Looking for a nice cherry mx red board

[FerretBuster]

Hey guys I just joined geekhack, so hi!

I have been in the market recently for a cherry red board (full board, not tenkeyless), and I really took a liking to filco's - which is kind of a problem, considering the filco with red switches if a limited edition :/ . So I was wondering if you guys know any red boards, which are up to the quality of a filco - or maybe there is some site I could import a filco red from?

[RColinTaylor]

Welcome to Geekhack!

Isotopes is selling his Filco 104 w/ Red Switches for $150 Shipped. http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?23887-Leopold-TKL-(White)-with-MX-Clears-Filco-Majestouch-Limited-w-Red-switches-104key

Elitekeyboards.com sells a full sized Leopold (I would consider it at the same quality of Filco) for about $109 shipped.

Newegg.com sells Rosewills with Red Switches for the $110 price range.

[dimoniy]

Elitekeyboards.com sells a full sized Leopold (I would consider it at the same quality of Filco) for about $109 shipped.

Currently only $99. Got one myself a week ago and loving it so far. Also, there was a deal for red rosewills on newegg, not sure if it's expired or not.

[dorkvader]

as an alternative, you can probably get a CMstorm from PChome for ~115. It's equivalent to the filco TKL

[noodles256]

wlcm2gh

[FerretBuster]

I think this is the filco red limited edition, but I am not sure: (I can't actually link it because I am new here, but it is from the pchome website)

Is there a way I could import this into the UK?

[FerretBuster]

Anyone know where I could import one/buy one?

[HWI]

PCHome ships internationally, so if they have one you should be able to get it np.

[Touch_It]

you could also get a rosewill one from newegg.  idk if its still going on but they were 99 + free shipping. normally 129.99

[LaneWeaver]

Here's the links for the boards everyone's recommended:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823201044&Tpk=rk-9000re

http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,fullsize&pid=fc500rrab

[FerretBuster]

I don't want a leopold. I want a filco, for the quality, compatibility with keycaps - and of course the costar stabilizers.

Also I am from the UK, so i'm afraid newegg is not an option for me. I'm afraid I cannot include the link for the keyboard from PCHome because the forum won't let me post links yet. However I do know it is from their "24hr store", which does not offer international shipping - so does anyone know where I can get one shipped to the UK :/

Edit: although it does technically show on the PCHome website, I think it is out of stock. So unless I can find someone on here who is selling one and willing to ship to the UK I guess I will be out of options. Still can anyone make a suggestion?

[dorkvader]

I don't want a leopold. I want a filco, for the quality, compatibility with keycaps - and of course the costar stabilizers.

Also I am from the UK, so i'm afraid newegg is not an option for me. I'm afraid I cannot include the link for the keyboard from PCHome because the forum won't let me post links yet. However I do know it is from their "24hr store", which does not offer international shipping - so does anyone know where I can get one shipped to the UK :/

Edit: although it does technically show on the PCHome website, I think it is out of stock. So unless I can find someone on here who is selling one and willing to ship to the UK I guess I will be out of options. Still can anyone make a suggestion?

as far as I know, the leopold is compatible in all but the spacebar, and even now there are two different companies that make Leopold-compatible spacebars. The quality should be the same (indeed, the designer himself says the leopold is better, though he didn't mention specifics). I don't have either, so I have no first-hand experience.

I looked into pictures of filco tenkeyless, and it is very similar to the CMstorm. One major difference is that the CMstorm have moved a screw over an inch or so to make room for the USB input.

If PChome is out of stock, they will get more soon. I have a CMstorm, and I would recommend it. I wolud also recommend getting some grease, as none of the stabilisers come greased, unlike WASD.

Speaking of which, WASD will have red (and ISO) in soon, though I don't know what they charge for international shipping.

[fusedpro]

The CMstowm also has a rubberized coating over the keyboard chassis that, if it is anything like my Logitech G9 mouse, will start to peel with time. I don't think the keyboard has been out long enough for anything conclusive, though. Assuming the coating does hold up well, the keyboard looks damn nice if you want a cheaper red tenkeyless.

[keyboardlover]

^ This from the guy who doesn't own a Leopold.

That's like saying Duckys are better than Filcos without owning one.

Carl Matsu designed your favorite keyboard. Yet you troll him.

[dorkvader]

^ This from the guy who doesn't own a Leopold.

That's like saying Duckys are better than Filcos without owning one.

Carl Matsu designed your favorite keyboard. Yet you troll him.

Carl Matsu gets no love

The CMstowm also has a rubberized coating over the keyboard chassis that, if it is anything like my Logitech G9 mouse, will start to peel with time. I don't think the keyboard has been out long enough for anything conclusive, though. Assuming the coating does hold up well, the keyboard looks damn nice if you want a cheaper red tenkeyless.

I thought about that, too, but I'm happy with it chipping off over time, (I like the rugged "has been used" look) but the coating is fairly well bonded to the plastic of the case, so I don't think it'll delaminate. I tried to etch some off with a fingernail, and completely failed.

[hasu]

OP:
I have a G80-3600, which has very smoother switch than Poker's. I can say these two switches different feel clearly.
My recommendation is G80-3600 if they are still available.
I have no Filco nor Leopold, so I cannot say about which board is better, though.

keyboardlover:
Do you know whether Carl Matsu also does design Majestouch 2 or not?
And whether his *FUD* apply to Majestouch 2 or not?

[sleeprae]

I've owned a Filco red, Leopold red, and Rosewill black (I didn't think I'd like the heavier keys, but I had to try it). Ignoring the switch type for a moment, I personally liked the Filco and the Rosewill over the Leopold. The Leopold is, without question, a quality unit, but it has a considerably different feel than the Filco. The Rosewill had different switches making it tougher to compare, but it felt very similar to a Filco to me. It's hard to describe the difference, but I guess I'd say that the Leopold just doesn't feel as light and crisp--whatever that really means.

If I were buying a red now, I'd probably buy the Rosewill given the price/availability of the Filco. I'm thinking of getting another one anyway, actually...

[enoy21]

I too am in the market for a red now but I can't decide if I want to get a TenKeyless or a full 104 unit.  I like the size of my Filco but it limits me to being unable to take it to work. I would like to take the browns to work and give the blues to my fiance who never games at all on the PC.  But the blues are stuck at work until I decide on a red and whether I'm willing to use a USB ten key pad at work.

I may end up waiting for the WASD red switch release and pick one up then as they have some excellent quality at a great price.  Then I can get the black board with white keys and not have to go through the hassle of buying a board + extra set of keys.

[RiGS]

OP:
I have a G80-3600, which has very smoother switch than Poker's. I can say these two switches different feel clearly.
My recommendation is G80-3600 if they are still available.
I have no Filco nor Leopold, so I cannot say about which board is better, though.

Did you try to change the keycaps?

[keyboardlover]

keyboardlover:
Do you know whether Carl Matsu also does design Majestouch 2 or not?
And whether his *FUD* apply to Majestouch 2 or not?

Unfortunately I do not know. I will send him an email and ask him.

Here is my interview with him.

[JustCallMeCrash]

I'm going to second the Rosewill with Reds... I got one about 3 weeks ago and I love it.  I swapped to it from my Das, if that says anything.

[hasu]

Unfortunately I do not know. I will send him an email and ask him.

Here is my interview with him.

Thanks.

Did you try to change the keycaps?

Umm, interesting story.
I think switch itself is questionable, because when removing keycap G80 is still smooth while Poker not.
But better keycaps could improve some key feeling, maybe I will try to swap keycaps between these two board.

[RiGS]

Thanks. Please report back.
I suspect the spring material could be also different, or maybe the factory screwed the lubing.
If you excluded the spring and the keycap, I would try to apply some RO-59 on the switch slider.
I think after applying some lubricant they should be equally smooth.

[NG7]

Welcome to Geekhack.

Sorry, no.  The Limited Edition Filco R is the best because that's the one I have.
(Attachment Link) 31937[/ATTACH] (Attachment Link) 31938[/ATTACH] (Attachment Link) 31939[/ATTACH]

Where'd you get those keycaps from?

[keyboardlover]

keyboardlover:
Do you know whether Carl Matsu also does design Majestouch 2 or not?
And whether his *FUD* apply to Majestouch 2 or not?

I asked him. Here is his reply:

Are you  checking Maje2 structure?
 The structure is same as Maje1.
 Maje1 and Maje2 are different only PCB.
 Maje2 uses FR4,it's obvious,not special.
 They still have same defect....

[hasu]

Thank you.

I am still wondering what the defect is and why he referred it.
He seems not to have good relationship with Diatec any more.

[RPro]

The Rosewill RK-9000RE (Cherry Red) is on sale in the US at newegg.com for $100.

In Canada, there is a 20% off promo from the $130 CDN price (ouch). Luckily for me I got it last week on sale with a giftcard from a previous newegg.ca promo.

My C key already faded though - damn you laser-etching!

[nhwhaup]

I have a full sized Filco Limited Edition with Reds with PBT white key caps that I am not using and might be persuaded to sell.  It is in mint condition and the white key caps are awesome.  Have all the original black key caps that could go with it.  

I'm not using it due to having a new Realforce 87U Silent edition that is now my workhorse keyboard.  At home my keyboard tray is small and if I use a full sized keyboard then I have to move the mouse to the top of the desk which makes the whole set up awkward.

[hasu]

OP:
I have a G80-3600, which has very smoother switch than Poker's. I can say these two switches different feel clearly.

I found cherry enclosure marking on the two keyboard is apparently differently. You can see?

[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 34176[/ATTACH]

[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 34177[/ATTACH]

[RiGS]

I found cherry enclosure marking on the two keyboard is apparently differently. You can see?

(Attachment Link) 34176[/ATTACH]

(Attachment Link) 34177[/ATTACH]

I think the second picture is from your Poker.
I believe this isn't what makes the difference. The ESC on my Steelseries has the same marking as on the first picture, however the rest of the switches have that second one.
All of them feel scratchy to me.

Several geekhackers reported that their switches weren't lubed by the factory. This could cause a major difference in feel.
Since both of your keyboards are PCB mounted, you can easily open a few switches without any soldering, and check the metal leaf for any traces of silicon lube.
It should be lubed at two spots where the two legs of the plastic slider hit the metal leaf.

[hasu]

I agree with you guys. I don't think upper enclosure itself is source of different friction feel, too.
But different marked enclosures indicate those switches from different manufacturing lots, dates or factories?

RiGS, you are right, first picture is switch from G80-3600LYCEU and second from Poker.
BTW, I got a brown Poker today and its switch has same marking as G80.

[Clickey]

I don't want a leopold. I want a filco, for the quality, compatibility with keycaps - and of course the costar stabilizers.

Also I am from the UK, so i'm afraid newegg is not an option for me. I'm afraid I cannot include the link for the keyboard from PCHome because the forum won't let me post links yet. However I do know it is from their "24hr store", which does not offer international shipping - so does anyone know where I can get one shipped to the UK :/

Edit: although it does technically show on the PCHome website, I think it is out of stock. So unless I can find someone on here who is selling one and willing to ship to the UK I guess I will be out of options. Still can anyone make a suggestion?

Where did you get the idea that Filco is higher quality? Because it is not. Leopold use cherry switches and therefore have the same "compatible" keycaps, not to mention the fact that the stock Filco keycaps are some of the worst quality cherry compat keycaps ever made. The spacebar is the only key on the Leo which is different compatibility wise, and the Leo keycaps ARE undoubtably better. If price is no issue you can probably coax a member here or at DT to sell you their Filco red for twice that of a Leo.

[Clickey]

I think it was The McRip Effect.   They either weren't looking in the right place or need their eyes checked.  It's not easy to see unless you are looking for it.  Every switch I've ever taken apart was lubed.

Impressive German Industrial Engineering.  The Chinese Clone switches are lucky if they work electrically.

And btw the upper case doesn't really do all that much for Cherry MX switch feel.

Every switch lubed? No way. Many of the ones I have seen were bone dry.

[Clickey]

BTW Ripster, do you own those keycaps in your avatar, if so where did you get them?