.  That and the fact I work in an office setting with a few other peeps make it somewhat of a definite.  I ended up using my laptop keyboard because they hated my "beast board" (which is what they called my IBM).

Tenkeyless versus 104:  I'm stuck.  Man the tenkeyless sure do look freakin awesome.  I'm so tempted.   BUT, I'm a programmer.  And I do use the ten keys somewhat.  I'm not sure how much I'd miss them.  To me it's almost like comparing a sports car to a truck.  Do I want cool, or functional.  (yeah, I can only say a keyboard without number pad is "cool" in these forums, or I will be made fun of)

Price: Yeah, I can't push a 150 dollar board to the wife without her saying something.  150ish is probably my pain thresh hold.  

Boards:
Filco: It seems as if this is the holy grail to some people.  And I'm definitely undecided.  

Nopoo Mini: Oh man, for whatever reason, these caught my eye.  I seem more excited, but I have no clue why.  It just seems awesome.

Das Keyboard Silent: Yeah, this is an option because it's more mainstream, easier to buy.  A friend bought a Das Cherry Blue board and he loves it.

Really really really torn.  That said, I don't see any keyboards on EK, but I do see they might have a new product coming out.  Debating on whether I should wait.  Also, where can you find a Nopoo at?

Ugh, decisions, looking for some answers please.
Programmer, Skeptic, Overly Paranoid Tinkerer
\' or \'1\'=\'1 should be on a post-it note for devs
Keyboards:

Filco Tenkeyless Brown, BLT Series - 82 Key Backlit Illuminated Keyboard with Touchpad Black, IBM Model M, Logitech G15
Computer:
Core i7-920, 6GB OCz RAM, ASRock MotherBoard,1TB WD Hard Drive, 3 x Samsung BX2450
Want to play with:
Red Cherries, Blue Cherries, Clear Cherries, Topre, Choc Mini, HHKB, KBC Poker, Mini-Guru

Offline Orphagn

  • Posts: 170
Need Help Deciding on First Mech Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #1 on: Thu, 13 January 2011, 14:08:03 »
Welcome to Geekhack!

Your safe bet would be getting a 104 with Browns. Since most people are seeking out Browns it wouldn't be too hard to sell.
I've had 2 Filcos and i've liked them both, their build quality is sturdy, but they're becoming increasingly harder to find in the US.
The Noppoo Choc Mini can only be bought from China using a Proxy company like Obook.
EK should have Leopolds in sometime this month or next month if you're willing to wait.
You should also check out the Classifieds sub-forum to see if anyone i selling something you like.
Keyboards:
KBC Poker
Cherry G80-11900
Cherry G80-3494

Offline stuiees

  • Posts: 140
Need Help Deciding on First Mech Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #2 on: Thu, 13 January 2011, 14:15:53 »
Welcome.  Nopoo will have to be ordered via buying agent from taobao unless you can snagg one from the classifieds. Filco might be hard to get (not sure if armygroup is still shipping them). EK is supposed to get the leopold variant next month.  Doesn't seem like you can go wrong with any of these choices.  I personally don't like the shiny case of the das but that is a personal prefference.  I know many people love their das boards.
I like Topre!

Offline Ascaii

  • Posts: 415
  • Location: Berlin, Germany
Need Help Deciding on First Mech Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #3 on: Thu, 13 January 2011, 14:22:04 »
Also, don't dismiss the classics. If you are used to a Model M, you should consider getting one again. Also, there is a compact version of the model M. IMav is selling some of these in the classifieds at the moment.
"Mechanical keyboards are like pokemon:
you start with one, and then you wanna catch em all."

Offline kidchunks

  • Posts: 496
Need Help Deciding on First Mech Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #4 on: Thu, 13 January 2011, 14:22:53 »
Welcome!
Best bet at the price/ease of obtaining and the fact you use the numpad would be a DAS S Silent. If you're a student you also can get a student discount.

Which ever you choose though would work, you've got some fine choices there.

Lucky you have a wife that puts a threshold! :tongue:
Topre || BS > *
my root : kidchunks[dot]com

Offline bugfix

  • Posts: 381
Need Help Deciding on First Mech Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #5 on: Thu, 13 January 2011, 14:31:05 »
I would also recommend the Das Model S Silent. I have the "clicky" DAS with Cherry Blues and I really like it, although I prefer the Unicomp Customizer for typing.
*~Unicomp and Topre fan~*
I have:
Unicomp Customizer 105 German
Realforce 105GR
Unicomp Spacesaver German/Ansi hybrid(Current favorite)
I want:
Realforce 88GER
I used to have:
DAS Model S Ultimate EU (Sold)

Offline cyberphine

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 45
Need Help Deciding on First Mech Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #6 on: Thu, 13 January 2011, 14:55:12 »
Hmmm, guess I'll wait on EK.  I can wait a little longer.  Thanks for the suggestions though!  I'll probably end up getting 1 for work and 1 for home and test different ones out over time.
Programmer, Skeptic, Overly Paranoid Tinkerer
\' or \'1\'=\'1 should be on a post-it note for devs
Keyboards:

Filco Tenkeyless Brown, BLT Series - 82 Key Backlit Illuminated Keyboard with Touchpad Black, IBM Model M, Logitech G15
Computer:
Core i7-920, 6GB OCz RAM, ASRock MotherBoard,1TB WD Hard Drive, 3 x Samsung BX2450
Want to play with:
Red Cherries, Blue Cherries, Clear Cherries, Topre, Choc Mini, HHKB, KBC Poker, Mini-Guru

Offline piotrek

  • Posts: 11
Need Help Deciding on First Mech Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #7 on: Thu, 13 January 2011, 17:26:03 »
There are 2 guys selling their Noppoo keyboards in the marketplace forum RIGHT NOW. go ;)

Offline keyboardlover

  • Posts: 4022
  • Hey Paul Walker, Click It or Ticket!
    • http://www.keyboardlover.com
Need Help Deciding on First Mech Keyboard Purchase
« Reply #8 on: Thu, 13 January 2011, 17:55:46 »
Beware if you're a MAC user:
No poo for you!