Good KB with euro layout?

[Lynge]

Hi
You guys seem to know every keyboard on the planet, so maybe you could help me out

I have been looking for a good keyboard for some time now. I currently have a Logitech UltraX and while it is ok, it not as good as I would like.

And I remember using a clicky KB in school and how much I liked it, though I don't think I knew why at the time, but it just seemed nicer than what we had at home.

So now, I want one!

I write web-backends for a living so I easily use my KB enough to justify getting one with a large price-tag, but I simply cant find one.

My problem is that I want it to be 105 with the L-shaped enter (this is called euro-layout right?) and so far I have only found 3 boards with that and mechanical switches that make some kind of sound.

Das III
RAPTOP-GAMING K1
Steelseries 7G

I have been reading some post on this forum so I know that the raptor and the 7g isn't really clicky, but after watching a video-review of the raptor, I found that it seemed to make enough sound to satisfy me, and the 7g should use the same switches (cherry blacks right?)

Now most of you know why one would not want to get the DasIII, and I really woldn't want to buy one just to send it back.
If it was just the rollover thing, I might buy it anyway, but after reading the thread about bad build quality I thought "darn it!"

The raptor has some kind of cramped layout it seemes and I really need the Home-End-Delete-cluster above my arrows as they normally are.

The 7G has that abnormally large Enter and micro backspace. This I might be able to live with, but the button they have moved to make the enter fit is the ' and that is used all the time, so no go either.


So now I hope that someone here knows about a board with the right layout, no wierd key placements and some of that clicky (even a little) goodness.
Price is not the big question. I mean, the price of a 7G in Denmark converts to $170, so $200 is also fine.
Oh, and sturdy to would be nice That part of the reason I am leaving the UltraX. I wear it down in a little less than a year, and it's too much work to clean.

Those of you that has the Das could you say if it is as bad as it sounds? I mean with regard the bad build quality.

Thanks for any help in advance.

[bhtooefr]

Cherry G80-3000? Your choice of black, brown, or blue switches, IIRC, and Cherry is based in Germany - they definitely have 105-key models.

[ch_123]

You could always get a Unicomp board. They make them in just about every layout you can think of. Shipping is pricey, but if you are prepared to cough up $200 for a board that isnt really a problem. My Endurapro and shipping to Ireland cost me €90, although the dollar was weaker back then.

Considering that you live near to Germany, you could also try getting a Cherry G80-3000. They use the same keyswitches as the Das, except theyre cheaper, and as I understand it, better built.

[Eclairz]

Raptor K1 isn't clicky either it uses the same keys as the 7g but it is cheaper with a more compact layout, and comes with tools to remove keys.

If you can get a clicky version of the G80-3000 would be the cheaper than the 3 you mentioned. Make sure its the clicky version however mine is G80-3000LSCGB-0 which is the biege/white clicky version in British layout and Laser printed keys.
German layout ends in DE instead of GB

[ch_123]

Eclairz:

Did you get your Cherry from Germany or from England?

[Eclairz]

from England

[ch_123]

Dabs?

I've seen the blue-cherry G80 on their site but it seems to have been out of stock for a year

[Eclairz]

http://www.cherrykeyboardsrus.co.uk/G803000+Series-Details.htm

http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard_details.asp?PRODUCT=12

http://www.macwarehouse.co.uk/catalogue/item/CHEKE010

macwarehouse is owned by the dixons group(currys + pcworld) they're the cheapest and they usually have some stock of g80-3000 from time to time, however they usually only have the white keyboard not black versions.

I bought mine from another company but they don't sell anymore. these three companies sell them in the UK.

[Lynge]

Thank you so much

I was just about to give up and order the Das, because it was the only one I could find.

Now I have just ordered a G80-3000 LSCDE-2. That one is not even on the list at cherry.de

It only shows a grey model with german layout and clicky switches, but I found one

And if anyone else is in the market for one here is the link:

http://www2.computeruniverse.net/products/e90247598/cherry-g80-3000-lscde-2-click-usb/ps/2.asp

And its half the price of the Das! WUHU!
On top of that, its not even ugly... The grey/beige would have been bad after a while under my greasy paws, but this is black and no shiny surface to catch prints and what not.

Heh, I'm sorry... I can hardly wait till the thing gets here. I cant remember the last time I was this excited over a peice of hardware, it's scary.

Maybe I ought to forget about it, lest I set expectations it cant live up to

Again thanks guys, truly helpfull.

[bhtooefr]

FWIW, the G80-3000LSCDE-2 is basically the same board, except with German printed keycaps and a Cherry logo, as the Das II (which never did have the rollover bugs.)

[Lynge]

Sounds good.
So if I manage to find reviews of the Das II (I'm interested in the sound) it should be very much alike the board I have just ordered?
Which makes it some what redundant to begin reading reviews now.

[bhtooefr]

Well, I think the Das's keys may be plate mounted, so the sound may be different, as the Cherry mounts them on the PCB.

[Lynge]

Found this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKRUM6EkB7U

Looks like they are also PCB mounted. That is, if I am reading the specs, for mounting-holes from cherry's site, correctly.

Oh well, just gotta wait til it gets here.

[bhtooefr]

Oh, you were looking for a vid of the Das II. In that case, it will be the same.

(I was referring to the Das III.)