First mechanical, KUL ES-87, arrived today...

[TheCowGod]

And I absolutely love it It arrived at the end of the work day, so I only got to spend half an hour with it, but it felt so great. It only took me a few minutes to get comfortable with the increased key height and travel (coming from an Apple wired aluminum keyboard).

And man, this ES-87 is built like a tank. I knew these mechanical keyboards are built sturdy, but it was pretty shocking to pull that heavy block of hardware out of the box. Really feels like something that will last a while. I'm glad to be part of this world now And the MX Blues aren't as loud as I feared. I work from home, so there's nobody to be annoyed by my clacking, but I don't think it'd be a deal breaker in a reasonably busy office either.

Now I'm trying to stave off the inkling that I should also have a little 60% like the Pok3r for when I go work at a coffee shop or something...

[sorijealut]

So happy you're enjoying your first one! Welcome to GH, by the way haha

I started from MX blues too. Eventually I had to switch to quieter options after dorming with others and such. It should work great in the confines of your own home though
The KUL really is sturdy, so imo it should be quieter than other keyboards of the same price range because of the way it disperses sound.
I like that last train of thought, I do recommend a quieter, smaller form for on-the-go

Enjoy!

[rm-rf]

welcome!
you might need a 60%...
i think i need one also.

[TheCowGod]

So happy you're enjoying your first one! Welcome to GH, by the way haha

I started from MX blues too. Eventually I had to switch to quieter options after dorming with others and such. It should work great in the confines of your own home though
The KUL really is sturdy, so imo it should be quieter than other keyboards of the same price range because of the way it disperses sound.
I like that last train of thought, I do recommend a quieter, smaller form for on-the-go

Enjoy!

Thanks! Yeah, I was also relieved to find that I didn't hear any pinging at all from the KUL -- I had read that it and the Filco both tend to suffer from it, precisely because of those big heavy plates they have. I was ready to bravely try to ignore it or get used to it, but as far as I can tell mine doesn't have that issue. I'm really happy with it. Now begins my search for a nice set of caps for it

And as for the 60%, I just know it's in my future, but I'm going to try to hold out as long as possible Yeah, that board would certainly need a quieter switch. Don't want to be run out of Starbucks with torches and pitchforks 

[sumni]

you won't stave off that inkling for long hehe, just give in, give innnn

Took me a few days but I finally talked myself into buying the infinity keyboard kit as a second kb

[sorijealut]

Thanks! Yeah, I was also relieved to find that I didn't hear any pinging at all from the KUL -- I had read that it and the Filco both tend to suffer from it, precisely because of those big heavy plates they have. I was ready to bravely try to ignore it or get used to it, but as far as I can tell mine doesn't have that issue. I'm really happy with it. Now begins my search for a nice set of caps for it

And as for the 60%, I just know it's in my future, but I'm going to try to hold out as long as possible Yeah, that board would certainly need a quieter switch. Don't want to be run out of Starbucks with torches and pitchforks 

You've done your research huh! Yeah, I own the MX red ver. of the KUL and the Filco had pinging issues whereas the KUL didn't.
The stabilizer types are different, but that was one of the deal breakers for me.
Once you get some thicker caps for it, I can assure you the feeling and sound would only get better.
My personal recommendation would be towards a GMK set, but that's probably a bit too much to start out on.

Haha, it's good that you're going to wait. It can be hard to enjoy multiple keyboards

[TheCowGod]

you won't stave off that inkling for long hehe, just give in, give innnn

Took me a few days but I finally talked myself into buying the infinity keyboard kit as a second kb

Hehehe. Yeah, a kit is pretty appealing, actually -- I'm an amateur machinist, and I build
flashlights and tube guitar amps and effects pedals and robots, so building my own keyboard seems right up my alley. I haven't really looked into the DIY options out there yet, but it's probably time to start getting familiar with them.

Thanks! Yeah, I was also relieved to find that I didn't hear any pinging at all from the KUL -- I had read that it and the Filco both tend to suffer from it, precisely because of those big heavy plates they have. I was ready to bravely try to ignore it or get used to it, but as far as I can tell mine doesn't have that issue. I'm really happy with it. Now begins my search for a nice set of caps for it

And as for the 60%, I just know it's in my future, but I'm going to try to hold out as long as possible Yeah, that board would certainly need a quieter switch. Don't want to be run out of Starbucks with torches and pitchforks 

You've done your research huh! Yeah, I own the MX red ver. of the KUL and the Filco had pinging issues whereas the KUL didn't.
The stabilizer types are different, but that was one of the deal breakers for me.
Once you get some thicker caps for it, I can assure you the feeling and sound would only get better.
My personal recommendation would be towards a GMK set, but that's probably a bit too much to start out on.

Haha, it's good that you're going to wait. It can be hard to enjoy multiple keyboards

Yeah, I do tend to dive headfirst into a new hobby and gobble up as much information as I can find I definitely look forward to getting a nice thick set of caps. I've looked at a bunch of different designs that have been discussed here, and while there's a bunch I like, I keep coming back to the EVE set that just ran last year. God, those keys are pretty. I'm trolling all the classified forums I can, hoping a set pops up.

[TopreFan333]

Funny, you're on the beginning my exact keyboard learning/upgrade/obsession path. Just do yourself a favor and stop now

Apple OEM >> KUL >> custom key caps (2 sets) >> get curious, buy HHKB >> put KUL away forever >> buy a second Topre board for work

Don't get me wrong, the KUL is very nice and well-built, but once I went Topre, I haven't really been able to look back. I should probably sell off the KUL and keycaps and recoup some of the damage...

[Data]

I have one too.  Welcome to the family.   

(Mine has browns.)

[TheCowGod]

Thanks A few days in, and I'm definitely loving this KUL. It sits a good bit higher than the Apple keyboard, so I need to get a wrist wrest, but even without it I'm really happy with it. I look forward to sitting down to work each morning.

You guys got me looking at that Infinity kit - I see there's a drop on Massdrop right now. Tempted. It does look very cool. I don't think I'd want to give up my arrow keys for everyday use here at my desk at home, but when I'm out and about, a layout like that Infinity looks totally useable, and way better than typing directly on the MacBook. It's a bit expensive, especially with the PBT caps, but I assume they continue to re-run those drops, right? I don't need to feel like I have to jump on this one or miss out, like I might for a keycap GB?

I've bought a WASD switch tester from someone on MechMarket to help me make a better decision if and when I do get that second board. I also picked up an EVE WASD set, though I'm not much of a gamer, just because I love the EVE color scheme and that WASD set is all I've been able to find so far Still hoping a full set will turn up in the classifieds sometime soon.

It's so funny that 2 weeks ago I didn't give my keyboard a second thought, and now here I am wistfully longing for a custom set of keycaps. I love coming across a new subject that most people would assume is simple, and diving in and discovering the world of fine details hidden within, and all the enthusiasts who care about and improve on those details. It's like the world is a fractal -- everywhere you look, if you look closely enough, you discover hidden complexity. Anyway, that's my philosophical rambling for the day

[sorijealut]

It's so funny that 2 weeks ago I didn't give my keyboard a second thought, and now here I am wistfully longing for a custom set of keycaps. I love coming across a new subject that most people would assume is simple, and diving in and discovering the world of fine details hidden within, and all the enthusiasts who care about and improve on those details. It's like the world is a fractal -- everywhere you look, if you look closely enough, you discover hidden complexity. Anyway, that's my philosophical rambling for the day

Oooh, like that bit of writing there sir

Like dchadwick, I recommend the HHKB sometime in your future you'll love it.

[maddingo]

man... now you have made me kinda 2nd guess (for the 1millionth time) my Filco TKL.... I was super torn between the KUL ES87 and the MT2 I spend a week going back and forth.


oh well bad news for my wife ...I really am digging the TKL form factor (my hands are too big, I think for anything smaller than 80% personally) ... I probably will get the KUL as well at some point here

[kaminbobby]

Welcome !

[absyrd]

You already seem like a very DIY type of person.

Take more time exploring the Making Stuff Together section.

Skip the pok3r for now and see what you can come up with based upon more learning/research.