Need advice on next 60% or TKL

[spanyam]

Hi all, I'm trying to decide on what my next keyboard should be, and I need some help deciding. Right now, I own a Model M and a QFR with MX Blues. For me, the Model M offers the ultimate typing experience (something so satisfying about the sound, tactility, and activation all happening simultaneously). Unfortunately, I work at home right next to my dad, and he's on calls most of the day, so my typing bothers him. So now HE uses the Model M, since he says his own typing bothers him less, lol.

I mainly use the QFR for all daily driving, but I'm looking to expand a bit and try some linear switches. I brought in a switch tester, and here's what I've understood:

• I either like one satisfying click (like the ASMR inducing fingergasm of the Model M) or a very buttery smooth glide. Anything inbetween, like the browns and clears, feel scratchy, rubby, and uncomfortable to me.
• Cherry blacks are too heavy for me, and I don't like how they get heavier near the bottom.
• Cherry reds are my top choice right now, but I am open to trying other switch types like Gaterons or Zealios. I hear they are SUPER smooth.
• Typing/gaming is about 60/40, and though I'm not a high-intensity moba player or anything, sticking with linears would be nice.
• I recently had a bad experience with a Ducky YOTG (rare for Ducky to have issues, I know), and most of the stabilized keys felt "loose". I hated that feeling, so I really want a keyboard where each key feels solid. Model M and QFR are excellent for this, so something with a similarly solid feel would be excellent.
• Now that there is an option to upgrade, I also want to give consideration to programmability (good for coding)

So, given all that, any suggestions on where I should go next? V60 w/ Gaterons? Magicforce w/ Gaterons? Pok3r with Reds? Any other good TKLs? Custom build? Custom building does intrigue me, but I've never done much soldering before. Plus, I am a bit apprehensive about the time involved and the possibility of mistakes. I do love learning and building things, though. Thanks for any advice you can give.

[Harms]

KPB V60 is awesome 60% keyboard and I highly recommend it.

[spanyam]

Thanks for the suggestion. Does it feel solid to type on, and is it easy to mod later on?

[f1xedgear]

I just built a Winkeyless B.face and highly recommend that.

* It's programmable
* Has RGB under lighting
* Single color key backlighting
* Many soldering options are offered, from bare PCB with parts not soldered at all, up to all parts including switches soldered. Ordering everything but switches soldered is a good option for first time builders since switches are thru-hole parts which are very easy to solder for beginners and don't require high-end soldering equipment.
* The matching cases offered are very high quality and look awesome.

Several GH members have run group buys for these recently:

* LeandreN's group buy Round 3
* Ziptyze ran one just before that as well, cant find a link

You can also just buy one directly for a bit more $$$ (saves a lot of time though)

[spanyam]

I just built a Winkeyless B.face and highly recommend that.

* It's programmable
* Has RGB under lighting
* Single color key backlighting
* Many soldering options are offered, from bare PCB with parts not soldered at all, up to all parts including switches soldered. Ordering everything but switches soldered is a good option for first time builders since switches are thru-hole parts which are very easy to solder for beginners and don't require high-end soldering equipment.
* The matching cases offered are very high quality and look awesome.

Several GH members have run group buys for these recently:

* LeandreN's group buy Round 3
* Ziptyze ran one just before that as well, cant find a link

You can also just buy one directly for a bit more $$$ (saves a lot of time though)

Ah, that looks very, very interesting. So, let's say I wanted to order from them with everything but switches already soldered, and I wanted a standard bottom row layout. I would pick the following options right:

* Soldering Controller parts - Yes
* RGB LED Parts and Soldering
* Switch - None
* In-Switch LED - None
* Stabilizer - Winkey style
* Diodes and Soldering
* Resistors and Soldering

Total of around $103 from the website or $78 from the group buy. Plate $32 from group buy. After that, I would need a case, switches, and keycaps. Does that cover everything required?

[f1xedgear]

Ah, that looks very, very interesting. So, let's say I wanted to order from them with everything but switches already soldered, and I wanted a standard bottom row layout. I would pick the following options right:

* Soldering Controller parts - Yes
* RGB LED Parts and Soldering
* Switch - None
* In-Switch LED - None
* Stabilizer - Winkey style
* Diodes and Soldering
* Resistors and Soldering

Total of around $103 from the website or $62 from the group buy? After that, I would need a case, switches, and keycaps. Does that cover everything required?

That looks about right. If you select no in-switch LEDs, you have to manually select the resistor value for the in-switch LEDs should you wish to add those. If you don't know what to pick, get 820ohm since that should be able to support any color

[spanyam]

Looks like the case is about $120 when bought through them. Does one have to stick with that case or is there a cheaper option available that can still do RGB diffuse?

[f1xedgear]

Looks like the case is about $120 when bought through them. Does one have to stick with that case or is there a cheaper option available that can still do RGB diffuse?

Oh wow, I didn't know they didn't carry the old style all acrylic cases anymore. The new style is a single machined acrylic diffuser with an aluminium plate (nice but expensive). Plenty of other cases will work, though. Just check the LeandreN GB thread here and here for some case ideas. Some might require a bit of modification with a dremel, but that was discussed in those links as well.

[spanyam]

Looks like this case would be ideal, but it's out of stock: https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1410. All in all, I'm looking at about $225 for the fully completed keyboard if I go with building (pcb + case + plate + switches + pbt keycaps). Ouch. No doubt the end product might be exactly what I'm looking for, but it's tempting to just go with a V60 for $90 and call it a day. Decisions, decisions...

[iLLucionist]

I just built a Winkeyless B.face and highly recommend that.

* It's programmable
* Has RGB under lighting
* Single color key backlighting
* Many soldering options are offered, from bare PCB with parts not soldered at all, up to all parts including switches soldered. Ordering everything but switches soldered is a good option for first time builders since switches are thru-hole parts which are very easy to solder for beginners and don't require high-end soldering equipment.
* The matching cases offered are very high quality and look awesome.

Several GH members have run group buys for these recently:

* LeandreN's group buy Round 3
* Ziptyze ran one just before that as well, cant find a link

You can also just buy one directly for a bit more $$$ (saves a lot of time though)

That looks sexy and sleek. But I've never soldered before.. Is it difficult to do properly?

[f1xedgear]

Looks like this case would be ideal, but it's out of stock: https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1410. All in all, I'm looking at about $225 for the fully completed keyboard if I go with building (pcb + case + plate + switches + pbt keycaps). Ouch. No doubt the end product might be exactly what I'm looking for, but it's tempting to just go with a V60 for $90 and call it a day. Decisions, decisions...

You could check in with this group buy to see if there are spare cases. Ziptyze 3D prints some pretty nice ones.

That looks sexy and sleek. But I've never soldered before.. Is it difficult to do properly?

Its pretty simple. PCB mount switches snap into the PCB so you dont have to hold the parts down while you solder. There are plenty of videos on youtub of soldering tutorials and also keyboard builds. LeandreN has made quite a few build videos recently (which are mentioned in his GB thread)

[ctm]

You can take a look at Matias Linear switches. They are super smooth and quiet.

[spanyam]

You can take a look at Matias Linear switches. They are super smooth and quiet.

The V60 with Matias Linears does look like an excellent option. I might hold off on going custom until I get to try a few keyboards first, and this one looks really nice.

[ctm]

If noise were not an issue, I would recommend Model F F62 or F77 https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=73363.0. Since you like Model M so much, I am sure you will love Model F. But Model F is as noisy as, if not nosier, than Model M.

[spanyam]

If noise were not an issue, I would recommend Model F F62 or F77 https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=73363.0. Since you like Model M so much, I am sure you will love Model F. But Model F is as noisy as, if not nosier, than Model M.

Unfortunately, noise will indeed be an issue. My dad is right next to me and on calls quite often, so the F will certainly disturb him. I'm also going for a linear this time to differentiate drastically from both the Model M and the MX Blue.

[spanyam]

Just ordered a V60 with Matias Linears. Let's see how it goes Thanks to everyone for their inputs!