New TKL MX keyboards up for preorder at elitekeyboards

[SSIPAK]

I spoke with Brian about a month ago when I stopped by his office and he mentioned that he is going to sell TKL MX keyboards from a new company,
now here they are up for preorder.

https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=keyed_up_labs,tenkeyless

[HPE1000]

Those dip switches tho

[Puddsy]

I might pick one of these up

I like the case design

[intelli78]

That's interesting. Haven't seen that brand discussed before. Anyone have experience with it?

Looks like there are a few other new products too, like this: https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=access,toprekeys&pid=pd_kb400kt01

[oscillik]

I love how they're billed as highest reliability, extra-rigid construction etc....


....

.....


yet have ABS keycaps.

[Puddsy]

This their first keyboard.

And what's so bad about ABS? I like ABS keycaps.

[Novus]

Just saw the email myself.
wtf is this.


I bet all the MX clears people will go crazy for this though.

[strict]

I love how they're billed as highest reliability, extra-rigid construction etc....


....

.....


yet have ABS keycaps.

I actually don't see this as a problem. I'm sure a lot of people will be replacing the caps anyways so having cheap lasered ABS probably helps keep the cost down.

I'm curious what kind of stabilizers these boards have. They seem like a pretty decent keyboard just from looking at the pictures.

[SSIPAK]

I love how they're billed as highest reliability, extra-rigid construction etc....


....

.....


yet have ABS keycaps.

most likely people will end up getting different keycap sets down the road so I dont think this is that big of a deal

[Lastpilot]

I was expecting something more...unique.

[Novus]

I was expecting something more...unique.

Agreed

[alosec]

"KUL intends to lead the market in high-quality keyboard design for professionals"

"ABS keycaps with lasered legends"

My brain hurts

[daerid]

Serious... ABS keys set my teeth on edge (like nails on a chalkboard).

[dante]

Fullsize Variable Topre = $210
Fullsize 45g Topre = $240

https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=topre_keyboards,rf104

[kohi]

looks like a decent board especially if you're looking for a tkl with clear switches

[dante]

"KUL intends to lead the market in high-quality keyboard design for professionals"

"ABS keycaps with lasered legends"

My brain hurts

And Mini USB ...

I guess this means no FC750R?

[Novus]

"KUL intends to lead the market in high-quality keyboard design for professionals"

"ABS keycaps with lasered legends"

My brain hurts

And Mini USB ...

I guess this means no FC750R?

Let's bug hendy and mechanical keyboards!

[dante]

Oh and another thing ... Leopold was selling a Taiwan made FC660R tenkeyless ... and with EK skipping it - does this mean EK is done with Leopold, except for the 660C?

MOAR DRAMA!!!

[ I may pick up a MX Clear KUL just for LOLs ... and resell on ebay after they run out of stock >>> profit ]

[epzy]

I love how they're billed as highest reliability, extra-rigid construction etc....


....

.....


yet have ABS keycaps.

Cherry/GMK doubleshot ABS = bad? I don't think so.

You should mention the printing method used on the ABS keycaps, because ABS keycaps aren't all bad.

[hwood34]

[ I may pick up a MX Clear KUL just for LOLs ... and resell on ebay after they run out of stock >>> profit ]

The same strategy that has built countries, for the LOLs...

[Lu_e]

I love how they're billed as highest reliability, extra-rigid construction etc....


....

.....


yet have ABS keycaps.

Cherry/GMK doubleshot ABS = bad? I don't think so.

You should mention the printing method used on the ABS keycaps, because ABS keycaps aren't all bad.

They all shine excessively. That's bad enough for me

[FoxWolf1]

So wait, what is it about this that's supposed to make it more reliable?

I see no evidence of special/premium materials, of any kind of added debris/liquid protection for the switches, or of any sort of non-typical structural reinforcement. If it's supposed to be "build quality", there is nothing provided to support the claim, and anyway, high precision construction is no substitute for a properly rugged design. 2-year warranty is unimpressive in an era when you can get 5 years on something with Kailh switches.

Not saying that their claims about reliability aren't true, but skepticism is warranted when evidence is not provided.

[Latin00032]

What do the dip switches do?

It looks like it can swap the back space with the back slash.

That's kinda different.

[SpAmRaY]

Need some PCB shots

[t2russo]

Clears and a HHKB-esque firmware layout possible in a stock TKL.  I'll have to wait on plate design but I might get one if I can shoehorn it into a fun case.

[Rafen]

I was expecting something more...unique.

Especially at that price point. For $20 I could get a Ducky Shine 3.

I wonder if EK will stop carrying Leopold now.

[lightsout714]

Stoked for another option with clears. Hopefully it turns out to be good and they can keep it in stock.

Hoping there is not something stupid with the caps like a leo space bar.

[dante]

So wait, what is it about this that's supposed to make it more reliable?

I see no evidence of special/premium materials, of any kind of added debris/liquid protection for the switches, or of any sort of non-typical structural reinforcement. If it's supposed to be "build quality", there is nothing provided to support the claim, and anyway, high precision construction is no substitute for a properly rugged design. 2-year warranty is unimpressive in an era when you can get 5 years on something with Kailh switches.

Not saying that their claims about reliability aren't true, but skepticism is warranted when evidence is not provided.

In EK's defense: Brian is extremely conservative when it comes to carrying new products.  As someone who has had to deal with RMA'ed products all the time I'm sure he has seen all sorts of failures; so if it is something he is comfortable releasing then it's probably a very good quality product.

[t2russo]

Stoked for another option with clears. Hopefully it turns out to be good and they can keep it in stock.

Hoping there is not something stupid with the caps like a leo space bar.

They listed the spacebar measurement just for the doubters 

For those too lazy to check, it's 100mm

[lightsout714]

Stoked for another option with clears. Hopefully it turns out to be good and they can keep it in stock.

Hoping there is not something stupid with the caps like a leo space bar.

They listed the spacebar measurement just for the doubters 

For those too lazy to check, it's 100mm

So does that mean everything is good to go as far as custom caps

[t2russo]

50mm away from center (100 total) is the Filco/Ducky/Cherry standard.  So we gravy. 

[Sifo]

Those dip switches sound good to be man

[oscillik]

I love how they're billed as highest reliability, extra-rigid construction etc....


....

.....


yet have ABS keycaps.

Cherry/GMK doubleshot ABS = bad? I don't think so.

You should mention the printing method used on the ABS keycaps, because ABS keycaps aren't all bad.

the product description says they're lasered. not double shot.

[Moth]

I'm curious what kind of stabilizers these boards have. They seem like a pretty decent keyboard just from looking at the pictures.

They've got Cherry style stabilizers. Source: I emailed them and asked.

[epzy]

I love how they're billed as highest reliability, extra-rigid construction etc....


....

.....


yet have ABS keycaps.

Cherry/GMK doubleshot ABS = bad? I don't think so.

You should mention the printing method used on the ABS keycaps, because ABS keycaps aren't all bad.

the product description says they're lasered. not double shot.

And? I said you should mention the ****ty printing method being used, because that's the bad part about most ABS keycaps, not the material itself. Cherry/GMK doubleshot ABS = good, Lasered etc = bad.

[oscillik]

I love how they're billed as highest reliability, extra-rigid construction etc....


....

.....


yet have ABS keycaps.

Cherry/GMK doubleshot ABS = bad? I don't think so.

You should mention the printing method used on the ABS keycaps, because ABS keycaps aren't all bad.

the product description says they're lasered. not double shot.

And? I said you should mention the ****ty printing method being used, because that's the bad part about most ABS keycaps, not the material itself. Cherry/GMK doubleshot ABS = good, Lasered etc = bad.

I disagree - ABS shines way too quickly (in my experience, within a week of use). I know that timescale differs depending on skin chemistry etc, however the fact remains that ABS keycaps, whether double shot or not, shine much quicker than for example PBT keycaps. As such, I class this as falling under the definition of "durability", and the keycaps used are most certainly not "durable" by this standard.

[Hucifer]

The design/features might not raise many eyebrows but for those of us interested in getting a TKL board with clear switches this is actually a pretty big deal. And for $130, too.

As far as I can tell the other only official source of clear TKLs  is the WASD Codes and their stock levels are hardly what I'd call reliable.

[archer]

The description of this keyboard mentions ""Power Mode" turns Windows keys into Ctrl+Shift and Ctrl+Alt combo keys".. which could make for some interesting keybinds for MMO players. However, I don't see this anywhere in the DIP switch settings.

I'm confused, but intrigued by this keyboard. Guess I should send them an email and see what's up

[SpAmRaY]

I love the fact the label on the back actually says 'no screw under label'....nice....

[epzy]

I love the fact the label on the back actually says 'no screw under label'....nice....

It's a trap... )

[shadewolf]

Ooh, has media keys too...might be in for one with clears 

[TheMightySM]

Do you guys think this will be an okay board? I've been looking for a board with Cherry MX Clears because I have blue which I don't mind, but it would be nice if it was a bit quieter. I tried browns but they just did not feel right.

I'm looking for a tenkeyless that has a standard layout, and I'm not sure I want to wait around anymore for the WASD CODE boards to come back into stock. This seems like my answer. I just don't want to buy it and not be happy with the Clears either. Unfortunately I can't find a Cherry MX Sample kit anywhere with Clear Switches that is in stock...

[epzy]

Do you guys think this will be an okay board? I've been looking for a board with Cherry MX Clears because I have blue which I don't mind, but it would be nice if it was a bit quieter. I tried browns but they just did not feel right.

I'm looking for a tenkeyless that has a standard layout, and I'm not sure I want to wait around anymore for the WASD CODE boards to come back into stock. This seems like my answer. I just don't want to buy it and not be happy with the Clears either. Unfortunately I can't find a Cherry MX Sample kit anywhere with Clear Switches that is in stock...

Here's a QWER8 V2 switch tester. It has a Clear switch on it.

http://www.qwerkeys.co.uk/shop/switch-testers/qwer8-v2-mx-switch-testing-kit/

[TheMightySM]

That's a $40 sampler kit right there, man.

[Grendel]

http://www.cmstore-usa.com/mechanical-key-switch-demo-board/

[TheMightySM]

That one is out of stock lol

[katushkin]

Looks pretty generic to me. No unique selling point other than a relatively reasonably priced keyboard with clears.

I'm just wondering a few things. Firstly, why does it have eight bloody dip switches. And why does it have a window on the Esc key?

[archer]

Looks pretty generic to me. No unique selling point other than a relatively reasonably priced keyboard with clears.

I'm just wondering a few things. Firstly, why does it have eight bloody dip switches. And why does it have a window on the Esc key?

Here's part of the email that I received back from them, which explains the windowed Esc key:

Power mode is entered by pressing Fn followed by both Left Diamond and
Right Diamond. When in power mode, the Left Diamond acts as Ctrl + Shift
and Right Diamond acts as Ctrl + Alt. When Power Mode is enabled, the
Esc LED is lit.

[katushkin]

That's pretty cool I guess..?

[Elrick]

I'm curious what kind of stabilizers these boards have. They seem like a pretty decent keyboard just from looking at the pictures.

They've got Cherry style stabilizers. Source: I emailed them and asked.

Just wish someone would provide pics to prove it actually has authentic Cherry Stabilizers.  Also hoping they are using the same thick stabilizer bar as traditional Cherry keyboards.  You should see the nasty thin stabilizer bar in the current Razer TKL keyboard, absolutely cheap and nasty as fvck  .