Seeking advice to buy my new keyboard after 12 years

[cosimo]

Hi everyone,

I've been (happily) using a split SK-6000, like this one here, http://www.aaaxpro.com/Sale/DSC_7728.JPG for more than 10 years.
Now after several cleaning cycles, it's time to replace it, as space bar and a few other keys are not working well anymore.

A couple of weeks ago I discovered geekhack. I had never thought of finding so many keyboard maniacs like myself :)
Well, I've been looking at lots of posts, etc... and I have almost decided on a Filco Majestouch 2 Ninja TKL, USA layout.

Now, questions:

[*] TKL or not TKL? I never find myself using the keypad, so I would say TKL, but ... advice?
[*] What switch type? Reading all posts etc.. I would say browns. I don't use my keyboard for gaming, just programming/typing. What about reds? I think I would prefer, at least from what I read the so-called tactile feeling.
[*] HHKB looks really cool, but how do you do without page up/down f.ex.? That must be horrible. Any of you that can share experiences?
[*] I would also like to customize a few keycaps. Is that doable easily on the Filco Majestouch 2, considering that orders must be shipped in Europe?
[/LIST]

Another, really important question.

Coming from a split keyboard like the SK-6000, even if just a rubber dome, I'm now very used to that particular position of my hands. Last week, I randomly found in the trash bin of recycled hardware at work a perfectly working Unicomp Model-M style mechanical clicky keyboard. I've been typing with it for a while and it's a great keyboard, even if a bit loud for an office with 3 people, but it clearly felt a bit innatural for my wrists to type with such a keyboard. I think the MJ2 can easily be my new keyboard, but is it possible to find a mechanical split keyboard of some sort out there?

Thanks for reading.

[hcry4]

Got used to Fn key for the PgUp/PgDn keys. Needed to change the left meta key to Fn for accessing function keys on the number row.

[hoggy]

You can quiet the unicomp with extra wide dental floss.  Pop off the key (buy a keypuller first!), and insert a length of the floss into the spring.  Replace the cap.  The feel of the keys is almost the same and it's a noticeable reduction in sound.  Still quite loud though.  If you don't want it, someone here will buy it from you.

I'm a big fan of the kinesis advantage - http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/.  Not cheap but totally worth it.

[cosimo]

Agreed, kinesis is fantastic, but I'm a bit scared... :-)

[civet]

Knowing what I know, I'd go for either a blue cherry G80-3000 or a blue cherry Filco tenkeyless. (blue as in blue switch, lol)

[hazeluff]

If sound is a huge factor choose brown over blue. They both have a tactile/click, but blue just makes a ton of extra clicky noise.

[Kamikaze K]

As to your question of TKL...   I was hesitant about it when I first found out about them... like you, I rarely used the numpad but even then I was worried I would miss it.  I took the plunge anyway and from the get go I was loving the extra space it gave me!  After a little while with it I really didn't miss it one bit!  The added ergonomics of having the mouse closer in is a big plus also.  I'm a total TKL convert... my only full size board I own is the Ducky Shine (there are no TKL models yet)... the rest are all TKLs.  Try it out... You'll love it!

[hoggy]

Agreed, kinesis is fantastic, but I'm a bit scared... :-)

Well worth the money.  Perhaps you could buy from a site with a returns policy that will give you enough time to try it out properly.  It might take a week or two to adjust (most likely it will be more than a week - especially if you haven't changed keyboards much in the last 12 years.)


Most members here end up buying several boards - even if they didn't intend to.  The Filco is a great item.  Why not get it and then buy the kinesis in a few months time?  I know it might sound sinister, but once you're hooked, you're hooked.

You could get the filco with red switches.  If you find you miss the numpad. then the kinesis/goldtouch number pad comes with brown switches.  If you don't know that you'll miss the numpad - then you won't miss it.  Red switches are selling quite well at the moment so you could recoup more of your money if you decide to sell it.  It would also be easier to arrange a swap if you want a brown or blue switched version instead.

If you can wait, there's a 'try and forward' with a kinesis going on at the mo - but it might be a bit of a wait.  http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?26055-Kinesis-Contoured-Try-amp-Forward

[canthonytucci]

I recently tried out the kinesis and found that I couldn't deal with the split layout (but enjoyed it otherwise). I would definitely recommend it if you think you can get used to using the thumb keys. I found the onboard key-remapping a huge plus as well. Definitely worth a try, and if you keep your boards a long time, the price shouldn't be too hard to swallow.

All that said, since finding this place, I have been through 4 boards: Leopold TKL(sold), HHKB(keeping it) KBC Poker and this Kinesis(which I am trying to trade for something with MX Reds), as well as trying out some of the other older boards that I had laying around my house). It seems to be the norm around here to buy/sell a lot of boards and figure out what you like, and it has worked for me (haven't lost too much money compared to the piece of mind of knowing I've tried out more of my options), though I'm not sure I'm through swapping yet.