Well I fell down the custom keyboard world.
- Thread starter davetherave2
- Start date
I'm doing something similar at the moment (hope to post some photos soon), but www.keybr.com is really good if you're learning a new layout. I'm really enjoying Colemak-DH on a split keyboard. If you just do 30minutes a day it quickly adds up, and it's quite fun if you just put on some music or something. Sadly don't have a TRRS recommendation for you since I've used a usb-c interconnect.
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Contemplating something cheap for work, would love some suggestions as there is so much choice:
- ISO UK
- 75% or higher
- tactile switches without click (not too loud)
- Budget end due to unfortunate potential for theft (sub £50 ideally)
- Mac compatible
Nice to have
- wireless
- white or retro theme
Don’t need lighting at all but I recognise most come with something.
I already have a Filco Majestouch 2 Ninja with Cherry MX brown on my gaming machine at home. It’s ok but not the most ergonomic for typing a lot, which I would be doing at work.
At work I currently have a cheap Dell membrane 100% or the Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID (which I wouldn’t have paid for myself as the build and feel is terrible for the money).
Prices are high but I can see lots of budget brands now so looking for some gems in the rough there perhaps.
- ISO UK
- 75% or higher
- tactile switches without click (not too loud)
- Budget end due to unfortunate potential for theft (sub £50 ideally)
- Mac compatible
Nice to have
- wireless
- white or retro theme
Don’t need lighting at all but I recognise most come with something.
I already have a Filco Majestouch 2 Ninja with Cherry MX brown on my gaming machine at home. It’s ok but not the most ergonomic for typing a lot, which I would be doing at work.
At work I currently have a cheap Dell membrane 100% or the Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID (which I wouldn’t have paid for myself as the build and feel is terrible for the money).
Prices are high but I can see lots of budget brands now so looking for some gems in the rough there perhaps.
Associate
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For this exact reason, not having a loud keyboard for office work, I purchased the Nuphy Air 3 (UK-ISO) with the blush switches. That's providing your ok with low-profile keys.
Thanks, yes that’s pretty close to what I’m after other than it’s about 3 times the price and I worry about light fingered folks at work who will help themselves if I leave it lying around, which sucks.
I can see the Cherry Xtrfy K4V2 with Red switches for £30 which seems cheap. Just not sure on reds for typing/coding.
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I use Outemu silent peach switches on my arcade hitbox and they are very quiet, can't see you getting any trouble for using those in a workplace. They are linear but there's also outemu silent lime switches which are tactile. You could maybe use those if you find a board with hotswap? They are very cheap in the grand scheme of keyswitches.
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Associate
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Just after a bit of advice on my options for a mech keyboard I have. I picked it up in a charity shop a few years ago. It has Cherry blue switches and is a 100% US layout. It needed a clean so I have pulled all the caps and cleaned them but before I put them back I was wondering whether it was worth looking to anything else with it.
I would rather have a UK layout although I am mostly used to the US one now. I did wonder whether it was worth taking the switches out and putting them in a new UK base but from what I have seen barebone bases seem to be most of the cost of a complete keyboard and hence I wouldn't be saving much by reusing the switches.
I suppose the other obvious option is just to change the caps. Even there I got confused
It seems there are different materials and I would need to make sure the keys would fit with the US layout of the switches. Any advice on what I should be looking for in replacement caps?
The other thing is it is quite noisy. Is that just the switches or the caps against the base? With the caps off the switches don't seem to make that much noise by themselves.
thanks
I would rather have a UK layout although I am mostly used to the US one now. I did wonder whether it was worth taking the switches out and putting them in a new UK base but from what I have seen barebone bases seem to be most of the cost of a complete keyboard and hence I wouldn't be saving much by reusing the switches.
I suppose the other obvious option is just to change the caps. Even there I got confused
It seems there are different materials and I would need to make sure the keys would fit with the US layout of the switches. Any advice on what I should be looking for in replacement caps?The other thing is it is quite noisy. Is that just the switches or the caps against the base? With the caps off the switches don't seem to make that much noise by themselves.
thanks
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Soldato
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- 19 Jun 2012
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- 5,517
So after buying an Air 75 V3 for my backup / occasional visits to the office keyboard I'm now using it full-time as after just four months my Q6 Max is double pressing keys randomly. Very disappointed given the price of it.
Various keys seem to be affected and some days it is e, others it is space or n. But mainly it is e and space.
Tried re-seating the switches. Tried replacing the switches. Tried cleaning it. Tried firmware update. Nothing seems to work consistently.
Its really weird. On some days I had no issues and could actually use the keyboard fine for a couple of days. Then the double pressing would start and persist for a week, then go fine again for anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days. Then after about a month of this, the double presses seemed to become permanent but the keys affected just changed around depending on what mood the keyboard was in
Seems like something is fundamentally wrong with it somewhere!
On the plus side the air V3 is lovely to use.
Various keys seem to be affected and some days it is e, others it is space or n. But mainly it is e and space.
Tried re-seating the switches. Tried replacing the switches. Tried cleaning it. Tried firmware update. Nothing seems to work consistently.
Its really weird. On some days I had no issues and could actually use the keyboard fine for a couple of days. Then the double pressing would start and persist for a week, then go fine again for anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days. Then after about a month of this, the double presses seemed to become permanent but the keys affected just changed around depending on what mood the keyboard was in
Seems like something is fundamentally wrong with it somewhere!
On the plus side the air V3 is lovely to use.
So after buying an Air 75 V3 for my backup / occasional visits to the office keyboard I'm now using it full-time as after just four months my Q6 Max is double pressing keys randomly. Very disappointed given the price of it.
Various keys seem to be affected and some days it is e, others it is space or n. But mainly it is e and space.
Tried re-seating the switches. Tried replacing the switches. Tried cleaning it. Tried firmware update. Nothing seems to work consistently.
Its really weird. On some days I had no issues and could actually use the keyboard fine for a couple of days. Then the double pressing would start and persist for a week, then go fine again for anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days. Then after about a month of this, the double presses seemed to become permanent but the keys affected just changed around depending on what mood the keyboard was in
Seems like something is fundamentally wrong with it somewhere!
On the plus side the air V3 is lovely to use.
Surley thats covered by warrenty if its faulty no?
Soldato
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You would think so. But I bought it from Amazon and the only option made available to me is a refund on return.
So hopefully that works out OK.
Not sure I want to risk buying another one. Seems like double pressing is a common issue with Keychron. Shame really as it was a great keyboard other than the double pressing.
Soldato
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- 19 Jun 2012
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So I'm returning my Q6 Max for a refund.
Any recommendations for a 100% keyboard that is as good as a Q6 Max but isn't a Q6 Max? Lol
Must be UK ISO layout.
Budget £250. Will stretch to £300 if it makes the tea and does the housework!
Any recommendations for a 100% keyboard that is as good as a Q6 Max but isn't a Q6 Max? Lol
Must be UK ISO layout.
Budget £250. Will stretch to £300 if it makes the tea and does the housework!
Can I propose alternatives @BuffetSlayer ?
100% UK ISO are quite rare unless you go Keychron or dirt cheap Rainforest china imports, or main brands like Logitech, Corsair etc.
I am currently enjoying (very much so) the following Keyboards. All UK ISO.
Nuphy Air75 V3 Iso. Wonderful.
Lemokey P1 Pro again wonderful keychron device but imho better and cheaper than the Q1 Max.
Monsgeek V1 M5 UK ISO also great with nice switches and keycaps.
I then use a simple Weikav Stars21 Bluetooth Numpad for use with all of the above is I am working in Excel.
100% UK ISO are quite rare unless you go Keychron or dirt cheap Rainforest china imports, or main brands like Logitech, Corsair etc.
I am currently enjoying (very much so) the following Keyboards. All UK ISO.
Nuphy Air75 V3 Iso. Wonderful.
Lemokey P1 Pro again wonderful keychron device but imho better and cheaper than the Q1 Max.
Monsgeek V1 M5 UK ISO also great with nice switches and keycaps.
I then use a simple Weikav Stars21 Bluetooth Numpad for use with all of the above is I am working in Excel.
Soldato
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Thanks for the suggestions.
I already have an Air 75 V3 and agree it's a brilliant bit of kit! It is supposed to be my spare board for office visits owing to it being small, low profile and quiet. But I'm using it as my main since I gave up on the Q6 Max (double pressing faults). I've just ordered some BoW key caps for the Air as I've read the Berry profile transforms the typing experience for the better. Not sure on how they will look just yet, so might go back to default if it is terrible!
I'd prefer a 100% board but I suppose I could go TKL with separate keypad. I'm struggling a bit with the Air because I use the keypad on a 100% board a lot. I also use the arrow keys a lot and my muscle memory is used the space around them on a full size board. I suppose that will change over time though.
The monsgeek v1 M5 looks alright but I don't like the available colours, and I'd prefer 80% TKL for a little more room.
I wish Nuphy did TKL ISO boards!
Might be I need to risk another Keychron. Could go with a TKL version of the Q Max I suppose.
I'll have a poke about over the next few days and see if I can find anything I like.
Been offered a choice from the range of boards by a brand called Wobkey (!) - I picked this one:
www.wobkey.com
Specs seem rather good.
The rather eye opening thing is my Q6 Max/HE weigh 2.1KG, that 80% board is nearly 2.4!!!
That video shows the extras you get too which is impressive, in additional gasket layer and plates.
Crush 80 Reboot Pro
WOBKEY's upgraded 5-Sec Quick Release Magnetic ball-catch structure for fast disassembly.Toolless design gives you the satisfying signature click when you reinstall the top frame. Extra silicone padding prevents scratching on the upper frame. Hot Swappable PCB & Battery Take your PCB out with...
www.wobkey.com
Specs seem rather good.
The rather eye opening thing is my Q6 Max/HE weigh 2.1KG, that 80% board is nearly 2.4!!!
That video shows the extras you get too which is impressive, in additional gasket layer and plates.
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Soldato
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I can't seem to see an ISO K10 HE on their website. They do an ISO Q6 HE but it is out of stock, as is the Q3 HE sadly.
The K10 HE only seems to be listed in ANSI format.
Might be in going mad. Will take another look in a bit.