Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[Eszett]

Question: is this curve (the bump) the same with Clears, Blues and Greys?

[hwood34]

Question: (Attachment Link) is this curve (the bump) the same with Clears, Blues and Greys?

I think the bump is the same between tactile and clicky switches, the difference is just in the white slider in clicky switches I'm stupid, look below

[user 18]

Question: (Attachment Link) is this curve (the bump) the same with Clears, Blues and Greys?

Clears and tactile greys are the same. Blues have a notably smaller bump. Linear greys won't have a bump at all. Clicky greys are likely to be the same as blues, but I'm not 100% sure on that.

[hwood34]

Question: (Attachment Link) is this curve (the bump) the same with Clears, Blues and Greys?

Clears and tactile greys are the same. Blues have a notably smaller bump. Linear greys won't have a bump at all. Clicky greys are likely to be the same as blues, but I'm not 100% sure on that.

Aha, whelp at least I was corrected quickly

[Eszett]

@user 18 Alright! Thanks for clarification. As I understand it, that means there are practically 3 different bumps with Cherry: brown (slight bump), blue (stronger bump), clears/grey (strongest bump).

[user 18]

Question: (Attachment Link) is this curve (the bump) the same with Clears, Blues and Greys?

Clears and tactile greys are the same. Blues have a notably smaller bump. Linear greys won't have a bump at all. Clicky greys are likely to be the same as blues, but I'm not 100% sure on that.

Aha, whelp at least I was corrected quickly

I didn't know without physically getting switches out and checking. The blue bump was a lot smaller than I expected it to be.

I wonder what blues would feel like if they had a larger bump?

[Melvang]

Question: (Attachment Link) is this curve (the bump) the same with Clears, Blues and Greys?

Clears and tactile greys are the same. Blues have a notably smaller bump. Linear greys won't have a bump at all. Clicky greys are likely to be the same as blues, but I'm not 100% sure on that.

Aha, whelp at least I was corrected quickly

I didn't know without physically getting switches out and checking. The blue bump was a lot smaller than I expected it to be.

I wonder what blues would feel like if they had a larger bump?

Probably the same as greens with Cherry "light" springs.

[CommonCurt]

Question: (Attachment Link) is this curve (the bump) the same with Clears, Blues and Greys?

Clears and tactile greys are the same. Blues have a notably smaller bump. Linear greys won't have a bump at all. Clicky greys are likely to be the same as blues, but I'm not 100% sure on that.

Aha, whelp at least I was corrected quickly

I didn't know without physically getting switches out and checking. The blue bump was a lot smaller than I expected it to be.

I wonder what blues would feel like if they had a larger bump?

Probably the same as greens with Cherry "light" springs.

I thought that blues and greens had the same size tactile bump?

[Blaise170]

I want to find a clicky Gray at some point. I have every Cherry MX switch I know of other than the ultra rare ones like MX Yellow, MX Orange, etc. Even have MX Lock. 

[user 18]

Question: (Attachment Link) is this curve (the bump) the same with Clears, Blues and Greys?

Clears and tactile greys are the same. Blues have a notably smaller bump. Linear greys won't have a bump at all. Clicky greys are likely to be the same as blues, but I'm not 100% sure on that.

Aha, whelp at least I was corrected quickly

I didn't know without physically getting switches out and checking. The blue bump was a lot smaller than I expected it to be.

I wonder what blues would feel like if they had a larger bump?

Probably the same as greens with Cherry "light" springs.

I thought that blues and greens had the same size tactile bump?

Pretty sure they do. Don't have any greens in front of me to compare though.

[Blaise170]

I just opened up a green and a blue and the stems look exactly the same other than color.

[hwood34]

Are the 3-prong LEDs on WEYs dual-color? If not why three prongs?

[Melvang]

Are the 3-prong LEDs on WEYs dual-color? If not why three prongs?

They could also be 3 color.  I have seen some tri color LEDs that change between two by changing the polarity, and the get the third by using AC.  It just each side at 30 hz and you just get a blend.

[njbair]

Are the 3-prong LEDs on WEYs dual-color? If not why three prongs?

They could also be 3 color.  I have seen some tri color LEDs that change between two by changing the polarity, and the get the third by using AC.  It just each side at 30 hz and you just get a blend.

What? Why? Sounds like someone just trying to be too clever.

[alienman82]

removed.

[hwood34]

any way to buy a kmac housing today?  I saw that gon sells a plate and pcb

classifieds is really gonna be the quickest way. kbdmod is sometimes in stock but I think they only do full boards

[alienman82]

removed.

[Melvang]

What are some part numbers for F Unsaver?

About how often do they come up for sale on eBay/classifieds?

Who had that detailed build log of the caseless F 122 or Unsaver?  It still had the bottom tray, but the rest was omitted, and the plate even got chopped a bit iirc.

I know there is the price check thread, but what do they usually sell for?

[CPTBadAss]

1) What are some part numbers for F Unsaver?

2) About how often do they come up for sale on eBay/classifieds?

3) Who had that detailed build log of the caseless F 122 or Unsaver?  It still had the bottom tray, but the rest was omitted, and the plate even got chopped a bit iirc.

4) I know there is the price check thread, but what do they usually sell for?

1) https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48916.0
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=64100.0

Those threads look helpful

2) They're pretty rare. I don't know about eBay but I remember The_Beast spending ages to find one

3) Fohat.digs

4) Ask there, this isn't the price check thread. I've explained the reasoning for this in the past and it's in the OP.

[Melvang]

1) What are some part numbers for F Unsaver?

2) About how often do they come up for sale on eBay/classifieds?

3) Who had that detailed build log of the caseless F 122 or Unsaver?  It still had the bottom tray, but the rest was omitted, and the plate even got chopped a bit iirc.

4) I know there is the price check thread, but what do they usually sell for?

1) https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48916.0
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=64100.0

Those threads look helpful

2) They're pretty rare. I don't know about eBay but I remember The_Beast spending ages to find one

3) Fohat.digs

4) Ask there, this isn't the price check thread. I've explained the reasoning for this in the past and it's in the OP.

Thanks for the quick reply cpt.  Sorry about the last question was on mobile and got lazy.

[Air tree]

What profile of keycap is topre closest to? I'm curious how the profile will feel compared to cherry, as that's what I'm going to put on it as soon as I can.

[fohat.digs]

3) Fohat.digs

NO !

That is the bad old one. Use the revised 2nd iteration instead:

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=62781.msg1469919#msg1469919

[whentheclouds]

can anyone help identify this keypad:

[quochung1989]

can anyone help identify this keypad:

Show Image

This pic belongs to Bunny. You should pm him to ask  :)

[Eszett]

What advantage do I have with using enabler PCBs compared to handwiring everything without a PCB?

[CPTBadAss]

What advantage do I have with using enabler PCBs compared to handwiring everything without a PCB?

You can make any layout you want...literally any layout that keycaps will let you. And it's slightly easier than handwiring.

[Eszett]

Thank you, Captain. But as far as I understand it  I need a plate anyways, in both cases, with enablers, or without enablers (ie. just handwiring). So I can simply spare the enablers, and handwire the switches on the plate, without PCB and without enablers, right? So what's the advantage of the enablers?

[asgeirtj]

I noticed when building my octagon that the pcb supported doing a 2,75x right shift layout, but it seems to me that the plate doesn't support this, am I right?

Here is a pic http://www.kbd4u.com/web/product/extra/big/kbd4u_48_2.jpg

[Eszett]

The plate cutout for right shift seems to be 2u. So answer is probably: no way ..

[CPTBadAss]

Thank you, Captain. But as far as I understand it  I need a plate anyways, in both cases, with enablers, or without enablers (ie. just handwiring). So I can simply spare the enablers, and handwire the switches on the plate, without PCB and without enablers, right? So what's the advantage of the enablers?

Exactly what I said before. I plan on building a case out of Legos with my Enablers and just super gluing it to the legos. It's just a tool to give you flexibility in building a keyboard. If you don't think it'll work for your project, that's fine.

I noticed when building my octagon that the pcb supported doing a 2,75x right shift layout, but it seems to me that the plate doesn't support this, am I right?

Here is a pic http://www.kbd4u.com/web/product/extra/big/kbd4u_48_2.jpg

If that's the only plate you have then no, it won't support a 2.75 right shift.

[dndlmx]

What's a good plate for TEX 60% case?
How about the IMSTO plate?

[alienman82]

removed.

[Joey Quinn]

what is the typing angle of the hhkb without the use of its feet?

8 degrees give or take a bit.

[alienman82]

removed.

[Joey Quinn]

what is the typing angle of the hhkb without the use of its feet?

8 degrees give or take a bit.

If I find the hhkb to be the perfect angle, would 11 degrees be drastically different?  I'm thinking of getting an mx board with that angle.

I've used several duck boards and the Lightsaver was my daily for a few weeks. The angle was weird for a little but I got used to it and didn't notice it after a week.

[alienman82]

removed.

[CPTBadAss]

What's a good plate for TEX 60% case?
How about the IMSTO plate?

Whatever you can get your hands on is a good plate. 60% plates are kinda hard to come by. You could also use swill's tool and order one from Big Blue Saw.

what is the typing angle of the hhkb without the use of its feet?

8 degrees give or take a bit.

If I find the hhkb to be the perfect angle, would 11 degrees be drastically different?  I'm thinking of getting an mx board with that angle.

11 deg is too steep for my tastes. I definitely notice it and it's not my favorite. Doesn't make the board unusable to me though.

[trustinkiss]

I have a few questions about the Pok3r that I need clarification on.

1. Are all the programmable layers toggles? Like if I wanted to activate the "Fn + <" layer, would I have to keep those keys held down to activate my programmed keys?

2. And if I'm in that same layer, if I don't have anything programmed to a key like the Q key, would pressing it do nothing?

3. Also, within a programmable layer, can I program a double key press? Like can I have Fn+W be "Volume Up" within the programmable layer, "Fn + <." Another example is how the default layer has Fn+I/J/K/L bounded to the arrow keys in the default layer. Is this also possible in each programmable layer?

4. If that's the case, do I technically have 6 programmable layers, since every key can have an alternate "Fn+Key" within each programmable layer?

5. Whats the limit to the Pok3r's programmability? I have seen the Poker II vs Fully Programmable video that was posted on Reddit earlier, but it seemed like the only function was that you can have text macros saved within the key. Is this all the Pok3r can do as well except with a 32 character limit?

6. If not, is the only thing differentiating a "Fully Programmable" keyboard and the Pok3r, the 3/4 layer limit on the Pok3r compared to unlimited layers on the "Fully Programmable" keyboard?

Like many others I am debating between the KC60 and the Pok3r, and the answers to these questions will heavily influence my decision, so any help is appreciated!

[rowdy]

what is the typing angle of the hhkb without the use of its feet?

8 degrees give or take a bit.

If I find the hhkb to be the perfect angle, would 11 degrees be drastically different?  I'm thinking of getting an mx board with that angle.

If it does turn out to be too steep, you can always get some thicker rubber feet and stick them underneath the front edge of the case to raise the front up a little bit, and thus reduce and angle.

[lunr]

will those tex 80% tkl cases fit the kbparadise v80 keyboards?

[CPTBadAss]

I have a few questions about the Pok3r that I need clarification on.

1. Are all the programmable layers toggles? Like if I wanted to activate the "Fn + <" layer, would I have to keep those keys held down to activate my programmed keys?

2. And if I'm in that same layer, if I don't have anything programmed to a key like the Q key, would pressing it do nothing?

3. Also, within a programmable layer, can I program a double key press? Like can I have Fn+W be "Volume Up" within the programmable layer, "Fn + <." Another example is how the default layer has Fn+I/J/K/L bounded to the arrow keys in the default layer. Is this also possible in each programmable layer?

4. If that's the case, do I technically have 6 programmable layers, since every key can have an alternate "Fn+Key" within each programmable layer?

5. Whats the limit to the Pok3r's programmability? I have seen the Poker II vs Fully Programmable video that was posted on Reddit earlier, but it seemed like the only function was that you can have text macros saved within the key. Is this all the Pok3r can do as well except with a 32 character limit?

6. If not, is the only thing differentiating a "Fully Programmable" keyboard and the Pok3r, the 3/4 layer limit on the Pok3r compared to unlimited layers on the "Fully Programmable" keyboard?

Like many others I am debating between the KC60 and the Pok3r, and the answers to these questions will heavily influence my decision, so any help is appreciated!

I honestly don't know that much about the Pok3r but I found some links that might be helpful:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-Ho1rdXm1bDbWt5LUxxUVRMY1E/view - User Manual
https://rhinofeed.com/vortex-pok3r-review/
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/vortex-poker-iii-compact-keyboard
https://www.keychatter.com/2015/01/30/the-vortex-poker-iii-pok3r-vs-the-poker-ii-what-we-know-so-far/

will those tex 80% tkl cases fit the kbparadise v80 keyboards?

I'm not sure. The V80 I have in hand isn't mine to take apart. If the USB port isn't on a daughter board, I don't think it will fit. If it is on a daughter board, I think it will fit. You should try PMing 00ZerO or JoshMK as they stock the Tex TKL cases and may have a sample V80 in stock.

Edit: Looks like the Tek 80% comes with a daughter board that you can wire to the PCB? If that's the case, it might work. Only issues are dimensions and mounting now.

[lunr]

will those tex 80% tkl cases fit the kbparadise v80 keyboards?

I'm not sure. The V80 I have in hand isn't mine to take apart. If the USB port isn't on a daughter board, I don't think it will fit. If it is on a daughter board, I think it will fit. You should try PMing 00ZerO or JoshMK as they stock the Tex TKL cases and may have a sample V80 in stock.

Edit: Looks like the Tek 80% comes with a daughter board that you can wire to the PCB? If that's the case, it might work. Only issues are dimensions and mounting now.
[/quote]

thanks. i'll give them a email/pm soon.

i took a look at this thread https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=60549.0 and it looks like it will fit.

[Giorgio]

Is it possible to replace plate mounted stabilizers without de-soldering everything? I've tried to do it in a pok3r, but after releasing the little lever on the front of the stabilizer, it seemed that the stabilizer was trapped by the metal wire.
I want to do it because it makes a metallic and annoying noise (maybe some grease could help?), and because I like to learn :-)

[esoomenona]

.

[Giorgio]

Thanks but they are not costars, they are cherry style plate mounted stabilizers.

Is it possible to replace plate mounted stabilizers without de-soldering everything? I've tried to do it in a pok3r, but after releasing the little lever on the front of the stabilizer, it seemed that the stabilizer was trapped by the metal wire.
I want to do it because it makes a metallic and annoying noise (maybe some grease could help?), and because I like to learn :-)

If it's a Poker 3, I would imagine they're Costar stabilizers. You should just be able to place some grease right on the contact point where the wire touches the plastic clip on the plate. Maybe also put some on the plastic insert that goes into the cap, where the wire would insert into it?

That being said, you should be able to pop the wire out of the plastic clip and then remove it from the plate fairly easy, IIRC.

[CPTBadAss]

Is it possible to replace plate mounted stabilizers without de-soldering everything? I've tried to do it in a pok3r, but after releasing the little lever on the front of the stabilizer, it seemed that the stabilizer was trapped by the metal wire.
I want to do it because it makes a metallic and annoying noise (maybe some grease could help?), and because I like to learn :-)

How I did it in the past was I just desoldered enough switches to get access to the stabilizers. You don't have to do *all* the switches. Just enough switches.

[esoomenona]

.

[dndlmx]

What's a good plate for TEX 60% case?
How about the IMSTO plate?

Whatever you can get your hands on is a good plate. 60% plates are kinda hard to come by. You could also use swill's tool and order one from Big Blue Saw.

Oops, the Infinity PCB comes with one... 

[Melvang]

Thank you, Captain. But as far as I understand it  I need a plate anyways, in both cases, with enablers, or without enablers (ie. just handwiring). So I can simply spare the enablers, and handwire the switches on the plate, without PCB and without enablers, right? So what's the advantage of the enablers?

The other big advantage is LEDs.  With just handwriting, if you want to use LEDs, there really isnt anything to affix them to.  That and with enablers, you have the option for smd diodes.

[hwood34]

Before I wait for a response from a proxier, what should I expect to pay for shipping a board from Taobao?