Chosing a keyboard: CVT Avant Prime?

[firerock]

Hello everybody!
I'm a newbie here, so don't beat me for silly questions
Also, excuse me in advance for poor English...
My old rubber dome keyboard didn't like the glass of Cola my cat gave it to drink. 5 keys don't work now.
So, it's time to buy a new one. I decided to order a nice mechanical keyboard, like the one I used many time ago in a college.
After a long time surfing and reading I've choose the CVT Avant Prime.
But I didn't find the place where I could buy it. Even Ebay keeps silence
Of course, it's not the only mechanical keyboard in the world, but I like it's layout. It's important for me: big L-shaped "Enter" and "|\" key, located to the right of the right "Shift".
As far as I saw, no model from IBM, Cherry, Filco etc has such a layout.
Of course, old Northgate could hit the mark, but I wish to buy a new unused keyboard.
Any idea about it?
Thanks in advance!

[RiGS]

Steelseries 6gv2 has the exact same layout.

[Engine]

Guess what?  I called CVT last month and the guy told me that they stopped selling their keyboards.  What?!  I asked him why?  He said that their supplier stopped making them for them.
I hope this is misinformation but you can call them and ask:
http://www.cvtinc.com/products/keyboards/menu.htm
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and see this: "Please Contact Scott Ramacier at 888-770-0500 Extension 106 with ANY Keyboard Questions.!!!"
I think their kbs are better looking than Unicomp's and probably better built.  I find it weird that they keep their keyboard line on the site when supposedly they're no longer available.
When I had called them, as I said, the sales guys said that they literally stopped selling them a month before.
Let us know if you find anything else eh?  
By the way, in that conversation with the sales guy, he was as suprized as I was and mentioned that I was not the only one calling for the keyboard.
Maybe he's worked something out. Hmm.  I don't know maybe I'll call again myself.  
Oh, I had read on another website that these keyboards had Cherry switches.

Update:
I just emailed "Sales" and asked what the deal was?
I'll post my results here, if they ever contact me with an explanation or even good news!

[firerock]

Steelseries 6gv2 has the exact same layout.

No, the "|\" key is from the left of the right "Shift" there

[firerock]

Engine, I've found the shop where Avant Stellar is still on sale. But it costs $249 there

http://www.ergonomicsmadeeasy.com/store/specialty/product/avant-stellar/

I didn't like this one because of it's gigantic size. More compact Prime would be preferred.
But, if they don't produce it anymore — maybe it would be sensible to buy an expensive Stellar?

[firerock]

OK, I've called to CVT. They told me that the keyboard manufacturing is finish. Forever
They've gave me an advice to look on ebay ))

[Peter]

Get the real thing, if you are realy lucky you can get it for maybe 200 US..
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=15975

Recently there was a NIB Northgate with extra caps-sets for DVORAK and
some international layouts, it sold for 200 US, only one bidder ..

[firerock]

Got it, Peter.
But it hasn't Windows keys (though maybe it's possible to map other keys to them).
Anyway, I have 6 days left for a decision
Thank you very much for the link!

[Engine]

Yeah, I called CVT and confirmed the bad news.  You may have noticed that they seem a little tight lipped?  My impression anyway.  By the way, I wouldn't give the "shop" you found any of your hard earned money.  It seems that they are gouging the people.  When I told CVT how much mula this shop wanted, she was surprized, as in they wanted that much? Oh well, for $250, you can buy a pretty premium kb.  Sorry it didn't work out for you.  See what others know about programmable kbs alternatives.
I still new to that topic.
Engine

[Peter]

But it hasn't Windows keys (though maybe it's possible to map other keys to them).

Well, at least 'Crtl+Esc' brings up the Start-menu ..
But since this is a programmable keyboard you can likely come up with a solution for any problem or desire you may have..
It's a great keyboard btw, nice switches, sturdy build-quality, good quality keycaps and if you look after it it will retain a good resell-value ..

PS : And You get the joy of typing on a true classic that will make any Asian collector envious

[Engine]

Oh, I had read on another website that these keyboards had Cherry switches.

I may stand corrected.  I now find out that they were likely Alps but that's from a lazy google search.

[REVENGE]

There's a used Avant Prime that seems to be in excellent condition on eBay right now, but it won't go for cheap: http://cgi.ebay.com/CVT-Avant-Prime-clicky-keyboard-/330538791209?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item4cf5a5b129#ht_1218wt_1139

Personally, I like Northgates, but they're rather big, heavy, and expensive. For the same amount of money you could go for a brand new G80-8200 with NKRO, doubleshots, and programmable buttons. If you need clicky switches, a blue switch Filco, Leopold, or Noppoo might do.

Also, if you NEED Windows keys (like I do), you probably won't want to use a Northgate. They have extra keys right between the Ctrls and Alts, but they don't send unique scancodes, so you can't do an input remap without screwing up your layout. I remapped the OMNI key on my Ultra to Win and it worked ok, but you might be out of luck with the other boards.

[REVENGE]

Do NOT install the plugins or you will face a barrage of Midi music to make you puke faster than pulling up Unicomp's Web Store.

****, too late. :puke:

[firerock]

There's always Northgate Bob.

Thank you for the hint, I wrote him a letter. Let's look what will he answer...

Do NOT install the plugins or you will face a barrage of Midi music to make you puke faster than pulling up Unicomp's Web Store.

The plugin is already installed, so the puking is unavoidable

[firerock]

Well, at least 'Crtl+Esc' brings up the Start-menu ..
But since this is a programmable keyboard you can likely come up with a solution for any problem or desire you may have..
It's a great keyboard btw, nice switches, sturdy build-quality, good quality keycaps and if you look after it it will retain a good resell-value ..

Yes, it's obviously the great keyboard, but the price is coming up to $200. For used one. I begin to think that, say, Zowie Celeritas for $120 would be better choice

PS : And You get the joy of typing on a true classic that will make any Asian collector envious

I'm agree about joy, but I'm living in the European part of Russia

[keyboardlover]

I'm agree about joy, but I'm living in the European part of Russia

Moldova?

[firerock]

OK, I've got an answer from Robert:

I have the following Northgates with Windows keys.

New Evolutions  $155.00
Refurbished 101P's $95.00
1- 102P $135.00

I also have new Dell Quiet Writers with Windows keys.  These are like the 101P's except they have a plastic back.  The same Alps switches as a Northgate.  These are $125.00

You can program any model Northgate to have a Windows key with SharpKeys software.  I use an Ultra T and have program F7 to be a Windows key.  This software only works with Windows systems and is very easy to use.

All of the above keyboards come with the necessary adapters to work with PS2 connectors.  I can go further with adapters to work with USB.

Shipping / Packaging is extra.

Thank you,
Bob Tibbetts
Tel. 518-733-6085

So, 101P for $95+shipping is quite good.

But suddenly I find out that Cherry Brown switches would be better for me then white ALPS. Softer, quieter...

Excuse my damned unsteadiness, I can't make the decision :-E

[firerock]

Moldova?

Moldova is a separate country now, ex-part of Soviet Union (RIP!).

I live in Rostov-on-Don city, Russia, 500 km south to Black Sea:

[keyboardlover]

Oh, right on. Cool!

[woody]

I live in Rostov-on-Don city, Russia

I bet you have something named "Pleven" in your city.

[firerock]

I bet you have something named "Pleven" in your city.

Correct! The street, the park, the cinema etc

[Engine]

Hey, did you check ebay for your keyboard?
I'd check out the seller's reputation and this keyboard to and make a carefully thought out decision but this may be the keyboard for you for $150.  I'm not saying to buy it because I haven't looked into it much but if I were looking, I'd be willing to check it out.
I'm into the IBM Model M myself and have been looking for them on ebay and found a reputable seller who apparently has some on hand.
If you want to see more Avants, then look for them on ebay.  The also have the Northgate Omni Key too.
http://cgi.ebay.com/CVT-Avant-Prime-clicky-keyboard_W0QQitemZ330538791209QQcategoryZ33963QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZe17001.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D6%26pmod%3D160521583172%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D7669891834585671256

EDIT:
Sorry, that "$150" is the latest bid.  I suppose there's no telling how high the price may get jacked up.  You could look for other models available for out right sale perhap, unless you want to bid on this unit. Also, there's other units available in black.  The more modern look I guess.

[Hak Foo]

You might look for the Focus 2001- later ones have Windows keys, similar switches, L shaped enter and backslash to the right of right shift.  They may be more attainable, as they were a relatively cheap option when new, and non-programmable.  Others in the range are programmable, but only on specific keys.  I see them for under 100.-

Or if you can cope with "backslash next to backspace", the DSI or Solidtek ASK-6600U can give you Windows keys, a L-shaped enter, and the same switches for like $50.