Keyboard recommendations

[terrygh]

Hello everybody.

Just yesterday discovered this beautiful forum of yours while i was searching for a new keyboard. Any recommendations will be highly appreciated.

The requirements will be:

Cherry red switch or something with even lower actuation force but linear and no audible click.

Bluetooth. It is a must.

No numeric pad. A must as well.

Low key travel if possible.

In curve keycaps or flat top if possible.(the classic keycaps scratch my fingers sometimes. Sensitive hands...i know.)

Under 200 dollars. The more affordable the better.

Thanks guys.

[Signature]

Filco minila air would probably work

[Butter]

Maybe Varmilo VB87M Bluetooth will work for you.

[terrygh]

Thank you for those two options guys. They look good. More recommendations?
 

[MeltingTeeth]

Not a lot to choose from in wireless mechanicals.

Someday a Bluetooth HHKB maybe!

[terrygh]

Is there a list here on gh of bluetooth mechanical keyboards?

[terrygh]

I have also searched for any kind of bluetooth keyboard (mechanical or not, even chiclet) that has linear pressing. I havent found one yet. Anybody knows of a bluetooth linear chiclet keyboard out there?

[ImpendingxDoom]

You can also pick out a board you like the look/feel/layout of and get a Bluetooth adapter. And DSA profile keycaps would probably suit your preferences well.

[terrygh]

Liked those dsa keycaps. I would prefer them more incurve though. More round on the edges. Anything in your mind?

Do you happen to know of any small and portable bluetooth adapters?

[ImpendingxDoom]

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/bluetooth-keyboard-adapter
^those are always on MD and people seem to like them. Haven't tried it myself though.

SA profile might feel better than DSA, but it's hard to say until you try it!

[terrygh]

Thanks for the adapter. Still looking for a keyboard that has integrated bluetooth though. If i dont find anything then i might go with that small adapter you proposed.

[KaminKevCrew]

Thanks for the adapter. Still looking for a keyboard that has integrated bluetooth though. If i dont find anything then i might go with that small adapter you proposed.

The varmilo vb87 that was mentioned previously would probably be fine for you. Just get some new keycaps with it... It has integrated Bluetooth, and it doesn't have a numpad. As far as I can tell, it's exactly what you want.

Alternatively, GON does have Bluetooth options for his PCBs, but I'm not really sure how much you're willing to spend/if you are any good at soldering. You could have him build you one, but you'd be waiting for 8 months to a year or more, for built boards.

[terrygh]

Checking out the vermilo right now. Going to see if i can find a place to order it for under 200 because on amazon it is at 250 and 200 was my absolute roof.

Thanks for the recommendations. If anything else comes up to your minds please share.

Also should i go with a keyboard that has mx switches or other ones? most widely used are mx? Therefore i will have more options for customization later on (o-ring, keycaps, lower actuation force switches) if i choose a board that wears mx switches, right?

This forum is amazing. You guys have been very helpful. 

[jaffers]

Checking out the vermilo right now. Going to see if i can find a place to order it for under 200 because on amazon it is at 250 and 200 was my absolute roof.

Thanks for the recommendations. If anything else comes up to your minds please share.

Also should i go with a keyboard that has mx switches or other ones? most widely used are mx? Therefore i will have more options for customization later on (o-ring, keycaps, lower actuation force switches) if i choose a board that wears mx switches, right?

This forum is amazing. You guys have been very helpful.

250 on amazon? I didn't think it was that expensive, I know I've seen it on massdrop for significantly less. Under $150 if I recall but don't quote me on that.

MX stems are the most common type of stem used and a large percentage of keycaps are made to fit the MX stem. There is a lot of room for customisation depending on the switch. You should be able to change out the springs in cherry switches by opening them up which will change the actuation force. Lube can make them feel a little smoother, especially nice on linear switches. I personally hate o rings, but some people like them because it makes them quieter/they like the feeling. And keycaps which IMO change the feeling equally as much as the switch itself, and have obvious aesthetic qualities.

Welcome to the forum ^:)

[terrygh]

Loved that info. Especially the spring details. And the lube info. Mx it is then.

I did find a closed drop on the varmilo for 129. The only i have found so far is 250 on amazon.

Looking at the filco minila air right now but the key positions are a little awkard.

I am going to keep on researching.

[heedpantsnow]

Loved that info. Especially the spring details. And the lube info. Mx it is then.

I did find a closed drop on the varmilo for 129. The only i have found so far is 250 on amazon.

Looking at the filco minila air right now but the key positions are a little awkard.

I am going to keep on researching.

Welcome to GH terry. I hope you're able to find one. Here's the Varmilo for $208 or best offer on eBay:  http://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/281840439709

Can't hurt to offer what you think is a fair price.

[terrygh]

[/quote]

Welcome to GH terry. I hope you're able to find one. Here's the Varmilo for $208 or best offer on eBay:  http://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/281840439709

Can't hurt to offer what you think is a fair price.
[/quote]


Thank you so much for finding that. I checked. Looks very interesting. Time is an issue though since i am leaving in a few weeks and will not be back for four months so i need time to check if it is working ok etc. I will try to find to buy from a vendor that has stock in the US for shipping purposes. I like the varmilo but any that has a normal key layout (not filco minilia air, too complicated), mx and bluetooth will do.

But wow, thank you for giving me a heads up on that link on ebay.

I will go back to searching now.

[terrygh]

So the only bluetooth mechanical keyboards around are the Minila Air and Varmilo vb87m? Anyone know of anything else?

[Lepidus]

Well, there is matias laptop pro too:
https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=290
But Matias Quiet Click is a heavy switch, much heavier then reds. It also has a strong tactile feedback.

Aside from minila, vb87m and matias, the only other bluetooth keyboard I know is that Royal Kludge cheap 60% that was released some months ago. People were pretty mad because RK forgot to program the FN layer correctly on it.

[heedpantsnow]

Ok don't laugh but the Microsoft Wedge Mobile Keyboard really impressed me. Very usable for its size, and the build quality impressed me. If I was buying a non-mech BT keyboard, that would be the one.

[terrygh]

Ok don't laugh but the Microsoft Wedge Mobile Keyboard really impressed me. Very usable for its size, and the build quality impressed me. If I was buying a non-mech BT keyboard, that would be the one.

These are not laughing matters. The comfort of our fingers is of a high importance. Besides...i have it upstairs. It is better than most of the other chiclet bluetooth keyboards i have used, but still a little bit cramped and tactile for me.

Well, there is matias laptop pro too:
https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=290
But Matias Quiet Click is a heavy switch, much heavier then reds. It also has a strong tactile feedback.

Aside from minila, vb87m and matias, the only other bluetooth keyboard I know is that Royal Kludge cheap 60% that was released some months ago. People were pretty mad because RK forgot to program the FN layer correctly on it.

I will check on the matias again. maybe they have a linear option.

I did find the Royal Kludge but i havent read the reviews yet. I will do so today.

Thanks again everyone. If anything comes up and you feel like letting me know, do not hesitate.

This forum is just...amazing.

[SamirD]

I will check on the matias again. maybe they have a linear option.

Hey Terry, I believe Matias can make any of their boards with their linear switches.  I remember looking at their product order matrix after jumping through a bunch of pages and saw options available for order not listed in their specs. 

[1swt2gs]

Bluetooth. It is a must.

This really narrowed down your choices, you only have like 2-3 options mentioned above.

[terrygh]

I will check on the matias again. maybe they have a linear option.

Hey Terry, I believe Matias can make any of their boards with their linear switches.  I remember looking at their product order matrix after jumping through a bunch of pages and saw options available for order not listed in their specs. 

Thank you for that. I will check it out.

[Oobly]

It'd be hard to keep it under $200, but you can put together a GON NerD60 with Bluetooth.

http://www.gonskeyboardworks.com/pcbs-and-controllers/119-bluetooth-option-set-for-nerd.html

Or when you buy the PCB you can select Wireless Combo: http://www.gonskeyboardworks.com/pcbs-and-controllers/113-nerd-60-ver20-pcb.html#/7_optional_soldering-no_i_will_do_it_myself_/0_connection-usb_wireless_combo/color-white

[terrygh]

It'd be hard to keep it under $200, but you can put together a GON NerD60 with Bluetooth.

http://www.gonskeyboardworks.com/pcbs-and-controllers/119-bluetooth-option-set-for-nerd.html

Or when you buy the PCB you can select Wireless Combo: http://www.gonskeyboardworks.com/pcbs-and-controllers/113-nerd-60-ver20-pcb.html#/7_optional_soldering-no_i_will_do_it_myself_/0_connection-usb_wireless_combo/color-white

Thanks for that. I checked at gon but i was quickly amazed and discouraged at a two second delay, one emotion from another. Amazed from the looks of the boards-absolutely stunning-and discouraged because of the price tags. But i probably did not look in depth at the options because the ones i saw where at the 400$+ region. From what your saying maybe i can make something for less than that. I will look into their options more thoroughly today. 

[SamirD]

GON!  That's what happened to your money!

I saw that site once and though that it was utterly ridiculous pricing--$500 for a keyboard?  That's a bit extreme for me.

[ideus]

Depending on your DIY inclination you can put together a Nerd60 under $300 with a decent key cap set, including the BT module maybe around $350, but you should do your own soldering work and source your switches at the classifieds.

[terrygh]

Depending on your DIY inclination you can put together a Nerd60 under $300 with a decent key cap set, including the BT module maybe around $350, but you should do your own soldering work and source your switches at the classifieds.

I was afraid i would have to do my own work. And all i want was something ready. Gon keyboards look amazing and thank you for the info about the prices though.