Author Topic: Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?  (Read 2689 times)

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Offline Kairxa

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Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?
« on: Mon, 15 November 2010, 03:53:08 »
As stated in title, I'm about to tell the local reseller here to bring Filco Zero to my country, as an introduction into relatively cheap mech board.

Is it a good deal? I mean, will it grant the users enough experience to love mech boards and buy another? Or will it be loved - at the very least - by the users?

Thx for your answers! :)

Offline keyb_gr

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Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?
« Reply #1 on: Mon, 15 November 2010, 05:41:35 »
Simplified ALPS? Hmm...
Hardware in signatures clutters Google search results. There should be a field in the profile for that (again).

This message was probably typed on a vintage G80-3000 with blues. Double-shots, baby. :D

Offline patrickgeekhack

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Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?
« Reply #2 on: Mon, 15 November 2010, 05:51:53 »
Some people like them, some don't. I think there are more who don't though. I think it's a very loud keyboard and this may be a problem for some.
Cherry MX Blue: Cherry G80-3000, Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate
Cherry MX Brown: Filco Majestouch, Compaq MX11800
ALPS: AEK, AEK II, Northgate Omnikey Ultra, Matias Tactile Pro 4
Topre: Realforce 103UB
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Previous owned: Unicomp Customizer 104, IBM Model M 1390141, ABS M1

Offline Kairxa

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Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?
« Reply #3 on: Mon, 15 November 2010, 06:24:34 »
Is it louder than blue switches? I mean, in ripster's mega keyboard sound roundup thread, filco zero's sound test sounded a lil bit softer than blues, and without high pitched sound that blues had.

And squeaky. Lol.

Offline bigpook

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Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?
« Reply #4 on: Mon, 15 November 2010, 08:18:45 »
If it has the white Fukka switch, then yes, it is loud. The switch is very nice, if you like that sort of thing.

FWIW, I replaced the bottom housings on mine with those from a Dell AT101(black alps) and used the
click plate and spring from the Fukka. While not as  loud as the Fukka it also has a little bit softer feel to it.
I am thinking I now have a complicated white ALPS switch. The Fukka is a simplified switch.
HHKB Pro 2 : Unicomp Spacesaver : IBM Model M : DasIII    

Offline Zen

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Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?
« Reply #5 on: Mon, 15 November 2010, 08:33:26 »
But... They don't make the Zero any more ...

Offline CodeChef

  • Posts: 280
Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?
« Reply #6 on: Mon, 15 November 2010, 08:36:35 »
Quote from: Zen;246952
But... They don't make the Zero any more ...


I was thinking this too but maybe the OEM still does and Elite just doesn't sell them anymore or something?
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Offline Kairxa

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Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?
« Reply #7 on: Mon, 15 November 2010, 08:49:22 »
I leave that to the reseller, lol. It's originally their idea though. I'm just asking opinion, about whether it is worth or not.

So, according to ripster, if it's Fukkas, then it's worth? How bout those squeaky keys? IIRC, the spacebar?

Offline iMav

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Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?
« Reply #8 on: Mon, 15 November 2010, 08:59:49 »
I like the Fukkas.  Personally, I think they would be a great introduction to mechanical keyboards.

Offline Kairxa

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Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?
« Reply #9 on: Mon, 15 November 2010, 09:01:58 »
And it's only about 40 pounds on Keyboardco. Heck, it's even cheaper than Razer Lycosa.

Now, the only problem is about the build quality of newer zeros.

Offline Kairxa

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Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?
« Reply #10 on: Mon, 15 November 2010, 09:16:48 »
Wait, older zeros mean the one using simplified type 1, right? And newer ones are the one using fukkas? If yes, then I'm wondering whether newer ones is as good as majestouch or not in the term of build quality.

Hm, and for precautions, avoid buy the "-Y" version. Am I right?

Offline Kairxa

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Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?
« Reply #11 on: Mon, 15 November 2010, 10:26:22 »
Quote from: ripster;247001
Email Keyboard Company and ask them if their "-Y" versions are NIB or refurbs.


Err, it's not like we're gonna order from them though. Thx for the information anyway :)

Offline Kairxa

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Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?
« Reply #12 on: Mon, 15 November 2010, 10:42:19 »
Digicore: http://www.digicore-xtreme.com

Lol, they said to me that they only managed to sell up to 5 mech board per month, because it's not well known, the model is ugly, and the price is very high. Wish more people know about mech boards in here.

Btw the guide is getting some views there, 2 days and almost 2k views.

Offline Henry

  • Posts: 43
Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?
« Reply #13 on: Mon, 15 November 2010, 11:25:10 »
I've got a newer one, hence with Fukkas.

Yes, white Fukkas are loud, way louder than Cherry blues. Even though I understand why some people compare them to buckling springs, the actuation point comes much earlier. In my opinion, it makes bottoming out easy to avoid, but it could cause the exact opposite effect on you. I enjoy typing long texts with this keyboard, the actuation force seems just right. However, when I spend more time using keyboard shortcuts, arrows, and the editing block than typing actual text, they tend to feel tiring compared to softer switches. Also, if you hit a key a bit too much vertically off-center, the keystroke can be very frictiony.

Offline Kairxa

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Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?
« Reply #14 on: Mon, 15 November 2010, 12:48:27 »
Thx Rip ;)

Hey thx Henry, for your brief explanation :D There's nothing wrong with it's built quality, right? I mean, is it still felt as sturdy as other filcos?

Offline Kairxa

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Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?
« Reply #15 on: Mon, 15 November 2010, 13:31:59 »
Thanks, that's all I need.

Btw those keys looks different than original Majestouch's keys. They look more like Filco's blank keyset, and I definitely like those.

To summarize: make sure they are Fukkas, not XMs. They are as sturdy as other filcos. If they have US-ANSI layout then I think it's a wrap. Thanks guys!

Offline buffalobill

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Zero comment
« Reply #16 on: Mon, 15 November 2010, 15:47:13 »
I'm a noob here but I've been shopping around from South Africa for a replacement for my Model M. This from a person I won't name at elitekeyboards:

"The Zero series keyboards that Keyboardco is currently carrying are
Blemished stock of an older version of the Zero series boards that use
an "XM" brand switch which, in my opinion, is about the worst mechanical
switch on the market at the moment. They're loud, heavy, and unreliable;
they're also cheap, which is another reason the Majestouch costs more.
In any case, Zero series boards use clicking switches, so I wouldn't
recommend them for a quiet environment."

Avoid these.
EDIT: I like these guys BTW, they're communicative, unlike Das Keyboard who have a no-reply email response to the effect we don't ship offshore and here's a list of our international suppliers (who charge double the US price) thank you very much. No wonder the US economy is in trouble. Rant off. I'd rather get the Majestouch.
« Last Edit: Mon, 15 November 2010, 15:55:16 by buffalobill »

Offline muchadoaboutnothing

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Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?
« Reply #17 on: Mon, 15 November 2010, 15:49:57 »
Quote from: buffalobill;247180
I'm a noob here but I've been shopping around from South Africa for a replacement for my Model M. This from a person I won't name at elitekeyboards:


When you refuse to name names at a one man operation, it's not exactly difficult to tell who it is.

Offline buffalobill

  • Posts: 4
Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?
« Reply #18 on: Mon, 15 November 2010, 16:11:09 »
Quote from: muchadoaboutnothing;247181
When you refuse to name names at a one man operation, it's not exactly difficult to tell who it is.


C'est la vie.

Offline NewbieOneKenobi

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Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?
« Reply #19 on: Mon, 15 November 2010, 16:30:32 »
Why not get a clean Dell AT101W for cheap off E-Bay instead, with complicated black Alps?

Offline CodeChef

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Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?
« Reply #20 on: Mon, 15 November 2010, 16:46:37 »
Quote from: NewbieOneKenobi;247206
Why not get a clean Dell AT101W for cheap off E-Bay instead, with complicated black Alps?


Because the cheapest is going to be 10-15 dollars, but the shipping is at least 15 bucks in the US, international is going to be horrible, plus, he's asking about getting a reseller to stock mech keyboards, not buying one just for himself.
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Offline CodeChef

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Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?
« Reply #21 on: Mon, 15 November 2010, 17:18:44 »
Quote from: ripster;247230
Actually I think it is a two man operation now.  Or man and woman.  Or two women although this is highly unlikely since there are no women on the Internet.

I got my Zero Fukka for cheap - $80 for a NIB tenkeyless NKRO Filco was pretty OK in my book.  I just had to go to Japan to get it that's all.  And I had to dodge lots of maids.

It was hell I tell you.{IMG}http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/6011/hanaukyoep6lg01tc7.gif[/IMG]


Hook a brother up?
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Offline NewbieOneKenobi

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Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?
« Reply #22 on: Tue, 16 November 2010, 17:06:41 »
Quote from: CodeChef;247227
Because the cheapest is going to be 10-15 dollars, but the shipping is at least 15 bucks in the US, international is going to be horrible, plus, he's asking about getting a reseller to stock mech keyboards, not buying one just for himself.


All right, thanks. So, do I have any particular reason to get a white fukka Filco having a Dell AT101W already as I do?

Offline didjamatic

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Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?
« Reply #23 on: Tue, 16 November 2010, 17:18:06 »
They feel very different from each other.
IBM F :: IBM M :: Northgate :: Cherry G80 :: Realforce :: DAS 4

Offline CodeChef

  • Posts: 280
Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?
« Reply #24 on: Tue, 16 November 2010, 20:40:07 »
Quote from: NewbieOneKenobi;247742
All right, thanks. So, do I have any particular reason to get a white fukka Filco having a Dell AT101W already as I do?


The general consensus is that the Dell is a higher-quality keyboard, but then, really, is there any particular reason to have more than one keyboard in any case? Honestly, it's just to try/collect/feel.
[sigpic][/sigpic]

Offline CodeChef

  • Posts: 280
Do you guys think Filco Zero is a good deal?
« Reply #25 on: Tue, 16 November 2010, 20:53:50 »
Quote from: ripster;247849
hahahaha - the Dell a higher quality keyboard?

I consider Dell AT101Ws the "training wheels" of the mechanical keyboard world.


Compared to a Zero? You said yourself the XMs were crap!
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