I have decided to experience a mechanical keyboard...

[forTruce]

So, as the title of the thread says, I have decided to experience my first mechanical keyboard.  After doing lots of reading (I research my purchases far too much), I have decided to go for a filco tkl w/ browns.  Now that I have decided I am getting extremely impatient for Amazon to get their next shipment in!  Just thought I would let you guys know you have probably converted yet another, and thanks to all on these forums because you have helped me make my decision!

[RSSonic92]

I want to get the same, would you mind posting your experiences with it when it arrived?

[forTruce]

I will definitely be posting back here the day it arrives about my first impression.  I'm just waiting for Amazon to get their shipment, which I hear is already been shipped out to them.  I'm checking every day...multiple times a day haha.

[Quarzac]

Why not just get a Leopold? Apparently the quality is comparable, you save about $20-$30, and you can get it now from elitekeyboards.
Link:
http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,tenkeyless&pid=fc200rtab

[flaming_june]

From experience filco has a higher resell value than the leopold.  Maybe it's best he goes high at first so he can still get most of it back after if he decides to resell it and get something else.

[Quarzac]

Hmm... That's true. I guess it depends on what you're looking to spend and how sure you are that browns are for you.

[forTruce]

Why not just get a Leopold? Apparently the quality is comparable, you save about $20-$30, and you can get it now from elitekeyboards.

I thought about getting a Leopold, but after doing some research on Leopold vs. Filco I didn't like hearing that a few people thought the Leopold stabilizers didn't feel as nice as Filco's.  Also, if I'm already going to be spending 100+$, the extra 20-30 for the reassurance is worth it imo.  As far as browns vs. blues, I picked browns because I do a lot of gaming, and the research I did suggested they might be a bit better for my purposes.  This is my first mechanical keyboard though, and I am definitely unsure if browns will be my favorite, they do seem a good start though.

Even though I'm not going for the Leopold, thanks for pointing it out in case I hadn't seen it.

[Quarzac]

I thought about getting a Leopold, but after doing some research on Leopold vs. Filco I didn't like hearing that a few people thought the Leopold stabilizers didn't feel as nice as Filco's.  Also, if I'm already going to be spending 100+$, the extra 20-30 for the reassurance is worth it imo.  As far as browns vs. blues, I picked browns because I do a lot of gaming, and the research I did suggested they might be a bit better for my purposes.  This is my first mechanical keyboard though, and I am definitely unsure if browns will be my favorite, they do seem a good start though.

Even though I'm not going for the Leopold, thanks for pointing it out in case I hadn't seen it.

No problem. I do a lot of gaming too, and I ended up going with blues for my first cherry board. I think you're probably making the right choice, as the tactility of the blues kind of bothers me when gaming. It's not bad once I get into the swing of things, but I can see why so many people like linear boards for gaming. I love it when typing though, and with college applications and school almost upon me, that's probably more important. A Model M is fantastic for gaming and typing though, in my opinion, if you don't mind the appearance. An awful lot cheaper too. That might be worth considering for your next mech, provided the browns suit you. Best of luck!

[forTruce]

No problem. I do a lot of gaming too, and I ended up going with blues for my first cherry board. I think you're probably making the right choice, as the tactility of the blues kind of bothers me when gaming. It's not bad once I get into the swing of things, but I can see why so many people like linear boards for gaming. I love it when typing though, and with college applications and school almost upon me, that's probably more important. A Model M is fantastic for gaming and typing though, in my opinion, if you don't mind the appearance. An awful lot cheaper too. That might be worth considering for your next mech, provided the browns suit you. Best of luck!

We seem to be in similar boats.  I'm just getting back into the swing of school as well.  Have you ever used browns yourself?  Thanks for the suggestion on the Model M's as well.  I see that keyboard thrown around on here often and I have been kinda interested, might have to pick one up for the hell of it.  They are extremely ugly though, I don't think I could use it as my main keyboard for that reason haha.  Where would one go about getting a Model M in the states?

[Quarzac]

Easy way? eBay. You can also get Model M equivalents from Unicomp. I haven't used browns yet, as I just got into cherry boards a couple weeks ago, and I don't have a job yet from which to finance all these expensive toys. They're probably going to be my next switch though.

[forTruce]

Money, always holding us back!  I have a part time job at my uni, but I only work 10 hours a week at minimum wage...doesn't really increase my budget much.  Not to mention the fact I just bough a Dell u2311h monitor and want to get a good sound card and headset.  I'm going for broke as it is.

[NumberJ]

Awesome. It's really not possible to go wrong with a filco with browns. Filcos are great and browns are a great starter switch.

[AlleyViper]

We seem to be in similar boats.  I'm just getting back into the swing of school as well.  Have you ever used browns yourself?  Thanks for the suggestion on the Model M's as well.  I see that keyboard thrown around on here often and I have been kinda interested, might have to pick one up for the hell of it.  They are extremely ugly though, I don't think I could use it as my main keyboard for that reason haha.  Where would one go about getting a Model M in the states?

Not that it's the most beautiful thing on earth (they really should change that print), but a unicomp spacesaver in black/light grey keys can pass for something more mid 90s than 80s (not that there's anything wrong with a classic board).

[thebilgerat]

Very few people have reviewed the Leopold brown boards, although there has been a lot of supposition surrounding them.

I hear their ping resale is also less.

[False_Dmitry_II]

Well, you can always make a model M look better than they start out.

[forTruce]

The Model M Space Saver is actually a good looking keyboard imo.  I guess it's just the proportions that I really don't like with the regular Model M compared to the Space Saver.  It's just too bad that space savers are about 4-5x more expensive than normal Model M's.

[forTruce]

Since you're going to order a Filco Brown Cherry let me just say.... Excellent Choice!

Would you like to see the Dessert menu?

Please no, my wallet is already hurting very badly as of late.  Just put in my order for the Filco and also bought a Dell u2311h monitor and plan on purchasing a new sound card and headset too :/.  Also, I'm already looking into purchasing an IBM Model M.  You have done enough for the moment haha!

[Lolcakes]

Please no, my wallet is already hurting very badly as of late.  Just put in my order for the Filco and also bought a Dell u2311h monitor and plan on purchasing a new sound card and headset too :/.  Also, I'm already looking into purchasing an IBM Model M.  You have done enough for the moment haha!

I would say excellent choice with the u2311h monitor too (= As far as I know thats the only low (relatively) priced IPS panel ^^ They are very nice at that

[Chobopants]

I would say excellent choice with the u2311h monitor too (= As far as I know thats the only low (relatively) priced IPS panel ^^ They are very nice at that

I have a U2410 and my company orders them for everyone. Amazing monitors. I got mine on sale for $400.

[Lolcakes]

I have a U2410 and my company orders them for everyone. Amazing monitors. I got mine on sale for $400.

Nice! 400$ for u2410 is an awesome price... Here they are £400 >.>, I wish i had one though.
I am using an old Nec 2070NX ips model, i still love 4:3 (:
I hate how all monitors  these days are 16:9 or 16:10 ):

[TacticalCoder]

Well, you can always make a model M look better than they start out.

Indeed.  A regular (hence cheap) Model M + $20 NOS industrial shell from Unicomp for a start : )

[False_Dmitry_II]

An $8 can of VHT vinyl dye spray paint plus a box of rit dye for the keys is cheaper.

[AlleyViper]

The Model M Space Saver is actually a good looking keyboard imo.  I guess it's just the proportions that I really don't like with the regular Model M compared to the Space Saver.  It's just too bad that space savers are about 4-5x more expensive than normal Model M's.

Refer to my first post, you have the actual Unicomp Space Saver as an alternative to a vintage IBM branded SS. $79 for a brand new buckling spring board could be less than that, if it's really what you want.
Other users will point you what differences to expect, though.

For U2311H OTs, this is really a great monitor for the price. The only drawback is that this isn't a full featured (s)ips panel, it's only a 6bit per channel e-ips like most TN color-wise. Meaning it does only 262K solid colors instead of 16.7M like a true 8bit U2410. Fortunately the fast temporal dithering combined with a relatively small dot pitch, and topped with an heavy anti glare coating that is already noise inducing, makes it less way noticeable.

[theferenc]

AlleyViper, the Unicomp space saver is a full 104 (or 101) key keyboard. It's a standard Model M in a smaller case, basically. The IBM SSK is a tenkeyless Model M, and is much smaller.

Totally different keyboards.

Also, I love my U2410s, and plan to get another in the near future. The Model M is NOT ugly, you just apparently have poor taste in keyboards (I keed, I keed). But I actually prefer the vintage look to the more modern look of the leopolds and filcos. Then again, I prefer 4:3 monitors, and absolutely loathe 16:9. 16:10 is decent though, and hella cheaper than a new 4:3 monitor, as the only instances of those I am aware of are high end NECs and medical monitors (both of which are in the multiple thousands of dollars range).

[forTruce]

Refer to my first post, you have the actual Unicomp Space Saver as an alternative to a vintage IBM branded SS. $79 for a brand new buckling spring board could be less than that, if it's really what you want.
Other users will point you what differences to expect, though.

For U2311H OTs, this is really a great monitor for the price. The only drawback is that this isn't a full featured (s)ips panel, it's only a 6bit per channel e-ips like most TN color-wise. Meaning it does only 262K solid colors instead of 16.7M like a true 8bit U2410. Fortunately the fast temporal dithering combined with a relatively small dot pitch, and topped with an heavy anti glare coating that is already noise inducing, makes it less way noticeable.

Aside from the differences b/w the two that theferenc pointed out, I am not sure whether or not I would rather get a new one, since I generally go with new over used, or a used (vintage) one for the sake of having a vintage original board (bragging rights essentially).  On the note of the monitor, I didn't have the price to drop for a 2410 unfortunately.  I considered the differences and concluded that, for my uses (gaming + media), the extra performance wasn't worth the extra price.  Who knows if that conclusion will change when I get my first look at my entry level IPS display though.

Also, I love my U2410s, and plan to get another in the near future. The Model M is NOT ugly, you just apparently have poor taste in keyboards (I keed, I keed). But I actually prefer the vintage look to the more modern look of the leopolds and filcos. Then again, I prefer 4:3 monitors, and absolutely loathe 16:9. 16:10 is decent though, and hella cheaper than a new 4:3 monitor, as the only instances of those I am aware of are high end NECs and medical monitors (both of which are in the multiple thousands of dollars range).

The more and more I visit this website the more and more I seem to like the vintage look.  It's coming on slowly.  For instance, I really like the light greyish keycaps on the HHKB's.  I consider that to be the first step, as before I couldn't stand the lighter colored keycaps.  I showed the HHKB to my gf and almost had dump her when she said it was ugly!  I must say though, monitor-wise, you are one crazy person! haha

[Quarzac]

Dumping a girlfriend over a keyboard.

Well, you're finally where you belong.

[AlleyViper]

Oh sorry for the misinf, it was a nomenclature problem due to Unicomp still using the Space saver moniker. I thought there was actually a matching early 90s IBM keyboard with the current Unicomp SS case (like Cherry did from Gx-1000 to 3000), as I see the smaller TK usually referred as "Mini".

Btw, I'm also a happy camper with a U2311H for some months. The newer U2412M is 16:9, LED backlit, and 6bit e-ips making it $100 cheaper than the older (and better on all fronts) U2410.
The newer U2312HM seems to only replace the 4 CCFL with LED backlight (a big step back, imho, but only reviews will tell).

[forTruce]

Dumping a girlfriend over a keyboard.

Well, you're finally where you belong.

My keyboard never talks back, ask me to do anything, or expect me to buy it any pretty accessories (though I do anyway).
 

Oh sorry for the misinf, it was a nomenclature problem due to Unicomp still using the Space saver moniker. I thought there was actually a matching early 90s IBM keyboard with the current Unicomp SS case (like Cherry did from Gx-1000 to 3000), as I see the smaller TK usually referred as "Mini".

Btw, I'm also a happy camper with a U2311H for some months. The newer U2412M is 16:9, LED backlit, and 6bit e-ips making it $100 cheaper than the older (and better on all fronts) U2410.
The newer U2312HM seems to only replace the 4 CCFL with LED backlight (a big step back, imho, but only reviews will tell).

I saw how both the newer M models were seemingly worse than their predecessors which really baffled me.  It's not like Dell is unaware that they are diminishing the quality, but I guess it gives them some better budget models.  Like I said though, I might graduate to the 2410 someday in the near future, but, as a college student, I have to work with a budget :/.

[pitashen]

I own a mech board using cherry style stabilizer (used in Leopold) and love it regardless. Sure it makes the typing feel different, but it is by no means (should not be) a deal breaker. I always like to praise the fact that with cherry style stabilizer you can pull the keycaps right off for maintenance without worrying about how to put them back.

I always like to tell first time buyer focus on the switch u want and the style and build quality of the keyboard. Any other details only add to the difficulty of making decisions when they may be so minor/irrelevant to most people (especially first time user).

[forTruce]

I own a mech board using cherry style stabilizer (used in Leopold) and love it regardless. Sure it makes the typing feel different, but it is by no means (should not be) a deal breaker. I always like to praise the fact that with cherry style stabilizer you can pull the keycaps right off for maintenance without worrying about how to put them back.

I always like to tell first time buyer focus on the switch u want and the style and build quality of the keyboard. Any other details only add to the difficulty of making decisions when they may be so minor/irrelevant to most people (especially first time user).

That is very true.  I doubt I would have known or disliked the leopold in any way, especially having nothing to compare it to.  However, I was already on the fence between the filco and leopold in terms of aesthetics.  I liked the way the filco tkl looked more than the leopold tkl (i know they are very similar haha), so the stabilizers was more of just an excuse to go for filco.

When trying out other switch types in the future I will probably pick up a leopold board and see how I like it.  Who knows, I may prefer the feel of the leopold in the end since it is all so subjective.