New keyboard suggestions?

[tehsprayer]

My QFR just broke as I was taking it apart to clean. The plug in to the board got ripped out and it was soldered so...
I am looking for a TKL keyboard as I have to no use for a numpad and I am used to the 87 key version.

I am learning towards a topre keyboard (87u to be exact), although the price is insane. I'm from Canada so... $250 + $33 shipping + $32.5 taxes + duties = $315.5 and duties
Canadian currency of 315.5 USD is $324.57 + duties which is a lot of money to drop on a keyboard. Is elitekeyboards the best to buy realforce keyboards from and ship to Canada?

What other keyboards would you suggest? I just wish I could try out the keyboard before dropping this insane amount of money on and then have to hassle of finding a new keyboard and selling it to the classifieds without any feedback.


TL;DR: Keyboard broke, looking for new one, I like the 87u but cannot wrap my hands around that price ($324.57 total+)

[Hypersphere]

If you are seriously thinking of spending that much on a TKL board, I would recommend considering an IBM SSK, which could cost a good deal less on eBay. I recently purchased one on eBay, and I am very pleased with it. Like the Realforce 87u, the SSK is one of the few TKL boards that has an embedded numeric keypad and embedded cursor keys along with its dedicated cursor keys.

I have also tried contemporary TKL boards, including a Ducky with Cherry browns and a Filco with blues. After replacing the keycaps on the Filco with a legible white and gray doubleshot set, i like it fairly well, but not nearly as much as the IBM.

At the moment, I am using a new Leopold FC660M (with Cherry blues), which occupies a middle ground between a TKL and 60% board. It has dedicated arrow keys and a highly intuitive Fn layer. I like it better than the Ducky or Filco, but not as much as the IBM.

[tehsprayer]

I dont really want a laptop from the 1980s, I would prefer a more modern one in the 21st century such as the realforce 87u, thanks for the suggestion though!

[rowdy]

Can you solder the plug back on?

If not, consider selling (or giving?) the keyboard to someone on here so they can fix it

[tehsprayer]

Can you solder the plug back on?

If not, consider selling (or giving?) the keyboard to someone on here so they can fix it

I was planning on getting a new keyboard within the next 6 months or so anyways, I am currently using my brother's old brown switch leopold keyboard which I can live with for the time being.

I ripped a few switches off the keyboard for a little keepsake, so basically useless now unless I could sell it for parts only for people to take off the blue switches to mod their own keyboard.

[tehsprayer]

Topre is too expensive, what mx switches in your opinion are the best? Maybe I'll get another QFR although I would like a keyboard with pbt, so maybe I'll get a filco

[CPTBadAss]

If you want a lot of opinions on MX switches, check out the Switch Review Directory and my own Post Meetup/Mr Interface Switch Try Bag reviews.

[tehsprayer]

If you want a lot of opinions on MX switches, check out the Switch Review Directory and my own Post Meetup/Mr Interface Switch Try Bag reviews.

i think I would really enjoy cherry mx clears or cherry mx whites. Do you know any keyboards that actually support these choices? They seem to be very rare to find.

[CPTBadAss]

MX Whites can be found in the Race and Pure. I have a Pure with MX Whites.

MX Clears can be found in the new WASD keyboard, old Cherry boards, and supposedly in the upcoming QFRs.

[tehsprayer]

If you want a lot of opinions on MX switches, check out the Switch Review Directory and my own Post Meetup/Mr Interface Switch Try Bag reviews.

So confused on if I should get topre or get mx clears or whites

What do you think?

I tried looking for a cherry mx white board and could only find the KBT Race which has a weird layout, the KBT Pure in whites was unavailable from everywhere!

[CPTBadAss]

MechanicalKeyboards.com doesn't have a Pure in Whites?

I hate Topre so don't ask for my opinion on that. I like Clears but I love Whites. I'd recommend those.

[SpAmRaY]

If you want a lot of opinions on MX switches, check out the Switch Review Directory and my own Post Meetup/Mr Interface Switch Try Bag reviews.

So confused on if I should get topre or get mx clears or whites

What do you think?

I tried looking for a cherry mx white board and could only find the KBT Race which has a weird layout, the KBT Pure in whites was unavailable from everywhere!

You probably should attempt to try some switches or perhaps read up on peoples thoughts on here before getting any of those switches. And it's all subjective and a very personal preference type thing.

There aren't many mx white switch boards available unfortunately.

[tehsprayer]

http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=210
is the only available cherry mx white switch on mechanicalkeyboards.com

Seems like they would be hard to press considering the activation force of the keys are 80g!!!

[SpAmRaY]

http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=210
is the only available cherry mx white switch on mechanicalkeyboards.com

Seems like they would be hard to press considering the activation force of the keys are 80g!!!

Where are you located? I 'might' could send you a couple switches to try.

[tehsprayer]

http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=210
is the only available cherry mx white switch on mechanicalkeyboards.com

Seems like they would be hard to press considering the activation force of the keys are 80g!!!

Where are you located? I 'might' could send you a couple switches to try.

I'm from Ontario, Canada

Would be fantastic if you could, my brother also is looking to try out different types of switches.

[CPTBadAss]

Seems like they would be hard to press considering the activation force of the keys are 80g!

You asked for *my* opinion. I hate light switches and like heavier ones. I have no idea what you'd like since you haven't told us.

[tehsprayer]

Seems like they would be hard to press considering the activation force of the keys are 80g!

You asked for *my* opinion. I hate light switches and like heavier ones. I have no idea what you'd like since you haven't told us.

I have no idea what type of switches I would like, light or heavy. The only type of switches I have tried out are the mx blues on the QFR and browns on my brother's leopold. I find that his cherry mx browns are a bit mushy and don't feel as great. I like the feel of my blues although I wish they were quieter as they can get annoying when listening to music or late at night.

[oTurtlez]

Seems like they would be hard to press considering the activation force of the keys are 80g!

You asked for *my* opinion. I hate light switches and like heavier ones. I have no idea what you'd like since you haven't told us.

I have no idea what type of switches I would like, light or heavy. The only type of switches I have tried out are the mx blues on the QFR and browns on my brother's leopold. I find that his cherry mx browns are a bit mushy and don't feel as great. I like the feel of my blues although I wish they were quieter as they can get annoying when listening to music or late at night.

Black springs, 65g, or even 62g springs in MX whites would be perfect. I'm leaning towards that blacks for the best audible effect with good feel as well. Buy http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=46230.0 that filco, go over to DT, buy some MX Whites from the 7Bit GB, and make yourself a nice keyboard of your own

EDIT: That is of course if you don't like 62g Ergo-Clears. And that board doesn't come with caps, just reuse the ones from your QFR till you get a nice set.

[SpAmRaY]

http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=210
is the only available cherry mx white switch on mechanicalkeyboards.com

Seems like they would be hard to press considering the activation force of the keys are 80g!!!

Where are you located? I 'might' could send you a couple switches to try.

I'm from Ontario, Canada

Would be fantastic if you could, my brother also is looking to try out different types of switches.

Hmmm.....canada......perhaps one of our members on your side of the border would be willing to help, if not I'll see what I can do. I'm swamped this week at home so I can't promise anything too soon.

You can also get a sampler pack from WASD looks like it would be between $15-$20 ish depending on what options you pick shipped to you. It does have a clear now, but no white.

http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/wasd-sampler-kit.html