keyboard junkie

[QueBert]

I'm always looking for a new keyboard. Currently have a diNovo, diNovo Edge & a Razer Tarantula, the new razer looks cool but I dunno. I was thinking I could find something different from what you see at the stores. Price, hummm $250 would be fine, that's how much my diNovo was.

 

[corkyg]

You might as well take a look at Microsoft's new rechargeable - has all the bells and whistles including backlighting. It has a MSRP just beyond your price range - but I believe the street will have it for 250 or less.

Keyboard

 

[QueBert]

looks nice, sucks you have to buy it with the mouse though. I'm still going to think about this one I guess I could use another mouse

 

[potato28]

Never mind that, get a Model M clicky keyboard!!

 

[QueBert]

don't like the Lycosa much, the Tarantula is better imho and I already have one. I guess I should see the Lycosa in person before I pass final judgment though. BB should carry it, or carry it soon if they don't have it. They seem to have most Razer products now.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Yeah, BBs near me have them, unfortunately they don't have it out yet on display to test out how the keys feel or see the dimensions in person... (although they've never been great about display units, they still have the old G15 out on display but none in stock, only then newer version which is a pretty significant difference, pretty silly to keep the old version out there and pretty misleading consider how much they've changed things)

 

[konakona]

QueBert, I would be very interested if you were willing to shell out some $$$ and try this one: http://benippon.com/shop/produ....php?products_id=12700

Strangely, topre isnt widely known in the US whereas it is widely known as the reigning king among keyboard enthusiasts over the world, only rivaled by some other offerings from Cherry corp. This is not your standard fancy futuristic keyboard with superflous macro options or bling bling illumination, just no frills with supreme response and feel, with full n-key rollover of course. I am yet to hear a single bad thing about the keyboard as of yet, other than the obvious drawback in prohibitively high pricing.

Since you seem to be willing to try new stuff, why dont you give it a shot and post your impressions on it. The reason why I am bumping this thread is this is the first time I actually came across a US distribution channel for Topre. I would love to pull the trigger on this personally, except I am a bit strapped on cash

On a related note, do you have any experience with pre-2004 Fujitsu-Siemens or Raptor K-1 gaming boards?

 

[QueBert]

I don't like that keyboard based off looks alone, reminds me of my old AT keyboard on my 286, it might very well be the best built KB out there but for $233 bucks I want something that has some bling man

 

[konakona]

Originally posted by: QueBert
I don't like that keyboard based off looks alone, reminds me of my old AT keyboard on my 286, it might very well be the best built KB out there but for $233 bucks I want something that has some bling man

well I totally understand where you are coming from, I was kinda tempted with tarantula just for teh bling factor (until I read some not so great responses at newegg, that is) hope someone else bites!

 

[octopus41092]

Optimus Maximus Keyboard if your super rich and price doesn't matter otherwise... DX1 Input System.

 

[QueBert]

I thought I wanted the Optimus so baaad for years now, but now I see it I dunno. For some reason I thought the whole key was going to be OLED not just a portion in the middle, still a very sexy KB but I don't like the framed OLED keys. If they release a model where the entire key is an OLED screen I'll buy it on the spot

 

[bunnyfubbles]

GIGABYTE GK-K8000

Keep an eye out for this, I know I will.

Not the prettiest/blingiest keyboard, but probably the best looking keyboard with Cherry mechanical switches.

Nice and compact and kept fairly simple for a full sized board.

I know a few gamers who go for Cherry boards specifically for the mechanical keys, but to have one that is developed out right for gaming in mind...

 

[QueBert]

Originally posted by: bunnyfubbles
GIGABYTE GK-K8000

Keep an eye out for this, I know I will.

Not the prettiest/blingiest keyboard, but probably the best looking keyboard with Cherry mechanical switches.

Nice and compact and kept fairly simple for a full sized board.

I know a few gamers who go for Cherry boards specifically for the mechanical keys, but to have one that is developed out right for gaming in mind...

the disable windows key =key is NICE, I'm sure I could do that on my board that supports macros (maybe?) but I noticed in Mame especially I press win key a lot and screw up my rhythm . I will have to check this sucker out when it's released.

 

[videogames101]

Das Keyboard

 

[konakona]

Originally posted by: bunnyfubbles
GIGABYTE GK-K8000

Keep an eye out for this, I know I will.

Not the prettiest/blingiest keyboard, but probably the best looking keyboard with Cherry mechanical switches.

Nice and compact and kept fairly simple for a full sized board.

I know a few gamers who go for Cherry boards specifically for the mechanical keys, but to have one that is developed out right for gaming in mind...

Wow, it actually looks good at that! for one, I dont mind simple beige or black kebyoards.. rather, I never find G11/15 appealing to me at all.

Only if price is right, then gigabyte gets my money for sure

 

[bunnyfubbles]

oh I agree, and I personally feel some of the best looking devices are ones that are kept simple and elegant. For example, while I don't really care for Apple at all, I cannot deny they have some of the best industrial designs out there.

My comment on the Gigabyte still stands though; its a very plain board, they could have kept it simple but added a few more 'highlights' to make it more unique/appealing. As long as its used in pretty strict moderation, I think 'bling' can be a very good thing. I dunno, maybe its just the position and/or coloring of the orange keys at the top

 

[zagood]

Steelseries 7G.

http://www.ncixus.com/products/27398/64022/Steelseries/

-z

 

[bassoprofundo]

If you're looking for something really unique...

Try one of these...

I also highly recommend the original IBM Model M13 in black. If you can find one of these and unless you're sensitive to the clicky-key noise, you'll never go back. I was fortunate enough to stumble across two new ones in storage.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

There are newer mechanical key keyboards than the M13 and they'll even have quieter keys...The Steelseries 7G for instance, or the Gigabyte GK-K8000, or anything from Cherry. Never go back to membrane, maybe, but the M13 isn't the end-all-be-all

 

[bunnyfubbles]

sigh, dp

 

[Modelworks]

Got some compaq keyboards that are mechanical switch keys, not membrame type.
They are noisy , but damn they work good

 

[dawza]

I had a Steelkeys 6G, and while it was a very well-made keyboard in terms of build quality, the key feel was absolutely horrible. The 6G used non-clicky Cherry mechanical switches which offered no tactile or auditory feedback. Keystrokes registered after a certain amount of key travel, but without some kind of tactile response, I found myself bottoming out as opposed to rebounding from key-to-key. The 7G appears to use the same style of switch, from the "no-click" description.

This is not a knock on the Steelseries keyboards or of Cherry non-tactile switches, but potential buyers should know that the feel of a linear mechanical switch is worlds apart from that of a tactile switch- which in turn is a different animal from a buckling spring.

Having used rubber dome, scissor, linear mechanical, tactile mechanical, and buckling spring mechanisms, I can say with certainty that nothing will ever come close to the feel of the buckling spring.

 

[bassoprofundo]

Having used rubber dome, scissor, linear mechanical, tactile mechanical, and buckling spring mechanisms, I can say with certainty that nothing will ever come close to the feel of the buckling spring.

That has been my experience as well. It's not only the fact that the switches are mechanical rather than membrane, it's that no other mechanical switch has been able to duplicate the feel of the buckling spring. I wish we could get something that looked attractive from Unicomp (owns IBM/Lexmark's keyboard technology). What's so hard about straight black keys on a black frame? Instead, they make that strange black & grey hybrid beast with that ugly logo in the upper right. I would go to one to maintain the feel of my M13 if I had to, but geez...

 

[konakona]

so there are news articles dated about a month ago stating that the gigabyte should be here in a month. I am not seeing it on newegg, or any of the reputable etailers though
MSRP is $113, which isnt too bad if it delivers.

The steelpad boards look nice, and as stated earlier my primary concerns are fast key response / n-key rollover (at least near-simulatneous 5 keys at once) and nothing else, really. Cherry mechanical switches should do the trick I hope, what are the differences between 6G and 7G?

 

[bigboxes]

My Intel just started giving me problems. Found out the rubber domes were cracking causing my space bar to sag with little rebound on the keystroke. My 'Y' key was having problems that cleaning wouldn't fix as well. I loved that keyboard as it could take the most intense pounding as I type hard. I value a strong base and most of the keyboards out there are incredibly flimsy, loaded with unwanted keys, and I've never been into the ergonomic craze (flex, curved, split, etc.).

So, after considerable research I decided on the Cherry G80-3000 model in black. I think I'll be very happy for many years to come. That dinovo Edge seems cheesy. I view keyboards as more of a commodity, but I value function over form (read: quality/utility is more important than looks). That Gigabyte model is nicely designed. Too bad it has to be so butt-ugly!