Author Topic: Keyboards you WISH were in North America? (Read 12056 times)

ShakeR · « **on:** Thu, 08 March 2012, 10:33:28 »

MechanicalKeyboards.com is set to launch later this month.

We're attempting to construct the largest dedicated catalog of Mechanical Keyboards available. Outside of the standard, readily available boards, I'm trying to focus on offering keyboards that are really hard to find / non-existent in the United States / Canada. If you have a certain style, model, or brand of keyboard you've always wanted access to in North America, let me know and I will do my best to get it.

Any kind of contact information, etc for the Manufacturer to go along with it and make my life easier is appreciated

sth · « **Reply #1 on:** Thu, 08 March 2012, 10:35:29 »

KBT/KBC stuff.

Magna224 · « **Reply #2 on:** Thu, 08 March 2012, 10:43:29 »

Filco Zero >.> Its one of my long lost dreams. (and I'd buy a JP realforce if they had em for around $200)

reaper · « **Reply #3 on:** Thu, 08 March 2012, 10:50:37 »

^ Have you tried putting the words out (that you want one) in Classifieds section? You just might get lucky since I know quite a few members here have the Zero.

Lmnr · « **Reply #4 on:** Thu, 08 March 2012, 10:55:38 »

The Limited edition topres and the new edition leopolds possibly.

sth · « **Reply #5 on:** Thu, 08 March 2012, 10:59:00 »

I DOUBT they'll be able to carry anything or any brands already carried by EK. Niche market and all.

Typhaeon · « **Reply #6 on:** Thu, 08 March 2012, 13:34:14 »

I second the KBT/KBC stuff. I'm very interested in trying out a Race or Pure with MX Browns, but can't justify the hassle and expense of importing. A Poker might be a good alternative, I suppose.

sth · « **Reply #7 on:** Thu, 08 March 2012, 13:35:49 »

Quote from: Typhaeon;539291

I second the KBT/KBC stuff. I'm very interested in trying out a Race or Pure with MX Browns, but can't justify the hassle and expense of importing. A Poker might be a good alternative, I suppose.

I got in on the RACE GB and got browns; plan on a little review when I get it.

ShakeR · « **Reply #8 on:** Thu, 08 March 2012, 14:04:29 »

Quote

Oh, and the obvious answer is a REAL Filco distributor for North America.

Ocean freighting keyboards from Japan to Europe, then from Europe to Amazon Fulfillment centers in the United States isn't the most efficient distribution method IMO (about 60 days in transit / customs time alone - not to mention the added cost). I'm working on it. Not an easy one...

Quote

I second the KBT/KBC stuff.

Anyone have the name / site for manufacturer for KBT/KBC? Landed on a Chinese eBayer at one point who I thought was distributor / manufacturer but no luck. If not, I'll keep digging.

Quote

PBT Black Blank/Otaku keycaps

We'll have them at site launch later this month.

sth · « **Reply #9 on:** Thu, 08 March 2012, 14:06:57 »

Quote from: ShakeR;539321

Anyone have the name / site for manufacturer for KBT/KBC? Landed on a Chinese eBayer at one point who I thought was distributor / manufacturer but no luck. If not, I'll keep digging.

VorTex -- https://www.facebook.com/Vortexgear

They're super friendly and helpful, which is... helpful.

sordna · « **Reply #10 on:** Fri, 16 March 2012, 15:12:18 »

The uTron / μTRON keyboard.

http://xahlee.org/kbd/uTRON_keyboard.html

Typhaeon · « **Reply #11 on:** Fri, 16 March 2012, 15:33:18 »

I don't understand why these would be freighted from Japan to the EU if you're selling them in America. Why not just have them sent across the Pacific to California?

Netdewt · « **Reply #12 on:** Fri, 16 March 2012, 15:38:08 »

Maybe I should wait to buy my first mechanical? Can you give an idea of what your planning to carry now?

snowboarder3 · « **Reply #13 on:** Fri, 16 March 2012, 17:30:25 »

folco and KBC distribution

sth · « **Reply #14 on:** Fri, 16 March 2012, 20:18:30 »

Quote from: snowboarder3;548163

folco and KBC distribution

[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 44523[/ATTACH]

demik · « **Reply #15 on:** Fri, 16 March 2012, 20:28:50 »

OTD 356 series.

but you can't provide that.

Hak Foo · « **Reply #16 on:** Sun, 18 March 2012, 00:50:17 »

Honestly, someone who offered the Ducky line without having to deal with non-English sites would be a good choice. I've tried to suggest the 1008XM to other people, but the concept of ordering from PCHome is a bit of a barrier to entry. At 55 USD, it's comparable to buying the latest Microsoft or Logitech board, but much better.

vurt · « **Reply #17 on:** Sun, 18 March 2012, 01:06:03 »

I will have to echo others in the thread and say a Filco distributor in the US is paramount to ensure my bank account stays empty at all times. I would also like to see some Vortex/KBC/KBT stuff...mainly a reliable place to get PBT caps/sets...but nothing ultra fancy. Minimalism = win.

Awful · « **Reply #18 on:** Sun, 18 March 2012, 01:24:06 »

Filco/KBT/KBC

Maybe keyboard.co can get kbt/kbc and sell them though Amazon as well. Then it won't be an issue.

kaiserreich · « **Reply #19 on:** Sun, 18 March 2012, 01:28:08 »

Quote from: Hak Foo;549496

Honestly, someone who offered the Ducky line without having to deal with non-English sites would be a good choice. I've tried to suggest the 1008XM to other people, but the concept of ordering from PCHome is a bit of a barrier to entry. At 55 USD, it's comparable to buying the latest Microsoft or Logitech board, but much better.

OCN has it no?

Hak Foo · « **Reply #20 on:** Sun, 18 March 2012, 01:47:40 »

are they a retailer?

reaper · « **Reply #21 on:** Sun, 18 March 2012, 01:53:04 »

^ More like etailer but they're based in US (Michigan to be exact). Here's the link to their website. They also have Ducky Shine but I don't think I've seen the XM series on there yet... but I could be wrong. lol =P

REVENGE · « **Reply #22 on:** Sun, 18 March 2012, 02:08:18 »

I'm a little surprised nobody mentioned the TVS Gold.

Human · « **Reply #23 on:** Sun, 18 March 2012, 11:26:33 »

Quote from: dante;549665

Tiger Imports has the XM, and a whole lotta shine:

http://tigerimports.net/sunshop/index.php?l=product_list&c=73

They have 1008XM's in stock and 1087XM's being restocked soon. They imported the 1087XM 3-4 days before Christmas and sold out before Christmas

They also have some unique items like a Japanese format Shine.

Cool, thats strange. Ducky even aim for Japan market?

Shogunner · « **Reply #24 on:** Wed, 28 March 2012, 19:31:04 »

I can't seem to find the ANSI Quick Fire Rapid in Blacks here ANYWHERE

SmallFry · « **Reply #25 on:** Wed, 28 March 2012, 19:38:07 »

I would really care for a modders forum where we could start to really investigate boards like the OTD boards on a more regular basis than the Phantom. Then again, things that are good are always too good on the internet.

Lmnr · « **Reply #26 on:** Wed, 28 March 2012, 20:28:00 »

LOL Limited edition duckys anyone?
Only one I know who sells them is tigerimports

ShakeR · « **Reply #27 on:** Mon, 09 April 2012, 17:45:46 »

Quote from: Typhaeon;548079

I don't understand why these would be freighted from Japan to the EU if you're selling them in America. Why not just have them sent across the Pacific to California?

Sorry if my original response wasn't clear. I was actually 'poking fun' at Diatec's current US distribution method (which is the exact scenario you outlined above). We have air freight sources than can get new product from Asia to the States in 3 Days (not a typo). Anything sent by vessel averages around 35 days in total (door-to-door).

As opposed to current method: Ship to Europe (35+ days), Ship to US Amazon center (35+ days) -- at least 70 days assuming nothing is going air (most likely scenario). By the time the newest models make it to the US in the current format, they're 3 months old in Japan.

I've dedicated more time to securing Filco than any other brand. The ground work is established; however, they want to see the site up and running and before committing (understandable).

Quote

Maybe I should wait to buy my first mechanical? Can you give an idea of what your planning to carry now?

I'm planning to carry everything. That's the long term goal and it will happen, but, despite my incredibly impatient nature, it will take time. Just finding contact info for many of the Eastern brands is a nightmare, then once you find it , you get DNS errors and kicked back emails (noppoo). Couple this with the 'exclusivity' agreements someone mentioned earlier, and I'm nowhere near content with our current offering; however, I will have 16 unique brands and over 60 models in stock at launch. The snowball will begin growing (hopefully rapidly) April 16th and brands / models / accessories will be added monthly, weekly, daily...

As far as what we'll have for sale on April 16th that is hard to find or soon to be hard to find in the US - Ducky Keycap Sets (4 varieties), CM QuickFire every switch type and QuickFire Pro (brown cherry), every RK-9000 switch type, every Ducky Shine (Purple and Yellow LED) switch type - see tigerimports.net for other colors. I may have forgotten some others. See / please like http://www.facebook.com/pages/MechanicalKeyboardscom/302383559805193 for any updates not posted here.

ShakeR · « **Reply #28 on:** Mon, 09 April 2012, 20:37:12 »

Quote from: dante;571822

You might want to reconsider the RK9000; if the Newegg reviews are anything to go by they've had a crapload RMA'ed due to faulty switches, sticky switches, and of course snapped USB connectors.

Thanks for the heads up. The goal at this point is to offer as a wide of a selection as possible and, as tends to be the case, let customer reviews / write ups determine the overall fate of a given keyboard. Sorted by 'rating' the RK9000 is 2nd on Newegg.com (last I checked), so there must be decent percentage of customers with satisfactory units. We'll know soon enough either way.

Of course any particularly RMA prone models will be pulled after they've been given their fair shot.

sherryton · « **Reply #29 on:** Mon, 09 April 2012, 21:01:14 »

ripster, it is really not that easy haha. i have tried

Quote from: ripster;539635

Should be straightforward. We have a pretty big continent:
Show Image

tell Diatec this is how Americans feel.
[video=youtube;NHtwYFq_2lU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHtwYFq_2lU&feature=related[/video]

ShakeR · « **Reply #30 on:** Tue, 10 April 2012, 16:01:11 »

Quote from: dante;571936

Understood. But if you're looking to bring new models to the market place see if you can bring the Leopold FC700R.

I can't say I'd buy one but I'd pay money to buy a ticket for a front row seat to that event

Ha! Noted.

nigritude · « **Reply #31 on:** Wed, 11 April 2012, 00:04:31 »

+1 for the Leopold FC700R.

Been wanting to try a Leopold but would really like the PBT keys. And a couple of important birthdays coming up --- thinking this keyboard would make a nice gift for them.

kikkobots · « **Reply #32 on:** Wed, 11 April 2012, 12:15:05 »

fc700r.

AKIMbO · « **Reply #33 on:** Wed, 11 April 2012, 12:25:44 »

I will just echo what others have requested:
-Filco
-KBT/KBC
-Topres (Realforce)

Typhaeon · « **Reply #34 on:** Wed, 11 April 2012, 14:05:40 »

You've piqued my interest with your response to my inquiry. I haven't been around to know all of the nuts and bolts of the mech keyboard importer industry.

I'll definitely be patronizing your storefront when you open.

pkamb · « **Reply #35 on:** Wed, 11 April 2012, 17:47:56 »

Japanese keyboards have a small spacbar and extra modifier keys.

It would be really cool to re-map those extra modifiers to "Backspace" or "Delete" or other frequently used keys. Easy access with your thumb.

I'd especially like to get one of these Japanese Thinkpad keyboards with Trackpoint.

http://i.imgur.com/4dWVJ.jpg

[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 48122[/ATTACH]

Omerta · « **Reply #36 on:** Wed, 11 April 2012, 20:34:44 »

I just want complete customization for topre switches/caps, a place where we can buy barebones of everything. Switches, springs, PBT, keycaps in every color of the rainbow, LED's, custom cases. Pretty much the ability to buy every part we need to literally build our own keyboard from home.

Now that would be ideal.

Human · « **Reply #37 on:** Thu, 12 April 2012, 13:05:23 »

Quote from: dante;573747

Can you confirm whether or not you will be getting any White G80-3494LYCUS-0 (reds) or White G80-3600LYCEU-0 (reds) in the next 3 months? I was about to ask someone to order one of these off pchome/taobao but if you will get these in by the end of the year I'll purchase from you.

G80-3600? I think you probably mean g80-3496?

ShakeR · « **Reply #38 on:** Fri, 13 April 2012, 19:23:08 »

Quote

Can you confirm whether or not you will be getting any White G80-3494LYCUS-0 (reds) or White G80-3600LYCEU-0 (reds) in the next 3 months?

Cherry is supposed to be getting back to me Monday with a full catalog (same day as site launch). I'm optimistic, but could very likely be limited to what the domestic factories have in stock in the beginning. Hard for me to give an ETA now, but I'll add these models to my 'wish list' and update our Facebook page accordingly once I get more concrete info.

Quote from: Omerta;573389

I just want complete customization for topre switches/caps, a place where we can buy barebones of everything. Switches, springs, PBT, keycaps in every color of the rainbow, LED's, custom cases. Pretty much the ability to buy every part we need to literally build our own keyboard from home.

Now that would be ideal.

That sounds amazing. I will certainly try. Manufacturer contact info for all of the above is appreciated and will rapidly increase the speed at which I'm able to accomplish such a goal. I have a spreadsheet full of contacts; however, it's likely 10% of what's available in the collective mind of geekhack

ShakeR · « **Reply #39 on:** Fri, 13 April 2012, 19:26:30 »

Speaking of which, and thanks to your support, our Facebook page has reached sufficient 'likes' to allow us a static URL which is now much easier to remember.

facebook.com/mechanicalkeyboards

peizilla · « **Reply #40 on:** Sun, 15 April 2012, 13:37:46 »

this. http://www.diatec.co.jp/en/det.php?prod_c=888

is all i have to say. <3

reaper · « **Reply #41 on:** Sun, 15 April 2012, 13:43:41 »

^ First post.. welcome to Geekhack! =)

Game Theory · « **Reply #42 on:** Mon, 16 April 2012, 00:31:22 »

realforce91U and I'd have one if Amazon.co.jp would ship to the US. Guess I'll have to go with dropshiping to a service if the desire persists.

peizilla · « **Reply #43 on:** Mon, 16 April 2012, 01:09:22 »

Quote from: reaper;575369

^ First post.. welcome to Geekhack! =)

I'm that that guy that is always on irc and lurks the forums but never post. Anyways, thank you. :>

Netdewt · « **Reply #44 on:** Mon, 16 April 2012, 09:58:23 »

Launching today?

Bruce · « **Reply #45 on:** Mon, 16 April 2012, 14:16:17 »

Guys
I think I need to clear this up.
All the gear we list on Amazonusa ships direct from Diatech to Amazonusa. It is the shortest distribution channel we could devise and thus the most cost effective.
Much as we would love some feet on the ground - and we are open to serious ideas - any profit/wages/rent involved will have an impact on price and we have not found anything to date that might be less cost than Amazon.

Geekmie · « **Reply #46 on:** Mon, 16 April 2012, 14:23:11 »

KBT/KBC keyboards like Pure, Race, Poker

Netdewt · « **Reply #47 on:** Mon, 16 April 2012, 17:00:58 »

Hey now, it's 5:00pm CST.

Exort · « **Reply #48 on:** Mon, 16 April 2012, 17:53:44 »

None of the Vertox/Filco/Leoped/KBC/KBT keyboard stuff.
No keycap beside some ducky ones.
Hopefully them are just late to the party. I know Filco said they want to wait and see.

sth · « **Reply #49 on:** Mon, 16 April 2012, 17:54:11 »

Too much flashy stuff

Looking forward to stock expansion.

News:

Author Topic: Keyboards you WISH were in North America? (Read 12056 times)