Peripherals Mechanical Keyboards

...and ordered the Cherry with browns, many thanks to Gareth for pointing it out.

 

I've been using it for about a month for work and play.
It's been great, solid no nonsense.
Handy media options on the F keys and a 'minimise everything' key as well.
Wasn't available in many places and could only find with red switches but I'm ok with red.

 

I've had my Filco almost 3½ years and not regretted it for a second.

 

That's very pretty.

 

It's arrived, fells nice, easy to setup & update firmware and works with my KVM - bonus!

Now to use it in anger.

As an aside, KeyboardCo were excellent to deal with.

 

Keyboard Company is where I got my Majestouch all those years ago. Seemed pretty cool back then too. I just checked - 2011. So. 11 years of service so far, admittedly a little break here and there for the Corsair, but still solid as a rock.

 

Buying a Filco was the best keyboard buying decision I’ve ever made. I expect mine to last 11years plus too.

 

Yeah, it's a really sturdy thing. Not very fancy, but honestly I like that about it.

The only reason I modified the K70 to have non-clicky greens is because I also wanted a little backlighting, which I can't get on the Majestouch particularly easily.

I could do three wire RGB LED's on each switch if I swapped the cases for the now ubiquitous blues I've got spare, but that'd be a lot of work for not a lot of return - I struggle getting transparent key caps with the German layout.

 

Likewise! Mine is still as good as the day I got it second hand in 2013

 

Hello, newbie here who had been using the Coolermaster Quickfire TK for a few years.... there was an Argos misprice and I bought this one.
https://www.guru3d.com/news-story/c...-quickfire-tk-mechanical-gaming-keyboard.html
I like it a lot, love the layout, like the type feeling and very used to it now.

But working from home, the keyboard is a bit too loud when trying to talk and type. So as quiet as possible for this new one.
How would I know the quietness and feel of the keyboard before buying one?

I'm looking for replacement that is similar:
- compact size with number pad (no wider than ~38cm)
- number pad is highly desirable, but the enter key must be the right-most key because I often use it by lifting the mouse hand slightly
- arrows and home/end are a must
- tactile switch feel (I like Cherry brown in this one)
- illuminated keys (RGB not fussed)
- ISO UK layout
- bluetooth would be good, to allow quick switching between PC and laptop

Is the Keychron K4 the only choice out there?

 

Sounds like a challenge. I fell down the rabbit hole when my girlfriend commented on how loud the switches on my board were - I thought they were fine . And I have to say that quietness and feel is very subjective - different people can find the same switch, well, different.

There are a few ‘1800’ layout boards around, but mostly slightly wider than 380mm or in ANSI layout. Usually wider because they tend to have a separated arrow cluster that adds a few mm.

Having a quieter switch is a challenge in a pre-built board, there are no ‘standard’ silent tactile switches I’m aware of, though have a vague recollection Gateron make something like a silent brown. A heavier switch, like a Black, if that prevents you bottoming out, might be quieter, though come at the cost of more effort for your fingers. O-rings under the key caps may change the tone and sound quieter, as can lubing switches, but generally a challenge in a soldered board.

Something like the Melody96 might work for you - layouts A and D are both ISO. If you’re happy picking things up from AliExpress and it being 382mm wide!

Would a 60% and separate numpad work? That could open up opportunities for hot-swap boards that would let you try different switches to find what works best. Or at least offer a few more boutique switch types as the market seems to be heading towards the smaller end of the market; Ducky did some 60% boards with Zeal switches I recall, and a hot swap version. But they do get a bit more spendy, and ISO versions are less common.

Or, if you’re up for some DIY, de-soldering and changing the switches on your current board could be an option. But fairly time consuming.

 

I saw that in my rainforest recommendations. But it doesn't have the normal numpad layout with the Enter key.......

Non-mechanical would be quiet, but I'm pretty sure I type faster on the tactile keys and it feels nicer.

This one looks very interesting. not sure about loosing the tactile feedback though. I may have to visit Currys and try out some gaming keyboard with red switches.

Indeed, everyone's taste is different, and it's amazing the further I dig, the more options I find for keyboard.
But I'm not sure I want to go down the DIY route, well, not until there's absolutely no options. Currently there's still the K4.

Good shout. O rings might work, it wouldn't remove the clatter as finger move across the keys, but would reduce bottom-out noise. I tend to hit quite hard when (trying to) type fast. I've ordered a kit to try, thanks.

On 60%, I will need to have a think. It's mainly my tendency to use right mouse-hand to hit enter on Windows prompts that drives the numpad requirement. Not sure reaching to top left of mouse pad, numpad placed above keyboard. 2 keyboards would also be wider due to additional bezels.

 

O rings do help a lot with noise, so does having your keyboard on a desk mat rather than directly on the desk. (Foam core board works too, or folded material, anything to isolate vibrations).

Proper silent switches will always be quieter though as they reduce the noise from the switch topping out too.

 

Is there such foam core board product for adding to existing keyboards? eg, the hollow space between the base and PCB.


It is on the Ikea desk pad: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/rissla-desk-pad-black-40246156/ (that left section robs me space for full sized keyboard)
But it does sound slightly quieter if I place on a fabric mousepad. So I'll have a look at ordering a more suitable sized pad TKL sized keyboard, thank you.

Anything i could do to reduce the clattering noise made when finger brush over the keys?

 

There are all sorts of options for putting material into cases to change the sound the board makes. There is a YouTube video here by Badseed looking specifically at the Keychron Q1, but the mods would be effective on all sorts of boards. also worth looking around at other sources for ways to dampen sound as well. I often put foam in the bottom of my keyboard cases or between PCB and plate.