Looking for a good tactile membrane keyboard. Help!

[leapius]

Hi all,

Ok this might sound like a dichotomy but does such a keyboard exist? I know a rubber-dome keyboard cannot really compare to a mechanical one but I think what I'm looking for is in the region of a Cherry MX clear switch which basically is impossible to find.

Anyway my point is I'm looking to replicate the feel of my old Microsoft Internet Keyboard: http://ht4u.net/old/2000/intellieye/Internet%20Pro%20-%20Straight%20shot%20JPEG.jpg

Don't laugh, I know, but this keyboard had great tactile feedback - the best membrane keyboard I ever used. The actuation force was pretty high and there was no mushy feeling when it bottomed out. It was hard plastic against hard plastic - very solid feel.

Is there anything on the market that is like this any more? I can't use it as I have a USB only motherboard and every ps2/usb converter doesn't play nice with this keyboard. I'm in the UK btw, I heard good things about Keytronic keyboards but impossible to find here.

Cheers,
Leapius

[nocturn4l3030]

link doesnt work...maybe cus im on my cell?

[theferenc]

Welcome to geekhack!

It's a shame you can't find a keytronic. I just came across one yesterday for $1.99 at the local thrift store. Poked at it for a few minutes, and it was actually quite tactile.

So, I'm not sure what your budget is, but you could try to snag a keytronic, look into a Topre board, maybe a fujitsu peerless would be worth looking at, or check out the Cherry MY keyboards, such as the G81 (I believe that was the number).

Most of those options should be relatively inexpensive, except for the Topre. Which isn't really a membrane, but is a rubber dome. Sort of. Super nice though, and I think if you're willing to shell out the quid (can I use that term that way?), well worth it.

Edit: the link works for me. Likely a phone issue.

Edit 2: Oh, and check out the "Blue Cube" (it's in the wiki). If it works for a model M, I imagine it can handle your MS internet keyboard. And hella cheaper than a new board.

[leapius]

Well I'd love to try a Topre but I'm an out of work programmer atm so have small funds.   Thanks for the advice - I'll definitely look into it.

[reaper]

link doesnt work...maybe cus im on my cell?

Nope, it doesn't work for me either and I'm not on my cell.

Edit: NVM, OP fixed it.

[leapius]

link doesnt work...maybe cus im on my cell?

My bad - fixed it now.

[nocturn4l3030]

i too reccomend the keytronic. it was the keyboard i was using before i found this site...which seems to be the best brand of the rubber domes..it has weighted keys according to finger strength which makes a more pleasant typing experence. you can order off their website which should be easy to find off google

[leapius]

i too reccomend the keytronic. it was the keyboard i was using before i found this site...which seems to be the best brand of the rubber domes..it has weighted keys according to finger strength which makes a more pleasant typing experence. you can order off their website which should be easy to find off google

I'd love to try one but I simply cannot find anywhere in the UK that has them.   Keytronic don't ship here from the US either.   Ebay draws a blank unless I want to spend ~$50 shipping a second hand $15 keyboard.

[theferenc]

Unfortunately, the only people I know heading to the UK for the holidays have already left, or I could have passed along that keytronic I found.

Is it really that expensive to ship a keyboard from the US to the UK? That's ungodly expensive.

[leapius]

Unfortunately, the only people I know heading to the UK for the holidays have already left, or I could have passed along that keytronic I found.

Is it really that expensive to ship a keyboard from the US to the UK? That's ungodly expensive.

Thanks for the thought though!   Yeah us Brits get royally screwed with everything - we're used to it.

[laden3]

Model M's are membrane keyboards. Keytronic and Realforce are rubber domes, but, Realforce isn't a membrane keyboard, there is a PCB there =P.

[leapius]

Model M's are membrane keyboards. Keytronic and Realforce are rubber domes, but, Realforce isn't a membrane keyboard, there is a PCB there =P.

Ok I think I got a bit confused between the definitions.   I am referring to the cheaper rubber dome keyboards like the old one I had.   I didn't realise the Topre was a dome actually.

[laden3]

I was recommending a Model M... it's a good tactile membrane keyboard.

[Pylon]

I'd personally recommend a Dell RT7D5JTW if you want something tactile. I used to use one and it was great. Also, the SK-8125 (midnight gray multimedia), my current main, is great too, though the stabilization is far worse.

[hoggy]

I've just recently got an old keytronic in amongst a box of old keyboards.  Doesn't feel it's best - but still not too bad - and fits your description.  It's got 1991 on the back, but might not be quite that old.

You can have it for the postage (I'm local enough for that to be around 7 or 8 pounds)

It's got an old AT style connector, so you'll need an AT to ps2 connector as well as a blue cube (there's always room in life for a blue cube on this forum).

If you're interested, I'll connect it up and give it a proper test before sending it.

[Voyager]

You're probably gonna laugh, but try an A4Tech KB-750. It has very nice tactile feedback, is very cheap and USB. One big drawback though - extremely light and normal typing makes it move all over the place.

[bpiphany]

http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard_details.asp?PRODUCT=15 seems to only have the ps2 version though. I've been using another keytronic keyboard for a long time before I got my topres. I really like the keytronic, they take just about any abuse. I spilled soup into mine once when I was late for school... Unplugged it and rinsed it of únder the tap. Later when I came home I took it apart and cleaned it up thoroughly. Still workes as good as ever. Sometimes the function of the left ctrl gets funky after too much emacs. A wipe off of the plastic sheets usually solves the problem. Last time I had it opened the circuitry looked like it's going a bit corroded though.

The realforce I'm typing on now beats the keytronic easily though. It is by far the best keyboard I have ever used. Keyboardco has them too http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard_details.asp?PRODUCT=790 I'm really fond of full 105-size boards. I've got the swedish version though from a finnish site. And I don't like the dark version of the realforces as much as the white ones... I'd say the realforce is a better buy even for three times the price. But the keytronic is a good board too.

Edit: And, I got my keytronics at clas ohlson (sort of like a smaller home depot i guess) back then, now I don't know where to get them here either any more.

[leapius]

These are all great recommendations thanks loads!   Going to try this blue cube first of all and see if it beats the other adapters I've tried off ebay.   I think I'll have to check out some of these other keyboards too.

[keyb_gr]

For adapters, also check out our wiki.

As far as good rubber domes are concerned... try looking for '90s Dell QuietKeys (even older than the RT7D-whatever), or NMBs in general. The first and second generation IBM RapidAccess boards (e.g. KB-8923) aren't bad either, just like BTC 5131C and 5140 (FCC ID E5XKBM10410/510/610). And if you see a Logitech Classic 200 floating around somewhere, those seem to be quite nice for an inexpensive new board.

Oh, and is it just me or is that old M$ board ugly as sin?

[Findecanor]

I thought that the Microsoft Internet Keyboard had USB.. I have actually had a Microsoft keyboard with USB that looked almost just like yours before I put it away and got myself a new Keytronic.

I recommend the Keytronic with a good PS/2-USB adapter. Make sure that you get an adapter that is active .  Too many people have been fooled into getting a small cheap passive adapter that does not  convert the signal at all. The passive adapters are only for keyboards that support USB and PS/2 with the same cable.
There is the Keytronic ErgoForce (with difterent resistance in different keys) and there is a variety with smaller borders (KT-800, KT-1000). Both are very good. I prefer the smaller ones.
Used ones should be plentiful on eBay, in thrift stores and at flea markets. I got myself a 15-year old ErgoForce for £1 (10 SEK, actually) at a flea market. It  was very dirty, but I cleaned it up with dishwashing liquid and it works perfectly. I have had Keytronic keyboards that have had heavy use for ten years and still work perfectly, except that the keys have become super-shiny from the wear.

[leapius]

Hey guys, just thought I'd post a little update on my situation.   First of all thank you to everyone for your suggestions!   I tried the blue cube which almost worked (had a weird problem with ALT getting stuck after a while using it).   I also tried to find some of the older keyboards without much success.

I decided to try out this keyboard and I'm glad I did:

Microsoft Sidewinder X4
http://consolecreatures.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/swx4_atopview.jpg

The tactile response on this keyboard is _perfect_ (at least for me) - not spongey at all.   It feels a bit like a stronger MX Brown with a shorter travel.   Much better than the other current MS keyboards.   Also the programmable keys are so useful for me as a programmer as you can assign up to 18 code snippets for each program you use.   It also has NKR which is impressive for a USB keyboard imo.

I actually own a Cherry MX black keyboard and also an old Viglen which acts just like an MX blue (I demo'd an MX Blue in a store fortunately).   Neither of these really worked for me.

So there you go, if you are looking for a cheaper alternative to a mechanical with great tactile response I would definitely recommend the X4.

[microsoft windows]

The easiest way to emulate the feel of your old Microsoft keyboard's just to get another one. Here's one on Ebay at $2 Buy-it-now, with $6 shipping (at least to my ZIPcode).

[Ghostpixel]

I have five diffrent keytronic ergoforce. One is with usb and the other four with ps/2. The one with usb has by far the beest feel in the keys. I guess it mostly depends on the condition (a few of the ps/2's is thriftstore finds that i havent had cleaned up yet). I know you already found a nice keyboard, but i just wanted to add that i agree with you that you can actually find rubber domes that has something of a nice almost tactile feel to them. I havnt tried a topre, but i imagine that it feels somewhat close to my best keytronic.

[keyboardlover]

I havnt tried a topre, but i imagine that it feels somewhat close to my best keytronic.

I'd agree with that. I came here looking for a mechanical that felt like a Keytronic, but was better made/longer lasting. The Topre not only meets that requirement, but has a much better feel as well. I got over the price once I realized I'd probably be typing on them for a long time (and I plan to).