Author Topic: Best Membrane Keyboard (Read 45181 times)

morpheus · « **on:** Mon, 10 June 2013, 19:07:44 »

What's the best membrane keyboard out there, that's easily accessible?

Badwrench · « **Reply #1 on:** Mon, 10 June 2013, 19:19:19 »

Dell Quite touch.

daerid · « **Reply #2 on:** Mon, 10 June 2013, 19:24:16 »

That's not a quiet touch, btw. That's a picture of a Dell AT101W, which (usually) has black Alps sliders. Most definitely not a membrane board.

These are Dell Quiet Touch keyboards:

morpheus · « **Reply #3 on:** Mon, 10 June 2013, 19:28:01 »

I tried looking up Dell Quiet Touch on EBAY, but all I could find was Dell Quiet Key. Are they the same or different?

Sifo · « **Reply #4 on:** Mon, 10 June 2013, 19:32:32 »

DT-35 MASTER RACE

Vintage · « **Reply #5 on:** Mon, 10 June 2013, 19:34:06 »

Some old IBM terminal keyboards have amazing rubber domes that feel really good to me despite their age. I used one at my old job and it was lovely.

badcop · « **Reply #6 on:** Mon, 10 June 2013, 19:43:17 »

i dont have a model number but this is probably one of the best RD keyboard i've ever typed on

Badwrench · « **Reply #7 on:** Mon, 10 June 2013, 20:07:50 »

Quote from: daerid on Mon, 10 June 2013, 19:24:16

That's not a quiet touch, btw. That's a picture of a Dell AT101W, which (usually) has black Alps sliders. Most definitely not a membrane board.

These are Dell Quiet Touch keyboards:

Show Image

You are correct, I messed that one up. Just pulled the first that the google search pulled up without actually looking at it. My bad.

fohat.digs · « **Reply #8 on:** Mon, 10 June 2013, 20:08:57 »

If you get a Dell Quiet Key make sure that it is an early one with a model number something like R45D not made in China.

The later ones made in China with model numbers like 1000 are not nearly as good.

The IBM KB8923 is very good and fairly easy to find cheap at yard sales and thrift stores.

Compaq keyboards from the late1990s-early-2000s are great but often have funny shapes and extra buttons.

PS - yes, that is the one. RT7D5JTW Made in Thailand. I have had them with both blue and yellow domes on a translucent substrate.

Flyersfan1 · « **Reply #9 on:** Mon, 10 June 2013, 20:21:51 »

I'm currently using one and it feels very nice to type on, definitely better than any membrane keyboard I had used prior. If anyone is ever interested in picking one up, here's where I bought mine. It says "Made in Thailand" so i figure it's the one that was referenced.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Dell-White-Quiet-Key-Quietkey-Keyboard-0463CD-463CD-RT7D5JTW-/390567516412?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item5aefa358fc

morpheus · « **Reply #10 on:** Mon, 10 June 2013, 20:40:41 »

Quote from: Flyersfan1 on Mon, 10 June 2013, 20:21:51

I'm currently using one and it feels very nice to type on, definitely better than any membrane keyboard I had used prior. If anyone is ever interested in picking one up, here's where I bought mine. It says "Made in Thailand" so i figure it's the one that was referenced.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Dell-White-Quiet-Key-Quietkey-Keyboard-0463CD-463CD-RT7D5JTW-/390567516412?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item5aefa358fc

Thanks! Just purchased this now.

dante · « **Reply #11 on:** Mon, 10 June 2013, 21:10:34 »

My favorite membrane is the HP SK2880. Compared to my previous favorite [Dell Quietkey] it has better feeling keycaps - which are almost POM like. It has shorter throw and a smaller foot print. Doesn't feel too mushy either.

Contrary to what others have said I don't find the domes in the HHKB Lite very offensive at all - especially if you can acquire one for under $50.

What baffles me is nobody has tried to put out a standard 80% ANSI model. Why not? They could charge the same price as a full size model and they have no competition to fight.

I am in the process of trying to find someone who can import specific models of the Qsenn DT35 as I'm interested in how they feel. Most say it feels like a regular rubber dome - but those who enjoy them are very passionate about it.

exousia7 · « **Reply #12 on:** Mon, 10 June 2013, 21:18:49 »

I really like the i-rocks KR-6260

jdcarpe · « **Reply #13 on:** Mon, 10 June 2013, 21:26:41 »

Quote from: morpheus on Mon, 10 June 2013, 20:40:41

Quote from: Flyersfan1 on Mon, 10 June 2013, 20:21:51
I'm currently using one and it feels very nice to type on, definitely better than any membrane keyboard I had used prior. If anyone is ever interested in picking one up, here's where I bought mine. It says "Made in Thailand" so i figure it's the one that was referenced.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Dell-White-Quiet-Key-Quietkey-Keyboard-0463CD-463CD-RT7D5JTW-/390567516412?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item5aefa358fc

Thanks! Just purchased this now.

You will not be disappointed. This is probably the best rubber dome you will ever use. I bought one from the same eBay sale, and it's good enough to be the only rubber dome keyboard listed in my signature.

dadgh · « **Reply #14 on:** Mon, 10 June 2013, 21:36:46 »

Quote from: badcop on Mon, 10 June 2013, 19:43:17

i dont have a model number but this is probably one of the best RD keyboard i've ever typed on

Show Image

yuck i gotta type on this every single day at work and it's complete garbage

tricheboars · « **Reply #15 on:** Mon, 10 June 2013, 22:14:13 »

I vote for hhkb lite 2

Findecanor · « **Reply #16 on:** Mon, 10 June 2013, 22:30:08 »

Key Tronic OEM or Ergoforce.

lightsout714 · « **Reply #17 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 00:18:24 »

Looks pretty good.

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #18 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 00:26:26 »

Microsoft Ergonomic 4000. I love that baby so much

ksm123 · « **Reply #19 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 02:18:56 »

MS Ergo 4000 has nice shape (I used it for a few years), but it felt awful under my fingers. Those rubber domes weren't "springy" enough for satisfying typing experience.

davkol · « **Reply #20 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 04:11:32 »

I wouldn't use "springy" and "MS Ergo 4k" in one sentence... oops, I've just done that. Anyway, that keyboard is a piece of poo except in terms of shape. It isn't spill resistant, the rubber dome sheet gets out of position easily (you have to press some keys right in the center then), keys feel mushy and don't let even get started about spacebar... Also, pad printed lettering on the first revision faded almost instantly.

Especially MS Natural Keyboard Elite was much higher quality.

morpheus · « **Reply #21 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 07:30:57 »

Here's some videos of clicky sounding membranes:

crthell · « **Reply #22 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 09:07:25 »

They're called QuietKeys, and are phenomenal for rubber domes.

SpAmRaY · « **Reply #23 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 09:19:16 »

Quote from: badcop on Mon, 10 June 2013, 19:43:17

i dont have a model number but this is probably one of the best RD keyboard i've ever typed on

Show Image

At a previous employer, before I knew about mechanical keyboards, I had these ordered for the entire office! (I think we got them for like $8 a piece or something :p )

dante · « **Reply #24 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 09:23:35 »

Quote from: Findecanor on Mon, 10 June 2013, 22:30:08

Key Tronic OEM or Ergoforce.

Ergoforce is hard to find and based on reviews the last couple years Keytronics has cheapened their hardware.

morpheus · « **Reply #25 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 10:21:11 »

Anybody have experience with the Keytronic E03601 from the video above? It sounds similar to a Happy Hacking Lite 2...

daerid · « **Reply #26 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 10:22:29 »

^^^ Not only the best rubber dome experience I've had (slightly edging out the Dell Quiet Touch), but also the best ergo keyboard Microsoft has ever produced. Why? Simple.. the caps bottomed out before the dome did (I have no idea how they pulled that off), so you got a nice solid "clack" on each press, and the feel didn't degrade over time.

Honestly, I need to pick one up off ebay and see if that's still the case. My last time using one was something like 10 years ago, so my memory might be fuzzy, but I remember absolutely loving the hell out of that board.

morpheus · « **Reply #27 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 10:41:13 »

Quote from: daerid on Tue, 11 June 2013, 10:22:29

Show Image

^^^ Not only the best rubber dome experience I've had (slightly edging out the Dell Quiet Touch), but also the best ergo keyboard Microsoft has ever produced. Why? Simple.. the caps bottomed out before the dome did (I have no idea how they pulled that off), so you got a nice solid "clack" on each press, and the feel didn't degrade over time.

Honestly, I need to pick one up off ebay and see if that's still the case. My last time using one was something like 10 years ago, so my memory might be fuzzy, but I remember absolutely loving the hell out of that board.

What is this one called?

SpAmRaY · « **Reply #28 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 10:47:59 »

Quote from: morpheus on Tue, 11 June 2013, 10:41:13

Quote from: daerid on Tue, 11 June 2013, 10:22:29
Show Image

^^^ Not only the best rubber dome experience I've had (slightly edging out the Dell Quiet Touch), but also the best ergo keyboard Microsoft has ever produced. Why? Simple.. the caps bottomed out before the dome did (I have no idea how they pulled that off), so you got a nice solid "clack" on each press, and the feel didn't degrade over time.

Honestly, I need to pick one up off ebay and see if that's still the case. My last time using one was something like 10 years ago, so my memory might be fuzzy, but I remember absolutely loving the hell out of that board.

What is this one called?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Natural_keyboard

I believe this is it...

daerid · « **Reply #29 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 11:11:19 »

Quote from: morpheus on Tue, 11 June 2013, 10:41:13

What is this one called?

It's the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro.

jwaz · « **Reply #30 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 11:22:01 »

Quote from: daerid on Tue, 11 June 2013, 11:11:19

Quote from: morpheus on Tue, 11 June 2013, 10:41:13
What is this one called?

It's the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro.

Yeah, the old version of these isn't bad (the one without all the goofy buttons on the top)

We have quite a few at work and my coworker swears by them. Surprised to see how much they go for on ebay.

Binge · « **Reply #31 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 11:47:47 »

http://i.imgur.com/x1WFNc5.jpg

^^^ worst keyboard ever after a year. They feel like poop and do not last.

nappi11 · « **Reply #32 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 12:05:14 »

Quote from: morpheus on Tue, 11 June 2013, 10:21:11

Anybody have experience with the Keytronic E03601 from the video above? It sounds similar to a Happy Hacking Lite 2...

I have keytronic E03602, and I think it feels a bit too stiff for me. I have also managed to break few of its keycaps, which were admittedly very hard to remove without proper tools. Especially the spacebar was quite hellish to pull up. (In fact I managed to broke it.) I have never really liked that keyboard very much.

Hyde · « **Reply #33 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 12:40:04 »

http://pckeyboard.com/page/category/QTRD

Some member mentioned before (I think it was BucklingSpring) that the Unicomp Quiet Touch (Rubber Dome) feel really close to Topre. So I'd imagine those would be good too but I haven't personally try it yet.

EDIT: Though looking at the price it almost feel like you're better off buying a mechanical keyboard >____>

daerid · « **Reply #34 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 13:34:22 »

Quote from: JesuswasaZombie on Tue, 11 June 2013, 11:22:01

Yeah, the old version of these isn't bad (the one without all the goofy buttons on the top)

We have quite a few at work and my coworker swears by them. Surprised to see how much they go for on ebay.

I just didn't like the screwed up diamond arrow keys cluster. Everything else was pretty legit. I also liked the Pro's heftier sizer.

jwaz · « **Reply #35 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 14:07:01 »

Quote from: daerid on Tue, 11 June 2013, 13:34:22

Quote from: JesuswasaZombie on Tue, 11 June 2013, 11:22:01
Yeah, the old version of these isn't bad (the one without all the goofy buttons on the top)

We have quite a few at work and my coworker swears by them. Surprised to see how much they go for on ebay.

I just didn't like the screwed up diamond arrow keys cluster. Everything else was pretty legit. I also liked the Pro's heftier sizer.

The arrow keys are definitely the worst part ot the layout. If the function keys were normal and the space was split it would be pretty legit. especially since you could change left space to backspace or some such

davkol · « **Reply #36 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 14:52:35 »

I actually sort of liked them, or at least it didn't matter that much to me. More importantly, the overall build quality of the Elite was surprisingly better than in case of the original Natural Keyboard. (And the multimedia successor made after Y2K was utter crap...)

dante · « **Reply #37 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 19:30:44 »

Any opinions of the IBM 71G4644 membrane? A seller on ebay has a quite a few NIB.

daerid · « **Reply #38 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 20:56:22 »

Quote from: davkol on Tue, 11 June 2013, 14:52:35

I actually sort of liked them, or at least it didn't matter that much to me. More importantly, the overall build quality of the Elite was surprisingly better than in case of the original Natural Keyboard. (And the multimedia successor made after Y2K was utter crap...)

The gray one with the effed up ins/del cluster? I'd have to agree. That one was horrendous.

Findecanor · « **Reply #39 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 21:41:42 »

Quote from: daerid on Tue, 11 June 2013, 10:22:29

Show Image

I got a MS Natural Keyboard Pro cheap at a flea market once, cleaned it up thoroughly and plugged it in. The keys bound horribly on off-centre key presses, especially the enormous keys on the bottom row did. Had I washed away some lubricant when I cleaned it?
I tossed it. If I had known at the time that people liked it, the maybe I would have held on to it.

Quote from: nappi11 on Tue, 11 June 2013, 12:05:14

I have keytronic E03602, and I think it feels a bit too stiff for me.

I have a E03602 and an Ergoforce, so I took both out to compare them. I agree with the E03602's keys being too stiff.
The Ergoforce has variably weighted keys, all being lighter and having sharper tactility than the E03602's, with the exception of the bottom-row modifiers on my Ergoforce being only slightly stiffer than on my E03602.

I still prefer the cheaper flatter Key Tronic keyboards. On them, all keys are relatively soft and very tactile, like a uniformly weighted version of the Ergoforce. It has sculpted key caps instead of a curved backplane like the others. It is also a completely plastic construction -- including stabiliser bars.

On all three keyboards, bottoming out is dampened but distinct -- not mushy at all.

dadgh · « **Reply #40 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 21:52:57 »

Quote from: Binge on Tue, 11 June 2013, 11:47:47

http://i.imgur.com/x1WFNc5.jpg

^^^ worst keyboard ever after a year. They feel like poop and do not last.

Agreed.

morpheus · « **Reply #41 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 21:59:40 »

Quote from: Findecanor on Tue, 11 June 2013, 21:41:42

Quote from: daerid on Tue, 11 June 2013, 10:22:29
Show Image

I got a MS Natural Keyboard Pro cheap at a flea market once, cleaned it up thoroughly and plugged it in. The keys bound horribly on off-centre key presses, especially the enormous keys on the bottom row did. Had I washed away some lubricant when I cleaned it?
I tossed it. If I had known at the time that people liked it, the maybe I would have held on to it.

Quote from: nappi11 on Tue, 11 June 2013, 12:05:14
I have keytronic E03602, and I think it feels a bit too stiff for me.
I have a E03602 and an Ergoforce, so I took both out to compare them. I agree with the E03602's keys being too stiff.
The Ergoforce has variably weighted keys, all being lighter and having sharper tactility than the E03602's, with the exception of the bottom-row modifiers on my Ergoforce being only slightly stiffer than on my E03602.

I still prefer the cheaper flatter Key Tronic keyboards. On them, all keys are relatively soft and very tactile, like a uniformly weighted version of the Ergoforce. It has sculpted key caps instead of a curved backplane like the others. It is also a completely plastic construction -- including stabiliser bars.

On all three keyboards, bottoming out is dampened but distinct -- not mushy at all.

Which Keytronic models are you talking about here? I see a ton on Ebay and Tiger Direct, but I don't which model to look at.

Findecanor · « **Reply #42 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 22:01:14 »

Quote from: Binge on Tue, 11 June 2013, 11:47:47

http://i.imgur.com/x1WFNc5.jpg

^^^ worst keyboard ever after a year. They feel like poop and do not last.

They are actually (at least) three different keyboards, possibly from three different manufacturers. I think we found three different article numbers in a thread back in 2010. They feel only slightly different.

Findecanor · « **Reply #43 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 22:14:52 »

Quote from: morpheus on Tue, 11 June 2013, 21:59:40

Which Keytronic models are you talking about here? I see a ton on Ebay and Tiger Direct, but I don't which model to look at.

The cheap variety with sculpted keycaps is usually a KT800 or a KT1000. All "Realforce" keyboards I have been KT2000 or KT2001, with large rounded edges, a grey space bar and a blue/red "Ergoforce" sticker over the keyboard LEDs.
The E03601/E03602 can have either a Model M-lookalike case or a case like the Realforce keyboards.
There are lots of other model numbers, but I don't know much about them.

noisyturtle · « **Reply #44 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 22:30:01 »

I'm surprised no one's said Topre yet

dadgh · « **Reply #45 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 22:58:57 »

Quote from: noisyturtle on Tue, 11 June 2013, 22:30:01

I'm surprised no one's said Topre yet

That's clearly not the purpose of this thread.

morpheus · « **Reply #46 on:** Tue, 11 June 2013, 23:20:15 »

Quote from: Findecanor on Tue, 11 June 2013, 22:14:52

Quote from: morpheus on Tue, 11 June 2013, 21:59:40
Which Keytronic models are you talking about here? I see a ton on Ebay and Tiger Direct, but I don't which model to look at.
The cheap variety with sculpted keycaps is usually a KT800 or a KT1000. All "Realforce" keyboards I have been KT2000 or KT2001, with large rounded edges, a grey space bar and a blue/red "Ergoforce" sticker over the keyboard LEDs.
The E03601/E03602 can have either a Model M-lookalike case or a case like the Realforce keyboards.
There are lots of other model numbers, but I don't know much about them.

Which one did you prefer between the KT800 and KT2000?

phoenixl1ght · « **Reply #47 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 10:41:37 »

I tried this before at a local store and they felt really different than standard rubber domes. They're really quiet and lighter to press. It's the Raptor Gaming LK1 Quiet Gaming Keyboard.

Panoptic · « **Reply #48 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 10:55:18 »

Quote from: dante on Mon, 10 June 2013, 21:10:34

My favorite membrane is the HP SK2880. Compared to my previous favorite [Dell Quietkey] it has better feeling keycaps - which are almost POM like. It has shorter throw and a smaller foot print. Doesn't feel too mushy either.

Among the current silver and black HP business keyboards, my favorite model was the 9109. Actually had a snappy, tactile feel to them. Whenever I found one at work I'd snatch it for my stockpile.

morpheus · « **Reply #49 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 22:24:18 »

Are there any good TKL Membranes out there?

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Author Topic: Best Membrane Keyboard (Read 45181 times)