75% keyboards with customization and programming?

[JayG30]

I don't know if they are 65, 70, or 75% but basically I'm looking for information on keyboards with dedicated arrow keys. I've come across the Tex Beetle, Keycool 84, Vector KBT Race, and Noppoo Choc mini. I'm forgetting some of the others I've looked at right now.

What I'm trying to determine is out of all the small form keyboards w/ dedicated arrow keys, what are the customization and programming options or limitations.

It seems like the Tex Beetle and the Keycool 84 boards I've seen don't have custom keycaps. I've seen a few Choc mini with custom keycaps. Is this because of the key sizes? Relative newness? And also, what sort of "programming" capabilities do any of these boards offer? I don't expect anything like a fully custom Phantom or GH60, but compared to what the Poker II allows, do any of them match or come close?

And if you don't have anything to add to those questions above, if you had to choose a small form keyboard with dedicated arrow keys what would you pick taking into consideration build quality, price, programming, and customization ability.

Thanks.

[tuxsavvy]

HHKB Pro JP has dedicated arrow keys amongst few other keys found specifically on JIS keyboards.

Customisations:

• JIS keys can be remapped to something else of your interest along with fair few other keys that has Fn functionality.
• DIP switches on the back of the keyboard.
• Hasu's TMK firmware which can bring out more possibilities in a HHKB for instance.

Limitations:

• Price, especially at this time of the year.
• Lack of key cap customisations available.
• Not exactly a 65%, 70% or 75% board but a 60% board.

[JayG30]

Thanks. I'd like to stick to an ANSI keyboard. I think dealing with a JIS keyboard (if I could even get one for a decent price) would be more of a headache then I'd want to deal with.

Basically, I really like the Poker II for the layout, FN layer, programming, and what appears to be vast customization options. I'd like to also have an option with the same type of features, but with dedicated arrow keys (and option for backlit as well if possible).

[MKULTRA]

MX-Mini

[JayG30]

MX-Mini

Seems like a very nice board, but from what I can tell it's not produced anymore so I'd have to find someone selling one and factor in how much it will cost to get one. But it seems like it uses pretty standard key sizes so customization shouldn't be hard and it sounds like it is fully programmable since it's a custom board. However it seems like finding info in English isn't all that easy which would have me a bit concerned.

Can you or anyone speak a bit about it and how it would compare to more "available" options like the ones I mentioned?

[1pq]

I don't know if you like topre, but I like my Leo FC660C a lot. It's a great layout: pretty much 60% with arrow keys. There are a couple of dipswitch settings, but for any crazy remapping you'd need remap4macbook / autohotkey. It's $190 on EK, which is pretty damn good for a topre board with pbt caps.

[JayG30]

Yea, been looking at the FC660C and M. I've never used a topre before, or any of the "newer" MX switches. I'm getting a test set of newer MX switches to test out. I've only used very old cherry boards with MX switches, nothing made in the last 20+ years. I'm probably going to stay with the MX switches for now until I can get my hands on a topre and see how I like it. The FC660M just doesn't appeal to me because of the limited programming and the two keys off to the side hurts my brain when I look at it. 

[davkol]

GH75 isn't ready and probably won't be for quite a while. I've read something about sprit's GB, haven't checked it yet though.

I used to care, because 75% is my favorite form factor, but I don't anymore. Noppoo Choc Mini works fine for gaming out of the box, and I rather focus on ergodox-like projects.

[JayG30]

I actually need a keyboard more for typing then gaming, seems the norm around here is gaming though.
Basically, the Poker II works for me on every level (I especially like the FN layer over the original) expect for the arrow keys, which is why I'm looking at other form factors. If I could alter the lower right modifiers like on the original Poker I wouldn't even be looking at anything else. 

I like the GH60 but don't see myself being able to get one anytime soon. And if I went fully custom I think I'd probably want to do a layout I have in my mind that isn't possible on it.

[MKULTRA]

MX-Mini

Seems like a very nice board, but from what I can tell it's not produced anymore so I'd have to find someone selling one and factor in how much it will cost to get one. But it seems like it uses pretty standard key sizes so customization shouldn't be hard and it sounds like it is fully programmable since it's a custom board. However it seems like finding info in English isn't all that easy which would have me a bit concerned.

Can you or anyone speak a bit about it and how it would compare to more "available" options like the ones I mentioned?

There is currently a group buy being run by sprit for MX-Mini PCB and many varieties of cases.  Also I believe GON has some MX-Mini PCB's and cases.

[JayG30]

Thanks I'm gonna look into that tomorrow morning. Seems like one of the only fully custom 75% boards.