« previous next »
Pages:  [1]     Go Down

Author Topic: Best mini mech keyboard?  (Read 6532 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline kwantz

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 84
Best mini mech keyboard?
« on: Wed, 06 July 2011, 11:59:02 »
I was wondering if you guys can give me more options on picking a mechanical keyboard that is tenkeyless but has the smaller footprint for a HHBK, choc mini, KBC poker.

The catch is i am a sc2 gamer, and it must have its own dedicated "F" keys, the only one i see right now is the choc mini.    I may settle for a filco tenkeyless but it would be nice to find something with the smaller footprint.
Logged

Offline daerid

  • Posts: 4276
  • Location: Denver, CO
    • Rossipedia
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #1 on: Wed, 06 July 2011, 12:00:36 »
Smaller than a tenkeyless, but with dedicated F keys? Stumped me there... I'd just suggest the Choc Mini
Logged

Offline Tohveli

  • Posts: 37
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #2 on: Wed, 06 July 2011, 12:01:04 »
The deck 82 is a small keyboard that has dedicated f-keys and also backlighting, check this page for information:

http://www.deckkeyboards.com/product_info.php?products_id=30
Logged
Current stuff: Logitech G11(Rubber domes FTW!!!!...not), Logitech G500(Prediction/form FTW!!!...not), Puretrak talent
In the mail: Zowie Mico and Filco Majestouch-2 Tenkeyless
Do want: Vortex Race

Offline daerid

  • Posts: 4276
  • Location: Denver, CO
    • Rossipedia
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #3 on: Wed, 06 July 2011, 12:01:48 »
I keep forgetting about Deck.. probably because I think they're uglier than sin
Logged

Offline Ascaii

  • Posts: 415
  • Location: Berlin, Germany
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #4 on: Wed, 06 July 2011, 12:02:30 »
does it have to be cherry or would alps work for you? Siig minitouch or GSE KPT-84 could be options for you.
Logged
"Mechanical keyboards are like pokemon:
you start with one, and then you wanna catch em all."

Offline Titmouse

  • Posts: 63
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #5 on: Wed, 06 July 2011, 12:05:58 »
I've been searching for a compact keyboard that has as small a footprint as possible, and has dedicated "F" keys and navigational keys. Choc mini is the closest I've found.
Logged
"Surprise! We threw away your old ugly keyboard and got you a brand new ergonomic keyboard from Microsoft!"  -- Findecanor

Offline Tohveli

  • Posts: 37
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #6 on: Wed, 06 July 2011, 12:06:09 »
Quote from: daerid;374642
I keep forgetting about Deck.. probably because I think they're uglier than sin

Agreed! I don't understand what makes them look so cheap though...
Logged
Current stuff: Logitech G11(Rubber domes FTW!!!!...not), Logitech G500(Prediction/form FTW!!!...not), Puretrak talent
In the mail: Zowie Mico and Filco Majestouch-2 Tenkeyless
Do want: Vortex Race

Offline Titmouse

  • Posts: 63
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #7 on: Wed, 06 July 2011, 12:08:50 »
Does it look better in person?
Logged
"Surprise! We threw away your old ugly keyboard and got you a brand new ergonomic keyboard from Microsoft!"  -- Findecanor

Offline daerid

  • Posts: 4276
  • Location: Denver, CO
    • Rossipedia
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #8 on: Wed, 06 July 2011, 12:26:12 »
Probably. Apparently they're really well made. Couldn't tell by the pictures though.
Logged

Offline Daniel Beaver

  • Posts: 504
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #9 on: Wed, 06 July 2011, 12:40:34 »
The Siig Minitouch fits the bill.
Logged

Home: Topre Realforce 87W45  /  Mionix Naos 3200
Work: Topre Realforce 87B  /  Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer 3.0

Offline False_Dmitry_II

  • Posts: 1107
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #10 on: Wed, 06 July 2011, 23:05:49 »
You could ask MissileMike if he has any more vivanco boards for sale. Here's his last auction for them:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vivanco-KPT-84-Clicky-Compact-Mechanical-Keyboard-NIB-/170657411094?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item27bbf97016

I got one and I quite like it. I use it exclusively when I'm using my laptop.
Logged
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." - Ben Franklin (11 Nov. 1755)

Offline baller1308

  • Posts: 68
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #11 on: Wed, 06 July 2011, 23:21:12 »
Been using the choc mini for a couple of weeks now and I really like it.  I occasionally fat finger the space bar though and get accidental spaces.
Logged
Noppoo Choc Mini [Browns]
HPE 87 [Browns]

Offline jaynoon

  • Posts: 152
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #12 on: Thu, 07 July 2011, 00:35:54 »
Quote from: Tohveli;374649
Agreed! I don't understand what makes them look so cheap though...

It's the Lord of the Rings font. Makes them look completely ridiculous.
Logged
Home: Filco Tenkeyless Brown | Work: KBC Poker w/ Reds | Laptop: MacBook Air Keyboard

Offline Tohveli

  • Posts: 37
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #13 on: Thu, 07 July 2011, 09:15:37 »
would be nice to find a picture of a deck with "normal" key caps
Logged
Current stuff: Logitech G11(Rubber domes FTW!!!!...not), Logitech G500(Prediction/form FTW!!!...not), Puretrak talent
In the mail: Zowie Mico and Filco Majestouch-2 Tenkeyless
Do want: Vortex Race

Offline The Solutor

  • Posts: 2262
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #14 on: Thu, 07 July 2011, 09:17:40 »
Quote from: Tohveli;375352
would be nice to find a picture of a deck with "normal" key caps

 

Just look at bl82, keycaps are the same (larger ones excluded)
Logged
The problem with quotes on the Internet is you never know if they are true  (Abraham Lincoln)

Offline IvanIvanovich

  • Mr. Silk Underwear
  • Posts: 8199
  • Location: USA
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #15 on: Thu, 07 July 2011, 11:03:37 »
A Deck with these keycaps would look quite nice. Deck 82 with standard font = tg3 aka data911. I don't know why Deck doesn't offer an option for the data911 style keycaps, I bet their sales would increase massively.
Logged

Offline BiNiaRiS

  • Posts: 486
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #16 on: Thu, 07 July 2011, 11:47:57 »
Quote from: False_Dmitry_II;375098
You could ask MissileMike if he has any more vivanco boards for sale. Here's his last auction for them:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vivanco-KPT-84-Clicky-Compact-Mechanical-Keyboard-NIB-/170657411094?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item27bbf97016

I got one and I quite like it. I use it exclusively when I'm using my laptop.


I won that and may be putting it up for sale. Would be for a bit more than I got it for though. I opened it up and cut/modded a metal plate into the bottom that doesn't move to give the keyboard some more heft. Without it, it feels like a feather. It also doesn't let the PCB flex as much and has given it a much nicer feel.

PM if you are interested.
Logged

KMAC 2 w/ErgoClears

Offline hoggy

  • * Ergonomics Moderator
  • Posts: 1502
  • Location: Isle of Man
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #17 on: Thu, 07 July 2011, 16:43:18 »
BiNiaRiS, I'd like to see some pictures of that board!

An alternative would be an Access-IS AKC090 - slightly narrower than an hhkb, but xy layout.
Logged
GH Ergonomic Guide (in progress)
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=54680.0

Offline bdpq

  • Posts: 55
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #18 on: Fri, 08 July 2011, 03:23:14 »
Access-IS AKC084 is pretty good too.  


->what a nice looking board!

Plate mounted MX black, ISO layout, full programmable.
However it is pretty hard to find, new one direct from Access is $335 USD!

Any GH'er own one?
Logged
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
where the heck is green?

Offline sordna

  • Posts: 2249
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #19 on: Fri, 08 July 2011, 03:33:21 »
Does anyone know if the Access-IS keyboards (or anything similar) are available in the US ? There's even a tiny AKC048, a pair of which would make a great split keyboard.
Logged
Kinesis Contoured Advantage & Advantage2 LF with Cherry MX Red switches / Extra keys mod / O-ring dampening mod / Dvorak layout. ErgoDox with buzzer and LED mod.
Also: Kinesis Advantage Classic, Kinesis Advantage2, Data911 TG3, Fingerworks Touchstream LP, IBM SSK (Buckling spring), Goldtouch GTU-0077 keyboard

Offline bdpq

  • Posts: 55
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #20 on: Fri, 08 July 2011, 03:45:28 »
They do not have a distributor in United States.  The listing of "Access Inc." in Georgia was just a salesman and he had moved on.  As far as I know, they are going to start a subsidiary in the states but only focuses on the airline industry.  Everything else goes directly through the head office in UK.  I don't know if they'd sell to individuals, even so it'd be quite expensive!
Logged
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
where the heck is green?

Offline Ascaii

  • Posts: 415
  • Location: Berlin, Germany
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #21 on: Sat, 09 July 2011, 11:36:32 »
from what ive read MOQ is 10 boards. So a group buy would be possible...but im afraid most people will not be willing to pay the 200-300 $ for a board.
Logged
"Mechanical keyboards are like pokemon:
you start with one, and then you wanna catch em all."

Offline daerid

  • Posts: 4276
  • Location: Denver, CO
    • Rossipedia
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #22 on: Sat, 09 July 2011, 14:43:32 »
Enough people buy Realforces and HHKBs that you might find enough buyers
Logged

Offline bdpq

  • Posts: 55
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #23 on: Sat, 09 July 2011, 15:23:42 »
Quote from: daerid;376988
Enough people buy Realforces and HHKBs that you might find enough buyers

The price includes all custom double shot keycaps.  now that's pretty good.  But by the time the GHers buyers all agreed on the color and fonts I will probably be too old to type on a keyboard.
Logged
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
where the heck is green?

Offline theferenc

  • Posts: 1327
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #24 on: Sat, 09 July 2011, 18:29:23 »
Quote from: bdpq;376998
The price includes all custom double shot keycaps.  now that's pretty good.  But by the time the GHers buyers all agreed on the color and fonts I will probably be too old to type on a keyboard.

You've noticed that, eh? The only way to get a group order going is to say "here it is, take it or leave it." Otherwise, it just doesn't ever get off the ground.
Logged
HHKB Pro 2 -- Custom UNIX layout Unicomp Customizer 101 -- IBM Model M 1391401 (modded to UNIX layout) -- IBM 1397000 (also UNIX layout) -- SSK in UNIX layout -- Model F 122 key in UNIX layout (Soarer USB "native")
 
CST L-TracX trackball -- Kensington Expert Mouse trackball

Offline daerid

  • Posts: 4276
  • Location: Denver, CO
    • Rossipedia
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #25 on: Sat, 09 July 2011, 21:54:39 »
Quote from: theferenc;377048
You've noticed that, eh? The only way to get a group order going is to say "here it is, take it or leave it." Otherwise, it just doesn't ever get off the ground.

Amen to that.
Logged

Offline cactux

  • Posts: 918
  • Location: Australia
  • Topre Knight
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #26 on: Sun, 10 July 2011, 00:47:00 »
Quote from: theferenc;377048
You've noticed that, eh? The only way to get a group order going is to say "here it is, take it or leave it." Otherwise, it just doesn't ever get off the ground.

100% agree. democracy some times does not work
Logged
[FS]☠ The temple lol ->HERE<-

Offline darkblader

  • Posts: 48
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #27 on: Sun, 10 July 2011, 01:32:06 »
Quote from: lysol;375420
A Deck with these keycaps would look quite nice. Deck 82 with standard font = tg3 aka data911. I don't know why Deck doesn't offer an option for the data911 style keycaps, I bet their sales would increase massively.

 
The German Layout Version Comes Witz this Font.
Logged
CPU : Intel Core i7 920 @ SNK-P0035AP4 | RAM : takeMS 12 Gb DDR3-1333 | GPU : AMD FirePro V4800 1Gb | MOBO : DFI LANparty JR X58-T3H6 | SSD1 : Crucial C300 64 Gb | SSD2 : Intel 320 120 Gb | HDD1 : Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.C 1Tb | PSU : Scythe Stronger 500W[/COLOR]

Filco Majestouch 2 | Topre Realforce 103 U-UW | Deck 82 Ice | KBC Poker | Cherry G81-7000 | Sun Type 7 | Apple Keyboard (MB110D/B)
[/SIZE]

Offline poxeclipse

  • Posts: 171
  • Location: Toronto, Canada
  • Hit me with music ... yes, me friend
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #28 on: Sat, 21 January 2012, 16:27:24 »
Quote from: bdpq;376011
Access-IS AKC084 is pretty good too.  

Show Image

->what a nice looking board!

Plate mounted MX black, ISO layout, full programmable.
However it is pretty hard to find, new one direct from Access is $335 USD!

Any GH'er own one?
Maybe not, I think Access doesn't make them anymore. Anyway, it was removed from their product listing.
I saw only the full version, AKC127, available.
Looks great, I'd love to get one.
Logged

Offline iBro

  • Posts: 139
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #29 on: Sat, 21 January 2012, 22:32:17 »
Quote from: Daniel Beaver;374667
The Siig Minitouch fits the bill.


Aren't those extremely rare?
Logged
Unicomp Space Saver (buckling spring) Silicon Graphics (dampened cream alps) KBC Poker (ghetto reds)

Offline Rumudiez

  • Posts: 184
  • Location: Seattle, WA
Best mini mech keyboard?
« Reply #30 on: Sat, 21 January 2012, 23:54:08 »
i'm a little surprised no one's mentioned the KBT Race. you should check this one out: aside from a couple slightly deformed keys, it seems exactly what you're looking for. gl!
http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/item/mechanical-keyboard-kbt-race-7/new-kbt-race-75-keyboard-mx-re/lid=23924041
Logged
40% layout, anyone?
Pages:  [1]     Go Up
« previous next »