« previous next »
Pages:  [1]     Go Down

Author Topic: Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro  (Read 4618 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Rougex

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 4
Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
« on: Fri, 01 April 2011, 12:19:38 »
Hello everyone, this is my first post on this site - I was really happy when I found there is a community of people at least as obsessed with keyboards as I am!

A little background: I'm an older (lets say closer to 50 than I'd like) computer geek, Unix wizard, coder4lyfe.  I started out on ADM 3s, Zenith Z19/Z29s, then Sun keyboards attached to Sun 1s, then HPs, and probably dozens of others.  

I had a very loved IBM M keyboard, and eventually replaced it with a Matias Tactile Pro that I used for a long time.

I bought an early Das Keyboard in 2005 (see signature link for a picture), which I used at work to intimidate my co-workers.  A about two years ago, I replaced that work keyboard and my home keyboard with Saitke Eclipse IIs.  I lived with those for a while: they were okay, not as crisp an action was I like, then last September I replaced those with Das Keyboard S Pros.

The problem is that when I'm really writing code at a furious pace, the action on this blue cherry Das Keyboard feels like it ends too abruptly in a hard stop, like I'm smacking my finger against a board, and my fingers get tired / achy.  

So can someone recommend a keyboard that has a nice distinct action (definitely not mushy), but doesn't end quite so abruptly, maybe a little more springyness at the end of the action?

Would a brown cherry keyboard be any improvement?  How about Topre-based keyboards, like this Realforce?  Others?

Whatever I buy, I'll probably end up with two: one for work (coding), and one for home (coding and gaming).
Logged
Keyboards: Das Keyboard S Pro, Das Keyboard (2005), Matias Tactile Pro.  
Gaming controllers: Logitech G13, Belkin Nostrom N52, Belkin Nostromo, Ideazon Fang.
Mouse: Logitech G9.

Offline keyboardlover

  • Posts: 4022
  • Hey Paul Walker, Click It or Ticket!
    • http://www.keyboardlover.com
Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
« Reply #1 on: Fri, 01 April 2011, 12:21:30 »
Welcome to Geekhack! Since you're a Unix geek, have you considered the hhkb?
Logged

Offline hcry4

  • HHKB Hoarder
  • Posts: 403
  • Location: SF, CA
Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
« Reply #2 on: Fri, 01 April 2011, 12:43:53 »
HHKB Pro 2 for work and the full size Realforce for home seem to fit the bill here.
Logged

Offline Rougex

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 4
Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
« Reply #3 on: Fri, 01 April 2011, 12:53:20 »
Can someone describe for me the action of the Topre switches?  Maybe as compared to the Cherry "blue" switches in my Das Keyboard?
Logged
Keyboards: Das Keyboard S Pro, Das Keyboard (2005), Matias Tactile Pro.  
Gaming controllers: Logitech G13, Belkin Nostrom N52, Belkin Nostromo, Ideazon Fang.
Mouse: Logitech G9.

Offline Chobopants

  • Posts: 590
Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
« Reply #4 on: Fri, 01 April 2011, 13:03:35 »
Honestly I don't like changing layouts so the idea of the HHKB just scares me unless it is my only keyboard. However, a Realforce sounds like it fits the bill for you. I use my full size 55g Realforce at work and love it. It's a great combination of making a satisfying *thonk* sound while you type and overall feel. Highly recommended for the office.

I still prefer my Filco Brown at home, though. I DO type a bit faster on it and its gentler on my fingers. May actually be your best option. Perhaps a Leopold Brown Otaku for the perfect combination of intimidating your coworkers and being very, very gentle on your fingers. You eventually learn to float your fingers on it.
Logged
Realforce 87UW 45g - Filco Blue 87 - Filco Linear R - Filco Brown 104

Offline aegrotatio

  • Posts: 335
Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
« Reply #5 on: Fri, 01 April 2011, 23:57:36 »
If you want to save some dough, try to find a HHKB Lite or HHKB Lite 2 which are both relatively (and I do mean "relatively") higher-quality rubber dome boards.  I really like them and I'm about to wear them out in my eight-hour daily work.

There are good quality rubber-dome boards out there.  They aren't easy to find.  Despite some of the others here, I rather enjoy the HHKB Lite and Lite2 keyboards.

Oh, and about changing layouts, since I started using HHKB keyboards full-time, it took a little while but I seem to have automatically adjusted to the HHKB layout and still be able to use regular PC/AT layouts without noticing.  Eventually you probably will adjust.  In saying that, I mean that you don't end up hitting a zillion tildes when you want to backspace.  However, I do remap caps lock to Ctrl on all my systems.  The tilde, backspace, and ESC key differences don't really bother me as much as I thought they would.  Somehow, and probably naturally, my mind just "knows" which keys to hit when I switch from the slightly-altered HHKB layout to normal PC/AT layout.

But the new "Poker" keyboard with the traditional PC/AT layout is going to be the *perfect* keyboard I think.  Tenkeyless PC/AT layout is probably the most perfect solution for what I need in my professional and hobby life.
« Last Edit: Sat, 02 April 2011, 00:02:31 by aegrotatio »
Logged
Daily Drivers: Ducky DK1087XM || DSI ASK-6600 || Rosewill RK-9000 BL, BR, BL, and RE || ABS M1 || Das Keyboard Silent || HHKB Lite and Lite 2 || DSI Big Font (kids love it)
Yearning for: Any ALPS keyboard || Any tenkeyless mechanical keyboard
Permanent collection: Poker Blue and Brown || Adesso MKB-125B || SIIG MiniTouch Geek Hack Space Saver || Chicony 5181 Monterey Blue || Chicony 5191 Clone Cherry Blues || Key Tronic 3600 || Unicomp Endurapro & SmarTrex || A crate of IBM Model M and Model M Space Saving boards || NeXTstation Slab || Amiga 3000 || BTC-5100C black and beige || SIIG MiniTouch Plus black and beige
Retired collection: SIIG MiniTouch Monterey Blue || Razer BlackWidow

Offline keyboardlover

  • Posts: 4022
  • Hey Paul Walker, Click It or Ticket!
    • http://www.keyboardlover.com
Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
« Reply #6 on: Sat, 02 April 2011, 07:11:51 »
KeyTronic is an easy-to-find high-quality rubber dome board.
Logged

Offline Larry Dallas

  • Posts: 54
Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
« Reply #7 on: Sat, 02 April 2011, 10:16:25 »
Quote from: Rougex;322808

I bought an early Das Keyboard in 2005 (see signature link for a picture), which I used at work to intimidate my co-workers.  


I used to use a Das to intimidate my co-workers, too. Since I switched to quieter switches, I've had to intimidate them with constant hazing and threats of physical violence.
Logged

Offline Rougex

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 4
Its here!
« Reply #8 on: Sun, 10 April 2011, 16:51:09 »
I ended up getting a Realforce tenkeyless, and I'm very happy with it!

It now has a place of honor in my hacking cave.



Thanks everyone for your advice!
Logged
Keyboards: Das Keyboard S Pro, Das Keyboard (2005), Matias Tactile Pro.  
Gaming controllers: Logitech G13, Belkin Nostrom N52, Belkin Nostromo, Ideazon Fang.
Mouse: Logitech G9.

Offline BucklingSpring

  • Posts: 1613
Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
« Reply #9 on: Sun, 10 April 2011, 17:14:06 »
Quote from: Rougex;328126
I ended up getting a Realforce tenkeyless, and I'm very happy with it!


Great choice... Nice setup btw! Enjoy.

Very clean for a hacking cave... Not to mention your posterior's rack - Nothing less than a Herman Miller's Aeron.
« Last Edit: Sun, 10 April 2011, 17:16:21 by BucklingSpring »
Logged
In memory of smallfry 1996-2013
Boards I own, click ->
More
Ducky x2 (9008G2 Pro PBT/MX Green and Mini MX Red), Matias x2 (QP and Mini QP Dampened ALPS), Topre RealForce x4 (87U 55g/Digilog case, 103U-UW & 104UG High-Profile x2), Filco Majestouch x2 (TKL MX Blue & V2 AI 104 MX Blue), IBM-M x2 (BS & RD), Unicomp-M x5 (BS black on black x2, BS Ivory x2, QT Ultra-Classic), Deck x4 (Legend MX Black & MX Clear, Hassium & Francium w/ MX Brown), DAS III (MX Blue), KBT Pure Pro 60% (MX Red), NMB-RT8256CW+ x2 (black space invader), XArmor U9BL-S (MX Brown) given for free to someone I hate, CM X2 (Trigger/MX Green + Storm TKL/NovaTouch), TVS GOLD (MX Blue) and a many many more (NMB, DELL, MS, ATT, KeyTronic, Etc...)

Offline AgentHeavy

  • Posts: 35
Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
« Reply #10 on: Sun, 10 April 2011, 17:18:45 »
Quote from: Rougex;328126
I ended up getting a Realforce tenkeyless, and I'm very happy with it!

It now has a place of honor in my hacking cave.

Thanks everyone for your advice!


Is it a Dell U2711 ? Superb monitor.
Great choice the RF, you won't regret :)
Logged

Offline daerid

  • Posts: 4276
  • Location: Denver, CO
    • Rossipedia
Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
« Reply #11 on: Sun, 10 April 2011, 17:54:13 »
Quote from: Rougex;328126
I ended up getting a Realforce tenkeyless, and I'm very happy with it!

It now has a place of honor in my hacking cave.

Show Image


Thanks everyone for your advice!


What desk is that?
Logged

Offline CephalicCarnage

  • Posts: 65
Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
« Reply #12 on: Sun, 10 April 2011, 18:04:14 »
Awesome! Congratulations on your new Realforce.  Nice setup!
Logged
Filco Tenkeyless "Otaku" (Blue), Leopold Tenkeyless "Otaku" (Brown), Leopold Tenkeyless (Blue), Goldtouch GTC-0077 Numeric Pad (Brown)
In the mail: HHKB Pro2 White/Gray
WTB: G80-8113HRBUS-2 with Clear switches

Offline Rougex

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 4
Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
« Reply #13 on: Mon, 11 April 2011, 06:13:38 »
@BucklingSpring:  I pamper my posterior!

@AgentHeavy:  Yup, U2711.  Agreed: very nice monitor.

@daerid: The desk is from Biomporh.  It is a nice desk, but it was a pain to assemble.

And thanks to all for the congrats!
Logged
Keyboards: Das Keyboard S Pro, Das Keyboard (2005), Matias Tactile Pro.  
Gaming controllers: Logitech G13, Belkin Nostrom N52, Belkin Nostromo, Ideazon Fang.
Mouse: Logitech G9.

Offline theferenc

  • Posts: 1327
Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
« Reply #14 on: Mon, 11 April 2011, 11:54:25 »
I really wish I was a real person, and could afford real things. That's a very nice desk.
Logged
HHKB Pro 2 -- Custom UNIX layout Unicomp Customizer 101 -- IBM Model M 1391401 (modded to UNIX layout) -- IBM 1397000 (also UNIX layout) -- SSK in UNIX layout -- Model F 122 key in UNIX layout (Soarer USB "native")
 
CST L-TracX trackball -- Kensington Expert Mouse trackball

Offline vicariouscheese

  • Posts: 56
Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
« Reply #15 on: Mon, 11 April 2011, 12:03:31 »
what kind of man cave has windows and sunlight?  

:P
Logged

Offline weipim

  • Posts: 104
Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
« Reply #16 on: Mon, 11 April 2011, 12:09:43 »
Awesome and welcome here.

let us know more about the real force
Logged

Offline BucklingSpring

  • Posts: 1613
Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
« Reply #17 on: Mon, 11 April 2011, 12:12:10 »
Quote from: theferenc;328615
I really wish I was a real person, and could afford real things. That's a very nice desk.


Don't worry dude... Some nice things are made for you too
Logged
In memory of smallfry 1996-2013
Boards I own, click ->
More
Ducky x2 (9008G2 Pro PBT/MX Green and Mini MX Red), Matias x2 (QP and Mini QP Dampened ALPS), Topre RealForce x4 (87U 55g/Digilog case, 103U-UW & 104UG High-Profile x2), Filco Majestouch x2 (TKL MX Blue & V2 AI 104 MX Blue), IBM-M x2 (BS & RD), Unicomp-M x5 (BS black on black x2, BS Ivory x2, QT Ultra-Classic), Deck x4 (Legend MX Black & MX Clear, Hassium & Francium w/ MX Brown), DAS III (MX Blue), KBT Pure Pro 60% (MX Red), NMB-RT8256CW+ x2 (black space invader), XArmor U9BL-S (MX Brown) given for free to someone I hate, CM X2 (Trigger/MX Green + Storm TKL/NovaTouch), TVS GOLD (MX Blue) and a many many more (NMB, DELL, MS, ATT, KeyTronic, Etc...)

Offline guilleguillaume

  • Posts: 694
Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
« Reply #18 on: Mon, 11 April 2011, 12:17:27 »
ROFL at the Cat rack :D
Logged

Offline theferenc

  • Posts: 1327
Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
« Reply #19 on: Mon, 11 April 2011, 13:11:40 »
Quote from: BucklingSpring;328635
Don't worry dude... Some nice things are made for you too
Show Image


You know, I was just talking about needing a bigger desk lately. For that exact reason.

You are my new hero.
Logged
HHKB Pro 2 -- Custom UNIX layout Unicomp Customizer 101 -- IBM Model M 1391401 (modded to UNIX layout) -- IBM 1397000 (also UNIX layout) -- SSK in UNIX layout -- Model F 122 key in UNIX layout (Soarer USB "native")
 
CST L-TracX trackball -- Kensington Expert Mouse trackball

Offline daerid

  • Posts: 4276
  • Location: Denver, CO
    • Rossipedia
Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
« Reply #20 on: Mon, 11 April 2011, 14:20:39 »
Jesus christ.... $2300 for a desk wow...
Logged

Offline rustybarnacle

  • Posts: 122
Replacement for Das Keyboard S Pro
« Reply #21 on: Mon, 11 April 2011, 14:25:50 »
i'll put up some pics of my desk - it was more like $350 and gets you 90% of the functionality of this one.
Logged
Pages:  [1]     Go Up
« previous next »