There are $1000 keyboards? lol
You are next level my friend. What does one do with several different keyboards? Do you swap out based on your mood?
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What Mouse and Keyboard Are You Using Right Now?
- Thread starter SamirD
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You are next level my friend. What does one do with several different keyboards? Do you swap out based on your mood?
psy81
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This was $3,500 USD:
Yeah no need for that many keyboards... but they have different sounds and feel. I swap out switches if I wanna try something new.
For the nicer boards, keycaps and switches could end up waiting years after paying cause group buys. I waited 1.5 years for my Korean ePBT keycaps. Its a deep rabbit hole
I tripped on the rabbit hole, but didn't fall in. I got my first mechanical keyboard long before they became so popular, but since then I've only had to replace that first keyboard once, with a relatively cheap Durgod cherry brown that has been serving me well for the past 6 years.
Great taste in sauces.
I'm a bit the opposite since I came from the original clickies--the Model M and Model F. If it's not making a nice sharp noise the second it's actuating, my hands are not getting the feedback they need for high speeds. And then I'm fumbling around typing versus just thinking and it appearing on screen. I haven't tried a good tactile one yet except maybe Topre, but look forward to trying some out at some point on my z15 since I'll be able to swap switches.
psy81
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I'm a bit the opposite since I came from the original clickies--the Model M and Model F. If it's not making a nice sharp noise the second it's actuating, my hands are not getting the feedback they need for high speeds. And then I'm fumbling around typing versus just thinking and it appearing on screen. I haven't tried a good tactile one yet except maybe Topre, but look forward to trying some out at some point on my z15 since I'll be able to swap switches.
I suggest drop or glorious panda switches and if u have the patience lubing will make a big difference to sound and feel. U can also buy prelubed glorious panda switches. Without lube switches may feel scatchy and u may hear the spring.
I have NK Sherbet clicky switches as well and they are a heavy switch with a click bar. Its fun to type of sometimes but man they are loud.
Try out some different switches with ur hot swap board. I thought I would clicky when I first started but my tastes have changed after trying different switches.
Oh yes there are, and even beyond $1000. And they don't even have to be custom. Just a pristine Model M industrial or SSK will set you back:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3145067729...003ZJo2sRg5eCI9uuMusSBEPO8|tkp:Bk9SR_yb0cz0YQ
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2851551352...=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
https://www.ebay.com/itm/155495383913?hash=item24343f4369:g:rFAAAOSw-JRkMgTE
https://www.ebay.com/itm/266228725755?hash=item3dfc77f7fb:g:uHoAAOSwvXRkQXbv
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I fell in years ago when no one cared, lol. Since then, there's been a few additions and a few wants. What's interesting today is that there are so many competitors that you can find unreal deals at times like the Aukey and evga z15 I have. These were literally a few dollars more than a rubberdome.
Yeah, that's like a different language to me, lol. There are so very many switches out there that you can research forever to find an endgame and then end up in another rabbit hole.
Yeah, scratch switches don't bother me if they smooth out over time, but if they stay that way, it's too distracting. Sound never bothers me as it's just one more feedback point. With more feedback, my hands actually use less effort as they're trained to 'bounce' on the keys at just the right pressure so they actuate and then rebound the finger. The sound is a double-check on what the hands are feeling. That's why those Kalih browns weren't good for me--the actuation vs click point variation threw my hands off big time.
That NK Sherbet sounds like heaven for me--even cherry greens are a bit light for my tastes. Yep, definitely have to try more. I'm still mainly typing on my Model Ms, but I do have a board or two in service that's not an M now.
I remember digging through my dad's storage closet and looking through his pile of keyboards hoping for a model M, nothing of the sort unfortunately!
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Zarathustra[H]
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Man, when I started missing the clicky keyboards I used back in the 80's and early 90's, and started buying them on eBay in ~2005, you could buy perfect condition Model M's for ~$25.
Granted, they were the basic beige mid 1994 Lexmark models, but still.
This pricing is nuts.
Just goes to show, if you find something you like, don't tell others online about it, because if you do and it becomes popular, it will get too expensive.
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Yep! I was fishing Model Ms out of a box that said 'keyboards $1/ea' at a computer fair and I stopped when I got to 20 and made a bulk deal for 50 cents each. If I only would have known...that I would need more for all the computers I've saved!
I have panda ones in my current gmmk keyboard and as far as tactile switches go they suck. After the initial press at the very top there's no tactility at all they feel like a linear which is completely different to all the tactile or clicky ones I've used before. The only nice thing coming from a model m is that they're pretty heavy and feel slighty better than heavy linear switches. I'm just lazy so I haven't swapped them out yet lol.
At one point buying a custom designed one made sense from a usability aspect in they had a feature or layout that was unique to it but now there are so many 100 dollar options that fulfill all the niches it makes no sense to buy something else other than just to show off or for aesthetics. The other thing I learned is full metal keyboards just make my fingers hurt.
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CookieFactory
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Realforce RGB and MX Master 3S
psy81
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To each their own...
Just curious, what do you think a tactile switch is supposed to feel like. Do you expect a bump at the top, middle and bottom and on the return? If so, tell me what switch does this lol I have Pengiun, Boba U4Ts also including some clicky switches and after the bump its going to straight down.... you get that bump on the return but that's about it.
Also there a endless number of "metal" keyboards with "flex" (unlike the GMMK PRO)...such as the Jelly Epoch, Thera75, Salvation on the high end and even some low end such as AKKO and Keychron etc which use "proper" gasket mounts, spring mounts or tadpole mounts with flex cuts built into the PCB allowing the whole PCB to move up and down on each key stroke.
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Kinda the point of a tactile switch is to give a sense for when the switch is activated. Right now I'm using these cream ones and it seems like what the panda wants to be, it's heavy and more tactile than my kailh heavy tactile which feels more like a linear too since I think the spring overpowers the bump. I came from XT/AT keyboard, model m, alps keyboards so maybe my expectations are different than younger people that seem to be more into linear styles.
https://novelkeys.com/collections/switches/products/nk-cream-series?variant=41496984682663
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psy81
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Hmm... I didn't know NK cream had a tactile version.
I think I see where you're coming from but placing expectations of clicky switches on tactile switches isn't a fair comparison. Tactile switches typically only rely on the "stem" to provide the tactile feel as opposed to clicky switches which use various methods to provide that tactile feel and "sound" such as the leaf, spring and click bars.
I think most people think of tactile switches as non-clicky with the tactile feel. There is a difference. Tactiles are also typically less loud compared to the clicky switches.
There's endless number of switch types out there... if you're looking for a good modern clicky switch and money is no issue you should check out the Zeal Clickiez: https://zealpc.net/clickiez?variant=39379354026048
They can be used as clicky, tactile and linear I believe by simply changing the position of the stem. These switches also got very good reviews.
Custom mechanical keyboard scene has come a long way in recent years. If you really want a premium sounding and feeling keyboard you still need to put in the time and effort (lubing and filming switches, modding stabs, foam, tape mod, etc...) can also make a huge difference. You don't need to pay $800 for a good custom mechanical keyboard anymore as KBDFans and QWERTY Keys have excellent options at affordable prices.
Heck I was even able to make my GMMK Pro sound decent and less muted via tape mod, stupid fish foam and FR4 plate which made it sound and feel completely different but its still super stiff (which I personally don't mind). Glorious also selling new flex kits which I saw had some mixed reviews.
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Prince Valiant
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Rosewill RK-9100 (mx blue) and Razer Naga Epic for I don't know how many years. I have others but this is what I use for most of my computing.
Mad Maxx
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Made the move to a Keychron K7 Pro (65% wired/wireless, low-profile Gateron browns, white LEDs) for my writer job. It's perfect for long typing sessions and works on my MacBook Air and PC. It even fit my Stormbreaker custom keycap.
Prince Valiant
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Do you use the function keys for additional layers?
Mad Maxx
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Yes, FN1 + MO2/MO3 keys will access layers 2 and 3. FN2 + MO4 key accesses layer 4.
Zarathustra[H]
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I've never understood why people like doing this. One layer (shift) with a handful of Ctrl or alt hotkeys is bad enough.
I'd much rather just use a full IBM Enhanced layout. I want it all, including the navigation island, arrow keys and the numpad, exactly the way God... I mean IBM intended.
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Mad Maxx
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To each, his own. I've been using multi-layer keyboards for so long that it's all ingrained with me now.
Prince Valiant
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I haven't tried it beyond basic things yet (media key layer my previous KB). I got a split KB this month and I've lost the numpad but the KB is fully programmable. I want to take advantage of it at some point but I need to figure out useful mappings for it. I'll probably setup the right hand to numpad mode and media keys at a minimum. It would have been great if it was a full KB but I can't complain for the price I paid.
Any suggestions on mappings? My previous keyboard did support a few profiles with limited keys per but I forgot about and never ended up using anything other than the media keys.
WhoBeDaPlaya
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Still on Logitech G19s and G15s for daily use
This in the 101 format. I hate all the extra keys.
But to each their own, and I'm so thankful for that! I can only imagine how painful (literally) it was before people could custom make what their hands needed. I'm all for less RSI.
Mad Maxx
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I just found -- quite by accident -- that my Basilisk Pro V3 has a switch to make the wheel free-spinning like the Logitech G-903, 604, and 502. I'm digging it!! 
Prince Valiant
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Neat. It's a great feature when you 'gotta scroll fast'.
Zepher
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Logitech Solar Keyboard and Logitech G602,
MacLeod
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I broke out my old Razer BlackWidow Ultimate a couple weeks ago and forgot how much I love this thing. This was my first mechanical keyboard and I've had it at least 12 years and it was my first "gaming" keyboard too. To this day it's still my favorite one to type on. I know it's not popular with the purists but I just love the way the keys on this thing feel and for whatever reason I can type a lot better on it than any of my other keyboards. I'm sure there's a lot of nostalgia with this board as well being my first gaming board because I fell in love with the Mass Effect and Batman Arkham games using this keyboard. I'll keep this thing as long as I can and it'll always be in my rotation.
MacLeod
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This one is an OG model.... 2010 I think is when they came out. It's got Cherry MX Blues. It was before Razer was big enough to have their own switches lol...
I bought this and a DeathAdder 3.5G at the same time (I still have that mouse too). I instantly loved them both and posted on here I'm a Razer fan now.... Boy I got roasted lol
Mad Maxx
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Sad news for my K7 Pro. Dropped dead this morning. No idea what caused the premature fatality. I was answering some emails when the LEDs started flashing on/off quickly, then it just went dead. Nothing I've tried can revive it, so it's RMA back to Amazon time.
I might give the Logitech MX Mini Mechanical a shot.
Lateralus
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Hmm, that thing costs more than many of Keychron's offerings though, and I can't imagine that build quality is the same. It's always exciting to try new gear so let us know how you like it if you get one, but I am still in love with my S1 (thanks to you!). Thinking of buying a set of Reds since I got the hot-swappable version, and they aren't that expensive. I think I could actually be very happy with this one for quite some time.
Mad Maxx
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Dell, of all places, has a $40 discount code that's still valid. Puts the MX on par with my dead Keychron, so order placed. Also ordered an MX Keys Mini (on sale for $69) that includes the Bolt USB dongle. I'll give them a test run and report back in a few days.Hmm, that thing costs more than many of Keychron's offerings though, and I can't imagine that build quality is the same. It's always exciting to try new gear so let us know how you like it if you get one, but I am still in love with my S1 (thanks to you!). Thinking of buying a set of Reds since I got the hot-swappable version, and they aren't that expensive. I think I could actually be very happy with this one for quite some time.
Bummer.Sad news for my K7 Pro. Dropped dead this morning. No idea what caused the premature fatality. I was answering some emails when the LEDs started flashing on/off quickly, then it just went dead. Nothing I've tried can revive it, so it's RMA back to Amazon time.
I might give the Logitech MX Mini Mechanical a shot.
I've never had a keyboard die on me, so that would be an awful experience that I'm not looking forward to.Captain Newmackwa
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Topre Realforce R3SD11
Logitech G502 X Lightspeed
Logitech G502 X Lightspeed
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harbingerofdoom
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Cloud Nine C989 ergo keyboard and Kensington expert trackball.
Took some getting used to gaming on this trackball but i actually prefer it now.
Took some getting used to gaming on this trackball but i actually prefer it now.
What do you think of the cloud 9? First time I've seen such a product and am tempted to try one.