Shipping/Packaging:
It was shipped HongKong post, and had 150 HKD(~20USD) postage on the package. Packaging consisted of wrapping the Cherry retail box in some waterproofish paper plus some string. A few corners were a bit crushed but the keyboard itself was no worse for wear.
I decided to try this one instead of buying another FKBN104M/EB since:
1. I'm using it on my new eyefinity setup, which will likely be used primarily for gaming.
2. Cherry Blacks always sounded a little heavy to me, though if I hadn't seen this I probably would've tried a FKBN104ML/EB.
3. One minor annoyance of my Filcos has been that they don't have enough of a bottom border to maintain optimum spacing between my double stacked wrist rests, and the keyboard. I should cut a thin strip of wood or something one of these days...
Verdict, It's a keeper:
1. It's noticeably lighter weight than the Filco, but it's rubber feet keep it in place on my desk, and it doesn't feel any "cheaper" to type on.
2. Reds vs browns, it's a subtle difference, but the lack of a "bump" before/at the actuation point, does feel nicer when gaming. For typing, the reds are slightly more reminiscent of rubber domes, but not nearly as mushy. They would be much harder to not bottom out all the time when typing.
I can't compare them to blacks, since I've never tried them. But the reds have enough resistance, that I don't think I'll be hitting keys by accident when resting my fingers on them.
4. I hooked it up with the PS/2 adapter and I can press, and hold any combination of keys and have them all register. So the NKRO works as advertised.
5. The extra bottom border definitely helps maintain better wrist rest spacing.
6. The writing on the keys feels raised above the surface of the key-tops. They don't appear to be double shots, I'm not sure what they are. It's almost like they used a really thick layer of plastic/paste to form the letters. Though if that were they case I'd think they'd eventually be in danger of wearing off? From what I read before buying, they're supposedly laser etched on this model?
I'll use it a few more days first, but I expect I'll be leaving positive feedback.
Pictures:
