Filco or Das Keyboard?

[Blackbird++]

Hey Guys,

after decided to buy a keyboard with Cherry MX Brown Switches, I wonder wether to choose a Filco Keyboard or Das Keyboard Silent.

If I take a look at their pictures (My Favourite  Filco Model / Das Keyboard) I'd say they are the same keyboards but a different case... :lol:
Same price, too.

What are the advantages / disadvantages of them, if there are?
What do you think should I choose?

[FinancialWar]

FILCO,

daskeyboard seems to have lots of issue from what I heard. also, they also look different, daskeyboard is more of a modern theme to it whereas Filco is more traditional.

[iMav]

How can you possibly discern that they seem to be the "same keyboards but a different case" from an external picture?  The case and keycaps are the only things you see!

I think Filcos are pretty decent.  However, are you interested in either an included USB hub (Das) or a detectable cable (Ducky)?

[Blackbird++]

I think Filcos are pretty decent.  However, are you interested in either an included USB hub (Das) or a detectable cable (Ducky)?

It's not so important to me. I used to go without it, I wouldn't miss it.
Even if an USB port in the keyboard would be nice, it would be better to be made in a good quality overall.

[ricercar]

are you interested in either an included USB hub (Das) or a detectable cable (Ducky)?

I 'd buy a non-detectable cable in a heartbeat. All the convenience of wireless without the latency.

[washuai]

I'd say as long as one of the features aren't a detractor, then let cost be the deciding factor.  I didn't get DAS, because I preferred a matte finish, the smaller footprint and at the time there weren't any DAS silent in stock.

For a detachable cable & USB hubs I could have lived with the shiny.

[ch_123]

How can you possibly discern that they seem to be the "same keyboards but a different case" from an external picture?

The validity behind his conclusions aside, he has a point - they're both plate-mounted Cherry keyboards made by Costar.

[skcheng]

Hey Guys,

after decided to buy a keyboard with Cherry MX Brown Switches, I wonder wether to choose a Filco Keyboard or Das Keyboard Silent.

If I take a look at their pictures (My Favourite  Filco Model / Das Keyboard) I'd say they are the same keyboards but a different case... :lol:
Same price, too.

What are the advantages / disadvantages of them, if there are?
What do you think should I choose?

You can't go wrong with either board.   It's been mentioned several times but here are some of the factors that might help with your decision making process:

Das Silent:

1.  Shiny case.  Love it or hate.  I dig it.  
2.  USB II Hub.  I have a CST Lasertrak and a Goldtouch cherry brown numpad attached to it right so, so it's a plus for me.   Quick camera attachment too.
3.  NKRO on all models, including the Silent
4.  $114.75 shipped (I think free shipping is included in the current 15% discount)
5.  30 Day money back guarantee
6.  Nice microfiber cloth included to wipe off smudges.  

Filco:

1.  Matte case.  Most people seem to prefer it.
2.  Red Esc key included.  Hey.......it's a difference.   In the spirit of this forum, my Cherry boards now have red Geekhack keys in the Esc position.  
3.  $134 + S/H.   Cost difference is really only significant with the current 15% Das discount.  
4.  USB to PS/2 adapter included.  


I think that's pretty much it.   Both Das and Elite are nice to deal with.  

I think it's pretty much a tie quality wise.  Similarites are greater than the differences and at least to me, both type and feel the same.  

Keycaps are a little nicer on the Das imho, but some like the font, others hate it.   I personally prefer Cherry double shot keys over either keyset included with the Das or the Filco, but that's another $50 at least for a full keyset.    

If Das ever decides to release a tenkeyless version with a USB hub, I would purchase it right away.   I don't know if they will ever release one??  

But none of that matters since you want a blank keyset.  So the similarities are even closer.  

Whatever decision you make, I'm sure you'll be happy.

[Blackbird++]

Thanx for your replies so far.

Whatever decision you make, I'm sure you'll be happy.

Thing is, I'm not that sure. I've never had this kind of keyboards.
You say, I can send the Das back if I don't like it? What about the Filco that point?

And btw, what 'current discount'?

[muchadoaboutnothing]

Thing is, I'm not that sure. I've never had this kind of keyboards.
You say, I can send the Das back if I don't like it? What about the Filco that point?

In the United States, a 30 day satisfaction guarantee means that the customer is entitled to a full refund for ANY reason within 30 days (legally).

DAS has a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. EliteKeyboards (US Filco seller) does not.

I went for the Filco and I have absolutely no regrets- I love the keyboard. That said, the discount makes the DAS somewhat more attractive (although I am not a fan of the glossy case myself.)

And btw, what 'current discount'?

15% off coupon.

[Mental Hobbit]

30 day satisfaction guarantee means

Is that a legal term in the US? Just curious.

[elbowglue]

Das is 0.7inches wider than a full sized filco.  Das is 18 inches wide, filco is 17.3 inches wide.  Filco Tenkeyless is 14 inches wide for reference.

[muchadoaboutnothing]

Is that a legal term in the US? Just curious.

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/adv/bus01.shtm#advertising

The Guides advise that, regardless of the price of the product, advertising terms such as "satisfaction guaranteed" or "money back guarantee" should be used only if the advertiser is willing to provide full refunds to customers when, for any reason, they return the merchandise.

The Guides further advise that an ad mentioning a satisfaction guarantee or similar offer should inform consumers of any material conditions or limitations on the offer. For example, a restriction on the offer to a specific time period, such as 30 days, is a material condition that should be disclosed.

Das' limitations on the matter: http://www.daskeyboard.com/guarantee/

Money-back guarantee for 30 days after the purchase - product needs to be in its original condition and packaging

So yes. You can specify certain caveats with a satisfaction guarantee within reason (product must be in original condition is common- e.x. it can't be in two pieces, abuse, etc. - and a time period for which the restriction is applicable is common too). If the product was normally used though, you can't refuse a refund that's reasonable.

[muchadoaboutnothing]

Yeah, I remember some guy who got dinged with a restocking fee because he forgot to put the microfiber cloth in.  That cracked me up.

Details are buried in the "Das problem" thread.

I mean, technically they can be humongous tools about the whole thing, but a microfiber cloth? That's like spitting in the face of someone for using your guarantee.

Sure, you're giving them a refund (so less back = profit for you), but if I ever had an experience like that I'd share it. And that surely scares people away from purchasing.

Those cloths are DIRT cheap.

[Blackbird++]

Note that I'm living in Germany - that suppose to change a little bit about the shipping costs.

And nevertheless, I have no idea which of them both I should choose... both have good arguments.

[Dirty Bint]

Note that I'm living in Germany - that suppose to change a little bit about the shipping costs.

And nevertheless, I have no idea which of them both I should choose... both have good arguments.

The Das keyboard is available from getdigital. They are the European distributor as far as I know and are based in Germany. They also offer the Das keyboard on eBay.de but it is the same price as the shop price.

The only downside with using getdigital is that they can possibly be several months behind changes to the Das models so you may be getting an old version, for example, they still sell the media key version in 105 key UK layout and have not yet received the newer non media key version with 2 windows keys.

Rgds
Dirty Bint

[phototristan]

I didn't get DAS, because I preferred a matte finish...

Yea, the DAS is a total dust magnet.

[greyhame]

Hey Blackbird++,
I hope this helps, it's a detailed review of the two:
http://www.teamliquid.net/blogs/viewblog.php?topic_id=243030
What would you be using the keyboard more for? Typing/work? or gaming?

[Tony]

Filco. Absolutely.

If I had to get only one keyboard, that would be a Filco brown.

[LouisHjelmslev]

I sincerely hope Blackbird has made a decision by now, otherwise keyboards may not be a viable hobby for him/her.

[Candyflip]

that necro bump...

[LouisHjelmslev]

...feel good, don't it

[Blackbird++]

Hi all,

sorry that I didn't answer to the last posts. This has been some years ago, I finally bought the DAS keyboard from getdigital.de and used it for gaming some weeks. Then I decided it was too ugly and noisy for my room and sold it again.

Some months ago, I heard of O-rings, which can further silent down the clicky noise when hammering on the keys. But I am not a heavy gamer any more and do not own a mechanical keyboard today.

Just wanted to make sure this thread is actually finished. 

[rowdy]

Hi all,

sorry that I didn't answer to the last posts. This has been some years ago, I finally bought the DAS keyboard from getdigital.de and used it for gaming some weeks. Then I decided it was too ugly and noisy for my room and sold it again.

Some months ago, I heard of O-rings, which can further silent down the clicky noise when hammering on the keys. But I am not a heavy gamer any more and do not own a mechanical keyboard today.

Just wanted to make sure this thread is actually finished. 

If you want to make absolutely sure, you can click the "lock thread" button in the bottom of the page.

Or just nuke it from orbit.

[Canious]

Another Filco fan here, they build quality keyboards. I've had my brown for 3 years now no issues yet.

[terran5992]

Filco definitely

[Hyde]

Well things changed a little bit over the years for Das Keyboard.  They have changed the manufacture to a different party and they no longer have standard layout keys.

So at this point it's a no brainer to go with either Filco or CM QuickFire Rapid or CM QuickFire XT.

[rowdy]

Das was, I seem to recall, the first widely advertised mainstream mechanical keyboard.  The buzzline at the time was the otaku keycaps.

So they were promoting mechanical board, and blank keycaps - something that few, if any, other manufacturers were doing at the time.

Now otaku keycaps can be added to most mechanical boards - why choose Das in particular?

[LouisHjelmslev]

May necro live forever!