Mechanical Keyboard Autism Thread - Because Cherry MX switches get you laid.

[Demonslayer1776]

People give Razer a lot of shit, but my Blackwidow Ultimate has been running strong since 2014. My wife recently got a "mechanical" keyboard off of amazon, and it feels so mushy. Also, the keyboards best buy puts on display for you to try also all feel like mush. Gives me anxiety thinking about replacing mine.

Try a board with mx blues. I had a blackwidow back then and remember it had razers equivalent around 2012-2013. Most boards you find in stores will be using browns or reds so they probably don't have the feeling you're used to.

 

[Barry McKockner]

Try a board with mx blues. I had a blackwidow back then and remember it had razers equivalent around 2012-2013. Most boards you find in stores will be using browns or reds so they probably don't have the feeling you're used to.

Thank you. It's weird to believe that I could get THIS attached to the feel of a keyboard of all fucking things.

 

[WULULULULU]

Anyone who has tried or has knowledge regarding this keyboard?

I'm planning on giving a 100% mech-keyboard to a friend of mine so its either another Keychron K10 (non-pro) or this one. His old ASUS TUF keyboard is getting all worn out.

 

[CoolSixtyNiner]

I've been using a Logitech Ergo keyboard for the last 3 years and I love it, but I started getting worried about RSI and started looking into split ergo mechanical keyboards. I bought and then returned the kinesis advantage 360 because surprisingly it hurt the outer part of my left hand.

I tried a few different mechanical keyboard (G915, kinesis freestyle) and neither were for me and I will be returning them.

So now I'm looking at the ZSA Voyager and glove80. The question I have for the voyager is it's reliance on layer switching as it has so few keys. I have a work set up that relies on tmux and vim almost exclusively, so I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on the layer setup for a work flow that relies on ctrl heavy traversal (switch between panes, views, windows, etc).

I don't believe I will be able to easily return the voyager either.

 

[Demonslayer1776]

I've been using a Logitech Ergo keyboard for the last 3 years and I love it, but I started getting worried about RSI and started looking into split ergo mechanical keyboards. I bought and then returned the kinesis advantage 360 because surprisingly it hurt the outer part of my left hand.

I tried a few different mechanical keyboard (G915, kinesis freestyle) and neither were for me and I will be returning them.

So now I'm looking at the ZSA Voyager and glove80. The question I have for the voyager is it's reliance on layer switching as it has so few keys. I have a work set up that relies on tmux and vim almost exclusively, so I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on the layer setup for a work flow that relies on ctrl heavy traversal (switch between panes, views, windows, etc).

I don't believe I will be able to easily return the voyager either.c

How long did you try the kinesis for? It took me a while to adjust (still have to adjust some bad habits tbh) but it was worth the investment for me. Those other boards seem super respectable though, I particularly like the look of the glove80. See if you can abuse the return policy. That's how I justified my Kinesis. One thing I've found beneficial is binding modifiers to key holds vs presses. I never hold enter so rebinding the hold motion to super was beneficial for my workflow. Thumb clusters are awesome for modifiers if your configure them correctly. There is definitely a level of personalization involved, but finding good bindings for modifier keys was pretty important in my experience. Since you're adjusted to modal editing with vim you could double down with a few modes too. ZMK doesn't have full functionality yet, but I intend to make a mouse layer once its available for example. Perhaps its worth making a base layer and a modifier layer long term. Make a dedicated layer for modifiers separate from normal typing. It really depends on your board and how much you want to customize.

 

[CoolSixtyNiner]

I used the kinesis for about 3 weeks, right up to when I would be able to return it. I think the concave form just didn't work for my hands/wrists, and honestly a surprising side effect was that when I would travel on site without it, typing on my laptop's keyboard became difficult.

Thumb clusters were great but I never used it to create layers or make modifications to the home row. I bit the bullet and bought the ZSA voyager over the glove80 because of my worry about it also having that concave form. Layers will be necessary to work with, particular a symbol layer.

I am interested to see if this will work out. It will take time to get here (3 weeks) and I know when I finally do get it, there will be a learning curve. So many vim motions, tmux traversal and utilities, are muscle memory. I'm excited though! It's my first real mechanical keyboard.

 

[Susanna]

I found an IBM battleship (aka the Model F122) at an estate sale, so I guess now I'm some kind of mechanical keyboard royalty. Model M peasants are allowed to kneel. They also had a bunch of vintage computers (I recognised a C64, the PC XT, and a PS/2, there were also some PC-compatibles) and video games, but I'm not into that scene so I didn't get anything. They didn't have any CRTs anyway, and a vintage computer without a nice amber CRT isn't worth bothering with. Bit sad about that, I would have loved to try installing Xenix on a computer with an amber CRT, that's just such a great aesthetic.

It's already been converted to USB so I've been able to test it, everything seems to work fine except for a bunch of missing key caps. It also desperately needs a new layer of paint. I can definitely see why people like these, it's really nice to type on. I ordered a new foam insert and lots of springs+flippers anyway since I'm pretty sure the exposed ones are not in great condition, as well as an entire new set of Russian key caps (for Model M, but they should still work on this). I'll probably take it to a mechanic to get sand blasted and powdercoated, it does look really decrepit. Probably not going to use it even though it's definitely the nicest-feeling keyboard I've ever used, it's just way too big, but I think it will still look nice on display in my office bookshelf once I fix it up a bit.

 

[Miller]

My Logitech G512 has now 2 keys with dead RGB. The keys work fine but it's just the RGB lights that are dead. Is there a way to fix that?

 

[Liquid Ball Dough]

My Logitech G512 has now 2 keys with dead RGB. The keys work fine but it's just the RGB lights that are dead. Is there a way to fix that?

Not that i'm aware of it's a common issue with the board.

 

[Baguette Child]

I don't know the mechanical keyboard space as intimately as I should, so I'm hoping some of the autists in here can help a kiwi out.

Looking to replace the shitty bluetooth keyboard I usually pair with my travel mini PC setup. I'm tired of messing with bluetooth and want something wired and mechanical, preferably in a 60% form factor so I can tuck it in my bag.

Willing to spend a couple hundred USD, maybe $350 if there's something to justify the price. Longevity is my highest priority because I keep fucking replacing the bluetooth trash I've been using (even when I get what should be reasonably decent brand hardware). Any recommendations?

 

[Susanna]

I'm tired of messing with bluetooth

want something wired and mechanical

preferably in a 60% form factor so I can tuck it in my bag.

Willing to spend a couple hundred USD, maybe $350 if there's something to justify the price.

Longevity is my highest priority because I keep fucking replacing the bluetooth trash I've been using (even when I get what should be reasonably decent brand hardware). Any recommendations?

There is one keyboard that fills all these requirements. It’s made from cast zinc, originated the 60% form factor, and will probably last longer than you will.
I am of course referring to the reproduction IBM Kishsaver.

 

[Baguette Child]

I am of course referring to the reproduction IBM Kishsaver.

This is exactly what I am looking for, thank you so much for introducing me to this monster.

I spend maybe 8 hours a day typing on average so I don't mind investing in a keyboard like that if it'll be the last one I ever have to buy.

 

[Susanna]

This is exactly what I am looking for, thank you so much for introducing me to this monster.

I spend maybe 8 hours a day typing on average so I don't mind investing in a keyboard like that if it'll be the last one I ever have to buy.

Now that I own a model F, I can confirm that the typing feel is perfect. The build quality is also really nice, it’s super heavy and sturdy, and from what I’ve heard the reproductions are actually even hardier than the IBM vintage. It is however very loud, and also kind of shrill (it goes “thok-ping!” each key you press), you may want to think twice if you’re going to bring it to your office. Try using a model M or extra-loud gaming keyboard for a few days to make sure it’s not going to drive someone mad.
Or maybe you do want to drive people mad, in which case the reproduction Fs have a solenoid addon that makes it sound like a typewriter.

I’m probably going to place an order for this model too, actually. The F122 I got is way too big, but just really nice to type on. Either the kishsaver with the right shift split into a Fn key, which is basically a modern 60%, or the F77, which is basically a modern tenkeyless, seem like the perfect ways to get a practical, modern model F.

 

[⠠⠠⠅⠑⠋⠋⠁⠇⠎ ⠠⠠⠊⠎ ⠠⠠⠁ ⠠⠠⠋⠁⠛]

Those things look like they belong in some kind of retro-futuristic space ship situation. Weird as hell, but I dig it. Honestly, a split keyboard probably wouldn't be a bad idea to keep my arms from bowing, I just don't have the space on my desk right now.

I have a Keychron K11- so low profile switches, Alice layout. The switches feel quite nice to me, though I'm no keyboard connoisseur.

However, while I appreciate it being quite small, I use function keys quite a bit, and for whatever reason while I could adapt to hitting individual keys easily with the Alice layout, I found it a lot harder to adjust to using key combinations to access the function keys than I have with more conventional small keyboards without a function key row. I suspect a K15 would be a lot less confusing (at least to me) in that regard.

 

[Pepe Cortisona]

I had a model M keyboard that I lost while moving, I miss that beast and I'm paying attention when one gets up for sale.

On another note, with all this race for having the thinnest laptop, my hopes that anyone will dare to replicate the mechanical feeling of the older ThinkPads are lower every year. I know that those aren't mechanical, but chunky tactile feedback is something I miss on laptops.

 

[Michael_Jordan_Peterson]

Mode65
Obscura linear switches
GMK Civs(knockoffs, couldn't find the real ones)
Brass accent - really like this its magnetic and snaps on/off in a very satisfying way.

Also have a Noppo Choc Mini, GMMK, Anne Pro, and a keychron.
As far as layout, I still prefer the 60 key layout of the keychron. I can remap the bottom corner to the arrow keys and its slightly easier for work than the little gap here. Also just prefer as tight a layout as possible. I remap anything I need with via if I need the f row row or whatever.

 

[⋖ cørdion ⋗]

Heard Ducky made some banger raw non-bloated ones. Got Ducky One 3; all the primary QWEASD keys started ghosting. Replaced them with HOME, INSERT etc. Works fine now, but fucking hell. I hear people mostly but it for a platform for easy modding and trigger swapping, so guess I could just buy new ones in the future, but man.

Also a wooden wrist rest. Works really well despite the.. ghosting.

 

[Urotsuki]

I've got a Royal Kludge RK68 plus that I've had for about two years now. It has been a nice keyboard for the most part when running it wired or wireless. Any issues I had with keys being double pressed have gone away completely after switching out the blue switches it came with.

Other than that I find myself wanting another keyboard. I don't mind not having the number pad all too often, so I think I can do without that. Probably want the dedicated function keys back more than anything. They're just helpful when needing them for shortcuts and not having my keyboard think I'm trying to switch the layout or whatever it wants to do. I guess I'm looking for a 75% board or a TKL? I'm looking to spend around the $100-150 range. Does anyone have any recommendations on decent brands, either with hotswap switches or maybe a barebones kit?

 

[Liquid Ball Dough]

I've got a Royal Kludge RK68 plus that I've had for about two years now. It has been a nice keyboard for the most part when running it wired or wireless. Any issues I had with keys being double pressed have gone away completely after switching out the blue switches it came with.

Other than that I find myself wanting another keyboard. I don't mind not having the number pad all too often, so I think I can do without that. Probably want the dedicated function keys back more than anything. They're just helpful when needing them for shortcuts and not having my keyboard think I'm trying to switch the layout or whatever it wants to do. I guess I'm looking for a 75% board or a TKL? I'm looking to spend around the $100-150 range. Does anyone have any recommendations on decent brands, either with hotswap switches or maybe a barebones kit?

Personally my favorite right now is modedesigns' envoy it's a 65 though.. Only real difference between a 65 and 75 is that you hold a modifier for your function keys. But all their shit is amazing the quality is just above all & highly configurable and they ship within a day or two usually. They have the sonnet 75 https://modedesigns.com/pages/sonnet
Or anything one of the qwertykeys boards, this is a nice 75 https://www.qwertykeys.com/products/qk75n
The Odin 75 is great too, https://kbdfans.com/collections/odin-75 There's also always the gmmk pro barbone too for like 170. https://www.amazon.com/Glorious-Gaming-Barebones-Black-Frame-PC/dp/B09963YS4P?th=1 I have one and its really solid but I had to swap the stabilizers and tape the board to get it to sound like my others do out of the box. A lot of them can be configured to not be super expensive if you don't buy like all brass weights and expensive finishes.

I didnt realize 2 of those 75s are like $300. The Monsgeek m1 is a nice affordable barebones 75 https://www.monsgeek.com/product/monsgeek-m1/ Its like $80 rn. A freind of mine swears by it for what its worth.

 

[seri0us]

I had a model M keyboard that I lost while moving, I miss that beast and I'm paying attention when one gets up for sale.

How do people "lose" stuff while moving, other than professional movers who steal stuff?