Author Topic: Need help choosing a Keyboard  (Read 3797 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline AshGash

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 12
Need help choosing a Keyboard
« on: Thu, 26 June 2014, 21:00:19 »
So I've been looking to get a mechanical Keyboard. I have a full sized one with mx Blue switches, but I think it's time for a smaller one. And I don't really like the mx Blue switches anymore. So, I'd like a white/grey keyboard with white/grey PBT keycaps (i'd prefer white everything, but I would settle on grey). I know I can get replacements, but I'd only like to spend ~$125 for everything, and some keycaps can get expensive. I still don't know what size of a keyboard would be good for me. I really like the style of 60%'s like the Poker II, but then I also do a fair amount of gaming, so I don't know if not having dedicated F1-12 buttons would make it very difficult for some games, ie MMO's. I've been considering things like the Leopold's, Noppoo Choc Mini/mid, Keycool 87/4, etc.. And I guess for picking a switch type I'd just have to go to some store and test them out myself, huh?  And I hope I posted this in the correct place, sorry if I didn't.

Offline tp4tissue

  • * Destiny Supporter
  • Posts: 13720
  • Location: Official Geekhack Public Defender..
  • OmniExpert of: Rice, Top-Ramen, Ergodox, n Females
Re: Need help choosing a Keyboard
« Reply #1 on: Thu, 26 June 2014, 22:18:23 »
gaming on the 60% is tedious.

if you're going to be gaming.. get 87key

as far as which one..  they're all the same..   pick the one you find most aesthetically pleasing.. it'll do the job.. it's a keyboard afterall..

do not get the OEM profiled pbt caps.

Get the Cherry profiled-thick pbt caps..  the thick ones are made on newer molds and the stem is smoother.

Offline AshGash

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 12
Re: Need help choosing a Keyboard
« Reply #2 on: Thu, 26 June 2014, 22:33:22 »
gaming on the 60% is tedious.

if you're going to be gaming.. get 87key

as far as which one..  they're all the same..   pick the one you find most aesthetically pleasing.. it'll do the job.. it's a keyboard afterall..

do not get the OEM profiled pbt caps.

Get the Cherry profiled-thick pbt caps..  the thick ones are made on newer molds and the stem is smoother.

Thanks for your input. I'm a little confused about the profiles, though. Cherry profiles are shorter than OEM, right? Is that it, and is that really better, or is it just a different feel? I was also thinking I could get the CM Storm QFR when it's on sale, and just replace the keycaps right away, and then I'd also have the option of painting it which would be cool. But the only version I've seen that's gone on sale has been the mx brown one. So I'd have to make sure I liked those.

Offline tp4tissue

  • * Destiny Supporter
  • Posts: 13720
  • Location: Official Geekhack Public Defender..
  • OmniExpert of: Rice, Top-Ramen, Ergodox, n Females
Re: Need help choosing a Keyboard
« Reply #3 on: Thu, 26 June 2014, 22:43:52 »
gaming on the 60% is tedious.

if you're going to be gaming.. get 87key

as far as which one..  they're all the same..   pick the one you find most aesthetically pleasing.. it'll do the job.. it's a keyboard afterall..

do not get the OEM profiled pbt caps.

Get the Cherry profiled-thick pbt caps..  the thick ones are made on newer molds and the stem is smoother.

Thanks for your input. I'm a little confused about the profiles, though. Cherry profiles are shorter than OEM, right? Is that it, and is that really better, or is it just a different feel? I was also thinking I could get the CM Storm QFR when it's on sale, and just replace the keycaps right away, and then I'd also have the option of painting it which would be cool. But the only version I've seen that's gone on sale has been the mx brown one. So I'd have to make sure I liked those.

um... yea.. figure out the switch you like first.

the profile on the keycaps don't matter.. I'm just mentioning that the cherry profiled thick ones are significantly smoother than the original OEM profile pbt made by KBC

Offline Defect

  • Posts: 670
  • I collect keyboards and keyboard accessories
Re: Need help choosing a Keyboard
« Reply #4 on: Thu, 26 June 2014, 23:36:17 »
My votes for a Keycool 84 if you can get one with cherry switches.  Amazing profile for gaming, and the caps aren't impsosible to replace.  Still kind of hard to though.  But you can get a white Keycool 84.  They come backlit if that's your thing (I prefer the lights off).

After that I'd say Quickfire Rapid (you can get these for 60-80 usually).  There's a subforum just for QFR case modding, but I don't know if they stock a white/grey one.

Not pictured: KeyCool 84 [MX Red] | Focus 2001 [Complicated White Alps]
Endgame Board | Defect's Watermelon Board Build Doc

Offline AshGash

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 12
Re: Need help choosing a Keyboard
« Reply #5 on: Thu, 26 June 2014, 23:58:44 »
My votes for a Keycool 84 if you can get one with cherry switches.  Amazing profile for gaming, and the caps aren't impsosible to replace.  Still kind of hard to though.  But you can get a white Keycool 84.  They come backlit if that's your thing (I prefer the lights off).

After that I'd say Quickfire Rapid (you can get these for 60-80 usually).  There's a subforum just for QFR case modding, but I don't know if they stock a white/grey one.

Ya, I should have mentioned that I don't care for LED back lighting. And there is a grey top panel for the QFR, and then I can also just paint/wrap it eventually, so in that case the color doesn't really matter. And how's the KeyCool 84/60%'s deal with alternate key layouts such as dvorak/colemak. I know on an 87 key keyboards you can just buy blank letters or whatever, since the letters don't have dual functions, but what would you do on smaller keyboards?

Offline Pacifist

  • Report me *again* if there are gifs in my sig
  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 3599
  • Location: Cali
  • on hiatus
Re: Need help choosing a Keyboard
« Reply #6 on: Thu, 26 June 2014, 23:59:15 »
My votes for a Keycool 84 if you can get one with cherry switches.  Amazing profile for gaming, and the caps aren't impsosible to replace.  Still kind of hard to though.  But you can get a white Keycool 84.  They come backlit if that's your thing (I prefer the lights off).

After that I'd say Quickfire Rapid (you can get these for 60-80 usually).  There's a subforum just for QFR case modding, but I don't know if they stock a white/grey one.

Ya, I should have mentioned that I don't care for LED back lighting. And there is a grey top panel for the QFR, and then I can also just paint/wrap it eventually, so in that case the color doesn't really matter. And how's the KeyCool 84/60%'s deal with alternate key layouts such as dvorak/colemak. I know on an 87 key keyboards you can just buy blank letters or whatever, since the letters don't have dual functions, but what would you do on smaller keyboards?

dsa blanks

Offline AshGash

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 12
Re: Need help choosing a Keyboard
« Reply #7 on: Fri, 27 June 2014, 00:12:43 »
My votes for a Keycool 84 if you can get one with cherry switches.  Amazing profile for gaming, and the caps aren't impsosible to replace.  Still kind of hard to though.  But you can get a white Keycool 84.  They come backlit if that's your thing (I prefer the lights off).

After that I'd say Quickfire Rapid (you can get these for 60-80 usually).  There's a subforum just for QFR case modding, but I don't know if they stock a white/grey one.

Ya, I should have mentioned that I don't care for LED back lighting. And there is a grey top panel for the QFR, and then I can also just paint/wrap it eventually, so in that case the color doesn't really matter. And how's the KeyCool 84/60%'s deal with alternate key layouts such as dvorak/colemak. I know on an 87 key keyboards you can just buy blank letters or whatever, since the letters don't have dual functions, but what would you do on smaller keyboards?

dsa blanks

I meant like on the Poker II for example, the WASD keys also serve as the arrow keys. For Dvorak, the A and W key are basically across the keyboard from each other. Now I think you can manually program them on the Poker II, but what about other keyboards that don't have that ability. Or maybe I'm just completely misunderstanding this whole thing.

Offline Pacifist

  • Report me *again* if there are gifs in my sig
  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 3599
  • Location: Cali
  • on hiatus
Re: Need help choosing a Keyboard
« Reply #8 on: Fri, 27 June 2014, 00:14:50 »
My votes for a Keycool 84 if you can get one with cherry switches.  Amazing profile for gaming, and the caps aren't impsosible to replace.  Still kind of hard to though.  But you can get a white Keycool 84.  They come backlit if that's your thing (I prefer the lights off).

After that I'd say Quickfire Rapid (you can get these for 60-80 usually).  There's a subforum just for QFR case modding, but I don't know if they stock a white/grey one.

Ya, I should have mentioned that I don't care for LED back lighting. And there is a grey top panel for the QFR, and then I can also just paint/wrap it eventually, so in that case the color doesn't really matter. And how's the KeyCool 84/60%'s deal with alternate key layouts such as dvorak/colemak. I know on an 87 key keyboards you can just buy blank letters or whatever, since the letters don't have dual functions, but what would you do on smaller keyboards?

dsa blanks

I meant like on the Poker II for example, the WASD keys also serve as the arrow keys. For Dvorak, the A and W key are basically across the keyboard from each other. Now I think you can manually program them on the Poker II, but what about other keyboards that don't have that ability. Or maybe I'm just completely misunderstanding this whole thing.
how are you changing it to dvorak? via software, redoing the firmware, or directly on hardware level?

Offline AshGash

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 12
Re: Need help choosing a Keyboard
« Reply #9 on: Fri, 27 June 2014, 00:22:34 »
My votes for a Keycool 84 if you can get one with cherry switches.  Amazing profile for gaming, and the caps aren't impsosible to replace.  Still kind of hard to though.  But you can get a white Keycool 84.  They come backlit if that's your thing (I prefer the lights off).

After that I'd say Quickfire Rapid (you can get these for 60-80 usually).  There's a subforum just for QFR case modding, but I don't know if they stock a white/grey one.

Ya, I should have mentioned that I don't care for LED back lighting. And there is a grey top panel for the QFR, and then I can also just paint/wrap it eventually, so in that case the color doesn't really matter. And how's the KeyCool 84/60%'s deal with alternate key layouts such as dvorak/colemak. I know on an 87 key keyboards you can just buy blank letters or whatever, since the letters don't have dual functions, but what would you do on smaller keyboards?

dsa blanks

I meant like on the Poker II for example, the WASD keys also serve as the arrow keys. For Dvorak, the A and W key are basically across the keyboard from each other. Now I think you can manually program them on the Poker II, but what about other keyboards that don't have that ability. Or maybe I'm just completely misunderstanding this whole thing.
how are you changing it to dvorak? via software, redoing the firmware, or directly on hardware level?

Well I'm on Windows 7, so I can just go into the Keyboard options and change it to Dvorak, right?

Offline Pacifist

  • Report me *again* if there are gifs in my sig
  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 3599
  • Location: Cali
  • on hiatus
Re: Need help choosing a Keyboard
« Reply #10 on: Fri, 27 June 2014, 00:23:50 »
My votes for a Keycool 84 if you can get one with cherry switches.  Amazing profile for gaming, and the caps aren't impsosible to replace.  Still kind of hard to though.  But you can get a white Keycool 84.  They come backlit if that's your thing (I prefer the lights off).

After that I'd say Quickfire Rapid (you can get these for 60-80 usually).  There's a subforum just for QFR case modding, but I don't know if they stock a white/grey one.

Ya, I should have mentioned that I don't care for LED back lighting. And there is a grey top panel for the QFR, and then I can also just paint/wrap it eventually, so in that case the color doesn't really matter. And how's the KeyCool 84/60%'s deal with alternate key layouts such as dvorak/colemak. I know on an 87 key keyboards you can just buy blank letters or whatever, since the letters don't have dual functions, but what would you do on smaller keyboards?

dsa blanks

I meant like on the Poker II for example, the WASD keys also serve as the arrow keys. For Dvorak, the A and W key are basically across the keyboard from each other. Now I think you can manually program them on the Poker II, but what about other keyboards that don't have that ability. Or maybe I'm just completely misunderstanding this whole thing.
how are you changing it to dvorak? via software, redoing the firmware, or directly on hardware level?

Well I'm on Windows 7, so I can just go into the Keyboard options and change it to Dvorak, right?
In that case fn layer stays the same, windows just converts the scancodes sent by the computer to dvorak

Offline AshGash

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 12
Re: Need help choosing a Keyboard
« Reply #11 on: Fri, 27 June 2014, 00:28:56 »
My votes for a Keycool 84 if you can get one with cherry switches.  Amazing profile for gaming, and the caps aren't impsosible to replace.  Still kind of hard to though.  But you can get a white Keycool 84.  They come backlit if that's your thing (I prefer the lights off).

After that I'd say Quickfire Rapid (you can get these for 60-80 usually).  There's a subforum just for QFR case modding, but I don't know if they stock a white/grey one.

Ya, I should have mentioned that I don't care for LED back lighting. And there is a grey top panel for the QFR, and then I can also just paint/wrap it eventually, so in that case the color doesn't really matter. And how's the KeyCool 84/60%'s deal with alternate key layouts such as dvorak/colemak. I know on an 87 key keyboards you can just buy blank letters or whatever, since the letters don't have dual functions, but what would you do on smaller keyboards?

dsa blanks

I meant like on the Poker II for example, the WASD keys also serve as the arrow keys. For Dvorak, the A and W key are basically across the keyboard from each other. Now I think you can manually program them on the Poker II, but what about other keyboards that don't have that ability. Or maybe I'm just completely misunderstanding this whole thing.
how are you changing it to dvorak? via software, redoing the firmware, or directly on hardware level?

Well I'm on Windows 7, so I can just go into the Keyboard options and change it to Dvorak, right?
In that case fn layer stays the same, windows just converts the scancodes sent by the computer to dvorak

Hm, interesting. So for example the arrow keys for a 60% would still be in the same physical possition no matter what layout I changed to? So on Dvorak, the <, A, O, E keys would have the function of the arrow keys on them without doing anything besides changing the layout through Windows 7?

Offline AshGash

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 12
Re: Need help choosing a Keyboard
« Reply #12 on: Fri, 27 June 2014, 08:49:42 »
So, any other 87/84 keyboards I should look at? I'm kinda leaning towards an 87 key one, though.

Offline Defect

  • Posts: 670
  • I collect keyboards and keyboard accessories
Re: Need help choosing a Keyboard
« Reply #13 on: Fri, 27 June 2014, 10:53:12 »
Everybody loves Filco MJ2 TKL.
QFR is the budget version.  Still good.

I usually only recommend Ducky when people want lights.

Of the "mini" 75-84 boards, I love my Choc mini but was actually more impressed with the KC84.  The POM keys on the choc mini are flippin awesome on linear switches,  though.

Not pictured: KeyCool 84 [MX Red] | Focus 2001 [Complicated White Alps]
Endgame Board | Defect's Watermelon Board Build Doc

Offline AshGash

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 12
Re: Need help choosing a Keyboard
« Reply #14 on: Sat, 28 June 2014, 10:05:18 »
Everybody loves Filco MJ2 TKL.
QFR is the budget version.  Still good.

I usually only recommend Ducky when people want lights.

Of the "mini" 75-84 boards, I love my Choc mini but was actually more impressed with the KC84.  The POM keys on the choc mini are flippin awesome on linear switches,  though.

Why did you prefer the KC84? And also isn't the Keycool 84's layout more 'universal' - like would it be easier to find replacement caps for it? And why are POM keys better for linear switches? Sorry for all the questions, by the way, I'm just curious.

Offline shantanujoshi

  • Posts: 30
  • Location: New York, NY
Re: Need help choosing a Keyboard
« Reply #15 on: Sat, 28 June 2014, 10:15:36 »
Are you considering topres over cherry? There's some solid realforce boards that might suit your needs (I wish someone told me how nice topre was before I went ahead and spent almost a year and a half rotating cherry swtich to switch and swapping tons of keyboards)
Never judge a man by his post count
[Hasu 55g HHKB PINK RFs] [GON HHKB Zeals] [GON TKL w/ Erg Clears] [IBM SSK] [VE.A Zeliostotles] [Ergodox Gatistotles]

Offline AshGash

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 12
Re: Need help choosing a Keyboard
« Reply #16 on: Sat, 28 June 2014, 10:19:36 »
Are you considering topres over cherry? There's some solid realforce boards that might suit your needs (I wish someone told me how nice topre was before I went ahead and spent almost a year and a half rotating cherry swtich to switch and swapping tons of keyboards)

I would consider topres, but they seem expensive. I couldn't find any for under like $200, and I'd rather only spend ~$125.  :(

Offline Defect

  • Posts: 670
  • I collect keyboards and keyboard accessories
Re: Need help choosing a Keyboard
« Reply #17 on: Sat, 28 June 2014, 11:00:59 »
Everybody loves Filco MJ2 TKL.
QFR is the budget version.  Still good.

I usually only recommend Ducky when people want lights.

Of the "mini" 75-84 boards, I love my Choc mini but was actually more impressed with the KC84.  The POM keys on the choc mini are flippin awesome on linear switches,  though.

Why did you prefer the KC84? And also isn't the Keycool 84's layout more 'universal' - like would it be easier to find replacement caps for it? And why are POM keys better for linear switches? Sorry for all the questions, by the way, I'm just curious.

The KC84 felt a bit more solid to me.  Also I'm pretty sure the spacebar on it is easier to replace.  The Choc mini has a 5.5 spacebar, and the only possible replacement is taking one from a TG3 Data911.  Even then, it fits odd.  POM keys felt smoother somehow.  I don't know, they just felt good.  That's why they work so well with linear switches.

Are you considering topres over cherry? There's some solid realforce boards that might suit your needs (I wish someone told me how nice topre was before I went ahead and spent almost a year and a half rotating cherry swtich to switch and swapping tons of keyboards)

I would consider topres, but they seem expensive. I couldn't find any for under like $200, and I'd rather only spend ~$125.  :(

Topre's aren't that great for gaming anyways.  At least in my opinion.  Much prefer gaming on MX.

Not pictured: KeyCool 84 [MX Red] | Focus 2001 [Complicated White Alps]
Endgame Board | Defect's Watermelon Board Build Doc

Offline Daspartic

  • Posts: 53
  • Location: New Jersey
  • IBM is love IBM is life
Re: Need help choosing a Keyboard
« Reply #18 on: Sun, 29 June 2014, 12:53:06 »
Wait a few months, save up a little more money, and get the CM Storm Novatouch when it comes out. 
IBM Displaywriter (82 key) | IBM Model F 4704 (107 key) |  IBM Model F AT x3 | IBM Model F XT | IBM Model F 3104 x2 | IBM 6112884 (Green Tee mount Alps) | Realforce 87u (55g) | IBM Model M 1390131 x2 | IBM Model M (1391401 '88) | Leopold FC500R (MX Browns) | Wang (725-5971) (Salmon Alps) | Acer 6011 (SKCM Blue Alps) | White Fox (65 g Zealios) | XMIT keyboard (Hall Effect)

Offline AshGash

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 12
Re: Need help choosing a Keyboard
« Reply #19 on: Mon, 30 June 2014, 03:54:31 »
Wait a few months, save up a little more money, and get the CM Storm Novatouch when it comes out.

I actually just read about that. It seems like it'll be a solid board. Just wondering if anyone knows what type of keycaps it'll have on it? I've never seen it mentioned anywhere, so I'm guessing it has just standard ABS and not PBT or POM, right?

Offline Oobly

  • * Esteemed Elder
  • Posts: 3929
  • Location: Finland
Re: Need help choosing a Keyboard
« Reply #20 on: Mon, 30 June 2014, 04:37:07 »
There a good few options out there, depending on your preferences. First work out which keyswitches you want, then the layout. If you want less noise, but around the same pressure, still with some tactility, try Browns. No tactility, linears like Reds or Blacks. If you want more tactility with less noise, try Clears (they have stronger springs than Blues, though). Stronger version of Blues with slightly reduced tactility, try Greens.

If you want a really compact layout with F-keys, that's 75%:

If you want one in white, there's the Keycool 84. Standard spacebar size and only one non-standard size keycap (1.75x right shift), so you can find replacement keycaps relatively easily, although it comes with quite decent caps (medium thickness PBT). Many sets with "Tsangan" kits include the 1.75x right shift. You still have to play around with different keycaps for the right hand column, though, and live with the fact that if the legends are correct, the keycap profiles will be for the wrong rows, if the row profiles are correct, they'll have the wrong legends on. Or just use blanks for that column.

The Noppoo Choc Mini has great keycaps (mmmm... I love POM), but it's practically impossible to find replacement sets, so you're stuck if you want to change keycaps.

Most of the 75% boards have unusual layouts and will be hard to find keycap sets for.

Then there's 60% if you don't mind accessing the F-keys using Fn+number:

The Poker II has standard layout and the non-backlit one comes with great thick PBT caps and they're available in white. It's also programmable, so you can make your own Fn layer. It's pretty much the benchmark for 60% boards and there are a lot of compatible aftermarket cases, plates, keycaps, cables, etc. for customising it.

The KBT Pure (original, not Pro) has only one non-standard cap (1.75x right shift), nice Fn layer and you can toggle the right hand modifiers into an inverted T arrow cluster (which you can't do on the Poker II, even with the programming). It's not programmable, though, and the stock keycaps are the usual thin ABS rubbish.

If you want F-keys on the default layer, standard layout (for more keycap options) and arrow keys, then there's 80% or TKL, 87 keys:

The older Keycool 87 with Cherry MX switches is a good option if you want white. It comes with medium thickness PBT caps.

There's also the new KûL ES-87 if you don't mind black, it's a great quality board and there's an option for MX Clear switches, but it comes with thin ABS caps.

A great "budget"option is the Coolermaster Quickfire Rapid. Decent quality standard layout TKL.
Buying more keycaps,
it really hacks my wallet,
but I must have them.

Offline AshGash

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 12
Re: Need help choosing a Keyboard
« Reply #21 on: Mon, 30 June 2014, 05:01:17 »
There a good few options out there, depending on your preferences. First work out which keyswitches you want, then the layout. If you want less noise, but around the same pressure, still with some tactility, try Browns. No tactility, linears like Reds or Blacks. If you want more tactility with less noise, try Clears (they have stronger springs than Blues, though). Stronger version of Blues with slightly reduced tactility, try Greens.

If you want a really compact layout with F-keys, that's 75%:

If you want one in white, there's the Keycool 84. Standard spacebar size and only one non-standard size keycap (1.75x right shift), so you can find replacement keycaps relatively easily, although it comes with quite decent caps (medium thickness PBT). Many sets with "Tsangan" kits include the 1.75x right shift. You still have to play around with different keycaps for the right hand column, though, and live with the fact that if the legends are correct, the keycap profiles will be for the wrong rows, if the row profiles are correct, they'll have the wrong legends on. Or just use blanks for that column.

The Noppoo Choc Mini has great keycaps (mmmm... I love POM), but it's practically impossible to find replacement sets, so you're stuck if you want to change keycaps.

Most of the 75% boards have unusual layouts and will be hard to find keycap sets for.

Then there's 60% if you don't mind accessing the F-keys using Fn+number:

The Poker II has standard layout and the non-backlit one comes with great thick PBT caps and they're available in white. It's also programmable, so you can make your own Fn layer. It's pretty much the benchmark for 60% boards and there are a lot of compatible aftermarket cases, plates, keycaps, cables, etc. for customising it.

The KBT Pure (original, not Pro) has only one non-standard cap (1.75x right shift), nice Fn layer and you can toggle the right hand modifiers into an inverted T arrow cluster (which you can't do on the Poker II, even with the programming). It's not programmable, though, and the stock keycaps are the usual thin ABS rubbish.

If you want F-keys on the default layer, standard layout (for more keycap options) and arrow keys, then there's 80% or TKL, 87 keys:

The older Keycool 87 with Cherry MX switches is a good option if you want white. It comes with medium thickness PBT caps.

There's also the new KûL ES-87 if you don't mind black, it's a great quality board and there's an option for MX Clear switches, but it comes with thin ABS caps.

A great "budget"option is the Coolermaster Quickfire Rapid. Decent quality standard layout TKL.

That was very informational, thanks for taking the time to write that. So with that information, I've eliminated the Noppoo. I've also really thought about 60%'s, but I just don't think I like limiting myself that much, especially when it comes to gaming. God, the Poker II is so sexy, but I feel 60%'s are more of a niche thing, where as 87 key keyboards seem like more all-arounders. As for the Keycool 87 and 84 - are they both being made with non cherry switches now? So if I want one with cherry's I'm going to have to get it used? I'm not even sure where to get them new, though.

Offline Defect

  • Posts: 670
  • I collect keyboards and keyboard accessories
Re: Need help choosing a Keyboard
« Reply #22 on: Mon, 30 June 2014, 06:32:01 »
60% can be hard to use for games that benefit from F - Row (like Dota 2). They look so cool though.  But I wasn't a fan of the Poker 2 layout, specifically the PN and FN button locations.

There's a Keycool vendor somewhere on Geekhack.  Forgot his/her name...

Not pictured: KeyCool 84 [MX Red] | Focus 2001 [Complicated White Alps]
Endgame Board | Defect's Watermelon Board Build Doc

Offline AshGash

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 12
Re: Need help choosing a Keyboard
« Reply #23 on: Mon, 30 June 2014, 08:42:27 »
60% can be hard to use for games that benefit from F - Row (like Dota 2). They look so cool though.  But I wasn't a fan of the Poker 2 layout, specifically the PN and FN button locations.

There's a Keycool vendor somewhere on Geekhack.  Forgot his/her name...

But how does buying from them work? Would you send them a PM asking what you want, and then send them money through paypal or something?
« Last Edit: Mon, 30 June 2014, 09:00:05 by AshGash »

Offline Daspartic

  • Posts: 53
  • Location: New Jersey
  • IBM is love IBM is life
Re: Need help choosing a Keyboard
« Reply #24 on: Mon, 30 June 2014, 11:14:42 »
Wait a few months, save up a little more money, and get the CM Storm Novatouch when it comes out.

I actually just read about that. It seems like it'll be a solid board. Just wondering if anyone knows what type of keycaps it'll have on it? I've never seen it mentioned anywhere, so I'm guessing it has just standard ABS and not PBT or POM, right?

Last I heard it was going to be ABS unfortunately, but that's nothing you can't fix.  :D
IBM Displaywriter (82 key) | IBM Model F 4704 (107 key) |  IBM Model F AT x3 | IBM Model F XT | IBM Model F 3104 x2 | IBM 6112884 (Green Tee mount Alps) | Realforce 87u (55g) | IBM Model M 1390131 x2 | IBM Model M (1391401 '88) | Leopold FC500R (MX Browns) | Wang (725-5971) (Salmon Alps) | Acer 6011 (SKCM Blue Alps) | White Fox (65 g Zealios) | XMIT keyboard (Hall Effect)

Offline Oobly

  • * Esteemed Elder
  • Posts: 3929
  • Location: Finland
Re: Need help choosing a Keyboard
« Reply #25 on: Mon, 30 June 2014, 13:13:24 »
Wait a few months, save up a little more money, and get the CM Storm Novatouch when it comes out.

I actually just read about that. It seems like it'll be a solid board. Just wondering if anyone knows what type of keycaps it'll have on it? I've never seen it mentioned anywhere, so I'm guessing it has just standard ABS and not PBT or POM, right?

Last I heard it was going to be ABS unfortunately, but that's nothing you can't fix.  :D

Hmmm.... GMK Dolch on Topre switches anyone? hehe.... I'll wait for the 55g uniform version, though. 45g is too light for me.
Buying more keycaps,
it really hacks my wallet,
but I must have them.