[Discuss] Higher-end keyboards to try?

[mark at buttery.org (Shirley Márquez Dúlcey)]

Sadly, nobody makes double shot molded keycaps any more. You COULDN'T
wear the lettering off those because it went all the way through.
http://deskthority.net/wiki/Double-shot_molding

On Wed, Jan 14, 2015 at 9:53 PM, Tom Metro <tmetro+blu at gmail.com> wrote:
> Dan Ritter wrote:
>> Daniel Barrett wrote:
>>> I'm interested in getting a better keyboard, like a Cherry MX type,
>>> but would like to try out a few first to compare them.
>>>
>>> I tried a friend's Cherry MX Blue at work at it was quite awesome,
>>> though loud.
>>
>> MicroCenter probably has several different kinds, and are
>> usually amenable to opening up boxes.
>
> Last time I was at Micro Center they had a demo keyboard mounted to the
> shelf in the keyboard isle that featured a variety of Cherry MX switch
> types. It probably isn't ideal, as there was only a subset of keys that
> used each type, so you couldn't really get the feel of what it would be
> like to type on a whole keyboard using that switch type.
>
> Then again, you never really get a feel for a keyboard until you've used
> it for a week or so.
>
> Wikipedia has a decent description of the different switch types:
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZF_Electronics#Cherry_switches
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M_keyboard
>  and:
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OfUAQiIOWQ
>
>
>> Personally, I think the Enduras from pckeyboard.com, with proper
>> buckling springs, beat everything else hollow.
>
> The buckling springs are stuffer and noisier than the MX blues. I have
> an old machine that still has a "tenkeyless" Model M on it that I use
> rarely. After years of typing on much lighter action keyboards with much
> shorter travel, it doesn't take long for the model M to make my hands sore.
>
>
> Derek Martin wrote:
>> I suspect you want a brown, which has about the same tension in the
>> key switch as a blue but without the click.
>
> I've read likewise - same tactile sensation as blues, but without the
> noise. However when I tried them, I got hardly any tactile sensation
> from the browns. Not only do you hear the blues, but they have a crisp
> trigger point you distinctly feel. The down side is that anyone else in
> the room or on the phone can hear them too.
>
>
>> ...went to Microcenter since I figured they would have the biggest
>> selection of keyboards in the store...
>
> I was looking for a "tenkeyless" design (also known as 80%, relative to
> the size of a 104-key keyboard; the number pad is wasted space for my
> uses) and I think at the time they had maybe only one choice.
>
> I'm also considering 70% designs, which tucks the arrow, Pg Up, Pg Down,
> Home, End, Ins, and Del keys into into the main layout. Some designs do
> this more effectively than others.
>
> (There are also 60% designs, but they compromise too much for the sake
> of space savings in my opinion. At least if you are using them for coding.)
>
>
>> ...if you'd be interested in something with a slightly smaller form
>> factor, I'd also suggest the CM Storm Quickfire TK...
>
> That's one of the ones I've been considering. (It's an 80% design.)
> Among the cheapest at under $70:
>
> http://tigerimports.net/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=13445
>
> But no backlighting.
>
>
> Corsair Gaming K65 RGB is pretty nice. Many keyboards in this market
> have aluminum backing plates under the switches for stiffness. This one
> has an aluminum bezel as well, which allows them to make the sides of he
> keyboard almost flush with the keys, making it among the narrowest of
> the 80% designs. But at $150 you're paying a premium for the fancy
> lighting effects (full RGB LEDs with a variety of programmable lighting
> patterns), and the lack of competition during the period in which it is
> available exclusively at Best Buy:
> http://www.bestbuy.com/site/corsair-gaming-k65-rgb-mechanical-keyboard/7547002.p?id=1219279718644&skuId=7547002&st=categoryid$abcat0513000&cp=1&lp=8#
>
>
> Some example 70% mechanical boards (mostly) with backlighting and MX
> blue switches:
>
> Keycool 84
> http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A7NFPF0?psc=1
>
> Vortex KBT RACE TKL Mechanical Keyboard
> http://tigerimports.net/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=13523
>
> Deck 82 TKL Mechanical Keyboard
> http://tigerimports.net/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=13456
>
> Matias Mini Quiet Pro for PC TKL Mechanical
> http://tigerimports.net/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=13874
>
> (You can find reviews of some of these on YouTube.)
>
>
> Some example 80% mechanical boards (mostly) with backlighting and MX
> blue switches:
>
> Razer Blackwidow Tournament Edition 2014 (no backlighting, and I believe
> it uses a knock-off MX switch, as is becoming increasingly common)
> http://www.microcenter.com/product/430345/Blackwidow_Tournament_Edition_2014_Mechanical_Gaming_Keyboard
>
> There are like a dozen Ducky models that fit the general description,
> some lacking backlighting
> http://www.ncix.com/detail/ducky-dk2087-zero-brown-switch-81-90669.htm
> http://tigerimports.net/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=9667
> http://www.mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=664
> http://tigerimports.net/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=13404
> http://www.amazon.com/Ducky-Zero-Shine-Switch-Keyboard/dp/B00HZTRMIM/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
>
> Vortex KBT ONI TKL Mechanical
> http://tigerimports.net/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=13496
>
> KUL ES-87 Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard (Cherry MX Brown)
> http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KI1ZAHY?psc=1
>
> Nixeus MODA Mechanical Keyboard - Brown Switch
> http://www.amazon.com/Nixeus-MODA-Mechanical-Keyboard-Tactile/dp/B00L1TLINC/
>
> The CODE keyboards stand apart from the others in that they are aimed at
> coders, rather than gamers. It has a DIP switch to switch it to Dvorak,
> or Colemak(?). Another switch to swap Ctrl and Caps Lock. No need to
> mess with keyboard settings in X. Available in both 80% and full size
> versions. But it only comes in MX Green and Clear. (Green is like blue,
> but requires more force. Supposedly the closest analog to buckling
> springs. Clear are even more rare and work like brown, but similarly
> require more force.)
> http://codekeyboards.com/
>
>
> There are also some high-end competitors to Cherry key switches, but
> they're less common. (I haven't bothered to bookmark any.)
>
> And if you really want to get fanatical about your keyboard, the next
> spec to obsess over is what kind of plastic the keycaps are made from.
> Most are ABS, but some say PBT is better. I'll be happy enough if the
> lettering doesn't wear off.
>
> After that you can then consider modding options, such as custom colored
> key caps, or putting O-rings on the stems to quiet and shorten the key
> travel. It seems a whole industry has developed around providing
> mechanical keyboards and accessories mostly for gamers. (If you plan to
> go this route, watch out for keyboards that use MX knock-offs, as the
> after-market caps may not be compatible.)
>
>  -Tom
>
> --
> Tom Metro
> The Perl Shop, Newton, MA, USA
> "Predictable On-demand Perl Consulting."
> http://www.theperlshop.com/
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