Yet Another Specs and Choices Post

[RedTed]

You know, these forums don't have enough "what should I get" and "why should I get it" posts.

I wanted to share my thoughts and get some confirmation before I called elitekeyboards tomorrow.

Background:
I used old Northgate Omnikey Ultra keyboards in the 1990s and early 2000s - I actually wore out two of them and threw them away before realizing that there was a refurbish market.

I am currently typing on what was a well-built Dell disposable keyboard (I went into the drawer of 20 and pulled the best one out.) It is wearing out and my hands are getting sore. It is time to go mechanical.

My Specs:
Sufficiently quiet to use when taking notes on conference calls
Tactile feedback      
Solid keyrests and feet
To be used for editing, writing, and some basic graphics (keying objects around in illustrator)
I have a mild preference for tenkeyless as it gets the mouse closer to my body.


Conclusions:
I want Cherry Brown switches or Torpre keys
Tenkeyless means I commit to buying a numberpad for when I need it
The numberpad means that I might as well get a programmable pad and put some of the pesky repeated office commands into macros triggered by funky key combinations

Other notes:
I rarely game.   
I don’t like bright lights or backlighting.
I like black keyboards, perhaps with a red escape key.
My computer has a single PS-2 port and a powered USB hub
I had carpal tunnel surgery on my right wrist a few years ago and the wrist and hand are mostly recovered. My right shoulder cramps if I spend too long on the computer, and I blame the mouse for that.
I work in a home office and will not be transporting the keyboard.

Conclusion:
My best choice is a Leopold FC200RT/AB tenkeyless for c. $125 delivered. Cherry brown switches, no o-rings (I want to hear the sound so I can avoid bottoming out as I relearn how to type lightly.)
Based on what I have read here, I will like the feel and balance, love the feet, like the keys, and may or may not be happy with the space bar and enter key. I may decide to get some o-rings for just the large keys. I have to be careful not to drop the keyboard and rip the cord socket out. I can accept that.

Runners up:
Wasd semi-custom - If I wanted a 104-key keyboard, this would be my first choice.
Filco tenkeyless white from Amazon - I like the fixed cable and firmer supports. I can’t stand white keyboards.

Considered and discarded:
Razer Black Widow Stealth - the price is nice, but I am concerned about reliability
DasKeyboard Silent - It is a lot like the Wasd, and the Wasd made me smile more.
Filco tenkeyless in black, imported from England. With shipping and conversion, I could not justify the price.
Torpre keyboards in general - I could not justify the price. Let me increase my billings and I will think about it.

[pitashen]

yet another hard to read long text.

GL

[fstop]

Filco Mx Browns (black color since you don't like white) imported from PC home for $130 to USA. Cheaper then Amazon, extremely fast shipping,extra blue wasd + red esc + goodies.

And there's a guide here to buy on PChome. Pretty easy, and beats a leopold for the extra $10.

Edit: And yes, brown switches sound like exaclty what you'll need, and a Filco mx brown is classic. Probably the most widely regarded keyboard on this forum.

[flyball]

welcome to geekhack. you will find it hard to type quietly.

[jellowiggler]

Cheap, but good quality: cmstorm rapidfire. It has a funny font and lots of logos. $60-$80

The leopold you listed is a good choice.  Cherry stabilizers might not be as good as the costar ones. $120

Filco mj2 tenkeyless in black. A bit more expensive than leopold. Probably worth it.   $140

Filco makes a matching keypad, available at amazon right now, brown switches. $65

If you are concerned with noise put o-rings on your key stems to keep you from bottoming out, which is the main source of noise, especially with plate mounted switches.

[Henry Allen Venture]

Sounds to me like you've figured it out, OP.
Good choice all 'round.

[eth0s]

Well, I read your post and it was neither too long, nor hard to read.  

However, three things jumped out at me:

... my hands are getting sore.

* * *

I want Cherry Brown switches or Torpre keys

* * *

I had carpal tunnel surgery on my right wrist a few years ago and the wrist and hand are mostly recovered. My right shoulder cramps if I spend too long on the computer, and I blame the mouse for that.

(emphasis added)

My recommendation based upon your criteria is as follows:

Realforce 87U TKL "Silent" edition.  I have this keyboard, as well as Filco's, Leo's, and Cherry's with reds and browns, and if you need quiet, then your best bet is the Realforce 87U.  Don't bother with O-rings on a Leo, that is a poor substitute for the 87U.  Also given your medical history, I would recommend the 87U on the basis of it having a softer feel than the Leo that you are considering, thereby making it easier to type on, and hopefully less stressful on your carpal tunnel nerves.  Also since you said this is for work, then you can either expense it to your employer/ client, or deduct it from your taxes as a legitimate business expense (but not both ofc).  You never mentioned a budget, so I don't think you are hard-pressed for $350.  Now, with that being said, I really think you should seriously investigate an ergonomic keyboard like the Kinesis Ergo Pro Contoured (http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/).   It's about the same price as the 87U, and you may need the extra help, given the pain you are currently experiencing.  Carpal tunnel syndrome is a serious issue.  I don't have a Kinesis yet, but I think it will be my next purchase, as my wife has mentioned that she would be interested in using one.  There are some members on here who are devotees of the ergo keyboards, maybe do a search and PM one of them for advice.  Otherwise, get the 87U.  Or get the Leo.  Leo with browns is going to be an excellent keyboard, but for you I would recommend spending the extra money for the 87U or Kinesis ergo.

[RedTed]

Thanks for all the suggestions, and I will look at PCHome again.

I am not worried about he carpal tunnel - I have not had problems with my thumb and forefingers since the surgery. I am a little concerned about the ulnar tunnel, and hope to address that with better posture, keeping my wrists high, and a tighter mouse.

While budget is not immaterial and I will be deducting the cost of the board, that only reduces the effective cost of the board by my marginal tax rate. So $350 is a lot. That said, I will look again at the Kinesis.

I think I won't place that order this morning . . . maybe tonight.

[RedTed]

And I just ordered a Filco Majestouch-2 tenkeyless "tea axis" from pchome. I will post when it arrives.

[pitashen]

brown switch is always a good/safe starter choice.

[Armando Penblade]

Heck, I just got a brown switch keyboard as my third mechanical from another GeekHacker and I'm rather in love. Part of that might be that it's a really pretty shade of ivory (that's what I call the washed-out-but-still-present-coffee-stain-biege that all white keyboards ever have), but mostly it's because it's a really pleasant switch to use!

[fstop]

And I just ordered a Filco Majestouch-2 tenkeyless "tea axis" from pchome. I will post when it arrives.

Glad it worked out for you. PCHome has become an excellent alternative source for us. And their shipping is faster then most US retailers! It should be in your hands very soon

[RedTed]

brown switch is always a good/safe starter choice.

Restarter choice, actually.

[counts on fingers and checks ages of children]

I spent, erm, 1992 or so to 2004 or so, typing on blue Alps.

I am looking forward to recovering the ability to hit the actuation point but not the bottom of the key and to doing it on a lighter keyboard.

[pitashen]

Restarter choice, actually.

[counts on fingers and checks ages of children]

I spent, erm, 1992 or so to 2004 or so, typing on blue Alps.

I am looking forward to recovering the ability to hit the actuation point but not the bottom of the key and to doing it on a lighter keyboard.

Whoa, I believe ALPS ones are stiffer? Hope you will still like MX Brown

[1391406]

If you need quiet, wear earplugs.

[RedTed]

If you need quiet, wear earplugs.

Home Office = editing to Finnish heavy metal polka if I want to.

I only need quiet when running Webex Conferences.

[RedTed]

It arrived today and I made a quick video showing how loud it is when picked up by my headset microphone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpN-z5AMstA&feature=youtu.be

I think the sound is not too loud, and I think I need to work on improving my touch typing.