60% ISO?

[Icte]

Are there any recommended 60% keyboards with ISO layout?

k thx bai 

[yasuo]

gh60

[BimboBB]

There is only one currently available. Thats the KBT Pure Pro.

There two others in pre-ordering phase....its the Ducky Mini and the QWER Keyboard.


Would recommend to wait for the Ducky Mini....as it comes in original Poker Layout (standard). Pure Pro and QWER having non-common layout, making it more difficult to exchange caps and stuff.

[Icte]

Lmao yeah wish I had ordered it though >.< But I'll wait patiently for people to sell some!

Any else??

[Icte]

There is only one currently available. Thats the KBT Pure Pro.

There two others in pre-ordering phase....its the Ducky Mini and the QWER Keyboard.


Would recommend to wait for the Ducky Mini....as it comes in original Poker Layout (standard). Pure Pro and QWER having non-common layout, making it more difficult to exchange caps and stuff.

Oh yeah I've heard of the Ducky Mini.. But it'll come with all types of shiny light and stuff no?

[BimboBB]

Yes, its practically a Poker II with assembled LED's.

[Icte]

Hm I should've mentioned it before that I'm not really a huge fan of LED lights everywhere, except for Caps and Numlock and the usual stuff common keyboards have

[BimboBB]

There is one easy solution for you.....switch the lights off. 

[Icte]

You mean.. TURN ALL THE LIGHTS OFF!! (T-Pain FTW!)

Well Ducky Mini will be one option then! GH60 is still my main goal but if it won't arrive gotta have some backups!

QWER Keyboard is also backlit?

[BimboBB]

No, i think its without backlit.....btw here is a GB currently going on for the QWER board:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=46702.msg987703#msg987703

[Icte]

No, i think its without backlit.....btw here is a GB currently going on for the QWER board:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=46702.msg987703#msg987703

Interesting.. I'll check this one out too! Thanks!

[BimboBB]

Yes, but be aware of the layout.....it has a 4.5x spacebar which is close to impossible to find a replacement for (should you ever think about keycap changing)

[Icte]

Oh damn that's true, I do want PBT caps..

[BimboBB]

....than better wait for Ducky Mini or GH60....will make things like keycap changing way more easier.

[Icte]

Indeed!

Modding an ANSI Poker II to support ISO layout is hard, isn't it?

[BimboBB]

Yes, it is.....I wouldnt bother to do it. Its already difficult on a pcb mounted keyboard.....but Poker II comes even with a plate which needs to be modded as well.

[Icte]

Indeed 

Btw, a bit off topic but double-shot PBT caps are non-existent, correct?

[Icte]

Actually, on topic - Is there any TOPRE 60% ISO Keyboards?? :O

[BlueBär]

Btw, a bit off topic but double-shot PBT caps are non-existent, correct?

They do exist but are rather rare.

Actually, on topic - Is there any TOPRE 60% ISO Keyboards?? :O

No. HHKB is the only Topre 60% and it's not available in ISO.

[Icte]

Yeah just saw it >.< Apparently it's very good though, compared to Realforce! But the price.. yikes :S

[ImperfectLink]

Filco Minila?

[Icte]

Filco Minila?

Now you're talking! That's some fine piece of typing machinery there! I might give it a try

[BimboBB]

Filco Minila has also quite weird layout. 

- 3x Space
- 1.75x Ctrl
- 1xShift
- 1xBackspace

all not very common....

[codyeatworld]

i know its  been said but the gh60!
i cant stop using this layout.


(this is a prototype)

[PadawanGeek]

Pardon the thread hijack, but someone had mentioned a Ducky Mini? First time I've heard of this, any links and such?

[codyeatworld]

Pardon the thread hijack, but someone had mentioned a Ducky Mini? First time I've heard of this, any links and such?

Yeah heres a link from DT and some pics! Ducky Nordic seems pretty active in that thread.

http://deskthority.net/marketplace-f11/ducky-nordic-keyboards-keycaps-projects-and-misc-stuff-t4718-720.html

[iAmAhab]

I want those two tone dyedub pbt caps so bad, but they won't be released to the general public. Oh the humanity!

[PadawanGeek]

Yeah heres a link from DT and some pics! Ducky Nordic seems pretty active in that thread.

http://deskthority.net/marketplace-f11/ducky-nordic-keyboards-keycaps-projects-and-misc-stuff-t4718-720.html

Show Image

Show Image

Oh wow, just when I'd thought I'd stop at 15 keyboards (14 now, with a YOTS already paid for) for my collection, this has to come up.....

[iAmAhab]

It won't look like that though. It comes with caps with the same ugly font as the poker ii, and I also believe they will be abs because of the back lighting. The case will also be black. So if you don't need iso then the poker ii might be a better choice.

[ImperfectLink]

Filco Minila has also quite weird layout. 

- 3x Space
- 1.75x Ctrl
- 1xShift
- 1xBackspace

all not very common....

I was skeptical too but I'm quite enjoying this board. Considering a second one actually.

[spiceBar]

The KBT Pure Pro is fine. As I understand it will not work for the OP because he wants to change the keycaps and the layout is not standard.

However, from a productivity point of view, this keyboard has some advantages.

Here is one of the two I own:




+ It's a 60%
+ Plate mounted
+ Cherry MX, so you can silence it with O-rings or landing pads
+ Available in ISO (UK, DE, FR, ES) and ANSI (US)
+ Direct access to arrow keys (I love the look of the HHKB, but I couldn't work on it)
+ Backlit. I need it because sometimes I have to work with almost no light
+ Programmable: you can change any [Key] or [Fn]-[Key] and assign to it a single keystroke of a full macro. Definitely useful
+ It's available NOW, not next year

The fact that it is programmable has allowed me to remap Home and End to the right Shift and Ctrl keys. I find that it is very convenient. I have another 5 or 6 useful remaps/macros.


The Minila is close (almost the same layout). The differences are:
+ Offers a free USB port
+ It's Filco
- Available in ANSI US and ISO UK only
- No backlight
- Not programmable

I have considered the Minila for a while and finally settled for a KBT Pure Pro.


If the Leopold 660C/M was available in ISO, I would have one.

[Icte]

Pardon the thread hijack, but someone had mentioned a Ducky Mini? First time I've heard of this, any links and such?

Yeah heres a link from DT and some pics! Ducky Nordic seems pretty active in that thread.

http://deskthority.net/marketplace-f11/ducky-nordic-keyboards-keycaps-projects-and-misc-stuff-t4718-720.html

Show Image

Show Image

Now THAT'S the layout I'm looking for! Although the right Shift could've been made a tad smaller to add another normal-sized key next to it..

[Icte]

The KBT Pure Pro is fine. As I understand it will not work for the OP because he wants to change the keycaps and the layout is not standard.

However, from a productivity point of view, this keyboard has some advantages.

Here is one of the two I own:

(Attachment Link)


+ It's a 60%
+ Plate mounted
+ Cherry MX, so you can silence it with O-rings or landing pads
+ Available in ISO (UK, DE, FR, ES) and ANSI (US)
+ Direct access to arrow keys (I love the look of the HHKB, but I couldn't work on it)
+ Backlit. I need it because sometimes I have to work with almost no light
+ Programmable: you can change any [Key] or [Fn]-[Key] and assign to it a single keystroke of a full macro. Definitely useful
+ It's available NOW, not next year

The fact that it is programmable has allowed me to remap Home and End to the right Shift and Ctrl keys. I find that it is very convenient. I have another 5 or 6 useful remaps/macros.


The Minila is close (almost the same layout). The differences are:
+ Offers a free USB port
+ It's Filco
- Available in ANSI US and ISO UK only
- No backlight
- Not programmable

I have considered the Minila for a while and finally settled for a KBT Pure Pro.


If the Leopold 660C/M was available in ISO, I would have one.

Yeah the KBT Pure Pro would've been amazing but I do want custom PBT keycaps.. :/

So if I were to purchase a Filco Minila ISO UK version, I wouldn't be able to change some buttons to the Swedish letters (namely Å, Ä, Ö)?

[spiceBar]

Yeah the KBT Pure Pro would've been amazing but I do want custom PBT keycaps.. :/

So if I were to purchase a Filco Minila ISO UK version, I wouldn't be able to change some buttons to the Swedish letters (namely Å, Ä, Ö)?

I don't think you will find PBT caps for the Minila either, it's almost the same layout as the KBT Pure Pro. Have a look at it:

Minila (ISO UK):
http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/uk-majestouch-minila-68-key-tactile-action-keyboard.asp

KBT Pure Pro (ISO UK):
http://kbtrace.com/kbtpure/kbt-pure/kbt-pure-pro-60-white-light-qwerty-uk.html

That being said, the guys at The Keyboard Company have always been very helpful. They do have Swedish keyboards, so they may have the keycaps you are missing for the Minila. Just drop them an email and ask.

[spaceburge]

So the Filco Minila really has me going for a more portable 60% board but I hear so much about the GH60. Is this a fully assembled board or something I build from a kit?

Plus this is my first post on Geekhack. Really can't believe the community around keyboards, I thought I was alone in this!

Currently using a Ninja TKL and loving it!

[BlueBär]

So the Filco Minila really has me going for a more portable 60% board but I hear so much about the GH60. Is this a fully assembled board or something I build from a kit?

It's a custom keyboard that you have to build yourself or get someone to build you one, it's a Geekhack community project. You cant order them anymore beacause the group buy is over, but they will show up in the classifieds when people start receiving them.

[spaceburge]

So the Filco Minila really has me going for a more portable 60% board but I hear so much about the GH60. Is this a fully assembled board or something I build from a kit?

It's a custom keyboard that you have to build yourself or get someone to build you one, it's a Geekhack community project. You cant order them anymore beacause the group buy is over, but they will show up in the classifieds when people start receiving them.

Thanks for the heads up. I've heard a lot of talk about it but just wanted to be sure!

[Moosecraft]

I would recommend finding a GH60 or waiting for the Ducky Mini.

[Icte]

Yeah the KBT Pure Pro would've been amazing but I do want custom PBT keycaps.. :/

So if I were to purchase a Filco Minila ISO UK version, I wouldn't be able to change some buttons to the Swedish letters (namely Å, Ä, Ö)?

I don't think you will find PBT caps for the Minila either, it's almost the same layout as the KBT Pure Pro. Have a look at it:

Minila (ISO UK):
http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/uk-majestouch-minila-68-key-tactile-action-keyboard.asp

KBT Pure Pro (ISO UK):
http://kbtrace.com/kbtpure/kbt-pure/kbt-pure-pro-60-white-light-qwerty-uk.html

That being said, the guys at The Keyboard Company have always been very helpful. They do have Swedish keyboards, so they may have the keycaps you are missing for the Minila. Just drop them an email and ask.

Awesome, I'll definitly give it a try!

Speaking of GH60 - since the buyout is over, is it really worth getting one instead of , say a Poker II or so? I mean, will the fully programmable chip really be that necessary if you prefer typing on QWERTY?

[dorkvader]

I dont know where you'll get a plate, but the poker2 pcb appears to support iso

[Icte]

I dont know where you'll get a plate, but the poker2 pcb appears to support iso

Yeah but modding it for full ISO support will definitly be a pain in *beep*

[dorkvader]

I guess my point was that perhaps they will be like CM and the QFR, and an ISO version will show up in a couple months.

[Icte]

I guess my point was that perhaps they will be like CM and the QFR, and an ISO version will show up in a couple months.

But none of the KBT 60% keyboards (including Poker I) have ISO?

[spiceBar]

I guess my point was that perhaps they will be like CM and the QFR, and an ISO version will show up in a couple months.

But none of the KBT 60% keyboards (including Poker I) have ISO?

To the best of my knowledge, amongst the 60%, only the Vortex KBT Pure Pro and the Filco Minila are available in ISO.

KBT Pure Pro: UK, DE, FR, ES.

Minila: only UK.

I would be very pleased to learn that I'm wrong.

Naturally, both are also available in ANSI US.

The Poker has never been available in ISO (neither the original Poker nor the Poker II).

Because of the lack of 60% in ISO, I almost switched to ANSI US. Maybe I'll do it some day, as I have actually learned to type on ANSI US and used it for years.

[Icte]

I guess my point was that perhaps they will be like CM and the QFR, and an ISO version will show up in a couple months.

But none of the KBT 60% keyboards (including Poker I) have ISO?

To the best of my knowledge, amongst the 60%, only the Vortex KBT Pure Pro and the Filco Minila are available in ISO.

KBT Pure Pro: UK, DE, FR, ES.

Minila: only UK.

I would be very pleased to learn that I'm wrong.

Naturally, both are also available in ANSI US.

The Poker has never been available in ISO (neither the original Poker nor the Poker II).

Because of the lack of 60% in ISO, I almost switched to ANSI US. Maybe I'll do it some day, as I have actually learned to type on ANSI US and used it for years.

Good info, thanks mate!

Regading ISO - the Enter key is just GORGEOUS compared to the (sorry ANSI lovers!) boring, plain, rectangualar one found on the ANSI versions Although the left shift key on the ISO could be smaller, in order to add another useful key 

[spiceBar]

Good info, thanks mate!

Regading ISO - the Enter key is just GORGEOUS compared to the (sorry ANSI lovers!) boring, plain, rectangualar one found on the ANSI versions Although the left shift key on the ISO could be smaller, in order to add another useful key 

Mmh... I'm not sure you are going to make new friends with this...

I believe the quasi-symetry of the ANSI layout is actually highly regarded. And ANSI users would tell you that the large left Shift key is GORGEOUS, I guess.

No, really, you cannot tell that one layout is better than the other. It's what people are used to, and that's all.

[Icte]

Good info, thanks mate!

Regading ISO - the Enter key is just GORGEOUS compared to the (sorry ANSI lovers!) boring, plain, rectangualar one found on the ANSI versions Although the left shift key on the ISO could be smaller, in order to add another useful key 

Mmh... I'm not sure you are going to make new friends with this...

I believe the quasi-symetry of the ANSI layout is actually highly regarded. And ANSI users would tell you that the large left Shift key is GORGEOUS, I guess.

No, really, you cannot tell that one layout is better than the other. It's what people are used to, and that's all.

Hey! My thread, my rules! I hereby declare all readers of this thread ISO lovers! Violators will be smacked!

ISO! ISO! (to be used with Homer Simpsons cheerful voice during his famous cheer 'USA! USA!')

[Moosecraft]

Meh, I like both ISO and ANSI for different reasons.

[Icte]

Meh, I like both ISO and ANSI for different reasons.

O holy moose, what reasons thou you have?

[Moosecraft]

When coding or programming ANSI is much easier to use, I also prefer the ANSI Enter cluster over ISO one, however when typing Swedish ISO layout is much better designed than ANSI.