need advice on programmable or POS keyboards.

[berserkfan]

Hello Folks!

Here I am again, with my usual set of ignorant questions hoping to suck wisdom out of our fellow geeks like a vampire sucks the blood of innocent maidens (I do conduct research, but it gets tiring to plow through hundreds of posts online when there are too many similar sounding but actually totally different names like ML, MY, G80, G86). 

I would like advice on buying a programmable mechanical keyboard. Could be from Cherry, Skidata, or anybody else. I want lots of macro keys, so remapping a few function keys on a Filco isn't gonna cut it anymore. 

Firstly, I would like that keyboard to be USABLE for typing. (No crappy switches that like to jam and require oiling) 

Secondly, I want it programmable. (We are all geeks, I'm sure we all know how important it is to customize your keyboard to do all kinds of cool things. At least football jocks won't be able to use our keyboard and will look damn stupid.  ))

Thirdly, I want relegendable keycaps. (I'm sure we all know that SP charges 2x as much for a relegendable keycap than a normal keycap. If you didn't know, now you know because I'm telling you!  )

Fourthly, I would prefer Cherry MX compatible keycaps, if only for the customizability of the keyboard. That way I can switch keycaps with my other keyboards. 

Lastly, I prefer some kind of pointing device on the keyboard as well. Trackball or trackpad both ok. That way I don't have to move my hand so far to the side to my Slimblade Trackball which is darn big. 

My requirements are put in order of importance, so really 1-4 are the most important. 

Now let's see what the collective wisdom on this board has to offer! 

[davkol]

I would like advice on buying a programmable mechanical keyboard.

You can still join the ErgoDox GB.

Otherwise, Tipro or Access-IS.

[berserkfan]

I looked at the Ergodox GB months ago. Yours truly lacks the technical skill to handle Ergodox and their instructions. I can't even tell plate mounting from PCB! (Was hoping somebody would say Cherry model xyzabc-1234)

I would like advice on buying a programmable mechanical keyboard.

You can still join the ErgoDox GB.

Otherwise, Tipro or Access-IS.

[jabar]

You have a number of big requirements but I actually own a board that you may like!

I purchased a used G80-8113HRBUS from a GH member recently. It is a fullsize keyboard with a built-in touchpad, 59 of the keys are soft programmable (basically everything except for the alpha block). All of the Function row and arrow cluster area are relegendable. If you get the HRBUS, all the alpha and numpad keycaps are true doubleshot white-on-black Cherry keycaps with deep dish F & J keys.

I believe most if not all of the 8113s are MX Brown boards; mine had a MX Clear spacebar and an MX Grey "Help". Keycaps have 99% compatibility unless you want to replace the arrow cluster with non-relegendable keycaps since they are located in the upper rows, above the touchpad.

The downsides are: fixed double PS/2 cords which you will need an adapter if you don't have two PS/2 ports. Programming is software only, but it looks like their JavaPOS software works not only on Windows. It's big too, with a credit card reader. PCB mounted switches which have a less sturdy feel than a back plate (all G80 keyboards are this way), but you can swap stems extremely easily. ISO not ANSI.

You can find these in the $50-125 range on eBay, or maybe ask around on GH if you're interested. You should be able to find one closer to $50 if not less.

Oh and it's NKRO!


(not my image)

[berserkfan]

OH MY G-- Jabar

The collective wisdom of Geekhackers is truly a thing to behold! G80-8113HRBUS, huh?

THANK YOU, exactly what I want, and best of all the price point is great!

You did say the cherry stems are swappable? So if I do something 'weird' like get on a group buy for green Cherry switches, I won't have to do soldering?

Also, I didn't get the part about the software. Is it something that probably works on Windows7, or only some Java terminal?

You have a number of big requirements but I actually own a board that you may like!

I purchased a used G80-8113HRBUS from a GH member recently. It is a fullsize keyboard with a built-in touchpad, 59 of the keys are soft programmable (basically everything except for the alpha block). All of the Function row and arrow cluster area are relegendable. If you get the HRBUS, all the alpha and numpad keycaps are true doubleshot white-on-black Cherry keycaps with deep dish F & J keys.

I believe most if not all of the 8113s are MX Brown boards; mine had a MX Clear spacebar and an MX Grey "Help". Keycaps have 99% compatibility unless you want to replace the arrow cluster with non-relegendable keycaps since they are located in the upper rows, above the touchpad.

The downsides are: fixed double PS/2 cords which you will need an adapter if you don't have two PS/2 ports. Programming is software only, but it looks like their JavaPOS software works not only on Windows. It's big too, with a credit card reader. PCB mounted switches which have a less sturdy feel than a back plate (all G80 keyboards are this way), but you can swap stems extremely easily. ISO not ANSI.

You can find these in the $50-125 range on eBay, or maybe ask around on GH if you're interested. You should be able to find one closer to $50 if not less.

Oh and it's NKRO!

Show Image

(not my image)

[hoggy]

8113 is a great suggestion.   You'll want to get the seller to pull a keycaps as these come with clear or brown switches.

As for software,  download cherry tools from their website.

Before you buy, make sure you're happy with the hybrid ansi/iso layout.

[jabar]

OH MY G-- Jabar

The collective wisdom of Geekhackers is truly a thing to behold! G80-8113HRBUS, huh?

THANK YOU, exactly what I want, and best of all the price point is great!

You did say the cherry stems are swappable? So if I do something 'weird' like get on a group buy for green Cherry switches, I won't have to do soldering?

Also, I didn't get the part about the software. Is it something that probably works on Windows7, or only some Java terminal?

Cherry Tools is Windows only but they seem to have a Java version which is cross platform, if that is a concern.

No desoldering required if you want to swap stems. You only need some angled tool like heavy-duty tweezers or an allen wrench (what I used) to pop the upper housing.

[berserkfan]

The only annoying thing is that the seller, recycled goods, is now selling it for a ton of money. Nowhere can you get this nearer the $40 mark; it's more like $100. Other online (second hand retailers) are out of stock.

I'm out of luck. Guess will have to keep lurking.

OH MY G-- Jabar

The collective wisdom of Geekhackers is truly a thing to behold! G80-8113HRBUS, huh?

THANK YOU, exactly what I want, and best of all the price point is great!

You did say the cherry stems are swappable? So if I do something 'weird' like get on a group buy for green Cherry switches, I won't have to do soldering?

Also, I didn't get the part about the software. Is it something that probably works on Windows7, or only some Java terminal?

Cherry Tools is Windows only but they seem to have a Java version which is cross platform, if that is a concern.

No desoldering required if you want to swap stems. You only need some angled tool like heavy-duty tweezers or an allen wrench (what I used) to pop the upper housing.