The search for a TKL keyboard

[distel]

Hello,

I own a spirit 60% with browns and an Dell Keyboard with black alps (used at work) .
I use the 60% at home for gaming and picture editing, where I found i need a TKL.

What I don't like:
- plastic, light keyboards
- clicky switches (I like the greens but they are too loud in our living room, my GF would kill me)
- I dont want to build one myself again (One time was fun enough for me   )

What I like
- Cherry stemps (for my Triumph Adler Keycaps set)
- Cherry red like switches (can be a harder but its not a must)
- Alu cases - or the ability to switch to an aluminium case

I dont care:
ISO or ANSI layout.

I hope you can help me on this one and give me some hints.

 

regards
/distel

[klennkellon]

The Corsair K65 sounds good. It's aluminum and uses MX Reds (with MX stems ofc) and it's built pretty well overall.

[Data]

Corsair has a non-standard bottom row, so good luck getting Triumph Adler to fit.  Otherwise it's a really nice board.

I'd say Varmilo VA87, only because you want a metal case and there's a nice one out there if you can catch it on sale.
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/varmilo-87-key-aluminum-case?mode=guest_open

Even the stock case is pretty sturdy for such a thin bezel and low profile.

[mike52787]

Hello,

I own a spirit 60% with browns and an Dell Keyboard with black alps (used at work) .
I use the 60% at home for gaming and picture editing, where I found i need a TKL.

What I don't like:
- plastic, light keyboards
- clicky switches (I like the greens but they are too loud in our living room, my GF would kill me)
- I dont want to build one myself again (One time was fun enough for me   )

What I like
- Cherry stemps (for my Triumph Adler Keycaps set)
- Cherry red like switches (can be a harder but its not a must)
- Alu cases - or the ability to switch to an aluminium case

I dont care:
ISO or ANSI layout.

I hope you can help me on this one and give me some hints.

 

regards
/distel

How about a KBP v80 with Matias Quiet clicks?

[Waateva]

The KUL ES-87 offers a variety of switch types in MX, is really sturdy, and costs around $120 new.  It doesn't have an aluminum case but I'm pretty sure you could drop it in one if you were able to get ahold of a case, that said the stock case is pretty heavy itself but it does ping a little bit.

[distel]

Hey Metal Case is not mandatory but it has to be a heavy one. All of the Keyboards look good  but the varmilo looks most promising right now for me.
I will make a decision by end of the Week and tell you then.

- edit -

I just ordered:

VA87M
Black Iron Plate
Gateron Reds
NO LED
Case Black
PBT light grey Keycaps
Dye sublemation light blue
Green Gateron switch for space bar and escape key

As soon as the board arrives and i put on my original TA keys (only letter keys and numbers) I will post some pictures.

Best regards
/distel

[rowdy]

Filco?

[Data]

Filco?

In the Tex aluminum case, good call.  Yes.  +1

[richard912]

Filco?

Not sure why you decided to go without LED as I don't think it costs that much more. You could keep it switched off until the day comes you find a nice set of backlit keycaps. You will definitely enjoy your Varmilo VA87M as have I. Build quality is good and the thing is heavy.

[bocahgundul]

kustom.

wallets need to be ready tho.

[Aricil]

I can personally vouch for the Varmilo VA87M as being ****ing awesome. I'd also suggest you look into maybe getting gateron reds instead of cherry. They're nicer, at least I think so. Much smoother. Maybe slightly more wobble, but not enough to make me like them any less.

[distel]

kustom.

wallets need to be ready tho.

I don't want to build a custom keyboard again (I own a Spirit 60%)

I can personally vouch for the Varmilo VA87M as being ****ing awesome. I'd also suggest you look into maybe getting gateron reds instead of cherry. They're nicer, at least I think so. Much smoother. Maybe slightly more wobble, but not enough to make me like them any less.

I did went with Gateron reds and ESC and Spacebar Gateron Blues

Not sure why you decided to go without LED as I don't think it costs that much more. You could keep it switched off until the day comes you find a nice set of backlit keycaps. You will definitely enjoy your Varmilo VA87M as have I. Build quality is good and the thing is heavy.

I read about the LEDs are solderd in a way that they can interfere with some keycaps. As my Triumph Adler Keyset is for Cherry MY switches I decided to go without LED as I would have turned them off anyway. Better save than sorry.

My board is in production now

Best regards
/distel

[TypingNoob]

How much did your VA87m cost you?

[distel]

How much did your VA87m cost you?

With all modifications I pay 160$ - VAT excluded.

[Data]

How much did your VA87m cost you?

With all modifications I pay 160$ - VAT excluded.

You'll enjoy it.  Throw up some pics once you get Triumph Adler mounted. 

[Aricil]

kustom.

wallets need to be ready tho.

I don't want to build a custom keyboard again (I own a Spirit 60%)

I can personally vouch for the Varmilo VA87M as being ****ing awesome. I'd also suggest you look into maybe getting gateron reds instead of cherry. They're nicer, at least I think so. Much smoother. Maybe slightly more wobble, but not enough to make me like them any less.

I did went with Gateron reds and ESC and Spacebar Gateron Blues

Not sure why you decided to go without LED as I don't think it costs that much more. You could keep it switched off until the day comes you find a nice set of backlit keycaps. You will definitely enjoy your Varmilo VA87M as have I. Build quality is good and the thing is heavy.

I read about the LEDs are solderd in a way that they can interfere with some keycaps. As my Triumph Adler Keyset is for Cherry MY switches I decided to go without LED as I would have turned them off anyway. Better save than sorry.

My board is in production now

Best regards
/distel

I have Triumph Adler keycaps and they fit fine on my VA87M with Gateron blues.

[Aricil]

How much did your VA87m cost you?

147 bucks after shipping from Miya here on the Varmilo vendor forums. Quite a deal after all the customization I wanted.

[Ciemnika]

I have a very built Filco MJ2 TKL that I'd sell if you're interested. It's totally end-game level, but it has brown switches, not sure if that's a big deal for you. They're not clicky, but they're also not linear like the reds.

Full specs:
Filco MJ2 TKL
Aluminum Tex case, plasti-dipped dark gray (originally silver color, dip can be removed easily)
Tex bicolor PBT keycaps
Bathroom Epiphanies Pegasus Hoof
Custom breakaway Mimic cables braided / coiled cable

Has the original case, sticker, box, etc. Has original keycaps (minus the windows keys), but have blank gray replacements for that.

Photos: http://imgur.com/a/T4iJ6

[zephyr11]

would love to see it too! sounds wicked. on the Gateron and Cherry comparison, I use both, and I agree with the gateron being smoother, but more wobbly. both are quite mighty fine by my noobie standards.

[klennkellon]

The V80 with Matias Quiet Linears is pretty heavy for a TKL imo and they're smoother than any MX Red.

[distel]

I have a very built Filco MJ2 TKL that I'd sell if you're interested. It's totally end-game level, but it has brown switches, not sure if that's a big deal for you. They're not clicky, but they're also not linear like the reds.

Full specs:
Filco MJ2 TKL
Aluminum Tex case, plasti-dipped dark gray (originally silver color, dip can be removed easily)
Tex bicolor PBT keycaps
Bathroom Epiphanies Pegasus Hoof
Custom breakaway Mimic cables braided / coiled cable

Has the original case, sticker, box, etc. Has original keycaps (minus the windows keys), but have blank gray replacements for that.

Photos: http://imgur.com/a/T4iJ6

Hey, that is a sexy board but I ordered already. No need for 2 boards right now.

would love to see it too! sounds wicked. on the Gateron and Cherry comparison, I use both, and I agree with the gateron being smoother, but more wobbly. both are quite mighty fine by my noobie standards.

I will post some pics here as soon as it arrived.

[tofgerl]

Can I get in on this with another request? Must be programmable. Need spacefn and macros. TMK preferred.

[eltoozero]

Dunno how flamey this joint is yet but is the HHKB out of the question for your needs?

I've found it to be a very functional durable (beater even) TKL keyboard with a satisfying and distinct "thunk".

I'm not much of a custom keycap guy though...but I haven't been here long enough to catch the bug.

[distel]

I'm impressed.
Order was payed on sunday.
Monday Miya wrote me that she got the payment.
Today I received the shipping number.
And they did build it for me...

 

[SBJ]

I'm impressed.
Order was payed on sunday.
Monday Miya wrote me that she got the payment.
Today I received the shipping number.
And they did build it for me...

 

Yeah she's amazing!

[Waateva]

Dunno how flamey this joint is yet but is the HHKB out of the question for your needs?

I've found it to be a very functional durable (beater even) TKL keyboard with a satisfying and distinct "thunk".

I'm not much of a custom keycap guy though...but I haven't been here long enough to catch the bug.

Well, he stated he preferred Cherry stems, heavier case, and TKL.  While the HHKB is definitely a great keyboard, it's got Topre stems, it's got a fairly light case, and it's not a TKL.  Well, I guess technicallythe HHKB is TKL because it doesn't have a numpad, but generaly TKL means everything else besides the numpad, so like F-row keys, arrow keys, and the Home key cluster which the HHKB doesn't have.

Either way, it looks like OP picked up a VA87m which is supposed to be a great board, so hopefully he likes it

[Aricil]

I'm impressed.
Order was payed on sunday.
Monday Miya wrote me that she got the payment.
Today I received the shipping number.
And they did build it for me...

 

Yeah she's amazing!

Yeah, it's really quite awesome. After I had such a positive experience I keep telling people about Varmilo and Miya now. I really enjoy my board a lot and the fact that you can do so much customization is really great.

[onggie]

Does Miya have a site, or is it done through PMs?

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[distel]

Just write her an Email.
She answers really quick (but she is in China so beware of the time difference)

You find her contact Information in the board linked below.
https://geekhack.org/index.php?board=192.0

[onggie]

Just write her an Email.
She answers really quick (but she is in China so beware of the time difference)

You find her contact Information in the board linked below.
https://geekhack.org/index.php?board=192.0

Thank you very much.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[zephyr11]

love my VA87 too! though I didn't get it from Miya, really good quality stuff they have going. and it's also the go to kb I recommend my friends.

[distel]

It should have arrived yesterday but as i wasn't home I got it today.
The typing experience is really really good and I love the satisfying sound of gataron green which sits under my spacebar.
The feeling of the reds is so smooth and in the two races I did i was around 6 % faster than with my 60% spritit on browns.

The board is heavy like a stone and is not moving a inch even if I want. Keekaps feel okay. Better than on 99% of the consumer mechas that I tried out in the different shops - but no comparison to the TA set that I ripped of form the typewriter.
Im super happy <3 about the board and I am pretty sure that I will order one for work in the near future.
Perhaps the Bluetooth version.

I will upload some pics on Sunday  when I am back home and put on the TA keycaps.

Best regards,
/distel

[SBJ]

I'm impressed.
Order was payed on sunday.
Monday Miya wrote me that she got the payment.
Today I received the shipping number.
And they did build it for me...

 

Yeah she's amazing!

Yeah, it's really quite awesome. After I had such a positive experience I keep telling people about Varmilo and Miya now. I really enjoy my board a lot and the fact that you can do so much customization is really great.

I was amazed when I posted on here wanting a custom keyboard and I just got an email directly to a vendor. It was such an exciting day. I have since ordered 4 Varmilo's from here and I would do it again in a heartbeat if I felt the need. Unfortunately I think my next purchase will be a Realforce 87U 55g.

[TwitchXL]

I have been trying to get the Ducky TKL One RGB. Looks awesome!

[Screwdriver]

Since you said you are replacing key caps, take a look at the Deck boards. I have a Hassium Pro and it is built like a tank, has a range of Cherry switches etc.

[onggie]

Anyone sporting a Varmilo VA87 with RGB? I didn't even realise there was an RGB option until I saw Miya's price list. I'm also considering waiting to see if the next revision moves the media keys to the page up/down etc keys.

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[Data]

Anyone sporting a Varmilo VA87 with RGB? I didn't even realise there was an RGB option until I saw Miya's price list. I'm also considering waiting to see if the next revision moves the media keys to the page up/down etc keys.

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Sounds new.  If true, do want.

[onggie]

Anyone know if Varmilo have released there new gear slated for the end of this year?

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