Which keyboard should I buy next?

[bugfix]

Hi, I hope I haven't missed a sticky or FAQ that will actually answer my question.

I have bought my first mechanical keyboard, a DAS Ultimate EU with MX Blues, two weeks ago and I'm already thinking about getting another one. Not because I wouldn't like my DAS, but simply because I was (and still am) so impressed with it that I can't wait to own another mechanical keyboard.

However, I can't decide which one to get next...

Having browsed geekhack.org quite extensively for the past month I know that there are many different brands, switches, layouts...

So what should I get next? Perhaps another DAS but with different switches? A Unicomp customizer? Perhaps a Filco Tenkeyless?

I know that in the end it comes down to my personal taste, but I'd really like too see how others would decide in my position. The price is only a minor matter.

Thank you very much for your ideas!

[theferenc]

Welcome to geekhack!

The question is, where are you? If you're in the US, you can often find a nice quality 1391401 on ebay with 2 piece keycaps.

I'm a big buckling spring and topre fan, personally. You can't really go wrong with a Customizer. For a small fee, they will even modify the layout, if you desire.

You'll have a hard time finding a Filco right now (at least in the US). You could try the Noppoo Choc Mini, or one of the Ducky boards, though. Roughly equivalent to the Filco.

And just in case, don't forget that Das has a student discount. Not sure if you are one, but thought I'd mention it. They don't really advertise it.

But, it really depends on where you are, and what you want. If you like the blues, but think they are a bit light, you'll probably like the buckling springs. If you are willing to spend the money, you can't go wrong with a Realforce or a HHKB.

And keep in mind, you can usually sell anything you don't like here in the classifieds section.

[bugfix]

Hi and thank you for your quick response.

I think the Customizer sounds really nice. I assume this is their official webstore?

http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/customizer.html

Do also other stores (preferably in Europe, as I live in Germany) carry the Customizer? This store charges $45.00 for shipping, if it's the only store that carries it I'll of course order it from there but perhaps there is a seller closer to me...

[theferenc]

That is their website, yes. Horrible, isn't it? I

 don't know of anyone else who sells them, honestly. Maybe check the World Wide Buying wiki, but I wouldn't get your hopes up.

We have had several cross shipping requests from members in Europe lately. If you do decide to go that route, I would recommend posting a new thread to that effect.

[bugfix]

Yeah, I thought I'd stumbled upon a forgotten webshop from the 90s...

But I guess you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover and so I just ordered a Customizer 105 with German layout. Thank you very much again for your advice!

[theferenc]

Here's hoping you love it as much as I love mine.

[Zen]

If you like what you have now, there is a good chance you will like
buckling springs even more ..
I suggest you go to eBay.de and pick up a used IBM Model M first,
if you are a gamer you may also want to check out linear Black Cherry MX-switches ..

Remember, if you import something from a non-EU country you may be charged for customs-processing and national sales-tax,
on top of the exorbitant shipping-fee !!

[bugfix]

Here's hoping you love it as much as I love mine.

I'm sure I will, thank you

Remember, if you import something from a non-EU country you may be charged for customs-processing and national sales-tax,
on top of the exorbitant shipping-fee !!

Yeah, but from what I've heard the keyboard should be worth the money. I don't like used keyboards, so the import is probably the only option for me.

Another question concerning the Customizer: Are there colored keycaps available like this one for Cherry Mx switches: http://www.keycapsdirect.com/redesc.php

And can you change the keycaps just as easily like on my DAS? Or will removing a keycap destroy the buckling spring?

[Daniel Beaver]

Another question concerning the Customizer: Are there colored keycaps available like this one for Cherry Mx switches: http://www.keycapsdirect.com/redesc.php

And can you change the keycaps just as easily like on my DAS? Or will removing a keycap destroy the buckling spring?

There might be colored keys available. Otherwise, they are very dye-able keys.

And removing the keys is not problem at all. On Unicomps, just shove a small flathead screwdriver under the front of the keys, and they should pop out. IBM models are even easier, since the keys are two parts (specifically for easy key swapping).

[theferenc]

The Unicomp keys accept dye really really well. Just get some RIT, pop them in, and you can have the colors of your choice. Just be careful with the heat.

[bugfix]

Thanks for the tip! I assume RIT dye is this: ? It's not common around here, so I don't know it.

Chuck Cropper of Unicomp was so nice to throw in a Red ESC key into the package btw, I wish it would arrive already...

[theferenc]

That's it, yes. Any fabric dye should work, really, it's just I've had the best luck with Rit. The label here is all caps, for whatever reason.

I've done several small batches of keys in different colors, so let me know if you have any questions. There's also a thread in the Mods section about dying different types of keys. There are a lot of pictures of different color schemes, as well.

[bugfix]

How many degrees would you recommend as water temperature? 80°C? Or ist that too hot? I don't want the keys to melt^^

[bugfix]

OK, I will keep that in mind. Thanks!

[theferenc]

Honestly, I found 95 to be hot enough to make the keys dangerously soft. I wouldn't go much above 90, personally.

Well, if it's all single size keys, 95 should be ok. But the larger keys can warp fairly easily. There are a lot of threads here that demonstrate that quite effectively.

[bugfix]

Are the standard Unicomp keys PBT?

[bugfix]

According to the guide it should be PBT then, right?

[bugfix]

My Customizer finally arrived today and I would like to thank theferenc for recommending it. This is the perfect keyboard for me, just what I wanted when I ordered the DAS after reading about it in a local computer magazine. I've always hated the feel of rubber domes but never could articulate what I didn't like about them (I now know a term for this "Mushyness"). The Customizer is even "crisper" than the Blue Cherries, which I really love.

BUT:
I would like to ask the same question like in my OP. What you would you buy next?

I mean I don't really need another keyboard but for some reason (can't really explain it) I want another one I probably won't even use it that much as the Customizer is going to be my daily driver from now on, but hey, people who collect postage stamps don't need any of these either

I'm currently undecided between a Realforce 105GR or an Unicomp Spacesaver (ANSI)+a Filco tenkeyless for gaming.

Now what would you go for if you were in my place?

The Realforce, which is certainly tempting because the TOPRE switches seem to be deemed "legendary"? Or perhaps get two keyboards for the price of the RF, namely another Unicomp (this time a Spacesaver) in ANSI layout for programming and a Filco Tenkeyless for gaming?

Or would you perhaps declare me insane because I blow so much money on this?

[theferenc]

Well, as I've said elsewhere, buckling spring and Topre are my switches of choice. I'm not a big cherry fan at all, honestly.

An ANSI layout customizer would be a good choice, as would the realforce. But "eh" on the filco, from where I am standing. If you're looking for a programming keyboard, there's also the HHKB. Not sure where in the EU you can get that from, but it makes an amazing programmers board. And is a Topre.

But I'm really glad you like the Customizer. I absolutely love mine.

[bugfix]

But I'm really glad you like the Customizer. I absolutely love mine.

The only thing that I personally don't like about it, are how "cheap" it looks. But when you compare this aspect to the superior feel of the keyboard it doesn't matter at all (imho).

I think I'll follow your advice again and get the Realforce.

[theferenc]

Did you get the beige or black customizer? I got the black, then transplanted the two piece keys from an IBM to the alpha block. Totally changes how it looks.

[bugfix]

I got the black one.

Could you perhaps post a picture of your modded one?

[theferenc]

I'll post it later today. I'm not currently in its vicinity. But it should be well before midnight in Europe.

[bugfix]

Thank you for your effort. My professor is sick, so I don't have to go to class tomorrow so please don't worry about the time

[theferenc]

Well, I had a friend with a key swing by and take a picture with his phone. I apologize for the quality, but you do get the idea:



I've been trying the trackball over my number pad. I'm not sure how much longer I'll be using it there...

Oh, and the colored keys were dyed by me. The keys take dye exceptionally well.

[bugfix]

Looks nice, I guess I'll have to order some RIT dye then...

I personally couldn't stand the trackball though, I prefer a precise mouse.

Thank you again for your effort!

[theferenc]

Honestly, I find the trackball more precise than my Logitech, even at the same resolution. And it does get up to 3200 [CD]PI (whichever term you prefer).

But it did take some getting used to.

I love my keyboard. Dying the keys is actually really easy to do, just make sure you are constantly stirring, to provide uniform exposure. The red ESC is "Scarlet" (though in spanish it is just "rojo", meaning "red"). The blue keys are "Evening Blue", though "Teal" comes out looking identical to me.

I've got some purple keys around here on other keyboards, as well as some orange, yellow, and green. Never more than a few keys per keyboard though in those bright colors. I do like the outlined alpha block, personally, but I know not everyone does.

Question: do your "grey" keys look more lavender to you on your keyboard? I didn't notice this until I stuck the alpha keys on a beige model m, but they look distinctly lavender to me.

[bugfix]

Question: do your "grey" keys look more lavender to you on your keyboard? I didn't notice this until I stuck the alpha keys on a beige model m, but they look distinctly lavender to me.

Now that you say it, there really seems to be a bit of lavender in them. And I just noticed that mine "sparkle" for some reason...

[theferenc]

Yeah, mine do that too. I just assumed that was an artifact of the material. After dying, you can't really see it anymore.

[bugfix]

I guess I'll order some rit dye on ebay then. The only thing I'm a little afraid of, is the temperature. No risk, no reward, I guess.

[theferenc]

My water comes out of the at about 60C or so. Put that, the dye, some salt, and the keys in a pot, put over low medium heat (4.5 on a scale of 10 for my electric, 2 on a scale of 5 on my gf's gas), stir for 18 minutes.

The water starts around 60, ends around 90, color comes out perfectly. And it takes a while before the color starts to set, so don't worry if 14 minutes in, the keys look barely colored. It happens quite quickly near the end.

But I've dyed a few dozen keys this way, all of which came out almost exactly as I wanted. YMMV.