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Author Topic: Das Keyboard- Yay or Nay?  (Read 4345 times)

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Offline Quarzac

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Das Keyboard- Yay or Nay?
« on: Fri, 19 August 2011, 22:34:25 »
Having just sold my Space Saver, I'm now looking to replace it with my first cherry board. I was looking at the Das boards, both blue and brown. I am a fairly heavy typist and gamer, and have read that the browns work pretty well for people like me. I do love my click though (current Model M user!), and have been looking at blues because of that. My search has brought me to the Das Keyboards. Is the quality the best for the ~$100 range? Can I rearrange the keycaps for right handed dvorak? I don't want to spend more than $150, preferably less, and the Das boards have that wonderful student discount. Based on what I have told you (not a lot, I know,) what switches would you guys recommend? I am looking for something lighter than BS. I would prefer not blank keys, as I don't trust my touch typing yet, and I need a numpad. I'm open to all switches but black. Thanks!
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Offline Quarzac

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Das Keyboard- Yay or Nay?
« Reply #1 on: Fri, 19 August 2011, 22:48:44 »
I'm a meticulous hand washer :D

I read that review earlier, but I'll take another look see.
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Offline SecrtAgentMan

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Das Keyboard- Yay or Nay?
« Reply #2 on: Fri, 19 August 2011, 22:49:46 »
Didn't like the glossiness of the Das and it attracted dust/dirt easily.
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Offline Playtrumpet

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Das Keyboard- Yay or Nay?
« Reply #3 on: Fri, 19 August 2011, 22:57:34 »
I have a Das with Browns and I will say that if you never use the numpad, you may want to consider some tenkeyless keyboards first, because the numpad really does make using a mouse a little less comfortable.

The glossy finish - WILL get dusty/dirty if you don't take care of it. I find just wiping mine down with a tissue or cloth once in a while keeps it in fine condition, but this thing is a fingerprint magnet so be aware of that. Also, it shows scratches very easy, though this can be remedied with some sort of polish or finish of some kind I'm sure.

The key tops I find very good quality though I can't speak to lettering on the keys as I have the Ultimate version which is completely blank. The blue light indicators for Caps Lock, Num Lock and Scroll Lock look very nice as well.

I'd take into account these factors as well as what kind of deal you can get. If you can get a better deal on Filco, I say go for it. If you get basically the same price on both, it'll have to be a judgment call. Despite the cons I listed, this is a solid keyboard and I'm very happy with it and I do recommend the blank version if you're willing to truly type blind. ^_^
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Dvorak

Offline Quarzac

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Das Keyboard- Yay or Nay?
« Reply #4 on: Fri, 19 August 2011, 23:06:13 »
I have gone so long with a numpad that I could never go without one. I take good care of my stuff, so I don't think I'll have any trouble with the gloss. I was most curious about competitively priced boards that I may have missed and the idea of Browns vs. Blues (Again, I know.) I've read all the wiki material on the matter and I still don't know which to go with.
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Wyse buy colors were GSY for the dark grey, GBA for the light grey, and BBI for the fonts.

Offline Playtrumpet

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Das Keyboard- Yay or Nay?
« Reply #5 on: Fri, 19 August 2011, 23:27:47 »
Ah, ok. This is something I went back on forth with for my first mech board too.

Browns, about 5g less force required (some don't notice this difference, but I do) to actuate your key. The tactile bump (in my HUMBLE opinion) does not make it so much easier to avoid bottoming out your keys (yes, both blues and browns have the tactile bump), but I like the feeling of bottoming out, so meh. The bump does give a nice confirmation of a key being actuated which I consider its best quality. I think it comes down to just a few things. NOISE is one of them.. The blues of course give that wonderful extra click at the top on which some people base their entire purchase. Browns are a bit quieter of course, and you do have the ability to get quieter than people suggest when they tell you how loud browns still are despite being advertised as much quieter than blues.

I think Browns will give you a smoother typing experience and remember again the 5g less force you use, but without being able to try the keyboards first, I understand your dilema. It's a hard first decision.
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Dvorak

Offline Quarzac

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Das Keyboard- Yay or Nay?
« Reply #6 on: Fri, 19 August 2011, 23:57:42 »
Sense says go brown so I won't have to get a new board for college, but part of me wants to get a new board for college.
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Wyse buy colors were GSY for the dark grey, GBA for the light grey, and BBI for the fonts.

Offline skyblue

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Das Keyboard- Yay or Nay?
« Reply #7 on: Sat, 20 August 2011, 10:55:21 »
I own both a Das and a Filco and I agree with Ripster - they are comparable in quality, so for ~$100 I would say the Das is a good buy. Just go with whichever one you like the look of.

I take good care of my stuff so the glossy Das wasn't a problem for me; when people are over they always compliment the Das but ignore the Filco T_T.............
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Offline Rafen

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Das Keyboard- Yay or Nay?
« Reply #8 on: Sat, 20 August 2011, 11:58:58 »
http://techcrunch.com/2009/05/12/interesting-bug-with-the-das-keyboard/

This is the one thing that stopped me from buying a Das and getting a Leopold.
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Offline Atenacius

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Das Keyboard- Yay or Nay?
« Reply #9 on: Sat, 20 August 2011, 15:05:04 »
The gloss is so sexy in the dark when it reflects the light from your monitor. I don't have a huge problem with finger prints. Who touches the case when you're typing?
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Offline teraflame

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Das Keyboard- Yay or Nay?
« Reply #10 on: Sat, 20 August 2011, 20:51:40 »
I would rather get a WASD semi-custom at this point. Glossy is really unattractive.
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Offline JustCallMeCrash

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Das Keyboard- Yay or Nay?
« Reply #11 on: Sat, 20 August 2011, 21:57:52 »
I'll add my one vote for the Das.  I love mine.  I've modded my other boards to be as matte as possible, but the gloss and the action on this Das is GREAT.  I prefer the sound from my PBT keycaps to the ABS that come on it from the factory, so that's one thing to think about.
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ErgoDoxen 6 total: Cherry MX Browns, Cherry MX Clears, NovelKeys Box Royal, 80g Gateron Yellows, NovelKeys Pale Blues, NovelKeys Box Navy.
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Offline Wihl

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Das Keyboard- Yay or Nay?
« Reply #12 on: Sat, 20 August 2011, 22:57:20 »
As for tenkeyless vs standard: I love tenkeyless layouts and I love the numpad (or rather, need). You can get the both of two worlds and buy a separate numpad that you can have to the right of your mousepad or to the left of your keyboard. Having a shorter keyboard has helped me sit a lot more comfortably in front of the computer. After trying it; I'm never going back.
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Offline Quarzac

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Das Keyboard- Yay or Nay?
« Reply #13 on: Sat, 20 August 2011, 23:24:42 »
I dunno if I could find a separate keypad that matched perfectly though, and if it didn't, it would drive me crazy. I think I'm gonna go with the Das, because it's the best deal price wise. I just gotta decide between blues and browns now.
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Offline Playtrumpet

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Das Keyboard- Yay or Nay?
« Reply #14 on: Sun, 21 August 2011, 00:00:26 »
Quote from: Quarzac;402518
I dunno if I could find a separate keypad that matched perfectly though, and if it didn't, it would drive me crazy. I think I'm gonna go with the Das, because it's the best deal price wise. I just gotta decide between blues and browns now.

Bam, it's nice to narrow things down.

Simple decision based on a few things that I've mentioned. Sound - want a mellow and can-get-quiet sort of tap with a nice, soft sort of feel from the Browns? Or do you want a satisfying click with a similar but slightly more crisp feel. Touch - I find that if you just think about the different feels of the switches long enough, you can almost imagine them under your fingers.

This was true for me before I got my Das (Brown) having heard and seen reviews, sound tests and everything I could find written about the switches. I knew the exact feel I was gonna get with the Browns and there was no surprise when I first tried it. I think that's something you could try to do before making your final decision.. Really try to imagine the feel of each switch and just pick your favorite. =P (This is of course if you can't easily find a place to test out the keyboards/switches beforehand)
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Dvorak

Offline Quarzac

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Das Keyboard- Yay or Nay?
« Reply #15 on: Sun, 21 August 2011, 00:33:08 »
I've heard that the browns are very quiet/ not very tactile though. But I have also read the opposite. I'm not sure what to believe. Also, as a not so good touch typist, I was kicking around the idea of getting the ultimate to force myself to learn. Is that a bad idea?
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Offline SBI

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Das Keyboard- Yay or Nay?
« Reply #16 on: Sun, 21 August 2011, 04:30:56 »
Well, it depends how quick of a learner you are. Back when I truly learned to touch type, I got a spraycan and took an old keyboard. Had about the same effect. I struggled for a day or two, but after that I was flying. Now I really couldn't care less about what's printend on my keyboard, which is a great advantage if you have an uncommon layout (swiss german) because you can just get any other ISO Keyboard and be happy.
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Offline Wihl

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Das Keyboard- Yay or Nay?
« Reply #17 on: Sun, 21 August 2011, 07:17:53 »
If you know any store that sells computer gear you can go check out the black widow (blue) and possibly even the zowie celeritas (brown). I know the BW box over here has a hole so that you can try pressing some of the keys.
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Offline teraflame

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Das Keyboard- Yay or Nay?
« Reply #18 on: Sun, 21 August 2011, 14:28:56 »
Quote from: Quarzac;402542
I've heard that the browns are very quiet/ not very tactile though. But I have also read the opposite. I'm not sure what to believe. Also, as a not so good touch typist, I was kicking around the idea of getting the ultimate to force myself to learn. Is that a bad idea?

In my experience, the filco browns I had felt underwhelming. I expected it to be more tactile but instead its like a slightly resistant bump as you press down. I have blues now and you can really feel the click which I prefer. Browns are still quite loud when typing.
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Offline spitfire6000

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Das Keyboard- Yay or Nay?
« Reply #19 on: Mon, 22 August 2011, 08:29:04 »
I had two defective das professional silent S boards, both brand new and both had some problems.

Youll notice if you look closely at the glossy finish right when you take it out of the box, there WILL be tiny scratches everywhere, because its impossible to get the kb into its box without scratching its sides. This information was given to me directly from a person who has knowledge of all the workings of that specific das/filco/etc. factory.

Keep in mind these mech keyboards are supposed to be lasting 5x longer than a regular board...meaning basically 10 years or more. If your Das comes brand new with scratches and buff marks on the encasing on day 1, imagine what it will look like in only 2-3 years O.o

I second the suggestion to order a WASD keyboard. I have not tried them but they look legit, and Filco is just too hard to get nowadays (also 40 dollars more exp).

If the glossy finish doesn't bother you and you can ignore how messy it will look, the Das keyboards are GREAT in actual functionality. I had the brown switch ones, and they seemed to be excellent on the inside. Also, the shape of the das is very nicely designed...if it weren't for that crappy shiny casing, this keyboard would have been A+++
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Offline Quarzac

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Das Keyboard- Yay or Nay?
« Reply #20 on: Mon, 22 August 2011, 13:06:01 »
Ok, so now I am reneging on what I previously said. I noticed I can get a Cherry G80-3000 for around $80, which seems like a good deal. However, can someone clear up for me whether or not you need to be able to solder to change switches on these boards? It seems comparable to the Das for blues, and I was thinking it could be a more cost effective way to try different switches.
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Wyse buy colors were GSY for the dark grey, GBA for the light grey, and BBI for the fonts.

Offline Quarzac

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Das Keyboard- Yay or Nay?
« Reply #21 on: Mon, 22 August 2011, 13:13:33 »
Quote from: ripster;403337
I'm not certain about the G80-3000 but Cherry has an affinity for Jumpers so desoldering switches is a bit of a PITA on most Cherry Corp keyboards.  But being pcb mounted opening up the MX switches is easy for stem/spring swaps.

I saw a video of a guy just popping them off with tweezers. Can you not do that on a plate mounted board? Why would I need to desolder if I can switch stems and springs that way? Also, how can I be sure I'm not gonna end up with a big ass enter key?
« Last Edit: Mon, 22 August 2011, 13:28:26 by Quarzac »
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Risen from the dead for a model F.

Wyse buy colors were GSY for the dark grey, GBA for the light grey, and BBI for the fonts.
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