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Mechanical Keyboard Guide

http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=321067&postcount=221

numbers_ said:
from sixty on deskthority

file.php
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Looks nifty albeit small.
 
Zarathustra[H];1037050433 said:
Agreed. Looks like they are going after HHK but cheaper.
Click to expand...

If the responses in that thread are anything to go by, I think they're headed to having themselves a nice hit. :)
 
@Zarathustra[H]

Thanks.

Compact, but don't like the F keys being the same as the number keys though.
 
What about this then?

12932590464624.jpg


Noppoo Choc Mini. Fairly compact while retaining almost full functionality. I've got one with MX Browns and it's a pretty great board overall.

While looking down at it for typing, the legends on the bottom of the keys are not nearly as distracting as one might think, by the way.
 
Hello mech-heads.

Just thought I'd pop in and tell everyone how deeply in love I have fallen with mechanical keyboards. I've been this Saitek Eclipse since...well, whenever it first came out, so probably 6 years or something like that? And before that it was just generic Microsoft keyboards. I love my Eclipse and all, still working just fine after all these years, although some of the keys are getting wobbly, a lot of the paint has come off (especially around the WASD area), the backlighting "bleeds", and sometimes my strafe keys get stuck, which usually leads to a fit of laughter from my guild/clan as I try to un-sticky the keys while my character is walking into a wall or something. But for the most part, 99% of the time she still works like a champ.

I went to Fry's both today and yesterday and noticed the stack of Blackwidow Ultimate boxes just sitting on the shelves with that nifty plastic cutout that lets you feel the keys...and I just have to say it was probably the most pleasant thing my fingers have felt in a looooooooooooooong time. I literally picked up the box and walked around with it as I looked at other keyboards, playing with the keys as much as I could, paying more attention to the box in my hand than to the other keyboards I was looking at.

Unfortunately I'm not in an appropriate financial situation to spend $130 on a new keyboard right now (I just bought a sound card, and spring quarter starts on Monday, which means I will be spending a pretty penny on textbooks. yay!), so I didn't end up walking out the store with it, but I did promise myself that I would go home, do a little research, and buy a mechanical keyboard as soon as my funds permit. It is just that awesome. I can't believe I didn't go mechanical earlier. What the hell have my fingers been missing out on all these years?!

Sigh, even typing this post makes me lament the fact that my trusty Saitek Eclipse is no longer up to my standards, now that I've typed on a mechanical keyboard..
 
I just got my Leopold with Mx browns today via fedex. So far I absolutely love it. The typing feel is very nice and it looks awesome. The size is perfect because I actually have room for my mouse now and it's not up against my keyboard. The mx browns are quite a bit louder than I had expected but maybe thats because i'm bottoming some keys out. I think I'll really like this keyboard I just think my g/f may complain because of the typing noise.
 
BababooeyHTJ said:
Buy a cheap IBM Model M off of ebay. Is backlighting really that important to you?
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I agree, Model M's are the best. I have two (see my previous posts) Nothing compares to typing on one.

The problem with Model M's is that they are really really ugly. I think most people on here care what their computers look like.

The Beige/grey models just don't fit in with modern computers, and the black models are pretty rare (only ever made as the Trackpoint II black model, one of which I have) and as such can get expensive.

Also, IBM/Lexmark/Unicomp never solved the problem with white lettering wearing off black keys and looking really ugly and worn out, so if you have the black model you need to replace the keys every few years.

Problem here? I just bought the last set of printed replacement keys Unicomp had a few months ago, and they're not making anymore.

I have yet to find a third party manufacturer that makes them. I guess you could find someone to do it, but getting small quantities of molded products made, costs LOTS of money as the low volumes need to pay for the machining of the mold, as well as the making up of the pads for printing of the keys. These things are usually spread over thousands and thousands of parts in order to make them affordable on a per unit basis.
 
DirtyB said:
I just got my Leopold with Mx browns today via fedex. So far I absolutely love it. The typing feel is very nice and it looks awesome. The size is perfect because I actually have room for my mouse now and it's not up against my keyboard. The mx browns are quite a bit louder than I had expected but maybe thats because i'm bottoming some keys out. I think I'll really like this keyboard I just think my g/f may complain because of the typing noise.
Click to expand...

Show her a video of the Cherry MX Blues in action and tell her she got off lucky. ;)
 
DirtyB said:
I just got my Leopold with Mx browns today via fedex. So far I absolutely love it. The typing feel is very nice and it looks awesome. The size is perfect because I actually have room for my mouse now and it's not up against my keyboard. The mx browns are quite a bit louder than I had expected but maybe thats because i'm bottoming some keys out. I think I'll really like this keyboard I just think my g/f may complain because of the typing noise.
Click to expand...
Nice! My Leopold will arrive on Friday. :)
 
Any comments on the board's "squeeky spacebar"? Received ship notice last night.
 
DirtyB said:
I just got my Leopold with Mx browns today via fedex. So far I absolutely love it. The typing feel is very nice and it looks awesome. The size is perfect because I actually have room for my mouse now and it's not up against my keyboard. The mx browns are quite a bit louder than I had expected but maybe thats because i'm bottoming some keys out. I think I'll really like this keyboard I just think my g/f may complain because of the typing noise.
Click to expand...

I learned the hard way that buckling spring keyboards and shared bedrooms late at night are NOT compatible :p
 
My Leopold came today right as I was leaving for work. I didn't get a chance to type on it yet but I can already tell that the fold out feet and angled stabilizers are useless, on my desk the board slides around with ease. Knock on wood I don't hear any squeaks out of any keys.

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=13258
 
MrSneis said:
My Leopold came today right as I was leaving for work. I didn't get a chance to type on it yet but I can already tell that the fold out feet and angled stabilizers are useless, on my desk the board slides around with ease.
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Huh.

I'm a little surprised by this.
 
I'm trying to find a video where there is a true difference in gaming between mechanical and dome. Can anyone post one for me if one is found?
 
BababooeyHTJ said:
It's a keyboard. :confused:
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I dunno, I'm just still thinking of a new keyboard. I love this keyboard that I have right now, but I've had it for about 5 or 6 years and maybe a change would be good. I don't want a new mobo right now because I have all the hard drives I need (SATA ports). I don't need a new case. Video card, sound card, CPU, power supply and drives should be fine, even though I could try another Blu-ray burner. I won't give up my MX310 mouse for anything (I trust it COMPLETELY). Maybe a new 5.1 system? I dunno. But the most logical step would probably be to get a new keyboard. Seriously, this thing doesn't have dust on it, it has dust that sticks and would require some hard cleaning.

So yeah, thinking of a new keyboard.

My current keyboard: http://forum.amtech.com.vn/attachme...phim-logitech-vip-gia-sieu-re-de-dsc00451.jpg
 
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SolidSnakeUS said:
I dunno, I'm just still thinking of a new keyboard. I love this keyboard that I have right now, but I've had it for about 5 or 6 years and maybe a change would be good. I don't want a new mobo right now because I have all the hard drives I need (SATA ports). I don't need a new case. Video card, sound card, CPU, power supply and drives should be fine, even though I could try another Blu-ray burner. I won't give up my MX310 mouse for anything (I trust it COMPLETELY). Maybe a new 5.1 system? I dunno. But the most logical step would probably be to get a new keyboard. Seriously, this thing doesn't have dust on it, it has dust that sticks and would require some hard cleaning.

So yeah, thinking of a new keyboard.

My current keyboard: http://forum.amtech.com.vn/attachme...phim-logitech-vip-gia-sieu-re-de-dsc00451.jpg
Click to expand...

The point is that a video isn't really going to show you how they compare because it is a keyboard. You have to really use them to know if they are right for you.
 
Spare-Flair said:
The point is that a video isn't really going to show you how they compare because it is a keyboard. You have to really use them to know if they are right for you.
Click to expand...

I was thinking maybe someone was playing a game, kind of like in 4 parts, on the bottom 2 squares would be showing the guy press the key, and then above those key video squares, are 2 more squares, showing the action in what is being done and if there are any differences. I was thinking of something like that. And I don't even know if I can even find a mechanical keyboard to even try one out around here. And I'm not a fan of just going into something blind.
 
I wasn't a fan of going into something blind either but I took a $200 dive into my Deck Legend Frost Tactile last year since I had some cash to spare and have absolutely no regrets. Look for a place w/ a nice return policy in case you find out it isn't for you :)
 
You will notice the difference by trying it out yourself. A lot of shops offer a full refund return policy. You might as well try that.
 
SolidSnakeUS said:
I was thinking maybe someone was playing a game, kind of like in 4 parts, on the bottom 2 squares would be showing the guy press the key, and then above those key video squares, are 2 more squares, showing the action in what is being done and if there are any differences. I was thinking of something like that. And I don't even know if I can even find a mechanical keyboard to even try one out around here. And I'm not a fan of just going into something blind.
Click to expand...

The biggest benefit most will see from a mechanical keyboard is when typing rather than gaming. You can't really see the way the key feels, although you can find clips depicting the sound where you can hear the activation point (or not if they're Cherry MX Blacks).

Do you have a Fry's Electronics near you?
 
SolidSnakeUS said:
I was thinking maybe someone was playing a game, kind of like in 4 parts, on the bottom 2 squares would be showing the guy press the key, and then above those key video squares, are 2 more squares, showing the action in what is being done and if there are any differences. I was thinking of something like that. And I don't even know if I can even find a mechanical keyboard to even try one out around here. And I'm not a fan of just going into something blind.
Click to expand...

I don't know, my local brick and motor computer store had 3 mechanical keyboards and I think even Best Buy had the Razer Black Widow and I asked to try them out in the store.

I didn't buy them for gaming though. I bought them for typing. I'm not a professional gamer and the small difference doesn't really make a big difference to me. The one area where I loved the mechanical over the dome was the space bar which I use to crouch was a lot better to use because it wasn't as squishy.
 
Spare-Flair said:
I don't know, my local brick and motor computer store had 3 mechanical keyboards and I think even Best Buy had the Razer Black Widow and I asked to try them out in the store.

I didn't buy them for gaming though. I bought them for typing. I'm not a professional gamer and the small difference doesn't really make a big difference to me. The one area where I loved the mechanical over the dome was the space bar which I use to crouch was a lot better to use because it wasn't as squishy.
Click to expand...

So I guess if I'm going to game on here, I might as well stay with the rubber dome kind of ones? The most I'd ever pay I think for a rubber dome is about 80. I mean, I know it's not much, but I was kinda looking at the Logitech K320 Wireless keyboard. I dunno, just a thought. I know this is for mechanical keyboards... but even on the BB site they say they don't have any. Maybe I have to ask. I live in PA, so no Fry's here. I have BB, HHGregg and some small places. I keep forgetting about one place... but I can never remember what it is. So not many places.
 
$80 is nuts for a rubber dome, at least grab a unicomp buckling spring if thats around your budget
 
i2abid said:
$80 is nuts for a rubber dome, at least grab a unicomp buckling spring if thats around your budget
Click to expand...

I'm just saying, that's the most I'd ever pay for. I have a friend that paid for a G19 Keyboard... and holy hell that is WAY out of my price range. It also has it's own power connection, which is ridiculous. But like I said, I showed earlier of my current keyboard and I was maybe thinking of a Logitech K320 wireless keyboard. It probably won't have any difference in performance to my current one, it's wireless, has media buttons and a calculator button.

How good is the Unicomp one? I noticed it's about $79.
 
Q-BZ said:
Huh.

I'm a little surprised by this.
Click to expand...

You're telling me, I swear I read a post by someone "in the know" who claimed that the pull out feet did NOT need rubber because the base design is SO much more stable compared to the Filco. Seems like someone wasn't on the ball. I use a "roll out" keyboard tray attached to my desk, it is made of processed wood with some sort of finish applied to it. Nothing crazy or out of whack with my keyboarding surface.
 
If I were to be looking for a mechanical keyboard though, I think I've narrowed it down to Cherry MX Brown switches. My keyboard has a tactile feel to it, but the only click is when the key bottoms out on the keyboard base. Suggestions that aren't ridiculous for prices. Is there anyone that has used a XArmor U9W keyboard? It's wireless and has Cherry MX Brown.
 
SolidSnakeUS said:
So I guess if I'm going to game on here, I might as well stay with the rubber dome kind of ones? The most I'd ever pay I think for a rubber dome is about 80. I mean, I know it's not much, but I was kinda looking at the Logitech K320 Wireless keyboard. I dunno, just a thought. I know this is for mechanical keyboards... but even on the BB site they say they don't have any. Maybe I have to ask. I live in PA, so no Fry's here. I have BB, HHGregg and some small places. I keep forgetting about one place... but I can never remember what it is. So not many places.
Click to expand...

With a mechanical keyboard there are a dozen type of switches and keys you can get, some better for typing, some better for gaming, all with difference feel and activation force and other features that depend on how you use a keyboard.

My keyboard has Cherry Blue switches which are tactile and noisy but some don't like for gaming because they are used to bottoming out with dome keyboards and the release point is above the activation point on these switches.

A lot of people will prefer Cherry Brown or Black or even Red switches for gaming. Then there are bucking spring and topre keyboards which are good too - more reminiscent of classic mechanical keyboards in the late 70s and 80s..

I'll tell you this, after going mechanical, I'm never touching a dome keyboard again - except for my laptop because I have no choice.
 
Solid Snake, I think MX brown is a good choice, in fact I think I'm being won over from reds. I would recommend the leopold or Filco; I also have a Zowie board I'd be willing to sell...
 
And just saying right now, I game left-handed (ambidextrous mouse with my left hand) and I use the arrow keys on the keyboard to move around and I definitely, definitely use the tenkey pad for such a thing. Also, are there any MX Browns with multimedia controls (play/pause, next, previous is all I really need). Or would I be asking for too much?
 
SolidSnakeUS said:
And just saying right now, I game left-handed (ambidextrous mouse with my left hand) and I use the arrow keys on the keyboard to move around and I definitely, definitely use the tenkey pad for such a thing. Also, are there any MX Browns with multimedia controls (play/pause, next, previous is all I really need). Or would I be asking for too much?
Click to expand...

Filco's have 104key Majestouch's. You can always reprogram keys to do multimedia functions!
 
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