Mechanical Keyboards

[Syed117]

Originally Posted by sickened1

Ooh didn't know this thread is still around. lol

Here are some of my custom ones.







My HHKB and it's Topre (same as Realforce)



The watermark is my username as a mod in one of the mech keyboard forums.

This is some next level keyboard appreciation. Very Nice

Originally Posted by encarter13

Mind completely blown!

1) I cannot believe people like those huge keyboards.

2) I cannot believe people use a keyboard without labels!! What kind of sorcery is this!!

Mechanical keyboards definitely aren't for everyone, but there is something incredibly satisfying about hitting those mechanical switches and registering key strokes that a membrane based keyboard doesn't provide.

[Porsche]

Originally Posted by Syed117

This is some next level keyboard appreciation. Very Nice

Mechanical keyboards definitely aren't for everyone, but there is something incredibly satisfying about hitting those mechanical switches and registering key strokes that a membrane based keyboard doesn't provide.

+1.

I spend most of the day in front of a keyboard, so it really becomes a "tool-of-the-trade". You start to notice all the subtleties and nuances between keyboards, and appreciate the better ones.

PS. Yes, sound wheel with speaker on/off is great. I often find the need to hit the mute button when some crappy auto-play website bursts in!

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by Syed117

Just got my new keyboard.

Corsair K95

Cherry brown switches.

Seems great so far. Every single key has an individual light that can be customized. There are all sorts of crazy lighting effects including one where the keys ripple light outwards when they are pressed.

I will keep it static for the most part, but some of them are tastefully done.

Also has a volume wheel which seems very practical.

Looks nice! All those lights would probably be too much for the office, but it's pretty sweet for home use.

Originally Posted by sickened1

Ooh didn't know this thread is still around. lol

Here are some of my custom ones.

My HHKB and it's Topre (same as Realforce)

The watermark is my username as a mod in one of the mech keyboard forums.

I actually stumbled on a keyboard forum when I was looking into the Unicomps. I was surprised that there are keyboard forums, but then again, there are forums for everything.

Originally Posted by encarter13

Mind completely blown!

1) I cannot believe people like those huge keyboards.

2) I cannot believe people use a keyboard without labels!! What kind of sorcery is this!!

You can get a very modern looking mechanical keyboard, it's just a matter of preference.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by Porsche

+1.

I spend most of the day in front of a keyboard, so it really becomes a "tool-of-the-trade". You start to notice all the subtleties and nuances between keyboards, and appreciate the better ones.

PS. Yes, sound wheel with speaker on/off is great. I often find the need to hit the mute button when some crappy auto-play website bursts in!

Modern keyboards just suck. The keys are so mushy. The tactile feeling of a mechanical keyboard is so satisfying.

[Wesley Crusher]

Got my Unicomp in the mail today. This thing is a beast!!!

I am typing on it now and compared to my WASD keyboard with cherry blues, I feel like the buckling springs may actually be slightly quieter. The sound itself is quite different. I don't think I will have any problems at the office with this thing.

[Porsche]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Got my Unicomp in the mail today. This thing is a beast!!!

I am typing on it now and compared to my WASD keyboard with cherry blues, I feel like the buckling springs may actually be slightly quieter. The sound itself is quite different. I don't think I will have any problems at the office with this thing.

Thanks for the update Wes.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by Porsche

Thanks for the update Wes.

Give me a few days and I will report back with some additional thoughts.

[Wesley Crusher]

Welp, first day on the job and the keyboard crapped out on me.

I noticed that the left arrow key was working, but not buckling. I am almost ashamed to say that I probably spent close to an hour trying to figure out what was going on. I pulled off the key caps (there are 2) and then the spring, reinstalled it (not as easy as you'd think, either) and eventually got the key to buckle properly when pressed BUT now the key gets stuck and as soon as I press and release (the mechanical action of the key seems to be working perfectly), the keyboard thinks that I am holding down on the left key until I press another one of the arrow keys.

If that wasn't bad enough, the L key stopped working!!! Seems like an electrical issue.

I think I am just going to return it. What a bust!

[chet]

Lots of info at Reddit.

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/

[Porsche]

Damn Wes, that's not something to make you smile. Sorry to hear that... and I always had Unicomp in high regard? Obviously quality control not up to Rolex standrads!

I am leaning more and more to repairing my Models M's now!

[sickened1]

If I were to recommend a mech keyboard for a first timer then it would be a Filco. I think Amazon carries them.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by Porsche

Damn Wes, that's not something to make you smile. Sorry to hear that... and I always had Unicomp in high regard? Obviously quality control not up to Rolex standrads!

I am leaning more and more to repairing my Models M's now!

Yea, not sure if I just got a lemon or if it's more than that.

I emailed Unicomp and they were very responsive. They asked me to reseat the key, which I did many times and it's still busted. I'll see if they'll let me return or exchange it.

The buckling spring mechanism is interesting. I do like the way it feels and the mechanism is pretty simple, but it also seems finicky.

Originally Posted by sickened1

If I were to recommend a mech keyboard for a first timer then it would be a Filco. I think Amazon carries them.

Any particular reason? Is the build quality better than similarly priced boards?

I am thinking of just ordering another custom WASD since I am very happy with my current one, but I would like to try out a different switch type like the Matias ALPS. Other than the Matias boards, which really don't interest me, do you have any suggestions Is anyone else making high quality ALPS switches?

[mattza]

Originally Posted by encarter13

Mind completely blown!

1) I cannot believe people like those huge keyboards.

2) I cannot believe people use a keyboard without labels!! What kind of sorcery is this!!

Touch typing

My keyboard has all blank keys and I type around 130wpm

[mattza]

Originally Posted by swils8610

I must ask...what's the difference in the keyboards above collated to a new $30 dollar Logitech?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Once you type on a proper nice mechanical keyboard you will never be able to go back to mushy membrane keyboards

[swils8610]

Funny...in high school I learned to type on a keyboard with no letters or numbers on them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Swearengen]

Reminds me of the early Commodore PET

Originally Posted by Kostas

Yep can't stand these modern "chiclet keys"

[Wesley Crusher]

Shorty after buying my Unicomp, I scored a sweet IBM SSK on eBay. It was in awesome shape, just a bit dirty. I stripped it down, cleaned everything and it looked like new when I was done.

I have been using the SSK every day and love it!

[mattza]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Shorty after buying my Unicomp, I scored a sweet IBM SSK on eBay. It was in awesome shape, just a bit dirty. I stripped it down, cleaned everything and it looked like new when I was done.

I have been using the SSK every day and love it!

Nice! I never tried an old IBM board but I would probably switch out my Topre board for one

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by mattza

Nice! I never tried an old IBM board but I would probably switch out my Topre board for one

Nice! That’s an Industrial SSK. The Paul Newman Daytona of keyboards lol!!

[sickened1]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Any particular reason? Is the build quality better than similarly priced boards?

I am thinking of just ordering another custom WASD since I am very happy with my current one, but I would like to try out a different switch type like the Matias ALPS. Other than the Matias boards, which really don't interest me, do you have any suggestions Is anyone else making high quality ALPS switches?

Sorry Wes. I didn't see your comments until now. Usually I get notification when someone quoted me but not this time. The reason I usually recommend Filco for first keyboard is exactly what you mentioned there (better build quality than similarly priced boards, well known brand ie. product support when you need it, etc).

If you're looking for some ALPS boards try hanging looking over at Deskthority.net. That's the european's counterpart of U.S. mech keyboard site and as I last recall, they love ALPS switches there.

Now the fun part about mech keyboard is you get to customize your keycaps. Here are some of mine.



The one on the left is called OG tri and I've been offered over 1k for it.



Some from ETF



Some custom hand-painted from Nick in Australia (he does custom jobs)



Some CC's Oktoberfest keycaps

I got more but these are just some of them.

[SG56]

Originally Posted by sickened1

Sorry Wes. I didn't see your comments until now. Usually I get notification when someone quoted me but not this time. The reason I usually recommend Filco for first keyboard is exactly what you mentioned there (better build quality than similarly priced boards, well known brand ie. product support when you need it, etc).

If you're looking for some ALPS boards try hanging looking over at Deskthority.net. That's the european's counterpart of U.S. mech keyboard site and as I last recall, they love ALPS switches there.

Now the fun part about mech keyboard is you get to customize your keycaps. Here are some of mine.



The one on the left is called OG tri and I've been offered over 1k for it.



Some from ETF



Some custom hand-painted from Nick in Australia (he does custom jobs)



Some CC's Oktoberfest keycaps

I got more but these are just some of them.

Wow, that's a whole 'nother level of nerdiness lol
Pretty cool. And super surprised to see so many replies here.

I never got into the "new-old" keyboards for a lot of money, and I am a huge fan of Logitech (kind of like Paul is of Tumi).

One of my coworkers has one of those keyboards that has to be assembled and I think he's got close to $600 in it.

Got the newer Logitech, but still prefer the old g15. Use both every day. Love the sound. Nothing like it.


Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[encarter13]

Originally Posted by mattza

Touch typing

My keyboard has all blank keys and I type around 130wpm

Impressive! Is that from spending countless hours working on the computer or is that a skill that you had to practice?

[mattza]

Originally Posted by encarter13

Impressive! Is that from spending countless hours working on the computer or is that a skill that you had to practice?

Years of experience since I was around 10 years old and into computers. I don't even type the proper touch typing way either, it's kinda freestyle and all over the place but I memorize where the keys are.

[Gentleman8]

Some beauties in this post.. Love keyboards too.
I can recommend the Rii wireless mini-keyboards. I have 2 and they work very well:
https://www.amazon.com/Rii-Wireless-.../dp/B00I5SW8MC
https://www.amazon.com/Rii-Wireless-.../dp/B00Z81U3YY

[Kliminator]

Love mechanical keyboards. One of my former colleagues let me try his and I was amazed. It makes working and typing so much more enjoyable than using a membrane keyboard

Total game changer!

I have some prebuilt boards as I'm a little too lazy to build my own haha

[White Collar Boy]

The irony of a mechanical keyboard thread revived without any typing. They are a cool piece of gear though.

[Blansky]

LOL....joining a Rolex site and your first post is discussing a 5 year old mechanical keyboard thread.

Yeah, that seems legit.

[pk552502]

I use a FILCO cherry MX brown in my office. I love it!