Author Topic: Searching a mech kb with a "unique" layout  (Read 1639 times)

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Offline zadd

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  • Posts: 3
Searching a mech kb with a "unique" layout
« on: Sun, 25 September 2011, 07:11:30 »
For years I have been using an auravision eluminx with scissor switches:
h**p://www.hardware-pacers.com/reviews_images/Auravision%20EluminX%20Keyboard/IMG_0004.jpg

The keyboard is dying on me once again (well the rubbers are) and it's time to replace it but it seems like the company is out of business and no shop has them in stock anymore.

I searched for mechanical keyboards with a similar layout and only came across the noppoo mini which I didn't like due to the missing numpad, the position of the pause key, the indirect "end" and "home", the small right shift and the missing "right click"-key (dunno how it's called x]).

A missing numpad wouldn't be a total deal breaker but the positioning of the "del, pgup, pgdown, end, home, insert"-block is. I really got used to the positioning of them on the eluminx and wouldn't want to use anything else anymore.

Any suggestions?

Offline Spharx

  • Posts: 21
Searching a mech kb with a "unique" layout
« Reply #1 on: Sun, 25 September 2011, 07:24:05 »
Not 100% the same layout but close should be the Cherry G80-1800, G80-1851 and G80-11900. Uncertainty they have all the faults that you have mentioned about the positions.
My advice would be to get used to the normal layouts (they are not that much different).

Ok at least one mech keyboard, the Tipro QM128a, could have your desired del, home & ect. positions because it is programmable but you have to be damn lucky to get one of these.
« Last Edit: Sun, 25 September 2011, 07:39:22 by Spharx »

Offline duncan

  • Posts: 184
Searching a mech kb with a "unique" layout
« Reply #2 on: Sun, 25 September 2011, 07:34:54 »
How about this?

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?21989-KBC-75-Backlit-HHKB-Killer

Not the same but some points in common.

Realforce 86UB || HHKB P2 || FILCO MT 87 Blues || FILCO MT 87 Browns || FILCO MT 87 Ninja  Blacks || Poker X Reds

Offline N8N

  • Posts: 795
Searching a mech kb with a "unique" layout
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 25 September 2011, 07:54:56 »
not really relevant to your question, but this is a perfect example of why I like to buy keyboards in the format laid down lo these many years ago by IBM when they introduced the venerable Model M.  I can use a Filco, a Cherry (G80-3000 or similar), a WASD, a Noppoo (choc pro) or any number of other keyboards including the original M that I still have, and, say, the "Delete" key is within a few mm of where I expect it to be.  That means that I also don't have to be a complete snob about keyboards when working on other people's machines; if I'm only going to be there for a few minutes, unless it's a laptop, I don't find myself cussing at the keyboard on it (although anymore they're almost always crappy Dell rubber domes which don't feel nice, but it doesn't impede my ability to find the correct keys without hunting and pecking.)

It may sound cold, but I really recommend buying a keyboard that you like in the bog standard 104-key or tenkeyless layout and just become used to the standard location of the nav block, then you won't ever have this problem again.

BTW, the "right click" key to which I assume that you refer is commonly known as the "menu" key.
Filco Majestouch-2 with Cherry Corp. doubleshot keys - Leopold Tenkeyless Tactile Force with Wyse doubleshots - Silicon Graphics 9500900 - WASD V1 - IBM Model M 52G9658 - Noppoo Choc Pro with Cherry lasered PBT keycaps - Wyse 900866-01 - Cherry G80-8200LPBUS/07 - Dell AT101W - several Cherry G81s (future doubleshot donors) (order of current preference) (dang I have too many keyboards, I really only need two)

Offline CeeSA

  • Posts: 341
  • Location: Germany
Searching a mech kb with a "unique" layout
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 25 September 2011, 08:23:03 »
i always use Autohotkey to program the layout to my wishes. no problem with the noppoo choc mini.
Tipro and it's programmable controller is in a different layout class ;)

Offline zadd

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  • Posts: 3
Searching a mech kb with a "unique" layout
« Reply #5 on: Sun, 25 September 2011, 11:09:48 »
Quote from: Spharx;421087
Not 100% the same layout but close should be the Cherry G80-1800, G80-1851 and G80-11900. Uncertainty they have all the faults that you have mentioned about the positions.
My advice would be to get used to the normal layouts (they are not that much different).

With the eluminx positioning I don't really need to move my right hand. That's why I'm unwilling to go back to the standard block.
Quote from: Spharx;421087
Ok at least one mech keyboard, the Tipro QM128a, could have your desired del, home & ect. positions because it is programmable but you have to be damn lucky to get one of these.

looks indeed almost like what I'm searching for though I'd mistype a lot of the upper keys :P

Quote from: duncan;421089
h**p://geekhack.org/showthread.php?21989-KBC-75-Backlit-HHKB-Killer

It doesn't have a direct insert key(I could live with that) and the right shift is kinda small which is a deal breaker but it comes very close to what I want. Bigger right shift and I would have found my new keyboard.

Quote from: N8N;421093
not really relevant to your question, but this is a perfect example of why I like to buy keyboards in the format laid down lo these many years ago by IBM when they introduced the venerable Model M. I can use a Filco, a Cherry (G80-3000 or similar), a WASD, a Noppoo (choc pro) or any number of other keyboards including the original M that I still have, and, say, the "Delete" key is within a few mm of where I expect it to be. That means that I also don't have to be a complete snob about keyboards when working on other people's machines; if I'm only going to be there for a few minutes, unless it's a laptop, I don't find myself cussing at the keyboard on it (although anymore they're almost always crappy Dell rubber domes which don't feel nice, but it doesn't impede my ability to find the correct keys without hunting and pecking.)

It may sound cold, but I really recommend buying a keyboard that you like in the bog standard 104-key or tenkeyless layout and just become used to the standard location of the nav block, then you won't ever have this problem again.


As I said in response to Spharx: I really like how I don't really need to move my right hand to press all keys. Just because something is a standard doesn't necessarily mean that it's the best solution.

Quote from: CeeSA;421100
i always use Autohotkey to program the layout to my wishes. no problem with the noppoo choc mini.

I'm afraid of running into problems with it (not working in some situations).


Thanks for your suggestions guys.
I suppose I have to get used to another layout.

Are custom keyboards financially feasible? :D

Offline Thaxll'ssillyia

  • Posts: 23
Searching a mech kb with a "unique" layout
« Reply #6 on: Sun, 25 September 2011, 12:02:53 »
Eventually the Cherry G84-5200, has a different Enter key though.

Offline zadd

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  • Posts: 3
Searching a mech kb with a "unique" layout
« Reply #7 on: Mon, 26 September 2011, 09:15:42 »
Quote from: Thaxll'ssillyia;421175
Eventually the Cherry G84-5200, has a different Enter key though.

that one also comes very close, thanks.

Guess gonna take my time and make my mind up between the G84-5200 and the KBC. Thanks for your help guys :)