unicomp spacsaver 104 imo

[typo]

my opinion is it is no model m. i have to take issue with the case quality as have many. the thing just looks and feels cheap to me. it seems not to have the nice action of a model m either. that leads me to the legends. only time will tell if i wear them but from the looks of it i am not expecting much. even though they are pbt dyesub. well i guess i just don't like the look and feel of it. that's just me though. of course many people love it and ymmv. this is just my personal opinion i am not trying to start a riot.

meanwhile, my das is chugging along. it just looks and feels much higher class. besides the looks i am a little biased since i prefer blues over buckling springs anyways. i am tough on a keyboard and i expect a lot from it. from what i have read about cherries i would have expected the das to fail by now but it has not.
i shall see with the unicomp.

[bugfix]

For me it's the other way round: I would prefer my Customizer over my DAS any day.

[ch_123]

that leads me to the legends. only time will tell if i wear them but from the looks of it i am not expecting much. even though they are pbt dyesub.

I think this is one of those self-refuting statements.

[Daniel Beaver]

Can you replace the top shell of the Customizer with a Model M shell? That might go a long way towards placebo-ing yourself.

[typo]

i don't know. i'd just rather use my vintage model m's. the unicomp is just not the tank that the model m was. i am not faulting them though. this is completely understandable for economic reasons. i suppose.

as fot the keys, ch_123 i guess you are right. i think they will actually hold up better than the das stock keys. it is like the other way around with the das. the case looks nice and the board feels solid but the quality of the keys is pretty rotten. for me at least. i replaced them all with double shots anyways.

i did not really mean to insult the unicomp. it is still a lot of keyboard for the money. a model m was a lot more money back then. if i had stock keys on the das i'd probably rather look at the unicomps case than the das' keys. i'll say that much.

anyways, the unicomp is ok. there is certainly a lot worse to be had. it is fair for the price. i wish they would charge $150 and make a real nice one though.

[bugfix]

i wish they would charge $150 and make a real nice one though.

Seconded.

[Warduke]

I got the Customizer 104 after reading about the spacesaver quality issues. I don't have any problems with this keyboard.

My next keyboard will probably be a Das. I LOVE the sound the blue switches make.

[ch_123]

Can you replace the top shell of the Customizer with a Model M shell? That might go a long way towards placebo-ing yourself.

Only with a 42H1292 case.

Tbh, Model M cases aren't exactly the most rock solid things either.

spacesaver quality issues.

Specifically?

[jpc]

My 2010 Unicomp feels awesome.

So I bought new springs and hammers from Unicomp for my older bolt-modded Model Ms and it was a big improvement for some of them.

I'd rather have a new Unicomp than a tired Model M. You get a warranty; choice of USB or PS/2; choice of white or black; choice of international layout; choice of 101 or 104 keys; and some choices for Linux or Mac customization.

[theferenc]

And for a little bit more, choice of any custom layout you can describe. Which is how I got a UNIX layout one with a proper controller, so no remapping in software required.

[Warduke]

Specifically?

Reviews that I read here.

http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:14466
http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:4562

But I have also read others that said it's not that bad at all. Even if there would have been no mention of quality I would have still chosen the Customizer. I just think it looks better.

[typo]

i guess then it just depends on the individual. some people think they are great. others don't. maybe some people got better examples or they are just less picky.

[typo]

yeah, i think the problem is the person sitting in the chair wants to use a better keyboard!

honestly i am going to say keytronics has better build quality from the specimens i have owned/seen. it is not just about the keyswitches or keycaps to me. the complete package. it is in fact well known that the unicomp package is so-so.

the model f,m's i have owned/seen appeared much more robust.

heh- i said package. twice!

[typo]

i guess you are right. i kind of made up my mind before i got it to tell the truth. i want to keep using the das. it is what i like best. i would have hated it if i was unable to harvest the ds keycaps though. now i don't want to be without it.

btw, i have no gain from saying i like the das. i am just stating  my personal feeling. others of course are entitled to their own. my main complaint was with the way the case is molded. i just don't like the way it looks. i am sure it works fine though.

[jpc]

"Quality" can refer to the manufacturing process-- grade of materials used, consistency of the finished product, fit and finish. It can refer to aspects of the basic design-- usability, functionality, or durability.

Are we really talking about quality? Or is there a more superficial problem?

The Unicomp doesn't glow. Its feature list is spartan. It comes in a plain brown box. It wears a frumpy logo. Neither sleek or contemporary, it isn't marketed with an exotic or stylish image. Or marketed at all. Need we broach the online buying experience?

The Unicomp is a lousy retail therapist. You can't pick one up for an image boost. Appearances matter. Is that what bugs people? Functionally, it's a great 'board.

My Endurapro squeaks if you twist it too, the fit and finish isn't 100%. Would people forgive that if Unicomp presented its products with some glitz and gloss to distract us from the fact that it's a mortal hunk of plastic?

[theferenc]

I really prefer my keyboards double as home defense tools. So the Unicomp is perfect.

[Anomareh]

I'd take a Unicomp over a Das any day. The Das is probably one of the ugliest keyboards I've ever seen.

I have no idea who thought it'd be a good idea to put a glossy finish on something you only use with your fingers. Lets not even talk about the font they chose shall we D:

My only beefs with the Unicomp would be the ugly logo, which seems to be nearly universal amongst the boards that have them, and I'm not a fan of light keys on a dark board.


Not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing that this is my first post here :s

[Arcanius]

And for a little bit more, choice of any custom layout you can describe. Which is how I got a UNIX layout one with a proper controller, so no remapping in software required.

Little bit more? I'm interested in a hardware Dvorak board, but am much too lazy to fool around with controllers myself.
How much more is a little bit more?

[keyboardlover]

Not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing that this is my first post here :s

Not sure either. Welcome to GeekHack anyway!

[7bit]

my opinion is it is no model m. i have to take issue with the case quality as have many. the thing just looks and feels cheap to me.
 ...
meanwhile, my das is chugging along. it just looks and feels much higher class. besides the looks i am a little biased since i prefer blues over buckling springs anyways. ...

Do you compare Buckling Spring with Cherry Blue, or an old IBM Model M with a new Unicomp keyboard?

[bugfix]

The Das is probably one of the ugliest keyboards I've ever seen.

Actually I think the DAS looks far better than Unicomps, but the switch is inferior.

[Merak]

i was looking for a mechanical keyboard too, at first i really liked the HHKB Pro, but looking at it in a more detailed way, it's not the kind of keyboard that suits to me. Maybe i could think at it again in the future.
Sooo, after a little bit of peeking, on here and on youtube, i was thinking to get an Unicomp Space Saver, also because i can order it with an italian layout and ask for a Mac customization.

Unfortunately, the shipping cost is almost as much as the keyboard itself

I saw a few of those Unicomp on Amazon, but not the space saver.

Do you guys suggest it to me, as my first mechanical keyboard?
i like the black and grey one.

[bugfix]

Do you guys suggest it to me, as my first mechanical keyboard?

Get the Unicomp. Do not let the shipping costs deter you, it's totally worth the money.

[Merak]

Thank you, i was looking at " the keyboard company" settled inthe UK, they have a few keyboards with italian layout, like the "Italian Filco Majestouch, NKR, Tactile Action Keyboard", but i don't really like it...the look at least.
The other one i peeked at, since i'm a mac user, is the matias tactile pro, i could adjust my needs to the us layout.

My girlfriend is from New york, i will go there next march, i was thinking to get the keyboard delivered to her house, even if i wouldn't really like to put the keyboard in the suitcase...it would get damaged very easily, conisdering how they treat suitcases...

[theferenc]

Little bit more? I'm interested in a hardware Dvorak board, but am much too lazy to fool around with controllers myself.
How much more is a little bit more?

For my layout changes, which are "non-standard", it was a $20 fee, which included the firmware programming, and the custom keys that were necessary -- 2 were custom printed, apparently.

For something like a hardware Dvorak keyboard, I would be surprised if it was even that high, as no custom keys are necessary (the modifiers stay put, basically).

I'm actually surprised that isn't an option they offer already, honestly.

[bugfix]

keyboardco is a very good webshop, should you decide that you like one of their keyboards I can definitely recommend them.

If you have a hard case suit case the keyboard should survive the trip.

[theferenc]

Thank you, i was looking at " the keyboard company" settled inthe UK, they have a few keyboards with italian layout, like the "Italian Filco Majestouch, NKR, Tactile Action Keyboard", but i don't really like it...the look at least.
The other one i peeked at, since i'm a mac user, is the matias tactile pro, i could adjust my needs to the us layout.

My girlfriend is from New york, i will go there next march, i was thinking to get the keyboard delivered to her house, even if i wouldn't really like to put the keyboard in the suitcase...it would get damaged very easily, conisdering how they treat suitcases...

The unicomp boxes are actually pretty solid. Assuming it would fit in your bag, anyway. These are pretty large objects we're talking about.

I've brought much more fragile objects of similar odd dimensions home to the US from China without any problems, so I would think a Customizer would easily make the trip.

Again, this assumes it will fit in your bag.

[Merak]

Yeah, i think so, even if i'm pretty sure my gf will look at me like WTF ?!
don't the sell keyboard in Italy? lol

She is moving here this year lol

[Merak]

lol my gf will be like WHATTTTTTTTT?
don't they sell keyboard there in Italy??

she is moving here this year lol

[bugfix]

You posted that twice

[Merak]

i just realized that, and deleted one

[theferenc]

Get used to that look, if you decide to make a hobby of input devices.

[Merak]

she is used to...i've something like 12-15 macs at home
oh, i found out i kinda like the Filco tenkeyless too, and i read good reviews about that, and i coulf shop it form UK..which is a good thing.

is it  agood keyboard?

[theferenc]

People here really like, and it is a solid keyboard. I personally don't like Cherry switches, so I wouldn't buy one. But I'm definitely in the minority in that regard.

[typo]

ok, i guess you guys are right. it is not really "quality". it is aesthetics. i like the look of other keyboards better and i prefer cherry blues. i am sorry i called it a quality issue. it functions fine. it just does not fit my taste in the looks department. there is some weird marks all over the case but i suppose other people are more intrested in using it as a jeyboard than a conversation piece.

the bottom line is it works fine. i guess in retro spect it is pretty similar to a model m. however my model m's seem to be heavier but i did not actually weigh them. so i cannot be certain about that either. if that even matters. the pc-at keyboard i have weighs a lot more and feels more solid than a unicomp or model m.

anyhow, i did not mean to deter anyone from buying a unicomp. as a keyboard it is a fine device. if you want stunning looks, that it does not provide. of course that is also in the eye of the beholder.

[jpc]

My Endurapro makes many creaky noises when you pick up the case. That's unfortunate. I'll be charitable and forgive it... I don't pick it up that often... but I can see how somebody would think it was lower quality just from the case. The case is nothing special.

When typing, the Endurapro sounds clackier and higher-pitched than an IBM Model M. It's not a pingy noise; it is a pronounced clack-clack-clack. Whether you enjoy this depends on your mechanical switch personality type.

I think new Unicomps type as crisply and uniformly as excellent condition IBM Model Ms.

[chimborazo]

Little bit more? I'm interested in a hardware Dvorak board, but am much too lazy to fool around with controllers myself.
How much more is a little bit more?

what for? i never have comprehended the point on doing so, then whenever you decide to try out one of the few dvorak variants out there and/or remap as you'd wished you are pretty much stuck w/ the original.

[theferenc]

what for? i never have comprehended the point on doing so, then whenever you decide to try out one of the few dvorak variants out there and/or remap as you'd wished you are pretty much stuck w/ the original.

I just assumed it was so they could just plug it in and go on computers which they don't have the ability or rights to modify the keyboard layout.

Otherwise, I agree, just use the built in Dvorak layout, and away you go.