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Author Topic: Filco Tenkeyless + Keypad Good Choice?  (Read 2744 times)

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Offline dan_public

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  • Posts: 7
Filco Tenkeyless + Keypad Good Choice?
« on: Sat, 03 July 2010, 13:26:22 »
Hi.  I'm new to this forum and to mechanical keyboards (mostly).   I just ordered a Filco Tenkeyless keyboard and separate keypad, and would like some feedback about whether I made the right choice.  But first some history...

I'm a software developer and have used a bunch of keyboards over the last 30+ years.  About a month ago, I noticed that my office and home workstation  Microsoft Natural keyboards were becoming sticky, missing keystrokes, and needed  replacement.  I bought a Logitech "Wave" keyboard, used it for awhile, and then gave it away to a friend.   Overall, I was unhappy with EVERY keyboard in local stores.  Then...

I started seeing the light - most of my problems with these keyboards were from the shoddy membrane design.   And I recalled liking an old Compaq keyboard that I used for a while several years ago.  It was tiny with no number keypad, but the feel was WONDERFUL.  

After a lot of research here and other places about "mechanical" keyboards, I just ordered (but haven't received) Filco:   FKBN87M/EB Majestouch Tenkeyless Tactile Touch
FKB22MB Majestouch Tactile Touch Keypad
FKBPRM/B Medium Leather Palm Rest
I chose this option after reading about people who dislike wide keyboards but also dislike being without a 10 key keypad.  I rarely use my keypad, but it's nice to have for number data entry.   So I thought, "Why not have it all? Get an 87 key keyboard with a separate keypad."

Have other folks tried this option?   How well has it worked for you?   Any downsides?  Tips and tricks?

Thanks and regards,

Dan.
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Offline Rajagra

  • Posts: 1930
Filco Tenkeyless + Keypad Good Choice?
« Reply #1 on: Sat, 03 July 2010, 14:25:56 »
I don't have those items, but I'm sure they're great. Experiment with different places for the numpad - to the left of the main keyboard, behind it, or even up on a shelf with the screen like I do (works for me since I rarely need the numpad.)
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Offline Morning Song

  • Posts: 90
Filco Tenkeyless + Keypad Good Choice?
« Reply #2 on: Sat, 03 July 2010, 15:47:15 »
It does sound like a pretty good solution; you could also put the num pad on the left side of the keyboard (which they say is good for ergonomics if you're a right handed mouser)
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Clicky keyboards and big trackballs forever!

Keyboards:
Buckling Spring: IBM Model M 1391401, Unicomp Customizer 104, PS/2 modded IBM Model F Terminal 6110668 (current favorite)
Cherry: Filco Majestouch 105 Blue NKRO w/ doubleshots
ALPS: Dell AT101W Black SNAFU (Silent No-longer; All Fukka\'d Up), Siig Minitouch KB1948 Geek Hack Spacesaver edition, Focus FK-2001 w/ WinKeys+XM Alps
Rubber Dome: Belkin F8E887-BLK, Silitek SK-6000, Logitech Internet Navigator Keyboard

Works in Progress:
Prism ATX N9 Keyboard w/ Fukkas (Clickleaf Donor), Cherry G80-8113HRBUS-2/02 Brown NKRO, Cherry G81-7000HPCUS-2/02 (Doubleshot donors), Unicomp Customizer 101 (Springs donor, needs boltmod)

Pointing Devices:
Kensington Expert Mouse 7, Wacom Intuos3 6x8 w/ classic pen

Looking to buy/trade for:Dolch Cherry keycaps, Northgate Omnikey (With Fkeys on top, or both top & left), IBM Model F AT

Offline muchadoaboutnothing

  • Posts: 667
Filco Tenkeyless + Keypad Good Choice?
« Reply #3 on: Sat, 03 July 2010, 16:27:05 »
Only real downside I can conceive is the cost. I think you'll be glad you did it.
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Offline washuai

  • Posts: 410
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    • http://home.earthlink.net/~haruai/
Filco Tenkeyless + Keypad Good Choice?
« Reply #4 on: Sat, 03 July 2010, 16:49:37 »
Sounds like you'll be happy.  The only issue I see there is the cost & eventually the key caps, but they're replaceable, so no big.  
I wish that was my work set up (well aside from preferring the topre).  Until I can consider myself either a novelist or automation engineer, I probably will just continue to be happy with my browns.
Welcome to geekhack and back? to mechanical keyboards.
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⌨(home)Realforce 87U ⌨(backup) Filco Majestouch 104 Brown ⌨(backup)Cherry G80-8200LPDUS ⌨(work)Leopold FC200RT/AB
☛CST L-Trac-X ☛Logitech Wireless Optical Trackman ☛ Razer 3500 dpi ☛MS Explorer DeathAdder
Lay-a-bouts:  ⌨Full 109 Key Virtually Indestructable  Keyboard ⌨Compaq Radio Quack GYUR84SK
Wishlist: ⌨KBDmania Pure ⌨Déck 82 ice/frost/toxic/royal ⌨Ricercar spos G86-62410EUAGSA ☠ ✞⌨miniGuru(s) ☠
 ✐Intuos or Cintiq

Offline dan_public

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  • Posts: 7
Filco Tenkeyless + Keypad Good Choice?
« Reply #5 on: Sat, 03 July 2010, 18:29:07 »
Hi.  Thanks for the great feedback!  

I hear you about cost.   Of course I had heart palpitations when I first saw the price of any of the better keyboards.  :eek:   And that I must be :crazy: to even consider spending that kind of money.   But then I thought about the 6-12 hours a day I spend typing and the amount of money I spent on my home and office workstations.  I realized that scrimping on the IO devices was really :censored: stupid!  

Regarding putting the keypad on the left, I'll have to try that.   The downside is that I'm about the most right-handed person you've ever seen.   Occasionally, I see this hand-shaped object on my left side and wonder what it's for! :hand:    Who knows, I can touch type with my left hand, so maybe...    :juggle:

Ripster, I hear you about simple.    It may turn out that I take the same path.   For quick and dirty numbers entry, the numbers across the top will work fine.   OTOH, at one time in my life I did a lot of data entry as a junior accountant.  Although I suck as an accountant, I can still touch type the keypad.    With my right hand of course. :biggrin:

Washuai, I just reread your comment about the replaceable key caps.  That's a nice feature that I never even  considered. :doh:   Spending $35 every couple of years or so will keep the keyboard in tiptop shape.  

My new keyboard and palm rest should be here on the 8th of July, with the keypad following a week or so later.   After spending over $200 for these guys, I'm a little nervous about whether they'll work for me.   I'll be satisfied with :smile:, but I'm hopin' for :love:.  

Again, thanks for the feedback.

Regards,

Dan.
« Last Edit: Sat, 03 July 2010, 18:38:23 by dan_public »
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Offline pfink

  • Posts: 196
Filco Tenkeyless + Keypad Good Choice?
« Reply #6 on: Sat, 03 July 2010, 19:30:34 »
Quote from: dan_public;199018
After a lot of research here and other places about "mechanical" keyboards, I just ordered (but haven't received) Filco:   FKBN87M/EB Majestouch Tenkeyless Tactile Touch
FKB22MB Majestouch Tactile Touch Keypad
FKBPRM/B Medium Leather Palm Rest
I chose this option after reading about people who dislike wide keyboards but also dislike being without a 10 key keypad.  I rarely use my keypad, but it's nice to have for number data entry.   So I thought, "Why not have it all? Get an 87 key keyboard with a separate keypad."

Have other folks tried this option?   How well has it worked for you?   Any downsides?  Tips and tricks?


That's my exact setup at work. The Filco Tenkeyless is great, however I very seldom use the numeric pad. I normally keep it out of reach at the top of my desk but I like having it around for the rare occasions when I have to input a lot of IP addresses or other numeric data.
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Offline dan_public

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 7
Filco Tenkeyless + Keypad Good Choice?
« Reply #7 on: Sat, 03 July 2010, 19:33:05 »
Quote from: pfink;199139
That's my exact setup at work. The Filco Tenkeyless is great, however I very seldom use the numeric pad. I normally keep it out of reach at the top of my desk but I like having it around for the rare occasions when I have to input a lot of IP addresses or other numeric data.
pfink,

I was thinking the same - keep it hooked up, but out of reach.   If it works out well at work, I'll buy the same configuration for my home workstation.

Regards,

Dan.
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