Author Topic: Unicomp Customizer 104 - First Impressions  (Read 4371 times)

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Offline BenBenMan

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 19
Unicomp Customizer 104 - First Impressions
« on: Wed, 10 June 2009, 00:16:53 »
Well, my Unicomp Customiser arrived today. Unfortunately it seems that they were held up at Unicomp after running out of some parts or something so it took them three weeks to process my order. But anyway, now it's here, and I'm typing on it now.

It's an interesting typing experience. I haven't used a clacky keyboard in a long time. This feels pretty good. The tactile feedback is nice, though my fingers seem to be working quite a bit harder than they used to. Though, the last keyboard I was using was a Dell laptop keyboard...

As far as build quality goes, it's pretty good. It's heavy and fairly solidly-built, and it looks nice from the front. The key quality is alright, though it could be improved (there's a pretty obvious injection mould mark at the back of most keys, and the space bar has a very slight bubble in the surface. I also noticed on my keyboard the F9 key had become dislodged during transit, but that's probably FedEx's fault. Other than that, it's nice. :)

The only thing that seems a bit off, i'm not sure if the space bar is seated properly... it works fine except if I try to push towards the left-hand side of the space bar, the left part of the key moves downwards, the right part of the key moves upwards, and the mechanism doesn't do anything. So, how do I reseat my space bar?

Anyway, I might write up a full review later, if I get around to it...
Have:Unicomp Customizer 104, IBM Model M Spacesaver 1397681
Want: nothing at the moment, except maybe multimedia controls for my Unicomp :)

Offline watduzhkstand4

  • Posts: 511
Unicomp Customizer 104 - First Impressions
« Reply #1 on: Wed, 10 June 2009, 00:50:23 »
damn it took you that long to receive your customizer? I ordered another customizer like early last week but they still haven't even charged my credit card yet. I wonder how long it's going to take to actually leave unicomp? You said it took them 3 weeks to process your order. I just want to make sure that doesn't include shipping time right? Then I might just get the customizer like mid June I guess =( Oh well I can wait =D

oh btw next time you might want to post this in the review section.
KEYBOARDS
Cherry Blue *Filco Tenkeyless w/ blank keys* w/ red ESC key thanks to Megarat
Cherry Red Noppoo Choc Mini
IBM Model M 1391401 12/15/88
Siig Minitouch w/ White Alps


SOLD
HHKB Pro 2 white w/ blank keys red ESC key and blank WASD keys
HHKB L-2
Cherry Brown Compaq mx11800
Dell AT101W
Cherry Red Leopold 104-key Otaku FC500RR/ABN

Offline BenBenMan

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 19
Unicomp Customizer 104 - First Impressions
« Reply #2 on: Wed, 10 June 2009, 01:00:42 »
Quote from: watduzhkstand4;95114
damn it took you that long to receive your customizer? I ordered another customizer like early last week but they still haven't even charged my credit card yet. I wonder how long it's going to take to actually leave unicomp? You said it took them 3 weeks to process your order. I just want to make sure that doesn't include shipping time right? Then I might just get the customizer like mid June I guess =( Oh well I can wait =D

oh btw next time you might want to post this in the review section.


Yeah, it shipped last Friday, and I think the credit card was charged last Friday as well. They should have sent you an email about the shipping though?

Also, I wasn't sure about whether to post this in the review section, I thought I'd wait until I write a real review of it...
Have:Unicomp Customizer 104, IBM Model M Spacesaver 1397681
Want: nothing at the moment, except maybe multimedia controls for my Unicomp :)

Offline BenBenMan

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 19
Unicomp Customizer 104 - First Impressions
« Reply #3 on: Wed, 10 June 2009, 02:35:29 »
Quote from: ripster;95117
Just pull it straight upwards with a bent paper clip (do search here for pics). The actual switch is on the right side of the spacebar.  There is a little metal guide bar that will just slide into notches on the upper part where the key goes. If you take it slow and don't force anything it will be a piece of cake.   Unicomps are easy to remove keys on.  You can also just call Unicomp if you get nervous about the process.

Well, I played around with it and managed to reseat it, and it's working much better now :) I suppose it might have just moved or somehow unlatched itself during transit or something. But, now it's all good.
Have:Unicomp Customizer 104, IBM Model M Spacesaver 1397681
Want: nothing at the moment, except maybe multimedia controls for my Unicomp :)

Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
Unicomp Customizer 104 - First Impressions
« Reply #4 on: Wed, 10 June 2009, 08:06:00 »
Quote from: watduzhkstand4;95114
damn it took you that long to receive your customizer? I ordered another customizer like early last week but they still haven't even charged my credit card yet. I wonder how long it's going to take to actually leave unicomp? You said it took them 3 weeks to process your order. I just want to make sure that doesn't include shipping time right? Then I might just get the customizer like mid June I guess =( Oh well I can wait =D
 
oh btw next time you might want to post this in the review section.

It used to take them about a week to turn around an order.  After a piece on NPR about Unicomp, they were hammered with orders.  This exhausted their parts supplies and probably the inventory of their suppliers.  On top of that, the additional workload is causing them to run behind.


Offline Idiot_Hacker

  • Posts: 28
Unicomp Customizer 104 - First Impressions
« Reply #5 on: Wed, 10 June 2009, 14:49:46 »
Members on this forum have to get together and develop a cooler looking keyboard with Unicomp.  Does anyone think it possible for them to develop a gun metal grey housing with a silver grey keyboard base and LEDs that are white?
Too many Model Ms to count
Cherry G80-3000LSCRC-2
Compaq MX11800
Dell AT101W
IBM Ultranav
Logitech G15 Version 1
Logitech DiNovo Edge

Offline watduzhkstand4

  • Posts: 511
Unicomp Customizer 104 - First Impressions
« Reply #6 on: Wed, 10 June 2009, 14:57:26 »
Quote from: BenBenMan;95116
Yeah, it shipped last Friday, and I think the credit card was charged last Friday as well. They should have sent you an email about the shipping though?

Also, I wasn't sure about whether to post this in the review section, I thought I'd wait until I write a real review of it...

What was the exact date that you ordered it?
I was just going to estimate how long it's going to take them to ship out that's all =)

Thanks!





If geekhack gets it's own design, I think most people would prefer a cherry board over a buckling spring.

Blue switches I mean with the Cherry.
« Last Edit: Wed, 10 June 2009, 14:59:38 by watduzhkstand4 »
KEYBOARDS
Cherry Blue *Filco Tenkeyless w/ blank keys* w/ red ESC key thanks to Megarat
Cherry Red Noppoo Choc Mini
IBM Model M 1391401 12/15/88
Siig Minitouch w/ White Alps


SOLD
HHKB Pro 2 white w/ blank keys red ESC key and blank WASD keys
HHKB L-2
Cherry Brown Compaq mx11800
Dell AT101W
Cherry Red Leopold 104-key Otaku FC500RR/ABN

Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
Unicomp Customizer 104 - First Impressions
« Reply #7 on: Wed, 10 June 2009, 15:12:32 »
Quote from: watduzhkstand4;95247
If geekhack gets it's own design, I think most people would prefer a cherry board over a buckling spring.
 
Blue switches I mean with the Cherry.

You would have to fist fight us brown Cherry lovers first, or make two different keyboards.


Offline Idiot_Hacker

  • Posts: 28
Unicomp Customizer 104 - First Impressions
« Reply #8 on: Wed, 10 June 2009, 15:18:58 »
The brown cherries take some getting used to because I felt they were so soft but now it's the keyboard I type fastest on, even faster then the Ultranav that was my previous personal speed champ.  However, I still find typing on the Model M as my fav even though I don't type the fastest on it.
Too many Model Ms to count
Cherry G80-3000LSCRC-2
Compaq MX11800
Dell AT101W
IBM Ultranav
Logitech G15 Version 1
Logitech DiNovo Edge

Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
Unicomp Customizer 104 - First Impressions
« Reply #9 on: Wed, 10 June 2009, 15:21:06 »
While I cherish my Ms, I find them way to heavy to type on for any extended amount of time.  I get tired very quickly on them.  Cherry browns are the greatest (IMO).


Offline wellington1869

  • Posts: 2885
Unicomp Customizer 104 - First Impressions
« Reply #10 on: Wed, 10 June 2009, 15:26:02 »
Funny, two days ago I was about to sell my endurapro, and today I'm back on it and loving it.  It *is* lighter than the M, I guess sometimes its nice to switch up a bit.

Browns are still way too light for me (at about 45gm I guess).  I could probably live with a 55gm topre though I tend to like the heavier end of the spectrum. Unicomps at about 65gm are fine, and may be the perfect weight for me. The 70gm M's I will always need to have around to 'reset' my feelings, lol. Its the gold standard by which all other boards become 'known'. ;)

"Blah blah blah grade school blah blah blah IBM PS/2s blah blah blah I like Model Ms." -- Kishy

using: ms 7000/Das 3

Offline wellington1869

  • Posts: 2885
Unicomp Customizer 104 - First Impressions
« Reply #11 on: Wed, 10 June 2009, 15:49:27 »
Quote from: ripster;95266
LOL, Welly.  Give you some numbers and you go grams happy!


you might say I'm gram crackers.

:-|

(or, you might not :-D )

"Blah blah blah grade school blah blah blah IBM PS/2s blah blah blah I like Model Ms." -- Kishy

using: ms 7000/Das 3

Offline patrickgeekhack

  • Posts: 1460
Unicomp Customizer 104 - First Impressions
« Reply #12 on: Wed, 10 June 2009, 16:59:45 »
Quote from: itlnstln;95151
It used to take them about a week to turn around an order.  After a piece on NPR about Unicomp, they were hammered with orders.  This exhausted their parts supplies and probably the inventory of their suppliers.  On top of that, the additional workload is causing them to run behind.

In February, I ordered mine on a Wednesday night, and it was in Canada on Friday.
« Last Edit: Wed, 10 June 2009, 17:04:31 by patrickgeekhack »
Cherry MX Blue: Cherry G80-3000, Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate
Cherry MX Brown: Filco Majestouch, Compaq MX11800
ALPS: AEK, AEK II, Northgate Omnikey Ultra, Matias Tactile Pro 4
Topre: Realforce 103UB
Buckling Spring: IBM Model M 1390120
Previous owned: Unicomp Customizer 104, IBM Model M 1390141, ABS M1

Offline patrickgeekhack

  • Posts: 1460
Unicomp Customizer 104 - First Impressions
« Reply #13 on: Wed, 10 June 2009, 17:03:49 »
Quote from: itlnstln;95256
While I cherish my Ms, I find them way to heavy to type on for any extended amount of time.  I get tired very quickly on them.  Cherry browns are the greatest (IMO).


My fingers will get tired if I type for a long time on my Customizer. I don't know about the Cherry Browns, but I can say that I love my Cherry Blues. That being said, I won't sell my Customizer.

Repeating to myself: I don't need another keyboard, I don't need another keyboard, I don't need another keyboard...

Maybe we should have Keyboard anonymous: Hello, my name is Patrick and I have a problem.
Cherry MX Blue: Cherry G80-3000, Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate
Cherry MX Brown: Filco Majestouch, Compaq MX11800
ALPS: AEK, AEK II, Northgate Omnikey Ultra, Matias Tactile Pro 4
Topre: Realforce 103UB
Buckling Spring: IBM Model M 1390120
Previous owned: Unicomp Customizer 104, IBM Model M 1390141, ABS M1

Offline wellington1869

  • Posts: 2885
Unicomp Customizer 104 - First Impressions
« Reply #14 on: Wed, 10 June 2009, 17:06:50 »
Quote from: patrickgeekhack;95289

Maybe we should have Keyboard anonymous: Hello, my name is Patrick and I have a problem.



you can wear a little escape key around your neck to remind you.

there can be a ten point program, starting with apologizing to all the friends and spouses and relatives who have been ignored in favor of keyboards.

"Blah blah blah grade school blah blah blah IBM PS/2s blah blah blah I like Model Ms." -- Kishy

using: ms 7000/Das 3

Offline patrickgeekhack

  • Posts: 1460
Unicomp Customizer 104 - First Impressions
« Reply #15 on: Wed, 10 June 2009, 17:10:03 »
Quote from: wellington1869;95291
you can wear a little escape key around your neck to remind you.


Or a necklace made up with keyboard keycaps.
Cherry MX Blue: Cherry G80-3000, Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate
Cherry MX Brown: Filco Majestouch, Compaq MX11800
ALPS: AEK, AEK II, Northgate Omnikey Ultra, Matias Tactile Pro 4
Topre: Realforce 103UB
Buckling Spring: IBM Model M 1390120
Previous owned: Unicomp Customizer 104, IBM Model M 1390141, ABS M1

Offline Idiot_Hacker

  • Posts: 28
Unicomp Customizer 104 - First Impressions
« Reply #16 on: Wed, 10 June 2009, 17:24:42 »
Quote from: patrickgeekhack;95289


Maybe we should have Keyboard anonymous: Hello, my name is Patrick and I have a problem.


I need that...... I have over 20 Models M alone
Too many Model Ms to count
Cherry G80-3000LSCRC-2
Compaq MX11800
Dell AT101W
IBM Ultranav
Logitech G15 Version 1
Logitech DiNovo Edge

Offline patrickgeekhack

  • Posts: 1460
Unicomp Customizer 104 - First Impressions
« Reply #17 on: Wed, 10 June 2009, 17:26:40 »
Quote from: Idiot_Hacker;95293
I need that...... I have over 20 Models M alone


20 Model M? I think in your case you should introduce yourself by saying, "Hello, my name is..., and I have a serious problem." :-)
Cherry MX Blue: Cherry G80-3000, Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate
Cherry MX Brown: Filco Majestouch, Compaq MX11800
ALPS: AEK, AEK II, Northgate Omnikey Ultra, Matias Tactile Pro 4
Topre: Realforce 103UB
Buckling Spring: IBM Model M 1390120
Previous owned: Unicomp Customizer 104, IBM Model M 1390141, ABS M1

Offline nerp

  • Posts: 59
Unicomp Customizer 104 - First Impressions
« Reply #18 on: Wed, 10 June 2009, 17:56:31 »
I love my Customizer 104 and my SpaceSaver. I've found that using them every day at both home and in the office has strengthened my fingers and they no longer tire out so quickly.
U N I.C O M P - Am I the only one that likes the logo?

Offline wheel83

  • Posts: 189
Unicomp Customizer 104 - First Impressions
« Reply #19 on: Wed, 10 June 2009, 18:30:43 »
this is true.  i think my fingers have become stronger after using buckling springs for not that long of a time.  my form is much better when converting to other keyboards as well.  buckling springs ROCK!
I <3 BS

Offline watduzhkstand4

  • Posts: 511
Unicomp Customizer 104 - First Impressions
« Reply #20 on: Thu, 11 June 2009, 10:07:19 »
Quote from: itlnstln;95250
You would have to fist fight us brown Cherry lovers first, or make two different keyboards.


lol I love brown cherry too except I still don't have a blue one yet xD!
KEYBOARDS
Cherry Blue *Filco Tenkeyless w/ blank keys* w/ red ESC key thanks to Megarat
Cherry Red Noppoo Choc Mini
IBM Model M 1391401 12/15/88
Siig Minitouch w/ White Alps


SOLD
HHKB Pro 2 white w/ blank keys red ESC key and blank WASD keys
HHKB L-2
Cherry Brown Compaq mx11800
Dell AT101W
Cherry Red Leopold 104-key Otaku FC500RR/ABN