About to pull the trigger on a Filco. Advice?

[uurrnn]

I've been lurking all day, and I quickly bonded to the Filco tenkeyless. I just love the way it look.

I think I've decided on cherry brown switches, because I will be playing a lot of starcraft 2 with this, and I've read that brown is a good middle ground for that.

This: http://www.amazon.com/Majestouch-2-Tenkeyless-Keyboard-FKBN87M-EFB2/dp/B004ZJPSGI/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top Seems to be the only one I can find for sale. If you could find one cheaper somewhere else then that would be great.

I'm also assuming ninja is the closest thing they have to blank keys? I switch keyboard layouts quite a bit (used dvorak on my laptop using qwerty on this old dell kb, because I'm too lazy to switch it atm.)

Either way, I just want to get a pass by you guys or make sure I'm doing this right.

edit: I've seen filcos with a red escape key, is that just a custom key someone bought or do they sell them like that?

[daerid]

Advice? Do it. Honestly, they're great boards. You won't regret it.

If you want blank keys, you can always order them through The Keyboard Co, or you could get a set through one of the various group buys.

[uurrnn]

I just feel like I haven't done much looking around. I'm the type of person to look at literally every piece of merchandise before buying, but I want to get this shipped before the weekend, so I'm in somewhat of a rush.

Just didn't want to end up missing a great keyboard, but I've read a lot of places that Filco are some of the best and favorite. I originally was going to get a DasK, but I like the more slim, professional look of the filco compared to the glossy, sleek look of the Das.

[keyboardlover]

Welcome to Geekhack!

Here's my advice:

[Astounding]

This is GH.  When it comes to Filco advice expect:

"go with the filco."

[mmmty]

Red ESC key should be included. You can also replace all the keys with engraved PBT keycaps and make it look even more blank.

[daerid]

Red escape key is not included, unfortunately, when ordering from Amazon. I've ordered 3 Filcos from there, not a single red esc

[uurrnn]

Red escape key is not included, unfortunately, when ordering from Amazon. I've ordered 3 Filcos from there, not a single red esc

Anywhere else to order from?

[Titmouse]

Elitekeyboards, or the qtan group buy if it's not closed yet.

[scribble]

i just want you to consider blues

[BiNiaRiS]

you could also wait 2 weeks and grab a leopold with browns and blank keys. it's initially cheaper and also saves you the hassle of having to order another set of keys. if you can't wait, you could contact leopold directly and ship one over from japan. not sure what the cost on that would be, but i don't think it is too bad.

[keyboardlover]

Anywhere else to order from?

You can always get nice doubleshot red esc keys from Signature Plastics here:

http://www.keycapsdirect.com/redesc.php



Crappy image. They look nice in real life.

[flaming_june]

You can always view the classified section on GH here and see if any other type of switch or keyboard you may like.  Or you can buy that above second hand.

[The Solutor]

This is GH.  When it comes to Filco advice expect:

"go with the filco."

 
Just from the users w/o too fantasy...

[uurrnn]

i just want you to consider blues

Blues and browns are almost similar aren't they? I almost went with blue, but I figured brown would be better for gaming?

[keyboardlover]

Blues and browns are almost similar aren't they? I almost went with blue, but I figured brown would be better for gaming?

 
No...blues are clicky and tactile (you feel a click before you bottom out). Browns are non-clicky and tactile; they have a very slight bump before bottoming out.

[uurrnn]

you could also wait 2 weeks and grab a leopold with browns and blank keys. it's initially cheaper and also saves you the hassle of having to order another set of keys. if you can't wait, you could contact leopold directly and ship one over from japan. not sure what the cost on that would be, but i don't think it is too bad.

So you're saying that the leopold is the same as a filco but cheaper?

[uurrnn]

No...blues are clicky and tactile (you feel a click before you bottom out). Browns are non-clicky and tactile; they have a very slight bump before bottoming out.

Oh. I want clicky.

I thought browns were just less clicky. So blues are the only ones that click?

[calavera]

Filco and Leopolds are virtually the same, with minor differences in key caps and case shape. But I prefer Filco.

[keyboardlover]

Well blues aren't the ONLY switches that click. But they're the only ones on a Filco or Leopold that click.

Leopolds are similar to Filco but not exactly the same. Designed by the same guy though.

[uurrnn]

http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,tenkeyless&pid=fc200rcabn

So that's what I want right?

[keyboardlover]

Yea...if you can wait I'd probably go for that one.

[uurrnn]

Should I consider anything other than brown or blue?

[The Solutor]

Should I consider anything other than brown or blue?

 
Should you consider buying a good PCB mounted brown keyboard and a bunch of clear switches to quickly mod it to ergo clears and use the remaining money to have a pizza with a nice girl.

[keyboardlover]

Should I consider anything other than brown or blue?

I don't play Starcraft so I'll let someone else handle that question...

[spitfire6000]

I have that same keyboard...except the full version, filco ninja black switch linear.

I got it for 160 off amazon from the same UK keyboards vendor, they are a great retailer.

All I can tell you is this is the greatest keyboard I have ever owned, for gaming and typing as well. Black switch is much better than brown switch for gaming in my opinion, and filco is 100% worth the money. The mechanical keyboards i got before this filco ninja, I returned back once the filco came in because it really is just better in a lot of ways.

[winterbear]

Oh. I want clicky.

I thought browns were just less clicky. So blues are the only ones that click?

You got it right: unless you can completely master not bottoming out, the browns will click.
May I suggest to compare the sounds:
http://youtu.be/ou3O2uPLXlU
http://youtu.be/JggEpECGXn8

Incidentally, I think if you game, you might prefer the browns. There is a "togetherness" of the actuation point and the "bump" which is less confusing in a way? Personal opinion, though, don't really game.

[BiNiaRiS]

Should I consider anything other than brown or blue?

It's a pretty personal decision and whatever you choose, you may want to switch at a later date.

I went with browns and I use them for SC2. I think they are the best all around switch.

My buddy also went with browns and he is Diamond in 2s and platinum+ in the rest.

[spitfire6000]

I had blues as my first mechanical keyboard, DO NOT GET THESE FOR GAMING! its annoying as heck when the activation point and the bump are so far apart, plus that click is annoying after a while.

Browns are okay, but i feel theyre too light and dont help much with typing since youll be bottoming them out...they are just too light. If you rest your hand on the keyboard like I do while gaming, you will press the keys down with the weight of your fingers.

This is NOT the case with blacks, I can rest my hands on the keyboard while not hitting any keys because it takes more force, and dont let anyone mislead you, blacks are totally fine to type on. In fact I find that I type faster on blacks because i have a heavier typing style.

[Astounding]

I had blues as my first mechanical keyboard, DO NOT GET THESE FOR GAMING! its annoying as heck when the activation point and the bump are so far apart, plus that click is annoying after a while.

Browns are okay, but i feel theyre too light and dont help much with typing since youll be bottoming them out...they are just too light. If you rest your hand on the keyboard like I do while gaming, you will press the keys down with the weight of your fingers.

This is NOT the case with blacks, I can rest my hands on the keyboard while not hitting any keys because it takes more force, and dont let anyone mislead you, blacks are totally fine to type on. In fact I find that I type faster on blacks because i have a heavier typing style.

Why do you say blue is bad for gaming? It seems like people are split on this issue.

[AndrewZorn]

I'm not trying to get too excited over my new Noppoo Choc Mini with Brown switches, which I've used for less than 1000 characters... but I'll say Brown is the best all-around, after having used many.

I tend to like some character in the keystroke for Starcraft 2. For that, I actually prefer the game-dreaded Brown to linear Red or Black. There is some truth in the Blues-for-gaming hatred, they are kind of weird for FPS and the like. It isn't the repetition, there's plenty of redundant presses in SC2. For me, it feels like I'm rolling over keys easier with a linear switch, as if the keyboard is an extension of my body and I'm just moving around on it. Games like SC2, on the other hand, have me knowing I am pushing A to make mArines, and I welcome the clickiness and keyboard feel.

Oh, and don't worry, a Brown Filco was my first. Now I know what I've been missing out on.

[spitfire6000]

Why do you say blue is bad for gaming? It seems like people are split on this issue.

I just didn't like it at all. When I had to double tap keys it felt really weird, and just in general it felt weird to game on...plus all the clicking was too distracting for me. I wanted to focus on the game, not be distracted by clicky noises or tactile bumps.

For me, black switch is the ultimate gaming switch. Brown is nice, but its just too light.

[spitfire6000]

For me, it feels like I'm rolling over keys easier with a linear switch, as if the keyboard is an extension of my body and I'm just moving around on it.

I agree 100% with this statement, and it is the reason I will always use a black switch linear. There is no reason to have a tactile bump when gaming, and for many others including myself its very distracting.

Linear is smooth and QUIET, most importantly QUIET! ^_^

If I need to, I can game at night with my girlfriend sleeping a few feet away, and not wake her up using a blackswitch linear. This was never possible when I had a blue or even a brown, as these two are much much louder than a black.

[Zhuni]

I agree 100% with this statement, and it is the reason I will always use a black switch linear. There is no reason to have a tactile bump when gaming, and for many others including myself its very distracting.

Linear is smooth and QUIET, most importantly QUIET! ^_^

If I need to, I can game at night with my girlfriend sleeping a few feet away, and not wake her up using a blackswitch linear. This was never possible when I had a blue or even a brown, as these two are much much louder than a black.

Are you tempted by the reds?


I prefer the blacks over the reds for FPS

[uurrnn]

Right now I'm just stuck between the leopold and the filco. My brain is telling me to wait for the leopold. It's $40 cheaper, supposed to be basically the same keyboard, and I can get blank keys ordered with it.

But my heart is telling me to just buy the filco right now. :|

[Zhuni]

Right now I'm just stuck between the leopold and the filco. My brain is telling me to wait for the leopold. It's $40 cheaper, supposed to be basically the same keyboard, and I can get blank keys ordered with it.

But my heart is telling me to just buy the filco right now. :|

Go with the heart......otherwise it will just eat away at you till you crack

[uurrnn]

Yeah, I think I might just do so. I know they look almost exactly alike, but I still feel like the filco looks better.