Is there a secret place to buy a compact mech kb with the keys you want?

[u84six]

I'm new to mechanical keyboards and I think I know what I want, but the problem is finding a place where they have them in stock. These things seem really hard to find! I'm not sure if it's because of high demand or low demand.

Anyhow, I'm looking for a compact mech kb with dedicated arrow keys because I program and like to edit text without using a mouse. I was looking at the Noppoo Choc Mini and the Leopold FC660M and I think I want brown switch or at least some type of feedback. I was also looking at CM Storn tenkeyless but I thin it's still too long. I think the Leopold is just right. It's small but retains all the key combos that are needed for text editing without too much fuss. But where the heck do I buy one? I looked on eBay, but eBay always seems like a risk. Where do you all buy your keyboards?

[noisyturtle]

This has a wealth of information on where to buy almost anything you need:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45672.0

[u84six]

Also, if there's something similar to the fc660m, please let me know. I'm looking for small, with arrow keys, and some kind of click but not too loud. I don't want to annoy my co-workers.

[u84six]

This has a wealth of information on where to buy almost anything you need:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45672.0

That's great! Thank you!

[rowdy]

Also, if there's something similar to the fc660m, please let me know. I'm looking for small, with arrow keys, and some kind of click but not too loud. I don't want to annoy my co-workers.

Welcome to Geekhack!

FC660C?

[u84six]

Also, if there's something similar to the fc660m, please let me know. I'm looking for small, with arrow keys, and some kind of click but not too loud. I don't want to annoy my co-workers.

Welcome to Geekhack!

FC660C?

Hmm, I haven't seen a "c". I'm thinking something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Red-Leopold-FC660M-Mechanical-keyboard-Cherry-MX-Brown-switch-W-Sub-dye-cap-/291130480855?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item43c8ba98d7

I just don't like purchasing stuff from eBay.

[rowdy]

Also, if there's something similar to the fc660m, please let me know. I'm looking for small, with arrow keys, and some kind of click but not too loud. I don't want to annoy my co-workers.

Welcome to Geekhack!

FC660C?

Hmm, I haven't seen a "c". I'm thinking something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Red-Leopold-FC660M-Mechanical-keyboard-Cherry-MX-Brown-switch-W-Sub-dye-cap-/291130480855?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item43c8ba98d7

I just don't like purchasing stuff from eBay.

FC660C is the Topre version of the same keyboard - same size and layout, but Topre switches instead of MX.

qtan might be able to help you with either:

http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/category/cateogry1-name/catId=4367799

[Oobly]

+1 for Qtan, he has a good range of Leopold boards and is active here on Geekhack, so you can PM him if there's something more you want to know.

If you want tactile feedback, you may also be interested in Clear switches. They have a bigger tactile bump than Browns, but slightly stronger springs, too. They're my favourite stock MX switch. You can choose which switches you want for both of these options:

http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/item/shop-mechanical-keyboard-by-sw/leopold-fc660m-mechanical-keyb/lid=35722930

http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/item/shop-mechanical-keyboard-by-sw/leopold-fc660m-mechanical-keyb/lid=36810036

The first is dark grey, the second is white. Great boards.

There is also the "c" model which has Topre capacitive switches (special rubber domes over conical springs). Some prefer them to MX, others prefer MX. They have a different tactility to MX tactile switches. The domes collapse soon after the top of the press and make a nice "thock" sound when hitting the bottom.

If you are okay with using a Fn key to get the arrow and edit keys, the Poker II is a good board, too. It's programmable so you can make your own Fn layer (up to a point, the Fn and Pn keys cannot be reassigned). The original Poker (not sold any more, sometimes refered to as Poker X) and Pure (also not made any more, only ones I see available have Red switches) had the ability to toggle the right hand modifiers into an arrow cluster, but Home, End, Del, etc are on a Fn layer.

[xuanwumen]

For compact, keycool 84 and noppoo choc mini 84 avaialble to buy.

[Quardah]

This has a wealth of information on where to buy almost anything you need:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45672.0

Linkin' my list :')

you da real mvp.

:') my little baby, my work of art, being linked to new members. So proud.

[u84six]

+1 for Qtan, he has a good range of Leopold boards and is active here on Geekhack, so you can PM him if there's something more you want to know.

If you want tactile feedback, you may also be interested in Clear switches. They have a bigger tactile bump than Browns, but slightly stronger springs, too. They're my favourite stock MX switch. You can choose which switches you want for both of these options:

http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/item/shop-mechanical-keyboard-by-sw/leopold-fc660m-mechanical-keyb/lid=35722930

http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/item/shop-mechanical-keyboard-by-sw/leopold-fc660m-mechanical-keyb/lid=36810036

The first is dark grey, the second is white. Great boards.

There is also the "c" model which has Topre capacitive switches (special rubber domes over conical springs). Some prefer them to MX, others prefer MX. They have a different tactility to MX tactile switches. The domes collapse soon after the top of the press and make a nice "thock" sound when hitting the bottom.

If you are okay with using a Fn key to get the arrow and edit keys, the Poker II is a good board, too. It's programmable so you can make your own Fn layer (up to a point, the Fn and Pn keys cannot be reassigned). The original Poker (not sold any more, sometimes refered to as Poker X) and Pure (also not made any more, only ones I see available have Red switches) had the ability to toggle the right hand modifiers into an arrow cluster, but Home, End, Del, etc are on a Fn layer.

Thanks for all the useful info! I was looking at the Poker but I don't like having to use the fn key for arrows because there will be too many key combos just to highlight text (I think). I really like dedicated arrow keys because I use them all the time. I never use the keypad and I can live with F keys on the function layer. I'll most likely contact Qtan (if I can figure out how to send a pm) and ask him some questions about ordering a FC660M. It really seems like the keyboard for me. Question, what are the conditions to pimping out a keyboard? Do the keycaps on Geekkeys.com work with all mechanical keyboards? Will they fit on a FC660M? It's definitely not a deal breaker, but custom looking keyboard might be cool.

[dorkvader]

most cherry-compatible keycaps will fit on a FC600M, but not on a FC660C.

You might want to talk to feng about specifics, but the keycaps I saw on Geekkeys 'site appear to be cherry compatible.

Cherry keycaps won't work on topre (except the upcoming CMstorm novatouch), alps compatible, and IBM / unicomp keyboards.

There are a great many less common keyboards they won't work with either.

[u84six]

most cherry-compatible keycaps will fit on a FC600M, but not on a FC660C.

You might want to talk to feng about specifics, but the keycaps I saw on Geekkeys 'site appear to be cherry compatible.

Cherry keycaps won't work on topre (except the upcoming CMstorm novatouch), alps compatible, and IBM / unicomp keyboards.

There are a great many less common keyboards they won't work with either.

Thanks for the info!