Mechanical Keyboards...

Discussion in 'Geek Cave: Computers, Tablets, HT, Phones, Games' started by aufmerksam, Oct 1, 2015.

  1. InsanityOne

    InsanityOne Acquaintance

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    I don't think I have ever seen anyone use a flexible PCB in a keeb build yet. Do you know of any websites or services that will take an existing solid PCB design and turn it into a flexible design? But I definitely would like to. As for wire-wrapping, I definitely think that could have been done here. The build I posted was just the first proto-type AFAIK. So he probably didn't really feel the need to go all-out.
     
  2. Syzygy

    Syzygy Friend

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    I don't, but then again I've had no reason to look for one.
     
  3. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    I've been using a big and bulky cherry mx keyboard from Corsair for the last year or so. My coworker just brought this thing in from his home, and I really like it.

    Anyone have any thoughts on it, or better alternatives or suggestions? I like the slim form factor, full size, and short travel mx cherry blue feel of the keystrokes. I could care less about RGB bullshit or USB ports.

    Thanks
     
    Last edited: May 8, 2019
  4. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    There's a few things out there with the kailh low profile switches, they're not super common and relatively recent.

    I think except that one the only way is a custom - not sure which pcbs are compatible, novelkeys has a set of keycaps for the standard switches, the havit has custom stems that are different.

    I *think* the massdrop shift keyboard might be compatible, but that's a December product.
     
  5. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    If you like the feel of the keyboard, go for it. Cherry only makes low profile keys in linear red right now, so if you want clicky, you have to go with a different switch manufacturer.

    Funny enough, this article came out today: https://kotaku.com/low-profile-mechanical-keyboards-are-getting-really-goo-1834617011
     
  6. InsanityOne

    InsanityOne Acquaintance

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    Lately I've been really infatuated with the look / feel (Alps switches) of the old Apple M0110 models and would like to get one. They can be had in fairly "mint" condition on Ebay from $50 - $80. However, they require a lot of work to truly make them "useable" on a modern PC. I'm not quite sure how ready I am to jump into my first hand-wiring project, but there are plenty of guides online for this particular board, so it might not be quite so difficult. I could still probably buy an original board, rewire it, add an Elite-C, retrobrite the whole thing, and then add a custom cable for less than what it would cost to buy someone's used "Modern M0110" from the group buy last year. For any of those interested:

    Apple M0110 Keyboard Science: https://imgur.com/a/HxOZz

    Build Examples:
    1. https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?t=1067
    2. https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?t=5772
    3. https://imgur.com/a/9A8eN
    4. https://nathantornquist.com/blog/2016/12/apple-m0110-rebuild/

    With all of these examples I suspect that one could figure it out fairly quickly with enough trial and error.
     
  7. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    Can someone reiterate what differences I should be looking for when comparing Outemu, Cherry, and Gateron Brown switches? I have Outemu and Cherry available to test and I am having a hard time distinguishing between them. The keycaps and keyboards are built differently so it is hard to isolate them. I bottom out when I type, so the slight tactile bump isn't as noticeable for me as someone who might type a whole lot more and quickly than I do.

    Main reason is that I am considering getting a new keyboard and Cooler Master makes a nice looking one with Gaterons at an attractive price.
     
  8. InsanityOne

    InsanityOne Acquaintance

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    The information you seek can be found here: https://input.club/the-comparative-guide-to-mechanical-switches/tactile/
     
  9. philipmorgan

    philipmorgan Member of the month

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    I have this (the one without the tenkey) and I really dig it. I'm a longtime mech fan, and quite a few mech and capacitive dome models have passed through my office.

    The low-profile-but-still-mechanical feel of the Havit is super sweet. I only wish my iPad Pro could do system-level key remapping, but that's a first world problem for sure.
     
  10. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    Thanks for that. I went ahead and pulled the trigger on it yesterday. Glad to hear other opinions on it. I'm usually very skeptical and hesitant when buying anything from a brand I know nothing about.
     
  11. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    Got it. It types nicely. Time will tell if it's good.

    The size difference makes it feel like I have 100% more desk space.

    Keyboard1.jpg Keyboard2.jpg
     
  12. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Anyone have advice for switch maintenance?

    The 'T' on my CMStorm keyboard is acting up and doesn't work 10% of the time. Probably wouldn't be a big deal if it was a key I rarely used, but I never really realized how many words have the letter T until you get constant interruptions.

    While I have some DIY skills, I would rather not totally replace it with another Cherry blue switch. I've had this keyboard since 2012, but I haven't used it very much because I tend to share computers a lot and other people don't share the same enthusiasm for typewriter sound.
     
  13. JustAnotherRando

    JustAnotherRando My other bike is a Ferrari

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    I honestly don't think that there is any easy way to fix a contact problem. The switch mechanism can only be accessed by taking the top plate of the switch, and unless you have a very unusual and recent board, the only way to remove the top plate requires de-soldering the entire switch off from the back of the PCB. If you're doing this, you may as well be replacing the switch entirely rather than trying to fix the existing one.

    On the bright side, if you're even only very slightly handy with a soldering iron, this is a simple thing to do.
     
  14. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    I just looked up a tutorial on removing a switch and it's not as bad as I thought. While I might as well just replace the switch, just ordering one switch is kind of a hassle.
     
  15. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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  16. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    That's bizarre. Nice for saving space I guess.
     
  17. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Oh neat, I was cleaning out my parent's storage room and stumbled across an IBM Model M (1988) keyboard with the box and everything! Near mint considering that it had a plastic cover over it for it's entire life (which has since crumbled and I've removed). The collector in me wants to keep it, but I should probably sell this thing... um, anybody know how much these things are worth?
     
  18. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Not a lot of talk about accessories. Here's a case I bought when I first got my keyboard in 2013

    927B91B7-218E-48E6-9601-400090143CF3.jpeg

    FA087E86-CF38-428A-9A3C-F5322DF69BF9.jpeg

    It might be different now but back then there was no real options for bags. The only one easily available was a boring black carry case from Razer. I didn't see anything else until I went to Aliexpress and I saw a ton of options. I actually don't know if this is an official SteelSeries bag. Even if it's bootleg, it's pretty good quality and holds everything I need.
     
  19. Zhanming057

    Zhanming057 Friend

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    A really, really good condition 88' version without any mods, maybe $150-250 at the very high end. The market has actually softened a bit in the last year because of dedicated replica builders. There are still a lot of those out there so collectors won't be super interested unless you have one that's a 9.8/10 condition.

    I'm not sure if it's worth the hassle and shipping costs, I'd just clean it up and keep it.
     
  20. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    ... hmm, it kinda is. I remember it had one of those flexible dust covers on it decades ago, so the whole thing is still in pristine condition.

    But meh, I'm not connected on any of the online communities, and the market is smaller in Canada anyways. Thanks for the info though. I have one buddy who's into keyboards; maybe I'll just make it a Christmas present or something.
     

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