First time mechanical keyboard buyer

[TurboDance]

Hi hi guys, this is my first post.

I have been ninja stalking your thoughts on mechanical keyboards for a good two weeks now before I decided to make a post about what I should do for purchasing, and here it is.

So first off, I'm a starcraft 2 player and a stickler for a good keyboard in the first place, and I have always hated this microsoft POS keyboard that came with my system a few years ago. I also own a X60 lenovo thinkpad laptop, and personally would prefer to use it every day of the week if it could only run starcraft and other functions.

After learning about mechanical keyboards from various guides, I decided to make the plunge and buy an esports meka keyboard by Thermaltake with cherry blacks, thinking that my woes would be over. Turns out, that was not the right keyboard for me. My APM suffered from the stiff cherry blacks in starcraft, and the cord was unmanageable to route, to say the least. I LOVED the feel of the keys though, and almost kept it for that reason. Now I have returned it though, and since then have gone full boar on getting the best damn starcraft keyboard in existence - and for general typing as well.

Obviously, the first choice would be to get a Filco. That's what all the pros in Korea use right? But do I have to go all the way to an Asian retailer just to get it? I was going to purchase from elite keyboards, but they are out. Then I was going to purchase from keyboardco.com and they are out too. Apparently the new leopold's are coming, but god knows when!? It appears I have become fixated on getting the best starcraft keyboard at a bad time.

I am extremely interested in the leopold because of superior key feel (which was what made me like the thermaltake so much) but I just don't want to wait forever. Whatever shall I do... thoughs, opionions and moral support is all welcome.

[keyboardlover]

Welcome To GeekHack! I dunno what to tell you...no one likes waiting

[dracaXL]

Most pros in Korea are sponsored by Zowie and use the Celeritas keyboard. Filco is popular too, I personally use an MX Black Filco Majestouch for gaming. I haven't found my APM to suffer but many people prefer Browns/Blues for SC2 due to the tactile feedback which makes knowing how many units or actions you've queued by touch a lot easier.

The Blacks are a bit stiffer, but I find it takes about a month to get used to it and now I use mine even for typing. I would have given the Meka a few weeks before deciding it wasn't for me, but that's just me.

[TurboDance]

Wow, the famous keyboardlover replied to my post!

As a guy who has obviously used a leopold, what is your impression of feel? Are the keys quite a lot nicer on the Leopold, or is mostly user preference? I need something to tip me over the edge one way or another.

Also, as a retailer who used to sell Filco, how comfortable would YOU be ordering direct from Asia with no middle man checking the board for flaws. I just have a horrible feeling that it's going to come with something slightly screwed up on it and I'll never get it fixed. In your experience, how many boards did you receive that were of subpar standards that you couldn't sell?

[TurboDance]

Most pros in Korea are sponsored by Zowie and use the Celeritas keyboard. Filco is popular too, I personally use an MX Black Filco Majestouch for gaming. I haven't found my APM to suffer but many people prefer Browns/Blues for SC2 due to the tactile feedback which makes knowing how many units or actions you've queued by touch a lot easier.

The Blacks are a bit stiffer, but I find it takes about a month to get used to it and now I use mine even for typing. I would have given the Meka a few weeks before deciding it wasn't for me, but that's just me.

The Celeritas keyboard huh? I haven't heard anything about that, I wonder why? Is that a mechanical keyboard?

For me I just don't want to be pressing that hard to imput a command, and I didn't feel like getting used to the stiffness. I would prefer a softer feel with tactile feedback for very fast control when needed.

On a side note, I also have a cat who gets at my keyboard at night and tries sleeping on it, which is no good when this is also my work machine. I have to slip it under the roll out tray under the desk to hide it from him, and you have no idea what it was like with that damn anaconda attached to the board! The extremely durable cable might be good or even necessary for some, but I just couldn't make it work.

[keyboardlover]

As a guy who has obviously used a leopold, what is your impression of feel? Are the keys quite a lot nicer on the Leopold, or is mostly user preference? I need something to tip me over the edge one way or another.

I have not used a Leopold actually. I used to own a tenkeyless Filco with browns but to be honest I did not like it. I didn't like the keys and especially the noise (the plate-mounted browns make a metallic 'ping' noise when you type). For whatever reason, I really like these G80-3494's that everyone complains about the build quality on. See the "KL's Kustom Keyboards" link in my sig for details.

Also, as a retailer who used to sell Filco, how comfortable would YOU be ordering direct from Asia with no middle man checking the board for flaws. I just have a horrible feeling that it's going to come with something slightly screwed up on it and I'll never get it fixed. In your experience, how many boards did you receive that were of subpar standards that you couldn't sell?

I'm not a retailer...are you thinking of majestouch?

[TurboDance]

I'm not a retailer...are you thinking of majestouch?

Oh Crap! I must be. Here I thought you were the elitekeyboards guy haha. I don't know how I got that impression. Is that Majestouch?

Anyways, that's good to know about the metalic ping on the Filco. I didn't know about that, and it may influence my decision. I wonder if the Leopold does that too? It's a somewhat big deal for me as I do type on the phone for work. Maybe mechanical keyboards just won't have a future with me while I'm on the phone anyways, but it's good to consider.

[keyboardlover]

Yep...majestouch is the EK guy. If you're looking for a quieter cherry switch mechanical option, I'd check out something PCB-mounted. I've always been curious about this board:
http://global.pchome.com.tw/?mod=item&func=exhibit&IT_NO=DCAH0X-A50272833&SR_NO=DCAH21&ROWNO=9&tm=u

Space-saving layout, NKRO and PCB-mounted cherry browns. Unfortunately you have to order from Taiwan though. At least the shipping is only $10 and fast.

[Chojo31]

good thread is good. I'm in search of the same keyboard as you.

But, if some expert can explain here, If topre is correct for gaming on l4d2 or starcraft. I am in love of the HHKB 2 layout that why i'm considering topre.

Also, many peeps are ordering some nopoo choc mini. Better than the filco?

[dracaXL]

The Celeritas is mechanical, yes.

http://www.zowiegear.com/component/content/article/137

[dracaXL]

good thread is good. I'm in search of the same keyboard as you.

But, if some expert can explain here, If topre is correct for gaming on l4d2 or starcraft. I am in love of the HHKB 2 layout that why i'm considering topre.

Also, many peeps are ordering some nopoo choc mini. Better than the filco?

The Choc Mini and the Filco are very different form factors; as someone who owns both a Filco and Noppoo, I prefer the Filco for gaming as I tend to miss keypresses on the Noppoo.

[Chojo31]

The Choc Mini and the Filco are very different form factors; as someone who owns both a Filco and Noppoo, I prefer the Filco for gaming as I tend to miss keypresses on the Noppoo.

alright. Was considering the nopoo aka hhkb killer for the same reason of the hhkb 2...the layout

[keyboardlover]

It's probably worth mentioning that Filco is a "tried and true" keyboard that went through all EK's QA and all that, so it's been proven to have good quality. The Noppoo is one of many new "straight from China" keyboards with questionable QA. Also, it doesn't work on OS X!

[Chojo31]

It's probably worth mentioning that Filco is a "tried and true" keyboard that went through all EK's QA and all that, so it's been proven to have good quality. The Noppoo is one of many new "straight from China" keyboards with questionable QA. Also, it doesn't work on OS X!

w7 >


oh noes i said it!

[dracaXL]

Don't get me wrong, the Choc Mini is a great typing board once you get used to the keyspacing - but since I go back and forth between the Filco and the more diminutive Choc, it can get a little irritating. Right now I'm typing on the Noppoo and prefer its 'feel' over the Filco's for typing, but not for gaming. Also the look of the Mini isn't for everyone. I was v. disappointed with its appearance at first, but it grew on me. Having the option to switch between Ctl key and Caps Lock positions is neat as well.

Edit: I should probably point out that the Choc Mini I have is with MX Browns, and the Majestouch has Blacks.

[keyboardlover]

I actually use Win 7...I don't use OS X.

Was just sayin'

[Chojo31]

I actually use Win 7...I don't use OS X.

Was just sayin'

Amazing! And I see that you use thinkpad, me too, thoose laptop are gg! I'm actualy a administration univeristy studen, so thinkpad was the chosen one.

Btw, You use a topre keyboard righ? how it feel vs others keyboard? For myself, I'm typing on a scissors switch HP keyboard since I really like laptop keyboard style. First time I will use mec keyboard

[TurboDance]

The Celeritas is mechanical, yes.

http://www.zowiegear.com/component/content/article/137

Oh wow, this Celeritas really threw me a curve ball, as I hadn't heard anything about it. The windows key can function as the control key too!? PERFECT! Does it come with Cherry Browns as well? I'm really inetersted. I wish it came in 10-keyless form though =(, I really liked that about the Filco/Leopold design.

Does anyone have any experience with this keyboard? What's the concensus? I wonder how the keys are, and what the noise levels are like comparatively to the Filco. Are there any important reviews that I should take a look at?

Also, I see that their Canadian retailer is NCIX, but none of these keyboards are listed on their site!? Does anyone know where I can find one if I wanted to purchase?

[TurboDance]

The Celeritas is mechanical, yes.

http://www.zowiegear.com/component/content/article/137

Oh wow, this Celeritas really threw me a curve ball, as I hadn't heard anything about it. The windows key can function as the control key too!? PERFECT! Does it come with Cherry Browns as well? I'm really inetersted. I wish it came in 10-keyless form though =(, I really liked that about the Filco/Leopold design.

Does anyone have any experience with this keyboard? What's the concensus? I wonder how the keys are, and what the noise levels are like comparatively to the Filco. Are there any important reviews on this board that I should be checking out?

Also, I see that their Canadian retailer is NCIX, but none of these keyboards are listed on their site!? Does anyone know where I can find one if I wanted to purchase?

[dracaXL]

Yeah it has MX Browns iirc, don't think it comes in tenkeyless format. I haven't used it personally, but have noticed it being used very regularly by the majority of players in the latest GSL.

[TurboDance]

Crap, I double posted, how do I delete?

[keyboardlover]

Btw, You use a topre keyboard righ? how it feel vs others keyboard? For myself, I'm typing on a scissors switch HP keyboard since I really like laptop keyboard style. First time I will use mec keyboard

Topre basically feels like the best rubber dome ever times 10. Great feel and quality. Can't go wrong with them imo.

Regarding the celeritas, I thought I read it had cheap keys?

[Chojo31]

Topre basically feels like the best rubber dome ever times 10. Great feel and quality. Can't go wrong with them imo.

Regarding the celeritas, I thought I read it had cheap keys?

Alright, so the choice il be a topre one probably. HHKB is a legit layout, but it is as good as a realforce? Are you more a tenkeyless person or a HHKB layout one?

You have both, thats why I ask ^^

[keyboardlover]

Realforce is definitely better quality. I am definitely a tenkeyless person. If you have any interest in my HE00100, I might sell it. Too many keyboards

[Chojo31]

Realforce is definitely better quality. I am definitely a tenkeyless person. If you have any interest in my HE00100, I might sell it. Too many keyboards

I'm confuse, not a expert in this domain, the HE0100 is wich one?

[keyboardlover]

Click link in my Sig

[Surly73]

The biggest downside I see to the Celeritas is that it uses the L-shaped ENTER key layout which, to me, is non-standard.  Other than that it seems to have a nice feature set and IIRC it is also available with Cherry CLEARS (like browns, but heavier).  I've never typed on clears, but think I would like them.

I think I have a Filco tenkeyless with browns coming - we'll see if my recent PChome order is actually going through.

[TurboDance]

The biggest downside I see to the Celeritas is that it uses the L-shaped ENTER key layout which, to me, is non-standard.

Yeah I noticed that L shaped keyboard, and for me it's actually a huge plus. In game chat can get hectic, and having a big ol enter key to swat at and not miss is really nice. Same idea as making the windows key function as control in case that is what I'm trying to press quickly. Smart stuff!

[Chojo31]

Click link in my Sig

Is a little to big I think.

[TurboDance]

Amazing! And I see that you use thinkpad, me too, thoose laptop are gg! I'm actualy a administration univeristy studen, so thinkpad was the chosen one.

Btw, You use a topre keyboard righ? how it feel vs others keyboard? For myself, I'm typing on a scissors switch HP keyboard since I really like laptop keyboard style. First time I will use mec keyboard

Yes, the Thinkpad keyboards are the bomb shizznat! They are definitely the nicest laptop keyboards I've ever encountered.

By the way, I have a microsoft keyboard right not and not Topre. This is the keyboard that has inspired my journey to the geekhack forums haha.

[TurboDance]

Is a little to big I think.

For me too. That's why I was hoping for 10-keyless. Oh well.

Also, browns are definitely the way I intend to go. Lighter feel than the blacks and some tactile feedback are what I'm looking for.

[Surly73]

Yeah I noticed that L shaped keyboard, and for me it's actually a huge plus. In game chat can get hectic, and having a big ol enter key to swat at and not miss is really nice. Same idea as making the windows key function as control in case that is what I'm trying to press quickly. Smart stuff!

Well, it's not the L shaped enter key that bothers me, it's the other stuff that's moved in the layout to accomplish that - like putting \| down at the bottom near the right shift for one thing.  I see a lot of pluses to the board.  The lights in the keys as indicators is pretty cool.  The repeating key speed thing does nothing for me, personally.  I just wish they started with a standard ANSI layout and did their thing, that's all.

Maybe it'll sell big and they'll come out with some brothers and sisters down the road.

[Tony]

Filco keyboards could be easily bought from Taiwan, Army group I suppose. We frequently got orders with 170$ full size, 160$ tenkeyless (all switches). The price is high but the quality is assured.

[Human]

Filco keyboards could be easily bought from Taiwan, Army group I suppose. We frequently got orders with 170$ full size, 160$ tenkeyless (all switches). The price is high but the quality is assured.

Hmm, PChome one is less than 150USD included shipping...(in chinese layout though)
http://global.pchome.com.tw/?mod=item&func=exhibit&IT_NO=DCAH0X-A50475193&SR_NO=DCAH23&ROWNO=2&tm=u#
http://global.pchome.com.tw/?mod=item&func=exhibit&IT_NO=DCAH0X-A50461464&SR_NO=DCAH23&ROWNO=5&tm=u

[nigritude]

Filco keyboards could be easily bought from Taiwan, Army group I suppose. We frequently got orders with 170$ full size, 160$ tenkeyless (all switches). The price is high but the quality is assured.

is basically the reason i went for a topre on my first board. just 50 bucks more for a topre so why not...

[daniel0731ex]

Hmm, PChome one is less than 150USD included shipping...(in chinese layout though)

?


http://global.pchome.com.tw/?mod=item&func=exhibit&IT_NO=DCAH0X-A50475324&c=A20&tm=u

[TurboDance]

Okay guys, I have determined that I am pretty much up to here with waiting, researching, making sure I am making the right decision etc. I am just going to friggen commit already. It's been literally 2 weeks of daily multi hour sessions of forum reading and review comparisons. As fun as that is in the beginning to figure out what is best, it's become extremely frustrating knowing that much of what I'm looking for is not available - at least not through a North American retailer.

So, I am going to take the plunge and buy a Filco tenkeyless internationally. I love the design, and seemingly as far as everyone here is concerned, it's a pretty bulletproof bet that it will meet and exceed my expectations.

But where should I buy it? I have spent the last couple hours trying to figure out how to get past the login section of Armygroup's website without any luck. Is there any kind of guide from buying from these sites? Also, is there any advantage of PCHome over Armygroup? I can't even tell if there is stock at either store!

[TurboDance]

See the sticky above for WW Buying Guide and look under Taiwan.  Armygroup instructions linked there.

I'm a bit of a forum noob in general, how do I find this sticky? Anyways, I was already on the search and found this - http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=255060&postcount=4 .

The problem is that there appears to be a step missing between steps 3 and 4. I am getting a login screen that doesn't appear to be covered by this guide unless I am missing something. Try to go through the process yourself, and I think you will find that the guide is missing how to create a login.

[dracaXL]

You may need to register for an account (try using google translate via Chrome), or the item might be out of stock.

[neo]

If you use Google Chrome browser and turn on auto translate for Chinese language, you will browse these sites pretty comfortably without much need for any guides.

[TurboDance]

Oh my god, I'm dying here. I just saw the new Filco's on Amazon's website, and there is still no tenkeyless distribution! Now what do I do? Should I wait for a keyboard with a warranty at Amazon, or am I just going to be waiting forever like for the Leopold's? Ugh.

[keyboardlover]

Bruce said they are coming but didn't say when. More waiting!

[TurboDance]

I've literally almost bought a keyboard 5 times in the last week. The tension is killing me! I feel ilke a 7 year old waiting for the new ninja turtle collectable to come out - I just am not complete until it happens.

[fetret]

Not to hijack the thread, but simply didn't want to open a new one.

Hello everyone, I am quite new here but I always was interested in mechanical keyboards (especially the sound makes me quiver), and finally got enough money for a nice one.

I was planning to go for a Cherry Blue, since I like the gsm etc, and the noise and I was planning to spring for a Filco Tenkeyless (with letters).

Now my greatest problem lies with the fact that I live in Turkey, so I wasn't able to find a site that would sell me keyboards, even ebay did not yield much, and there was no entry under Turkey in the wiki. So could anyone help me find a mechanical keyboard? It really doesn't have to be Filco, but I am looking for a opaque (I simply hate fingerprints), durable and tenkeyless keyboard.

Thank you very much.

[bugfix]

Das Tenkeyless (with letters).

I don't think there is a tenkeyless DAS actually. I'd say your best bet would be keyboardco.com, they also ship to Turkey and you can get a tenkeyless Filco there.

[db_Iodine]

Not to hijack the thread, but simply didn't want to open a new one.

Hello everyone, I am quite new here but I always was interested in mechanical keyboards (especially the sound makes me quiver), and finally got enough money for a nice one.

I was planning to go for a Cherry Blue, since I like the gsm etc, and the noise and I was planning to spring for a Filco Tenkeyless (with letters).

Now my greatest problem lies with the fact that I live in Turkey, so I wasn't able to find a site that would sell me keyboards, even ebay did not yield much, and there was no entry under Turkey in the wiki. So could anyone help me find a mechanical keyboard? It really doesn't have to be Filco, but I am looking for a opaque (I simply hate fingerprints), durable and tenkeyless keyboard.

Thank you very much.

Taiwanese companies, like Armygroup, or PChome will ship to Turkey, I think. You should check out their threads here and here. There are good guides for buying from both shops in or near the first post.

[Chojo31]

I'm in a real dilema.... HHKB or Realforce.

So in love with the HHKB layout ahah