Help me understand Keytronic's various offerings to round out my Dome collection

[EscapeVelocity]

Im looking to pick up a Keytronic or maybe 2 to round out my rubber dome collection.

Are the vintage units better made?

Which models have the Ergo (various weights to keys like some of the Topre models)?  Are those preferable?

I tend to like smaller key boards. Is the KT400 just as good?

What are the various models that they have produced?

Thanks for sharing!

[Blaise170]

Keytronic also made foam and foil boards FYI. They are mostly linear. I'm refurbishing one right now to see if it feels any better after a full cleaning.

[EscapeVelocity]

Cool. I heard maybe the Classic model is the way to go.

[EscapeVelocity]

There is also the KT800 and the E0360* series. And something called ErgoForce

[EscapeVelocity]

There is also a KT2000 & KT2001 (I think the last digit has to do with the layout but otherwise the same)

[EscapeVelocity]

Seems like the KeyTronic Designer has the ErgoForce technology

[Findecanor]

Keytronic also made foam and foil boards FYI.

Some have springs and some have buckling rubber sleeves. Either go between the keycap and the plastic switch part. See http://deskthority.net/wiki/Key_Tronic_foam_and_foil

"Ergo Force" is their name for the variable weighting.
The Designer, Lifetime series and the KT2000 (and several other models) are quite large keyboards with a curved backplane. Really high keys.  I had one model model that was very mushy.

The cheaper variants (KT400, KT800 etc) have flat backplanes and a completely plastic construction, including the stabiliser bars. Very nice feel though. Snappy and not mushy.

[EscapeVelocity]

Some older ones are Made in USA
Some are made in Mexico
Some (newer ones) are made in China

[EscapeVelocity]

KT400 & KT800 are newer models that are made in China.
Classic II Lifetime Series is made in China
Classic I Lifetime Series is made in Mexico

[EscapeVelocity]

I picked up a Classic (not II) new in box.

The KT400 & KT800 have Big Ass Enter keys and small Backspace keys.  Not a fan of that layout. (I like a Big Ass Enter Key & 2 space Backspace key or the more traditional ANSI)

The Classic (Mexico) and Classic II (China) have Big Ass Enter & 2 space Backspace which I like.

[EscapeVelocity]

The KT 2000 or E0360* series remind me of the IBM Model M in design.

The Designer model reminds me kind of like old typewriters. Pretty cool.

[davkol]

My KT800 was ISO. Both E06501s had a big-ass Enter. All were flimsy and rattly, but very snappy. I currently have an E03602 (curved Model M clone; ISO layout, thus the "2" in the code name) and it's much sturdier.

[EscapeVelocity]

Cool. Ill let you know how the Life Time Classic made in Mexico is. The Life Time Classic II made in China is probably just as good...but you know how they like to cheapen things down over time. The Classic II is much easier to find, new in box for reasonable lowish price.

Ill be looking for a Made in USA E0306* model...to add to my collection.