Author Topic: Elitekeyboard replacing Filco (Read 19648 times)

MyNameIsDan · « **on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 15:50:01 »

I guess all you GHers that purchased from EK has received the newsletter just now. Apparently all Filco products will be replaced for another "that will meet or exceed the quality and functionality of FILCO products and provide a better
value in a very competitive market!".

I can only wonder what the new boards can be. Any thoughts?

RiceStrike · « **Reply #1 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 15:53:56 »

I just ordered a tenkeyless from them like a week ago and haven't got it... I hope this isn't true but if there is a slight chance ill get one of these "improved" boards, I will be pleased greatly. Someone confirm this please

Soarer · « **Reply #2 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 15:57:09 »

Quack?

jaynoon · « **Reply #3 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 15:57:25 »

I'm sure you'll get what you ordered. The new "line" won't be available until Jan or Feb.

MyNameIsDan · « **Reply #4 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 18:01:14 »

Quote from: Soarer;257704

Quack?

Sounds more like a downgrade from a Filco if you ask me. But if they're selling for a cheaper price then I'm game!

Phaedrus2129 · « **Reply #5 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 18:03:31 »

80% chance it's Ducky
15% chance it's Leopold
5% chance it's XArmor (asking them now; but they said before they were being aggressive to make the XArmor prominent)

elbowglue · « **Reply #6 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 18:04:07 »

Quote from: MyNameIsDan;257745

Sounds more like a downgrade from a Filco if you ask me. But if they're selling for a cheaper price then I'm game!

Get it? I'm Game? Ducky keyboard?

Phaedrus2129 · « **Reply #7 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 18:04:48 »

Quote from: elbowglue;257748

Get it? I'm Game? Ducky keyboard?

That was terrible.

Mr. Perfect · « **Reply #8 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 18:25:09 »

Quote from: Phaedrus2129;257746

80% chance it's Ducky
15% chance it's Leopold
5% chance it's XArmor (asking them now; but they said before they were being aggressive to make the XArmor prominent)

Duckys... Everyone(who doesn't have national pride invested) that posts a review here portrays them as cheap Filcos, so... Meh?

The Leopolds are kind of interesting though... I like how the Lock keys light up when they're on, and they are available in blue, brown and black. Does anyone know if they have tenkeyless? Are they comparable to Filco in build quality?

Unless XArmor gets some new product out, they're probably a 0% chance. They've only got one blue 104 key model, so there's no way to satisfy people who want browns, blacks or anything tenkeyless.

theferenc · « **Reply #9 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 18:34:07 »

I wasn't getting the impression that they were "cheap filcos", actually. They simply emphasize different things.

If you want a bog basic, well built board, you get a filco for $x.
If you want more features, at the cost of build quality, for <$x, you get a ducky.

It's priorities, man.

laden3 · « **Reply #10 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 18:37:10 »

These keyboards mentioned are all made in Taiwan, some go through another company based outside of Taiwan and become more expensive. If you want a new keyboard made in US, Unicomp (edit: or Deck)Any evidence stating that Duckies have lower build quality? putting aside those 10XX series, Filco is more expensive because a Japanese company ordered them from Taiwan.

theferenc · « **Reply #11 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 18:38:44 »

Unicomp all the way!

mjacob · « **Reply #12 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 18:44:36 »

Quote from: RiceStrike;257699

I just ordered a tenkeyless from them like a week ago and haven't got it... I hope this isn't true but if there is a slight chance ill get one of these "improved" boards, I will be pleased greatly. Someone confirm this please

Of course not. You'll get exactly what you ordered.

Mr. Perfect · « **Reply #13 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 18:50:46 »

Quote from: theferenc;257760

I wasn't getting the impression that they were "cheap filcos", actually. They simply emphasize different things.

If you want a bog basic, well built board, you get a filco for $x.
If you want more features, at the cost of build quality, for <$x, you get a ducky.

It's priorities, man.

Er, yeah, by "cheap" I meant "lower build quality". I didn't mean to imply they where knock offs or something.

kidchunks · « **Reply #14 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 18:56:18 »

Quote from: ripster;257765

If Majestouch swaps his Geekhack name to be Donald or Daffy that would be a big hint.

or Scrooge McDuck?

MyNameIsDan · « **Reply #15 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 19:41:54 »

I really do hope its a Leopold... but I doubt it.

spronkey · « **Reply #16 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 19:50:06 »

Well apart from the fact that I had to resolder the spacebar keyswitch, I'm reasonably happy with the build quality of my Ducky 9008.

Having said that, I have never owned a Filco... I would certainly appreciate a little less lateral 'wobble' to the keys (but I think that's just the Cherry switches, and probably little you can do about it).

I wonder what made them [him] stop selling Filco - if it's just business ethics or whether there's some other reason that might affect potential Filco buyers?

theferenc · « **Reply #17 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 19:52:11 »

I think it was more that he couldn't keep up with demand. When you have almost nothing in your store under the "Filco" heading, and people want to buy that type of keyboard at that price point, you either find an alternative, or you go under.

He found an alternative, which is a good thing, I would say.

Henry · « **Reply #18 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 19:54:43 »

Quote from: Mr. Perfect;257758

The Leopolds are kind of interesting though... I like how the Lock keys light up when they're on, and they are available in blue, brown and black. Does anyone know if they have tenkeyless? Are they comparable to Filco in build quality?

Yes, they do have a FC200R tenkeyless, even one version with Fukka switches.

In my opinion, compared to Filco quality, two things are noticeably not as good:

Laser etched keycaps are probably pretty resistant to wear but don't look so good.
Key alignment and spacing aren't very consistent.

However, it has nice features, even though their superiority is a matter of personal tastes (in-key LEDs, detachable USB cable, Cherry style stabilizers). And the Japanese version (the I-T Touch AS-KB87) is ¥1000 cheaper than a Filco.

I don't know if it could be FC200R clones, but own/exclusive branded keyboards seem more probable to me than plain Ducky's.

majestouch · « **Reply #19 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 20:05:24 »

Quote from: ripster;257795

Notice he was dropped earlier by Realforce in a "distribution dispute".

Inaccurate. We stopped selling the 87U due to the fact that the licensing for it was exclusive, and Diatec was selling it to us, but Diatec was the one dropped. Around the same time, EliteKeyboards secured sole distributorship of Realforce in the USA, hence we continue to sell Realforce boards that are without exclusive licensing.

Quote

Now if I were a heartless Filco WW Sales Manager I would be pushing into North America now that the market is established with my own people.

But that's just me.

But what would you sell since you have no stock?

muchadoaboutnothing · « **Reply #20 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 20:09:32 »

Quote from: majestouch;257796

Inaccurate. We stopped selling the 87U due to the fact that the licensing for it was exclusive, and Diatec was selling it to us, but Diatec was the one dropped. Around the same time, EliteKeyboards secured sole distributorship of Realforce in the USA, hence we continue to sell Realforce boards that are without exclusive licensing.

But what would you sell since you have no stock?

Copy what Kenner Toys did when Star Wars came out: vouchers for everyone!

Phaedrus2129 · « **Reply #21 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 20:16:33 »

Quote from: Mr. Perfect;257758

Duckys... Everyone(who doesn't have national pride invested) that posts a review here portrays them as cheap Filcos, so... Meh?

The Leopolds are kind of interesting though... I like how the Lock keys light up when they're on, and they are available in blue, brown and black. Does anyone know if they have tenkeyless? Are they comparable to Filco in build quality?

Unless XArmor gets some new product out, they're probably a 0% chance. They've only got one blue 104 key model, so there's no way to satisfy people who want browns, blacks or anything tenkeyless.

U9, U9W, U9PLUS, U9BL-S, and U9GBL are all coming out in January/February.

Though I've heard all MX browns for those, so I guess it could be a bit monotonous. And no tenkeyless until late 2011 at the earliest.

fssbzz · « **Reply #22 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 20:23:15 »

it might not be ducky but sky digital.

http://skyok.co.kr/product_list.php?c=96&key=&keyword=&page=1

theferenc · « **Reply #23 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 20:25:58 »

Why aren't reds or clears used more often? Does Cherry just not produce very many of them? All you ever see are brown (ick), blue, or black.

Just seems odd to me.

ironman31 · « **Reply #24 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 20:28:20 »

I really hope it's not sky digital. Don't like the layout at all

panda-R · « **Reply #25 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 20:40:59 »

Quote from: MyNameIsDan;257696

"that will meet or exceed the quality and functionality of FILCO products and provide a better
value in a very competitive market!".

As much as I love my animal brethren, the ducky absolutely does not meet the quoted passage. This is coming from someone with both the quack quack and the Filco.

Do you feel the beat? I do.

Wogrim · « **Reply #26 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 20:45:37 »

Hrm that sucks I was planning on getting a Filco in a few months... I guess I'll have to wait and see what replaces it.

CodeChef · « **Reply #27 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 20:48:31 »

Quote from: ripster;257821

I think Elitekeyboards will be replacing Filco with this for $99.99.
Show Image

lol we can only pray

Phaedrus2129 · « **Reply #28 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 20:49:10 »

Quote from: CodeChef;257823

lol we can only pray

Why? I paid $16 for my Cherry MLs.

CodeChef · « **Reply #29 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 20:54:20 »

Quote from: Phaedrus2129;257824

Why? I paid $16 for my Cherry MLs.

...That's an Optimus Maximus. Each key is a small LCD screen. You can literally make the keyboard anything you want. Notice he said for $100? They usually go for $1000

theferenc · « **Reply #30 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 20:58:16 »

You found one for $1000? Last time I checked, they were $1800. Pretty though :-). At some point I even remember reading you can also pick up and move the physical keys with the proper tools. No soldering required.

I could be misremembering though.

Phaedrus2129 · « **Reply #31 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 20:59:04 »

Quote from: CodeChef;257825

...That's an Optimus Maximus. Each key is a small LCD screen. You can literally make the keyboard anything you want. Notice he said for $100? They usually go for $1000

fa·ce·tious
/fəˈsiʃəs/ Show Spelled[fuh-see-shuhs]
–adjective
1.
not meant to be taken seriously or literally: a facetious remark.
2.
amusing; humorous.
3.
lacking serious intent; concerned with something nonessential, amusing, or frivolous: a facetious person.

jpc · « **Reply #32 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 21:00:13 »

Quote from: MyNameIsDan;257696

I guess all you GHers that purchased from EK has received the newsletter just now.

Can you post a copy of the newsletter for us EK customers who didn't get the newsletter for whatever reason?

CodeChef · « **Reply #33 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 21:16:40 »

Phae, tone doesn't come through in text very well

sorry.

muchadoaboutnothing · « **Reply #34 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 21:18:58 »

I posted this in the other thread, but I'll repeat it here. Spoiler alert.

panda-R · « **Reply #35 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 21:36:01 »

good job mr. seo guy!

I would welcome a Leopold as an equivalent.

majestouch · « **Reply #36 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 21:44:14 »

Quote from: ripster;257810

BTW that was pretty stupid on Realforce's part. Giving exclusive distribution to Diatec even though they don't seem to sell outside Japan? What about Leopold and the 87Us they continue to carry?

So many assumptions;) It is a bit more complicated than it might seem to someone with a bias for Western business methodologies.

Topre is a conservative Japanese company that values predictability and stable growth. Instead of chasing down every PC component distributor on the planet and pouring half their sales revenue into marketing and distribution; they opt to make a rock solid product with failure rates 100 times lower than any keyboard maker on the market (think 1 in 10000 versus 1 in 100) and maintain just a few strong distributor relationships.

AndrewZorn · « **Reply #37 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 21:49:12 »

Quote from: jpc;257831

Can you post a copy of the newsletter for us EK customers who didn't get the newsletter for whatever reason?

:

Quote

Greetings from EK!

Note: If you're receiving this message, you're either an EliteKeyboards
newsletter subscriber, or you've recently inquired about a FILCO
keyboard. If you've made a recent inquiry, but are not a subscriber,
please read the "important message" below the new announcements. **

THE NEW:

We're proud to announce the availability of keycaps from the Clack Factory!
Clack Factory keycaps are unique pieces of art for your favorite keyboard:)

These are limited to 2 per person in the initial run, but more are coming!

Cherry MX: http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=access,cherrymxkeys
Topre/HHKB: http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=access,toprekeys

A VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE:

FILCO products have been in short supply recently, and this has been due
to our supplier not being able to meet market demand. We're very sorry
for this inconvenience; particularly at this time of the year!

Unfortunately, despite our recent efforts, our supply of FILCO products
will not be improving, so we have taken this turn of events as an
opportunity to search for alternative products which can meet our
customers' demands.

So without beating around the bush too much, in Jan/Feb 2011 EK will
offer a new keyboard line-up with Cherry MX switches!

These boards will replace all FILCO products (and then some:). We've
selected them with much discretion, and believe they will meet or exceed
the quality and functionality of FILCO products and provide a better
value in a very competitive market!

Further details to follow on our website soon. We appreciate your
continued support!

** If you're one of the overwhelming number of recent FILCO inquiries
we've received, we've sent you this newsletter as a courtesy. If you are
not on the EK mailing list, you will not receive further e-mails from us.
If you'd like to subscribe, you may do so on our homepage:)

http://elitekeyboards.com

Unsubscribe: http://elitekeyboards.com/legal.php?action=unsubscribe
Feedback: webmaster@elitekeyboards.com

panda-R · « **Reply #38 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 21:52:16 »

actually after reviewing Leopold even further, I think i'm still a filco fan. I'm not a fan of integrated LED's on the keycaps. Makes replacement troublesome!

I wonder if Leopold comes from the Ducky Factory? Their casing and tenkeyless look better than Ducky's though.

WhiteRice · « **Reply #39 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 22:51:49 »

Well there's only one solution then...

panda-R · « **Reply #40 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 22:53:44 »

Whiterice, you're right... I am going to buy up the world stock of filcos!

WhiteRice · « **Reply #41 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 22:56:06 »

If you buy all of them, then you can name your price!

panda-R · « **Reply #42 on:** Sun, 05 December 2010, 23:53:24 »

Quote from: WhiteRice;257876

If you buy all of them, then you can name your price!

nah, i just gonna buy them all and look at them all day... mount a few on the wall, maybe make a table, use one for my sponge baths, etc.

AndrewZorn · « **Reply #43 on:** Mon, 06 December 2010, 00:42:43 »

Quote from: WhiteRice;257876

If you buy all of them, then you can name your price!

Quote from: panda-R;257882

nah, i just gonna buy them all and look at them all day... mount a few on the wall, maybe make a table, use one for my sponge baths, etc.

"panda-R was found dead in his home Saturday night. His house raided, investigators believed the cause of death is linked to an internet community enraged over his hoarding and misuse of rare computer parts."

Nadger · « **Reply #44 on:** Mon, 06 December 2010, 01:08:39 »

I hope he still will stock blank keycaps...and with those integrated leds in leopold caps and scroll lock keys, we would need blank keycaps with led windows in them.

I guess theres always sand blasting.

Xarmor not doing a tenkeyless until late 2011 really sucks too.

Kairxa · « **Reply #45 on:** Mon, 06 December 2010, 01:17:15 »

Quote from: ripster;257896

Mine. All mine. You can't have them.

I'm portraying you as Smeagol, but it's keyboards now. Hm.

xsphat · « **Reply #46 on:** Mon, 06 December 2010, 01:19:04 »

Hate to be a noob here, but I've been out of the loop for half a year. Can someone post a link to Leopold's keyboard line so I can plan ahead?

xsphat · « **Reply #47 on:** Mon, 06 December 2010, 01:30:20 »

And Rip, why on Earth are you hoarding dwarves?

victheslik · « **Reply #48 on:** Mon, 06 December 2010, 01:35:45 »

xsphat · « **Reply #49 on:** Mon, 06 December 2010, 01:37:41 »

Thanks man, how you been?

News:

Author Topic: Elitekeyboard replacing Filco (Read 19648 times)