Are there any G80-1800 alternatives?

[Urbi]

Hi!
Are there any G80-1800 alternatives i.e. keyboards that are just about 17" wide but still feature all 105 iso standard keys?

I have a Raptor Gaming K1 since Summer 2006 and am very happy with it (although it doesn't have DS-Keys  ). I was skeptical regarding the layout at first but I quickly adapted to it and nowadays I just cannot imagine having a full size keyboard but at the same time I still cannot imagine having no numpad.
I really would like to know because I am considering buying a spare k1 - just in case.

PS: Since there is a high chance some G80-1800-freaks out there will see this I have a second (lets call it a "bonus" ) question: Were there any production changes within the last years? My brother bought his K1 in 2011 and although the keys look the same and both feature MX-blacks they feel quite different. Its difficult to describe but his keys seem to have more friction. Is it just wear related?

Kind Regards,
Urbi

[Photoelectric]

You could possibly also use "TK" style keyboards, like this:



They have a numpad / arrow functionality in a compact case.  A similar form factor keyboard is a Plum 96.

P.S.: check out this thread:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=53125.0

[IvanIvanovich]

I would go with the Plum 96 over the CM TK. It has essentially the same layout but uses a standard sized spacebar instead of the odd size on the CM. It's also much more conservative looking and has much better keycaps, just like the ones you are used to on your Cherry.
To answer your other question about G80 yes there have been production changes. Cherry was bought out by automotive company ZF in 2008 and the overall quality has been declining ever since.

[berserkfan]

I would go with the Plum 96 over the CM TK. It has essentially the same layout but uses a standard sized spacebar instead of the odd size on the CM. It's also much more conservative looking and has much better keycaps, just like the ones you are used to on your Cherry.
To answer your other question about G80 yes there have been production changes. Cherry was bought out by automotive company ZF in 2008 and the overall quality has been declining ever since.

Ivan

I very much dislike what you have to report. Are we faced with the possibility that Cherry may focus more on automotive switches in future, and possibly not do any more research or investment or innovation in Cherry switches?

Usually when a company is bought over by another company that focuses in a different industry, you must worry that management will lose interest.

[IvanIvanovich]

Obviously the MX switches themselves are still a profitable venture for them with the resurgence in MX popularity the last few years. Perhaps they will invest in some more assembly lines to keep up with demand now and QA will go back up... but who knows. As far as the G80 line goes I somehow doubt we will see much of anything interesting there. Asides from the 38*0 which wasn't very impressive there hasn't really been anything else new introduced since the mid 90's.
Since ZF took over, first they discontinued and sold off all the doubleshot tooling... then proceeded to do things like make the casebodies thinner, cheaper flexier PCBs, made PBT keycaps about half as thick and so on... you really can tell quite a bit of quality difference in G80 line on current production versus those made prior to 2008.

[terrpn]

I would go with the Plum 96 over the CM TK. It has essentially the same layout but uses a standard sized spacebar instead of the odd size on the CM. It's also much more conservative looking and has much better keycaps, just like the ones you are used to on your Cherry.
To answer your other question about G80 yes there have been production changes. Cherry was bought out by automotive company ZF in 2008 and the overall quality has been declining ever since.

anyone know if imsto still stocks the white plum 96 and if so price range?