Keyboard for CADD Drafting (with Review!!)

[grodo.00]

I'm not sure where i should post this, here goes.

I'm a CAD Draftsman. I enter 98% of all of my drafting commands via keyboard, very similar to gaming in my opinion, and the standard office data.

I would like a FULL board that has Browns or Reds, not sure which would be best for me. I know I don't Blues, I'm in a cube farm and don't want to piss everyone off.  Media controls, mainly volume, and function lock would a plus.

Plug & Play would be easiest, my office admin a pain!

Thanks for the help. Gordon

[inteli722]

Well, I can't speak for media controls on whether they would require drivers. I would probably recommend the upcoming Quickfire XT, for it has basically what you're looking for and is very clean looking.

Browns or Reds is primarily dependent on your preference. Browns have a very slight tactile feel that you barely notice, so if tactile feel is important to you, Ergo Clears are probably a better bet. From my understanding, a lot of people here use Blues/Greens in Cube farms with not a ton of piss-off. Reds are very smooth from what I hear, and you can't tell when you're triggering it without bottoming out. Blacks are heavier reds, so there's also that option. Also, from what I understand, All mechanical keyboards are about as loud as Blues. Blues are just slightly higher pitched and they're guaranteed to make a clack. I'm sure there are people who would be more helpful than me, but this is basically what I know.

[ShakeR]

http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/first_mechanical_keyboard.php
 
Sorry, I'll try to limit posting this link to such questions to only once a day

[CPTBadAss]

Welcome to GH Gordon.

I also do a lot of drafting in my day job. So I definitely get the need for a full board. I currently have a Razer Blackwidow that I bought as my entry board. I also have a Filco Ninja Majestouch 2 and a Leopold FC700R which is TenKeyLess. I'd recommend not going TKL at work. I have the Blackwidow sitting at work but I'm going to be bringing in my Filco soon. Filcos are nice because they're   simple looking. That goes the same for a Leopold. They have a simple design and really good quality. The Razer is a bit flashy (in case you care about what people think of your board) and I'm starting to not like how it feels when I type on it as compared to my other boards.

All three of my boards are blue and I don't think they're terribly loud. And at work, only one co worker has said anything. My office is filled with frustrated engineers blasting away at their rubber domes, people on the phone/in meetings, and the hum of  computers/heaters/air conditioners. All the black noise seems to mask the noise of my keyboard. In fact, I know that some of the people I work with mash their RD boards and are louder than my BlackWidow or Filco.

Blues feel really really nice to type on. And if you're like me, you're typing A LOT all day between emails and drawings. If you're a bit skeptical on the sound of blues, I'd say order a WASD Sampler Kit. Look on Youtube for videos on the switch sounds. Like inteli722 said, they all make a lot of noise. More than a rubber dome board would.

If you're determined to get a brown or a red board, I'd stick with a browns. I prefer Filco Majestouches or Leopold FC500s. Filco's can be found on Amazon. Leopolds at Elitekeyboards.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask or PM me ^_^

[rootwyrm]

So you want what I want, in MX Browns. Trust me, you do not want Reds.

Ducky DK9008G2 w/Browns: https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=220
You'll probably destroy the ABS keycaps fairly quickly though, so plan on budgeting for PBT keycaps as well.
Vortex KBT One w/Browns: https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=206
I'm not really not keen on Vortex as a company; no presence, no support, list goes on. But it has PBT keycaps. USB only though.
Rosewill RK-9000BR: https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=28
Advantage here? It's cheap. Problem? The USB connector likes to break still. But it's cheap.

I can't recommend WASD right now because the WASDv1 does not have media keys, unfortunately. Otherwise a very solid board. The Ducky Zero is also wonderfully low cost, but lacks media layer, so kinda rules it out as well. (Only has volume and mute keys. No track play/pause, prev, next, etc.)

[CPTBadAss]

Good catch rootwyrm, I forgot about the Rosewills

[The_Beast]

You could buy a tipro and reprogram it. Have one layer only AutoCAD commands and a second layer for typing.

[grodo.00]

Thanks for the help guy's!!

I didn't think about all the black noise.

I like the looks of the Vortex KBT One. The function key layout is right up my ally.

Rootwyrm, why do you say there is no presence and no support?

I would have already ordered the Rosewill 9000 if it had function keys. I saw the Rosewill 9001 but I can not find one to buy.

I don't use pre-programmed with AutoCAD, its all short cuts. E - Erase  L - Line  R - Rotate  and so on....

CPTBadAss I'm going to order the WASD Sampler Kit tonight.

Think I might get a Vortex Poker for the house!! Sucks they only have MX Blacks in stock now.

Thanks, Gordon. 

[CPTBadAss]

Thanks for the help guy's!!

I didn't think about all the black noise.

I like the looks of the Vortex KBT One. The function key layout is right up my ally.

Rootwyrm, why do you say there is no presence and no support?

I would have already ordered the Rosewill 9000 if it had function keys. I saw the Rosewill 9001 but I can not find one to buy.

I don't use pre-programmed with AutoCAD, its all short cuts. E - Erase  L - Line  R - Rotate  and so on....

CPTBadAss I'm going to order the WASD Sampler Kit tonight.

Think I might get a Vortex Poker for the house!! Sucks they only have MX Blacks in stock now.

Thanks, Gordon. 

The rumor is MechanicalKeyboards.com is restocking tomorrow. You might be able to get them if that's true. And if you get a Poker, you can get it to look like some of these sexy pieces in this thread.

I'm not sure what you meant by the Rosewill 9001, but Newegg seems to be carrying these. I would hold off until you get that sampler kit and really make a decision though.

Let us know what you decide on getting and post pictures! I like pictures ^_^

[rootwyrm]

I like the looks of the Vortex KBT One. The function key layout is right up my ally.

Rootwyrm, why do you say there is no presence and no support?

Because that's just a simple fact of Vortex. Yes, fact. Their entire "presence" is a Facebook page. There is no way to email them, no way to get support, and they have left more than one group buy in the lurch with zero communications. They also have a record of shipping known defective parts (keycaps with visible defects, keycaps they knew the paint wore off of quickly, you get the idea.) Even if that weren't enough red flags on its own, my understanding is that KBT has completely cut ties with them.

It's extremely hard to recommend a company that conducts itself in such a manner. I have no doubt that MechanicalKeyboards will stand behind what they sell, but they can only do so much when the manufacturer is like that. So I generally recommend staying well clear of Vortex - or basically treating it as having a 31 day warranty and not a minute more.

[grodo.00]

The rumor is MechanicalKeyboards.com is restocking tomorrow. You might be able to get them if that's true. And if you get a Poker, you can get it to look like some of these sexy pieces in this thread.

I'm not sure what you meant by the Rosewill 9001, but Newegg seems to be carrying these. I would hold off until you get that sampler kit and really make a decision though.

Let us know what you decide on getting and post pictures! I like pictures ^_^

This is the Rosewill RK-9100BR. I can only find it on the Rosewill site at the moment.

[grodo.00]

What are you thoughts on WASD??

Sounds like the WASD v2 has most of what i'm looking for.

[rootwyrm]

The rumor is MechanicalKeyboards.com is restocking tomorrow. You might be able to get them if that's true. And if you get a Poker, you can get it to look like some of these sexy pieces in this thread.

I'm not sure what you meant by the Rosewill 9001, but Newegg seems to be carrying these. I would hold off until you get that sampler kit and really make a decision though.

Let us know what you decide on getting and post pictures! I like pictures ^_^

This is the Rosewill RK-9100BR. I can only find it on the Rosewill site at the moment.

Yeah, you'll definitely want to avoid that one. No media keys at all on that one, just backlighting control. Also some reports of just abruptly dying or repeatedly disconnecting from host.

The WASD v2 has a very interesting media key arrangement - I talked about it with them a while ago. It's apparently going to be setup to use the Insert/Del cluster area with the Function on the right. Meaning easy one hand reaching. (Obviously may have changed since then and not set in stone, but I like the idea quite a bit. Prevents accidental Ctrl-F8's.)
There's also the KBTalKing Pro available in MX Brown - though not at MechanicalKeyboards sadly. (They only have Red and again, I would recommend against Reds for CAD use - they're too easy to trigger accidentally.)

[grodo.00]

I pulled the trigger!! Rosewill RK-9000RE is on the way!! Should be here tomorrow.

I did some Googleing and found http://www.autohotkey.com/ it will let me program my own media & macro keys. I've been using it with my dome board for a day or two and its been working great!

Next week I'll order WASD Media Keys & O-Rings! I'll Post pics when it arives!!

[CPTBadAss]

I pulled the trigger!! Rosewill RK-9000RE is on the way!! Should be here tomorrow.

I did some Googleing and found http://www.autohotkey.com/ it will let me program my own media & macro keys. I've been using it with my dome board for a day or two and its been working great!

Next week I'll order WASD Media Keys & O-Rings! I'll Post pics when it arives!!

If you need help w/ o-ring info, I wrote a review on them in the reviews subforum. Let us know how you like the Rosewill!

[grodo.00]

If you need help w/ o-ring info, I wrote a review on them in the reviews subforum. Let us know how you like the Rosewill!

Would you mind getting me the link for your review?

[CPTBadAss]

If you need help w/ o-ring info, I wrote a review on them in the reviews subforum. Let us know how you like the Rosewill!

Would you mind getting me the link for your review?

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40227

[grodo.00]

ITS HERE!!

Ill have pictures up soon!

[grodo.00]

I have been using my new Rosewill RK-9000RE at work and home for a little over a week now. My coworkers give me strange looks for taking my keyboard home.

I put a couple keys from my WASD Sampler on along with a couple o-rings in various places. I need to order a full set of rings soon along with a couple keys from TechKeys!!!

Wrist rest is a piece of Base Moulding I picked up at HomeDepot. The moulding & anti-skid pads were less than $5! Its not that fancy but does what i need it to do.

Autohotkey solved the issue of not having media keys. The black, grey and light grey are volume control. I have F12 set for the Calculator. And so on . . . . .



Let me know if you have any questions or want any more pictures. Thanks for looking.

[grodo.00]

no love?

[inteli722]

That's pretty creative for a Wrist Rest. How does the keyboard feel build quality-wise?

[CPTBadAss]

Nice, that's such a good idea w/ the molding. What caps did you get?

[grodo.00]

That's pretty creative for a Wrist Rest. How does the keyboard feel build quality-wise?

Thanks! Build quality in my opinion is awesome! Very rigid.  They keys have a nice feel to them. They are not double shots, so I thinks that means they have to me laser etched. I like`em!

Saying all that, all i have to compare the Rosewill to is my old rubber dome Dell. Which was worn out!

Nice, that's such a good idea w/ the molding. What caps did you get?

All I have at the moment are the keys that came in the WASD Sampler and a WASD textured (cross hatch) down key. My order from TechKeys shipped this morning!! I' post pics as soon as i get them.

[inteli722]

I've always heard the Rosewill keys are Pad Printed to save on costs, but I may be wrong. If I'm right, then you should probably get those swapped out for Doubleshots or PBT ASAP.

[CPTBadAss]

Nice, that's such a good idea w/ the molding. What caps did you get?

All I have at the moment are the keys that came in the WASD Sampler and a WASD textured (cross hatch) down key. My order from TechKeys shipped this morning!! I' post pics as soon as i get them.
[/quote

Hooray, you know me so well! Did you like any of the o-rings that came in the sampler pack?

[rootwyrm]

I've always heard the Rosewill keys are Pad Printed to save on costs, but I may be wrong. If I'm right, then you should probably get those swapped out for Doubleshots or PBT ASAP.

No. They are not. People continue to falsely claim that they are pad printed, same as they did with the Thermaltake Meka G1. No, they are extremely low quality lasered ABS. The laser cut section bubbles at manufacture resulting in feeling like pad printing, then wears at a significantly faster rate. Forget shine - the actual legend wears through. Very quickly.

[inteli722]

I've always heard the Rosewill keys are Pad Printed to save on costs, but I may be wrong. If I'm right, then you should probably get those swapped out for Doubleshots or PBT ASAP.

No. They are not. People continue to falsely claim that they are pad printed, same as they did with the Thermaltake Meka G1. No, they are extremely low quality lasered ABS. The laser cut section bubbles at manufacture resulting in feeling like pad printing, then wears at a significantly faster rate. Forget shine - the actual legend wears through. Very quickly.

Well, thanks for the info! Still, you should get those keycaps replaced ASAP if I understand what rootwyrm is saying.

[rootwyrm]

A picture is worth a thousand words. These are from my Thermaltake Meka G1.



As you can see, they are clearly lasered, and as you can also see, the lasering has worn at a VERY different rate than the surrounding plastic. And that's with just a few months of use. The Z and 4 keys show how it FEELS raised but is clearly bubbled.

[grodo.00]

Did you like any of the o-rings that came in the sampler pack?

I like all of the O-Rings for different things.

Reds on what i call the alpha & number fields. I like the longer stroke for some reason. I only have 5, i placed them on the keys that i use the most for specific CAD functions.

Blues for enters, shift, backspace, escape. lets the keys land a little "softer"

Blacks on arrow pad, delete. Firm quiet landing.

To be honest i still need to read your O-Ring Review.

Any ides on where I could get o-rings with these specs other than WASD? I want mix and match but they want break packages. McMaster-Carr does not have a durometer less than 50.



Does anyone know where can i find a set of side print keys?

Like these:

[CPTBadAss]

I don't think I've ever seen 40A o-rings anywhere else besides WASD. I know Amazon and McMaster have 70A as well as the 50A you mentioned.

Those side printed caps you showed are off a Filco Ninja Majestouch 2. I've seen a few sets go on sale recently but they were TKL. The full 104 set seems hard to find. I have a set but I love them so I'm keeping mine.   Feng's eBay store has side printed caps but you might not like the colors. Go check those out.

[N8N]

I was using a G80-8200 for a while and honestly, it's more than adequate for CAD work if you can get past setting a monster of a POS (that's Point of Sale) keyboard on your desk.  I even took advantage of the relegendable keycaps to make labels for the f-row for all the AutoCAD toggles   Cherry lasered caps actually feel pretty nice, again, if you can get past the look.

I also really like my Filco that I modded to clears and PBT dye-subs, but that is a significantly more expensive and labor intensive option.  I even used a grey switch for the space bar just to make it perfect

If you like vintage cool and don't need win keys I also really like my SGI Granite board, it has dampened Alps switches and PBTs out of the box, just make sure if you search one out that it is really PS/2 and not SGI proprietary - they look pretty near identical, you need to check part numbers.

[davkol]

Does anyone know what hardness are the o-rings from Max?

[CPTBadAss]

Does anyone know what hardness are the o-rings from Max?

If you click on all the tabs, it tells you the o-rings are 50A and the thickness/travel reduction is 0.4mm

[davkol]

I see, it's in the name.