The one TKL to rule them all

[Lain1911]

What's your favorite ten key less you own?

[riotonthebay]

in b4 photekq ends thread

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

Ducky YOTD

[Lastpilot]

LZ-S SKY BLUE!!

in b4 photekq ends thread

QFT.

[Photekq]

in b4 photekq ends thread

)

356cl gets my vote.

[SpAmRaY]

55g 87U black case with the white/gray keys

[epzy]

Realforce 88u 45g.

[BlueBär]

356cl gets my vote.

Wait - not the Tek-80?

[Photekq]

356cl gets my vote.

Wait - not the Tek-80?

tek-80 is a prototype - it's far from perfect, so that's why I said 356cl.

However, I've changed my mind.. The best TKL is the G80-5000!

[aref]

Realforce 87UB/55-gram with white-and-gray key caps.

[daerid]

I actually don't own one at the moment, but as soon as my ErgoDox sells, I'll be getting a white 55g 87U

[tribade]

For me it's a toss up between my 55g RF in a digil0g case and my KMAC mini with 55g blacks from Tsangan.  I just got the Realforce though so it'll take a little bit to decide whether I like it as much.

[samwisekoi]

I have several, and I keep swapping them across my desk to find my favorite, but I always, always end up with my Leopold MX Brown TKL with Red Alert keycaps.

So that one.  Leopold C200RT/AB.  Currently on sale at Elite for $89.99 USD.

http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,tenkeyless&pid=fc200rtab

 - Ron | samwisekoi

[Shayde]

Well I only have one, unless you count the CM TK, but even then my favourite is still my Deck Francium Pro. 

[Findecanor]

My Phantom.

[tbc]

shine 3 > cm green, rf variable

[BucklingSpring]

55g 87U black case with the white/gray keys

I drink to that.

[JPG]

I don't own one, but there's a lack of love for the ssk in here!

[phoenix1234]

87 TKL is very hard to judge. There are many choices.
I have no chance to have them all so I cannot tell you which one is the best.
Actually, I believe there is no best one way or another.

However, speaking of price, you can find Korean custom keyboards which are very expensive. You can view in this thread:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=35864.0

There are also many American keyboards which maybe even better than Korean keyboards like Skeldon TKL or Tek-80. You can see Photekq's Tek-80 here
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=41202.msg1212760#msg1212760

Well, for me, I'm not sure which Korean keyboard can beat DAT tank Tek-80 )

Last but not least, if you are looking for a balance between price versus quality, I think you can find Filco, CM Quick Fire Rapid, Stealth, Ducky Shine 3 TKL ... are generally good.

[tbc]

he's talking about which of YOUR tkls you like the most.

[phoenix1234]

he's talking about which of YOUR tkls you like the most.

Sorry, I just read the title and jump directly into the comment.  )
My favourite TKL keyboard that I own is my Filco TKL, it's simple, solid and easy to mod.

[histevenhere]

55g realforce

[Tony]

Filco MJ2 87 brown.

[ebacho]

LZ-FE

[Lain1911]

I am kinda surprised there aren't any QFR shoutouts since there is a thread about modding them. Is it because of the feel and build quality of brands like Filco, Ducky and Leopold? While the Quick Fire Rapid is more like a cheap pretty modding toy?

[samwisekoi]

I am kinda surprised there aren't any QFR shoutouts since there is a thread about modding them. Is it because of the feel and build quality of brands like Filco, Ducky and Leopold? While the Quick Fire Rapid is more like a cheap pretty modding toy?

I have one.  It was cheap and has MX switches.  Lucky for me, I got one with the least ugly plastic.  However...

It has tall, ugly keycaps.  It feels clunky (and not in a "hey, solid!" way like my Model M.) And, even though it has MX switches, it feels harsh.

My son uses it, so I have to type on it from time to time.  Each time I am surprised how unfriendly it feels.  Does Cherry (like so many other manufacturers) speed-bin their switches?  It would explain the huge variance in cost and feel between MX keyboards.

As cheap MX keyboards go, the QFR feels cheap and clunky in the same amount the Rosewill feels cheap and fragile.

But it is still better than any mush-dome keyboard!

 - Ron | samwisekoi

[metalliqaz]

It's the KMAC.  I have many TKL boards.  I am confident in that call.  Close second: Typenow Solid.

Of course there is also the Realforce.  That is a wonderful, well-made keyboard that is a pleasure to use.  If you're a Topre guy, obviously there is no question.

[Lain1911]

Sounds like your son might be asking to replace the tall, ugly, clunky, unfriendly machine! Or does he just like it? Also I have never heard of "speed-bining switches".

[The_Beast]

The first TKL I ever owned, an SSK


It's also the only one I plan on keeping. I've bought phantoms and A.87s, but 60% keep pulling me back in.....

[kansas city shuffle]

Realforce 87U TKL 

[nuclearsandwich]

456GT. Typing on it is just... gentler. I also find the sharp angle really forces me into better posture which in turn encourages me to type properly which just makes everything better.

[Sifo]

LZ-S SKY BLUE!!

456 GT is my favourite though

[dorkvader]

The first TKL I ever owned, an SSK


It's also the only one I plan on keeping. I've bought phantoms and A.87s, but 60% keep pulling me back in.....

How come IBm doesn't even get mentioned until now.

The best TKL is, of course, the Unsaver. 104-keys.

[jonathanyu]

For standard TKL, i would say 456gt
for "non-standard", i would say G80-5000

[robertsig]

Realforce 87U 45g white/gray uniform.  Now discontinued.  I have two of them.

[daerid]

I'm just glad we can use the TKL acronym without Ripster crapping all over it every chance he can get.

[Bucake]

my opinion barerly counts as it's the first keyboard i've ever bought, but.. this KBT Pure Pro is one sexy thing!
i got mine with pbts and reds.

my precious..

edit: is not strictly TKL i suppose :<

[Wildcard]

My main Realforce 87u at home.

Uniform 45g with 55g ESC, silent plunger swap, titanium aluminum case, green/grey PBT caps, and my translucent Gummyrot CC. I still have a little work to get the ESC to light up the trans. As well as an LED color swap to green.

I'm just glad we can use the TKL acronym without Ripster crapping all over it every chance he can get.

Man I don't remember this for some reason. Repressed memories?

[epzy]

My main Realforce 87u at home.

Uniform 45g with 55g ESC, silent plunger swap, titanium aluminum case, green/grey PBT caps, and my translucent Gummyrot CC. I still have a little work to get the ESC to light up the trans. As well as an LED color swap to green.

I'm just glad we can use the TKL acronym without Ripster crapping all over it every chance he can get.

Man I don't remember this for some reason. Repressed memories?

Can I ask you something?

After you added the alu case to your realforce, did it change the feel or sound dramatically? For the better or for the worse?

[Candyflip]

Filco, because the only one I own 

[alosec]

That I have: Filco MX blue w/ PBT caps

That I want: RF 55g AE

[Wildcard]

My main Realforce 87u at home.

Uniform 45g with 55g ESC, silent plunger swap, titanium aluminum case, green/grey PBT caps, and my translucent Gummyrot CC. I still have a little work to get the ESC to light up the trans. As well as an LED color swap to green.

I'm just glad we can use the TKL acronym without Ripster crapping all over it every chance he can get.

Man I don't remember this for some reason. Repressed memories?

Can I ask you something?

After you added the alu case to your realforce, did it change the feel or sound dramatically? For the better or for the worse?

It kind of all came together at the same time. But I probably should test this with my other RF's in their stock cases once they're silenced to see how it compares. I do feel a noticeable decrease in key shock, however I think most of it was due to the silenced plungers.

However, IMO the heavier the keyboard the more solid the feel. So to me the aluminum case was very important.

[epzy]

My main Realforce 87u at home.

Uniform 45g with 55g ESC, silent plunger swap, titanium aluminum case, green/grey PBT caps, and my translucent Gummyrot CC. I still have a little work to get the ESC to light up the trans. As well as an LED color swap to green.

I'm just glad we can use the TKL acronym without Ripster crapping all over it every chance he can get.

Man I don't remember this for some reason. Repressed memories?

Can I ask you something?

After you added the alu case to your realforce, did it change the feel or sound dramatically? For the better or for the worse?

It kind of all came together at the same time. But I probably should test this with my other RF's in their stock cases once they're silenced to see how it compares. I do feel a noticeable decrease in key shock, however I think most of it was due to the silenced plungers.

However, IMO the heavier the keyboard the more solid the feel. So to me the aluminum case was very important.

Alright.

[Hazel]

I'm giving a shout out to the WASD v2 purely because of its hardware Colemak support.  I'm fine with OS remapping at home, but at work it would be impossible to install the layout on every computer I access.  Having my favored layout in the hardware is a godsend.   Of course, this feature is irrelevant to 99% of the people here, but for me it's a must-have.

[pbtforever]

Filco brown cherry

[berserkfan]

Well I only have one, unless you count the CM TK, but even then my favourite is still my Deck Francium Pro. 

Wait a moment Shayde

If you are in NZ, don't you get the Asian edition of Deck Francium? IE Without their PBT doubleshots?

[Neo.X]

I will go for KMAC 2 as it's the heaviest one I own. 

[Shayde]

Well I only have one, unless you count the CM TK, but even then my favourite is still my Deck Francium Pro. 

Wait a moment Shayde

If you are in NZ, don't you get the Asian edition of Deck Francium? IE Without their PBT doubleshots?

I ordered mine from the States.  You can't buy them here.

[sethstorm]

Boltmodded Wheelwriter 5. 

[berserkfan]

Well I only have one, unless you count the CM TK, but even then my favourite is still my Deck Francium Pro. 

Wait a moment Shayde

If you are in NZ, don't you get the Asian edition of Deck Francium? IE Without their PBT doubleshots?

I ordered mine from the States.  You can't buy them here.

didn't that cost you a fantastic sum? They're already around $200 in the US, and to NZ should be another 60 shipping?