Trying to find the best/sexiest keyboard. $$$ is of no conern

[paobit]

Hey guys I'm in the market for the best looking/performing keyboard. Money is of no concern. I've been trying to look around the forums and I think it just overwhelmed me at the amount of unheard of brands. I think I saw the most expensive one is a happy hacker but just wanted to see if you guys had other opinions.
I would like LED lighting, but if there is a non led one that is too good to resist, that's all fine. I'll be doing alot of gaming but I might be going with MX blue since I like the sound of the clicks. any advice is much appreciated

[Novus]

HHKB TYPE S.
DO IT

[Oobly]

Well, if money is of no concern, GON is your man: http://www.gonskeyboardworks.com/

Full custom super high quality keyboards. He uses Cherry MX switches, so you'll have to research those and work out which ones would suit you the best.

HHKB is a flexible, cheap feeling toy in comparision, IMHO. It's one of the best Topre switch boards, although I would say the Leopold FC660C is actually a little better in terms of solidity and feel. They both have 45g switches, but the Leopold ones feel slightly harder and more consistent. The HHKB layout is controversial, most love it, some don't. I don't, mainly due to the arrow keys and lack of programmability, so you can't redesign the Fn layer.

[paobit]

damn GON is overwhelming me more lol! The HHKB, to me, doesn't look good at all but am willing to get it if I find nothing that compels me to buy something else. Still trying to see other's opinion on other keyboards.

[Novus]

damn GON is overwhelming me more lol! The HHKB, to me, doesn't look good at all but am willing to get it if I find nothing that compels me to buy something else. Still trying to see other's opinion on other keyboards.

Blasphemy.

[paobit]

LMAO!!!

For some reason The poker 2 seems like a good keyboard for it's upgradability. I'm kinda torn between the poker 2 and HHKB =(

[EpicSNES]

LMAO!!!

For some reason The poker 2 seems like a good keyboard for it's upgradability. I'm kinda torn between the poker 2 and HHKB =(

A common place to be stuck in

[paobit]

Hehe 1st world problems. the HHKB type s is sold out =O.

[paicrai]

buy a wristrest with tits

[tp4tissue]

Ergodox...

Nekkid... !!!!!!!

[EpicSNES]

buy a wristrest with tits

Those eventually show up in Amazon when I search "Ergonomic"

[minho]

damn GON is overwhelming me more lol! The HHKB, to me, doesn't look good at all but am willing to get it if I find nothing that compels me to buy something else. Still trying to see other's opinion on other keyboards.

GON is simply one of many Korean custom keyboards, which are widely regarded as the "best" keyboards because of their build quality, design, and customiziblity.

I recommend you go with the GON rather than the Poker - with the Poker, good quality casses (FMJ, Hammer, other nice aluminum cases) are harder to find (only available through classifieds I think), and most other mods are rather involved and time consuming (switch and plate swaps/modifications).

Pick something from here http://www.gonskeyboardworks.com/3-custom-kbds-w-assembly

Items with "NerD" in the name have newer PCB's.

If you can find other Korean customs for sale in classifieds (I know there are a few), or just aluminum keyboards, check those out too.

HHKB is more of a status symbol imo. It's a full plastic keyboard that costs about 250 with no customizibility, backlighting, etc.

[paobit]

hmm I think i might just go with GON. I'll do more research about keyboards so I know all the terms they're using for customization.

[dustinhxc]

Go with a GON NerD! I like 60% most..

[bueller]

Go with a GON NerD! I like 60% most..

And that new software he's released for programming looks great. Can't wait to get my hands on a 60% pcb to try it out.

[rowdy]

$$$ is of no concern )  You've really opened the gates now!

How about either of these:

http://www.pfu.fujitsu.com/hhkeyboard/hhkbprohg/j_spec.html

http://www.pfu.fujitsu.com/hhkeyboard/hhkbprohg/spec.html

[paicrai]

buy a wristrest with tits

Those eventually show up in Amazon when I search "Ergonomic"

ergonomic tits? keyboards just got a whole lot better

[Oobly]

Go with a GON NerD! I like 60% most..

And that new software he's released for programming looks great. Can't wait to get my hands on a 60% pcb to try it out.

Yes, the GUI looks nice. Full programmability is very nice to have, too. Love Gon's work.

[pr0ximity]

HHKB is a flexible, cheap feeling toy in comparision, IMHO. It's one of the best Topre switch boards, although I would say the Leopold FC660C is actually a little better in terms of solidity and feel. They both have 45g switches, but the Leopold ones feel slightly harder and more consistent. The HHKB layout is controversial, most love it, some don't. I don't, mainly due to the arrow keys and lack of programmability, so you can't redesign the Fn layer.

Why no mention of Realforce?

[SpAmRaY]

No one suggested a KMAC?

[Novus]

HHKB is a flexible, cheap feeling toy in comparision, IMHO. It's one of the best Topre switch boards, although I would say the Leopold FC660C is actually a little better in terms of solidity and feel. They both have 45g switches, but the Leopold ones feel slightly harder and more consistent. The HHKB layout is controversial, most love it, some don't. I don't, mainly due to the arrow keys and lack of programmability, so you can't redesign the Fn layer.

Why no mention of Realforce?

Realforce owner here.
Simply becuase its more fun to make other people buy HHKB for the layout even when they don't vim.

[Novus]

No one suggested a KMAC?

Sounds too close to big Mac.

[Lastpilot]

No one suggested a KMAC?

Sorry, got here late lolol

Yes! Korean customs including the KMAC may be your type o' thang. Here are some links in no particular order.

• KMAC: http://kbdmod.com/product/list.html?cate_no=4
• LZ: http://lzlife.tistory.com/ or http://red-line.kr/
  [better pictures here]
• OTD: http://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/the-korean-custom-keyboards-1-356-series-t255.html
• Duck: http://duck0113.tistory.com/

[Melvang]

Nobody has mentioned Datamancer.  I'm ashamed of you guys.

 

[dustinhxc]

GON > KMAC and HHKB > Realforce

[Flyersfan1]

A tad off topic, sorry. Does anyone know if a new kmac version is coming out? Sheraton told me 2's are no longer in production.

[SpAmRaY]

One thing for the OP to consider is also replacement key caps to go with this no expense spared keyboard purchase.

[Lastpilot]

One thing for the OP to consider is also replacement key caps to go with this no expense spared keyboard purchase.

Scarface!

[RED-404]

Nobody has mentioned Datamancer.  I'm ashamed of you guys.

 

I was just about to do just that...



Now what did I do with my Farnsworth?

[Melvang]

Nobody has mentioned Datamancer.  I'm ashamed of you guys.

 

I was just about to do just that...

Show Image

Now what did I do with my Farnsworth?

Those are just plain damn sexy keyboards

[fohat.digs]

Depends on how much of a man you are.

[Findecanor]

HHKB > Realforce

In terms of price, maybe. In terms of layout, that is up to each individual. Reλlforce has individual switch housings in a steel plate where the HHKB has a cheaper, lighter plastic barrel plate like a cheap keyboard.

KMAC is an enthusiast kit-keyboard that you build yourself or have someone build it for you. If you are going to get something custom-made, even if it is from readily available parts, then you could always go better and more expensive.

[argcargv]

HHKB Pro 2 type S with Hasu's custom controller

[dorkvader]

Depends on how much of a man you are.

Yep: custom model F or hall effect.

hard to beat. All these pansy cherry keyboards with their LED backlighting and their aluminium cases. I present as an alternative "real steel" of model F and honeywell hall effect.

Note that hall effect switches are rated for thirty billion actuations, which is about a thousand times more than cherry.

[minho]

Depends on how much of a man you are.

Yep: custom model F or hall effect.

hard to beat. All these pansy cherry keyboards with their LED backlighting and their aluminium cases. I present as an alternative "real steel" of model F and honeywell hall effect.

Note that hall effect switches are rated for thirty billion actuations, which is about a thousand times more than cherry.

Huge ass keyboard... and I doubt anyone here has actually reached the 50 million actuation rating for Cherry switches before.

Or if they have, it is a damn old keyboard.

[paobit]

ok looking at the datamancer prices...I would say that is so pretty but EXPENSIVE. Maybe I should mention my budget to be a max of lets say $600ish. $1k-$2.5k for a keyboard?!?! I thought I saw everything.... until now.

[ajx]

he said sexiest keyboard!
All i can see its you are all showing ugly keyboards

sexiest keyboard: Code Keyboard



Cutest keyboard: Ducky Mini ISO

[paobit]

someone mentioned replacement keycaps? If I was to go with GON? would I buy it there or is there somewhere else? Sorry I'm such a noob at this.

[RED-404]

Ok, I got it you need a tungsten carbide case and plate, neodymium optical switches, synthetic ruby keycaps with tritium backlight. Oh and a graphene PCB

[paobit]

Ok, I got it you need a tungsten carbide case and plate, neodymium optical switches, synthetic ruby keycaps with tritium backlight. Oh and a graphene PCB

Hmm any site that has these parts and could assemble them? I'd like to see a pic of the finished product. Those parts sound like their so rare..I like it lol

[dustinhxc]

he said sexiest keyboard!
All i can see its you are all showing ugly keyboards

Cutest keyboard: Ducky Mini ISO

Show Image

He'll yes everyone should have a ducky mini 1 in their collection! :) love mine.

someone mentioned replacement keycaps? If I was to go with GON? would I buy it there or is there somewhere else? Sorry I'm such a noob at this.

In the key caps thread there is a post with vendors. http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45672.0 Also you can look in group buys and classifieds. :)

[jacobolus]

Money is of no concern.

Give me a million dollars and six months, and I promise I can make you something one-of-a-kind.

[Lastpilot]

Ok, I got it you need a tungsten carbide case and plate, neodymium optical switches, synthetic ruby keycaps with tritium backlight. Oh and a graphene PCB

Hahahaha, man that would be so awesome. I wonder what magnets would feel like for switches. Tritum backlight also sounds interesting, you'd need to put a glass tube in for each switch...or actually you may need a glass "panel" full of tritium for each switch to be sufficiently lit.

Oh and don't forget paramagnetic paint for the case!

[JaccoW]

Check the Pearltrees link in my signature. It will give you a nice overview of the different brands and some of the possibilities.

That being said, my Duck Orion TKL is on its way to me but my next big purchase would probably be a GON.

[paobit]

Alright looking at "GON NS NerD 60 /w Tuning&Assembly" just a couple of questions:

For the Switch Tuning: What would you guys recommend?

Researching about mx clears: now I'm torn between blues and clears. What would you guys rec?

LED tuning: Does side LED mean leds on the side of the keyboard only? If i wanted leds on the keycaps..Should I just in switch led?

Sorry I just want it to be perfect before I make an order

[paobit]

Money is of no concern.

Give me a million dollars and six months, and I promise I can make you something one-of-a-kind.

-_____-

[dustinhxc]

Alright looking at "GON NS NerD 60 /w Tuning&Assembly" just a couple of questions:

For the Switch Tuning: What would you guys recommend?

Researching about mx clears: now I'm torn between blues and clears. What would you guys rec?

LED tuning: Does side LED mean leds on the side of the keyboard only? If i wanted leds on the keycaps..Should I just in switch led?

Sorry I just want it to be perfect before I make an order

Fantastic choice! Personally there is none better! There is a limited run of the Happy version. Which has a few less keys and ISO enter. That's the one I'm getting built right now.

I go with clears lubed in all of my boards! 62g springs are what I'm getting in my GON.
I am doing switch only LEDs. If you want a ton of flashy show then get the side LEDs too. I'd rather have it be more subtle. Enjoy!

[paobit]

Alright looking at "GON NS NerD 60 /w Tuning&Assembly" just a couple of questions:

For the Switch Tuning: What would you guys recommend?

Researching about mx clears: now I'm torn between blues and clears. What would you guys rec?

LED tuning: Does side LED mean leds on the side of the keyboard only? If i wanted leds on the keycaps..Should I just in switch led?

Sorry I just want it to be perfect before I make an order

Fantastic choice! Personally there is none better! There is a limited run of the Happy version. Which has a few less keys and ISO enter. That's the one I'm getting built right now.

I go with clears lubed in all of my boards! 62g springs are what I'm getting in my GON.
I am doing switch only LEDs. If you want a ton of flashy show then get the side LEDs too. I'd rather have it be more subtle. Enjoy!

hmm i might go with the clears. Any reason why you're going with the happy version? Do you think it's better than  the one I'm trying to assemble in?

[dorkvader]

Huge ass keyboard... and I doubt anyone here has actually reached the 50 million actuation rating for Cherry switches before.

Or if they have, it is a damn old keyboard.

rootwyrm says he put about 2 billion keystrokes into his M before it was too broken to repair anymore.

[dustinhxc]

Alright looking at "GON NS NerD 60 /w Tuning&Assembly" just a couple of questions:

For the Switch Tuning: What would you guys recommend?

Researching about mx clears: now I'm torn between blues and clears. What would you guys rec?

LED tuning: Does side LED mean leds on the side of the keyboard only? If i wanted leds on the keycaps..Should I just in switch led?

Sorry I just want it to be perfect before I make an order

Fantastic choice! Personally there is none better! There is a limited run of the Happy version. Which has a few less keys and ISO enter. That's the one I'm getting built right now.

I go with clears lubed in all of my boards! 62g springs are what I'm getting in my GON.
I am doing switch only LEDs. If you want a ton of flashy show then get the side LEDs too. I'd rather have it be more subtle. Enjoy!

hmm i might go with the clears. Any reason why you're going with the happy version? Do you think it's better than  the one I'm trying to assemble in?

I enjoy clears! You may love them! Hehe you never know. They are popular with Korean customs. 62g springs and clears. It just depends if you like ANSI or if you want to try the newly made layout by GON. IOS + HHKB Happy. Pretty interesting layout! Both would be wonderful boards. I just already have ANSI, ISO, and HHKB Happy. So may as well get a 4th layout!  http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=60159.0