Best Keyboard Ever and Cheap too

[jostenmeat]

I just ordered the engraved modern on black keycaps. Took me a while, eh?!

I started to get trigger shy because of the price, because it is a lot for a darned keyboard, especially after going back to Amazon where there was one unit left of the CM w red switches for just a bit north of a Benjamin. Another $60 however does gets me the o-ring mod (shortest travel + softest), engraved (and in the corners) replaceable keycaps, and simply a better looking keyboard.

Lookin' forward!

 

[its phillip]

Nice. Maybe you'll want to try a topre keyboard sometime in the future. I haven't gotten around to buying one yet, but I will eventually

 

[jostenmeat]

Nice. Maybe you'll want to try a topre keyboard sometime in the future. I haven't gotten around to buying one yet, but I will eventually

Wait, NOW you tell me about an even better mech?? ACK! What's wrong with you?! LOL.

 

[its phillip]

Haha, sorry. I've never used a topre so I can't say they're better....completely different style of switch, though. Rather than using cherry mx switches like most mech boards or buckling springs like the old IBMs or current Unicomps, they use capacitive switches.

Topre switch - Deskthority wiki

The boards are very expensive though. $300-500 from importers.

 

[jostenmeat]

Haha, sorry. I've never used a topre so I can't say they're better....completely different style of switch, though. Rather than using cherry mx switches like most mech boards or buckling springs like the old IBMs or current Unicomps, they use capacitive switches.

Topre switch - Deskthority wiki

Yeah, I read about that, though I still don't grasp exactly how it works. I'll give the wiki a read later.

The boards are very expensive though. $300-500 from importers.

But, but but . . . They had my color too!

 

[jostenmeat]

I received my board. I will probably become a better typist as I can't see the letters while sitting in a normal upright position.

There are a number of keys that require a stronger strike, like the following so far: B G H . ? 1

At least those 6 characters need to be hammered more than other ones which is too bad, because otherwise I can fly like a space alien over the board, very lightly, floating and fast. I emailed them again to see what it might be, if there is such a thing as break in, or perhaps o ring break in, or perhaps poor o-ring install, etc.

It's too bad my excitement has been muted for the initial time being, but I am still quite hopeful for the best.

The keys and keyboard are a bit smaller than I was expecting. I would never have guessed at the cost if I saw it for the first time. There is significantly more lateral give in the keys than I was expecting for sure, and I initially thought it too bad, but now I wonder if it makes typing more comfortable, forgiving, or something. I think the travel is still comparable to my older keyboard, not much difference, but then that's one of the most important things I look for when buying one. I may update again in the near future, thanks.

 

[hizzaah]

Post back and let us know how they handle the difficult keys.. I've been considering a new keyboard as of late

 

[jostenmeat]

Post back and let us know how they handle the difficult keys.. I've been considering a new keyboard as of late

I think they've loosened up a bit. My guess is that is was the o-rings. CS offered me a free UPS return shipping to see what they could find with any defect, but I told them that the keys have improved, and that I'll think it'll work out. I'm not paying so much attention, but the ? and 1 might still be a tad stiffer than B and G, and if true, then "break-in" makes sense as far as how often the keys get hit respectively. Most all but one are on the same row, I mentioned that to them, but never got any feedback on any possible causes.

So, I think I'm good. I recently looked up touch typing (almost out of necessity as I can't really see the letters unless my eyes are sorta hovering over them), home keys, stuff like that, because my own typing technique is haphazard and individualistic. I know my left hand is more efficient than my right, and I think that it's due to peculiar tendencies I have got from playing musical instruments, won't get into it. So anyway, did my first WPM tests ever, and I hit 70 WPM with zero errors, so I'm thinking with a bit of study on efficiency and technique, practice, maybe I could get near professional levels?

Not WASD's fault, as it's the same for all keyboards, but I wish Num Lock didn't default to the light being on; because then otherwise the whole keyboard would be pitch black.

When leaning/reclining back, I can see some of the metal clips that hold the longer keys such as underneath the space bar, and that is a minor aesthetic drawback (I mean, it was expensive, I'm allowed to nitpick.)

If you don't really desire replaceable keycaps, don't care for experimenting with o-ring install mods, and are okay with the looks, the OP's choice in Cooler Master does seem like the wtg for value. IIRC that each individual custom printed keycap was 5 bux, you could have a keyboard starting to approach 1K if you wanted.

I wonder where I can go near me to try out a capacitance keyboard, just to see.

 

[its phillip]

I'm glad your experience seems to be improving. I figured it was the o-rings but that mod doesn't particularly interest me so I've got no experience with it. I doubt you'll find a topre locally though, unless you find a local user on geekhack or deskthority who happens to have one and would be willing to let you try it out.

Once you get typing normally, you should be able to type pretty quickly. I can type 115+ wpm

 

[jostenmeat]

I'm glad your experience seems to be improving. I figured it was the o-rings but that mod doesn't particularly interest me so I've got no experience with it. I doubt you'll find a topre locally though, unless you find a local user on geekhack or deskthority who happens to have one and would be willing to let you try it out.

Once you get typing normally, you should be able to type pretty quickly. I can type 115+ wpm

Yeah, it was confusing at first, because I suspected O rings, support never says anything, then I mentioned them again, and he says "oh", and agrees they might not have been seated properly. He says the keys I've had issues with were not on the same trace. He also said they've never ever had heard of an issue like mine with any type of Cherry board. So, he says use 8-10 lbs pressure to seat. I already told him I banged on them 100x with finger-smack speed/pressure.

BTW, the mech board is so responsive. I was having fun bashing like 5+ keys at at time with each hand as quickly as possible in alternation, and the document filled up so fast and immediately, pretty cool.

Cleaning tips: 30% alcohol to water (use 70%, dilute to roughly half) on dampened cloth. About twice a year, use compressed air to blow the crap out of the board, and it's helpful to remove a few keys at the end of the board so that the debris escapes easily (a benefit of replaceable caps I suppose).

Once you get typing normally, you should be able to type pretty quickly. I can type 115+ wpm

Damn, you are FAST. I just looked up some speed records, haha. Do you have any sources/tips/tutorials on how to become a more efficient typist? I think by being a "blind" typist, I will naturally improve already.

I had this eccentric friend that I went to school with long ago, now a pro pianist, conservatory prof, pro magician on the side, absolute rubic's cube whiz, who set a country record for fastest typed alphabet, lol. He created a fingering like a pianist would replete with right-hand crossover, 27 strokes because enter key is needed. It was like 1.1 or 1.2 sec. The guy's record he broke, broke it back to reclaim the title, and my friend was fine with it, he let him keep it. lol

 

[its phillip]

I dunno. I just type a lot. I took a keyboarding class way back in 7th grade, and I guess we had a good program