Brand Rating

[do_Og@n]

I'm looking at getting a really nice tenkeyless keyboard. I would like to get one with MX Clears but I can't really find a brand name out there that makes them in a tenkeyless format.

So...what brand for the money would you suggest? (Vote for your brand w/MX Browns)

  1- Filco (0)
  2- Leopold (0)
  3- Cooler Master (3)
  4- Ducky (1)
  5- Vortex (0)
  6- Cherry (0)
  7- Deck (0)

If I haven't mentioned any that some of you feel should be on the list please feel free to bring them up. Also if anyone out there knows of a brand that makes a tenkeyless w/MX Clears I would appreciate your input.

[rowdy]

1. Ducky
2. CM

Haven't tried the rest (yet).  And Ducky is only first because I have 2 Ducky Shines with no problems, but only 1 CM QFR wth no problems.

So hardly representative ...

[FoxWolf1]

Hm...didn't KeyCool make a TKL with MX Clear at one point?

[sth]

topre.

but really, if you're looking for TKL and you haven't tried topre you're only hurting yourself nothing in the cherry world outside of korean custom boards and maybe TNS comes close to the build quality and attention to detail of a topre realforce.

[The_Beast]

WASD doesn't have a TKL yet

[vun]

If you don't mind the branding; I'd say a CM QFR. It's cheaper than the Filco and, so far, I can't really see why you'd get a Filco over a QFR considering the cost.
Filco is still a solid and safe choice, looks nice as well. If you want to play it safe and don't mind spending some cash; Filco. If you're looking for bang for your buck and don't mind the CM branding; go for the QFR.

I don't have any other brands so I can't say much about them, except that the stabilizers on Leopolds might not be for everyone and the Deck font is ugly as fudge.

[do_Og@n]

Just looked up the KeyCool brand and couldn't find any current models with the MX Clears. Interesting keyboard brand though.

[do_Og@n]

topre.

but really, if you're looking for TKL and you haven't tried topre you're only hurting yourself nothing in the cherry world outside of korean custom boards and maybe TNS comes close to the build quality and attention to detail of a topre realforce.

Do they make a Topre firmer than 55g?

[WhiteFireDragon]

You won't find a Filco in clears. Leopold use to have them, but recently discontinued it. I vote for CM quickfire and mod it to clears yourself.

[vun]

You won't find a Filco in clears. Leopold use to have them, but recently discontinued it. I vote for CM quickfire and mod it to clears yourself.

Might want to look for a board with PCB mounted switches for that, the QFR ones are plate mounted which adds a lot of work.

[The_Beast]

You won't find a Filco in clears. Leopold use to have them, but recently discontinued it. I vote for CM quickfire and mod it to clears yourself.

Might want to look for a board with PCB mounted switches for that, the QFR ones are plate mounted which adds a lot of work.

This


Older cherry boards might come with clears but I'm guessing they'll be a bit harder to find since ergo-clears seem to be pretty popular right now

[sth]

topre.

but really, if you're looking for TKL and you haven't tried topre you're only hurting yourself nothing in the cherry world outside of korean custom boards and maybe TNS comes close to the build quality and attention to detail of a topre realforce.

Do they make a Topre firmer than 55g?

nopre.

[therecorder]

Qtang can order this (as an agent) for you (if they still have stock).  Showing Clears available in black tkl and white mini, but Qtang will call them to ask for latest status.  Send him the link (and tell him therecorder said hello).  (PM to qtan5370)

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=13514954417

[newtrekemotion]

Of those I can only speak of the quality of Leopold (with clears not browns) and it has been pretty great, nothing to really complain about. Though as others have pointed out the stabilizers are an issue for some (not for me so far though).

[do_Og@n]

Qtang can order this (as an agent) for you (if they still have stock).  Showing Clears available in black tkl and white mini, but Qtang will call them to ask for latest status.  Send him the link (and tell him therecorder said hello).  (PM to qtan5370)

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=13514954417

If it's going to cost that much I might as well go with a topre. o_O

[FoxWolf1]

That's not in dollars...

488.00元 = $78.34. Even with shipping from China added on, it'll still be MUCH less than a Topre.

[metalliqaz]

Favorite tenkeyless?  Realforce.
Favorite for the money?  Leopold.

[TheQsanity]

Chinese brand boards first ofc

then CM.

You you have the money to choose. It would be Topre, Filco

[LollyWater]

Is CM really that good? I was under the impression that they were the cheapest Cherry boards.

[mickd]

That's one reason why they're so good. They're really cheap and the build quality is solid.

[wetto]

Is CM really that good? I was under the impression that they were the cheapest Cherry boards.

Cheapest Costar-made board out there. And guess who makes FILCO keyboards? Yup.

[xavierblak]

I own a Filco a Leopold and a Cooler Master. From a build quality I'd they they are all pretty close. From the cost point of view it's pretty hard to beat the coolermaster QFR, especially if you can find one on sale.  If not they are still cheaper than the rest with similar build quality. My only annoyance with the QFR is the function button can't be remapped so I lose my context menu button.

[TheQsanity]

Someday we could hqve a gb for qfr programable pcbs. I think a lot of peiple would be happy.

[wetto]

Someday we could hqve a gb for qfr programable pcbs. I think a lot of peiple would be happy.

Tell that to Carter, the guy may even do it. After he released a Cherry MX Green keyboard, I wouldn't doubt anything anymore.

[esoomenona]

OR bpiphany. Maybe that can be his next project? I know a lot of people around here have them, and probably even more would buy them if they could get a programmable controller.

[noisyturtle]

I still vote Filco for build quality. CM or Leopold for pricing.

[Sifo]

Filco if you can afford it, CM Storm if you're on a budget

[do_Og@n]

That's not in dollars...

488.00元 = $78.34. Even with shipping from China added on, it'll still be MUCH less than a Topre.

Okay now that's not bad at all, but with the new QFR w/ MX Greens my interests have already changed....WHY DO THE KEYBOARD GODS HATE ME!!!

[Citna]

I bought a Ducky as my first mechanical purchase, I've never owned a Filco but have owned a Ducky + a CM QFR and they are both pretty good but I think the QFR is built a bit better.

[IvanIvanovich]

As other have pointed out, only Leopold and Keycool have made TKL with clear ever. You might find one in used market. Otherwise everything is a muchness in my opinion. Get whatever is cheapest and has the best aesthetics. I like the Vortex oni and Noppoo mid87 personally at the moment for TKL. I've also had 2 Leopolds and quite liked them in the time I had them, have no problem recommending them in general either.

[xyril]

(1) QFR brown !! . Build quality is superb ,it like a bro / family of filco + its cheap.

[remmeh]

CM quickfire... half the cost of a filco. If you can get one of the brandless ones, even better.

[iMav]

Another vote for the CM QFR.  I like the leopolds...but the non-standard spacebar sucks for custom keys.