Need a new keyboard, pref. mechanical switches

ViperVX

ViperVX

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Dec 27, 2005
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Title says it all. I am searching for a new keyboard for typing/gaming, nothing extremely hardcore, preferably with mechanical switches, background light.

I was gonna buy MS Sidewinder X6, but as it turned out it doesn't have the props on the bottom to lift it and there are many issues with 2-3 button combinations not working properly so it's a no go.

As far as mechanical switches go, i found three models:

Das Keyboard Pro (130$)
Deck Keyboard (160$)
iOne Scorpius M10 (70$)

I don't really care about the price, it's just difficult to get those shipped to Russia.

So if you have any suggestions about the keyboards, mechanical or regular ones, or a store that ships those listed above to Russia i am all ears. Really need a help with this one cause i simply can't pick one out of like a 100.

P.S. For the past 10 years i've been using the simplest Acer keyboard, bought for 50$ back in 98, it's the best thing ever, great clicking sound, comfortable for fast typing, but after the recent cleaning i broke off the left ctrl button so it's gotta go.
 
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I would recommend the Cherry Cymotion Pro. Excellent typing feel, notched feedback instead of that progressive resistance feel most keyboards have today.
Focused and stylish look, none of that glossy cheap plastic contemporary novelty keyboards have, and very heavy.
Also it's still going strong after I don't know 6-7 years or so. Infact I would buy the same thing again.
 
As a german I find the use of "Das" appalling. Thats like all those umlauts in old heavy metal bands names.
I would never buy it on that basis. Also it's massively overpriced.

Also I mistook the keyboards. The one to get is the Cymotion Master Xpress. The pro is just some lousy laptop-style keyboard.

Seems the xpress is out out of production. The modern equivalent is the Vario-Key. Even has relegendable extra-keys. It also uses the same Cherry MX switches as the Das uses. All that for just 30?.

http://www.cherry.de/english/produc...Y_Relegendable_MultiMedia_Keyboard_corded.htm

Also they are real Made in Germany, unlike the made in Czech republic Das Keyboard.
 
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DarkReaper said:
As a german I find the use of "Das" appalling. Thats like all those umlauts in old heavy metal bands names.
I would never buy it on that basis. Also it's massively overpriced.

Also I mistook the keyboards. The one to get is the Cymotion Master Xpress. The pro is just some lousy laptop-style keyboard.

Seems the xpress is out out of production. The modern equivalent is the Vario-Key. Even has relegendable extra-keys. It also uses the same Cherry MX switches as the Das uses. All that for just 30?.

http://www.cherry.de/english/produc...Y_Relegendable_MultiMedia_Keyboard_corded.htm

Also they are real Made in Germany, unlike the made in Czech republic Das Keyboard.
Click to expand...

I quite like this Vario one, simple, 20 mil lifetime, big Enter, extra buttons, well priced, now to find a way to get this delivered to Moscow...
 
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Remember the old IBM Model M?
There's a company in Lexington, Kentucky that bought the rights, original dies, etc. and still makes it today (but with USB or PS2 connections).

http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/
http://img54.imageshack.**/img54/4195/80049708.jpg

It'll be the last keyboard you ever buy... because it'll never break!
 
THGL said:
Remember the old IBM Model M?
There's a company in Lexington, Kentucky that bought the rights, original dies, etc. and still makes it today (but with USB or PS2 connections).

http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/
http://img54.imageshack.**/img54/4195/80049708.jpg

It'll be the last keyboard you ever buy... because it'll never break!
Click to expand...

Well my Acer is 99% alike the model M (white/grey one), except it doesn't have the "Windows" buttons and the extra inch of plastic above the F's, but for me the 1980 design just looks too old.
 
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Too bad cherry is quite unknown in the enthusiast market but I guess thats just poor marketing.
Cherry is more an industrial company making specialist keyboards.

Even todays enthusiast keyboard like the Logitech G15 use the same crap membrane technology and want so much money for it. Everytime I try out some keyboards for fun the typing feel just turns me off.

http://www.multiprox.be/nl/download/files/Cherry_catalog_CID06_E.pdf
 
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I've been using the Logitech Ultra-X for a few years now, and it is by far the most comfortable keyboard I've had the chance to try. The laptop-like keys may set you off initially, but once you get used to it, IMHO it's the best.

G.jpg
 
THGL said:
Remember the old IBM Model M?
There's a company in Lexington, Kentucky that bought the rights, original dies, etc. and still makes it today (but with USB or PS2 connections).

http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/
http://img54.imageshack.**/img54/4195/80049708.jpg

It'll be the last keyboard you ever buy... because it'll never break!
Click to expand...

I'm typing this on the exact same keyboard listed. It isn't quite as sturdy as my 20 year old IBM (which I had to put away only due to the need for the Windows keys and USB). If you have any experience with the Lexmark era Model Ms you have an idea what to expect. Still a great keyboard, maybe not super flash but it will last until the end of time.
 
argatoga said:
I'm typing this on the exact same keyboard listed. It isn't quite as sturdy as my 20 year old IBM (which I had to put away only due to the need for the Windows keys and USB). If you have any experience with the Lexmark era Model Ms you have an idea what to expect. Still a great keyboard, maybe not super flash but it will last until the end of time.
Click to expand...

I was reading your post out loud, but after that sentence all I heard was a waterfall of clicking noise.
 
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I think the scissor switch keys are much better than the old clacky shit from 30 years ago.
 
I <3 my IBM M series, but it's so goddamn loud that I can't use it at home because it wakes the fianc?e. I've heard good things about the Das Keyboard, but really, I'd just go to your local computer shop and pretend to type on all the testers until you find one you like. At home I use a Logitech Elite, which has a nice springy feel for a modern keyboard, and has nice big media keys and a scrub-wheel for volume, which I like. Unfortunately, it also has F-keys with alternate functions, and the "F-Lock" button that makes the F-buttons work defaults to off when you restart the computer. I don't know what the person who came up with that idea was smoking, but I hope he got fired. Every month or so when I reboot, I spend a few confused minutes wondering why my vim F-key bindings aren't working.
 
cvrefugee said:
I think the scissor switch keys are much better than the old clacky shit from 30 years ago.
Click to expand...

I love that noise, reminds me of the old machines they have in my local bank. :lol:
 
Well i couldn't decide on one particular model so i ordered four, the DAS Keyboard, the Deck Keyboard, iOne and the Cymotion Master Xpress, awaiting all of these in to arrive about a week.

I figured, there are only 4-5 models on the market, so i'll try all of them and pick my favorite, then i will simply sell the others on Russian Ebay here, considering those will be brand new, very reliable and aren't available anywhere in Russia, i'll probably even make a profit.

85 Euro to get Das Keyboard delivered to Moscow, that's almost the price of the whole thing, can you belive that? (only 45 $ for Deck Keyboard delivery)
 
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I admire your dedication however I can only see this end in a gigantic loss for you.
Don't you have the right to return merchandise in the first 30 days without reason after an online purchase even if opened? At least you can do that here.
 
DarkReaper said:
I admire your dedication however I can only see this end in a gigantic loss for you.
Don't you have the right to return merchandise in the first 30 days without reason after an online purchase even if opened? At least you can do that here.
Click to expand...

Well i figured i will use one, i could give one out as a present, i can get a refund for Das Keyboard within 30 days just for not liking it (as said on their website), so ultimately i will have to sell only one.
 
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Except when you like the Das, then you have to sell two. :p
 
s3r4x said:
I?ve had Logitech illuminated for over 3 months and i still love this. <3
Click to expand...

Yep apparently it's very nice, the illuminated one and the Logi "Wave" are rated top in Cnet keyboard reviews, but i've had a chance a few days ago to try out Wave, and it's not very comfortable.
 
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