TKL case design

[asgeirtj]

I was wondering what you guys preference was to tkl case design?  I've seen some different varitions, and some are pretty alike so I'm not sure if there is a difference.  And it seems that some would be more efficient than others.  Examples:

Firstly I present the TEK-80, this one has BIG bezels.



It seems to me that this would be kind of inefficient since you have to reach more to get to the actual keys themselves since some space at the bottom is reserved for a bezel. Also it looks bad in my opinion.

Next: Orion V2 tkl



This has thinner bezels, and even thinner gap between the function keys and the main keys.  While this is more efficient as it makes the function keys easier to reach I think it doesn't look too good so thin.

Last: Mira



This one has a bigger gap between the function and main keys which I think looks better (at least I perceive it to be bigger I'm not 100% sure it is).  Could someone tell me if these bezels at the top and bottom are the same size as the orion v2?  I think I like this design the best aesthetically.  Isn't this really just the most common design which most retail plastic tkl's have?

What do you guys like the best aesthetically? And concerning efficiency?  Also, what other kustom do also have this mira design?

And lastly, what board is this?



It looks as if it has a similar spacing on the bezels as the mira. 

[Steezus]

The last keyboard is a 356cl

Personally I like to have a thinner bezel more than anything, the Orion v2 is damn near perfect imo. The TGR-Jane is very similar as well.

As for the corners, I prefer that they aren't too round like The Cheat, the Orion v2 takes the cake in that subject as well.

When it comes to the sides I prefer that it has an indent on the lower half of the case to make it easier to grip the keyboard and move it around. There are a lot of ways that you can approach this, Orion v2 and 356cl both have it but look differently.

What is a HUGE importance is the anodization and the manufacturing of the case, all machine shops are different and it can usually be hard to find the best one without spending too much money.

[asgeirtj]

The last keyboard is a 356cl

Personally I like to have a thinner bezel more than anything, the Orion v2 is damn near perfect imo. The TGR-Jane is very similar as well.

As for the corners, I prefer that they aren't too round like The Cheat, the Orion v2 takes the cake in that subject as well.

When it comes to the sides I prefer that it has an indent on the lower half of the case to make it easier to grip the keyboard and move it around. There are a lot of ways that you can approach this, Orion v2 and 356cl both have it but look differently.

What is a HUGE importance is the anodization and the manufacturing of the case, all machine shops are different and it can usually be hard to find the best one without spending too much money.

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't the jane have pretty fat bezels?

[Steezus]

The last keyboard is a 356cl

Personally I like to have a thinner bezel more than anything, the Orion v2 is damn near perfect imo. The TGR-Jane is very similar as well.

As for the corners, I prefer that they aren't too round like The Cheat, the Orion v2 takes the cake in that subject as well.

When it comes to the sides I prefer that it has an indent on the lower half of the case to make it easier to grip the keyboard and move it around. There are a lot of ways that you can approach this, Orion v2 and 356cl both have it but look differently.

What is a HUGE importance is the anodization and the manufacturing of the case, all machine shops are different and it can usually be hard to find the best one without spending too much money.

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't the jane have pretty fat bezels?

The Jane's bezel is slightly thicker on the top and bottom than that of the Orion's, however it is about the same between the sides and between the function and number row. I don't have time at the time moment to set up my camera and takes some pics but if you would like me to do so I wouldn't mind whenever I can find the available time.

Here are two of my previous shots of the Orion v2 and Jane:


Orion v2 w/OTD RA 2 by Steve N, on Flickr


TGR-Jane #2 by Steve N, on Flickr

[asgeirtj]

You don't have to take side by side shots but thanks for the offer

But yeah I can see the jane bezel is thicker, I like the Orion v2 one much better!

[Vittra]

I don't mind either. Personally, I find the Realforce 87U bezel to be absurd compared to either of the first two that you have mentioned, but that is purely aesthetics as the key spacing is the same as the first example provided.

The gap on my Filco is equivalent to the first one you show, and I'm okay with it. What I don't like at all are 80% designs that have the function keys right above the numbers, as I found with my Noppoo Choc Mini of old.

I'd much prefer a small offset and retraining the 4 key spacers like what metalliqaz outlines here:

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=71805.msg1981793#msg1981793

[asgeirtj]

I don't mind either. Personally, I find the Realforce 87U bezel to be absurd compared to either of the first two that you have mentioned, but that is purely aesthetics as the key spacing is the same as the first example provided.

The gap on my Filco is equivalent to the first one you show, and I'm okay with it. What I don't like at all are 80% designs that have the function keys right above the numbers, as I found with my Noppoo Choc Mini of old.

I'd much prefer a small offset and retraining the 4 key spacers like what metalliqaz outlines here.

Yeah the realforce bezel is just disgusting up top. 

The link doesn't work.

[Vittra]

Worked on my desktop earlier, and the through tapatalk now.. but not mobile browser. I'll correct shortly.

Edit - Updated original post. This is the direct link:

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=71805.msg1981793#msg1981793

[Tactile]

A minor point for some but, for me, the LEDs (caps lock, etc) must be somewhere in the case top, not under the key caps.

[Steezus]

A minor point for some but, for me, the LEDs (caps lock, etc) must be somewhere in the case top, not under the key caps.

Other than the new Orion v2 what other keyboard has independent indicators?

[diqkiq]

Another consideration is what pcb will work. Winkeyless and Gon have a smaller gap between the f keys and number keys (like the TGR) than filcos and phantoms.