Peripherals Mechanical Keyboards

Because I had a laptop that had an ISO layout on an ANSI keyboard. Then I moved somewhere where people mostly used ANSI. Then I moved somewhere where they only used ANSI.

It opens up my options for keyboards though. Not that I've had many.

 

That quote pretty much sums up the custom keyboard world…

 

I bought a 60% for twenty quid.

I’m hoping the large set of clear caps I bought for another project will be compatible with it.

Apparently it’s blue mech switches. If they are proper mech switches I shall fit the leftovers of my kiwis to WASD and so on.

I’ll hardly ever use it, it will live in a backpack mostly so there was just no point spending more.

I also have one of those posh coiled cables spare because I thought my Razer at home was usbc and it isn’t.

 

In fact no, it wasn’t even 20 quid.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B09MCJ7K1T?ref=ppx_pt2_mob_b_prod_image&th=1&psc=1

 

Look, will you lot stop posting cheap keyboards please?

@Vault-Tec I’m guessing that doesn’t have hot swap switches, doesn’t look like it. I know that’s not an issue for your use case!

 

Yeah it’ll be solder. Thankfully I had a lot of practice on the Asus Falchion lol.

I have a load of switches left from that, so I’ll just replace everything I use in games.

Hopefully the space bar isn’t some whack ass size like the Falchion.

 

I de- and re-soldered all the switches on a mechanical keyboard once. Emphasis on once, because I am not doing that again! Even with a temp-controlled desoldering gun and all the flux in the world, it was a total ballache to do all 160-odd pins…

 

I’m still using mine when I work at home. It’s… still challenging me!

I did some quick WPM tests on monkeytype out of curiosity. On my Keychron K8 I hit about 76 - about the range I expected. On the cheapo Alice, I hit a disappointing but expected 65-ish. By far and away the best result was my work MacBook Pro: 88 WPM!

So I tried the standalone Apple keyboard in work recently - we’ve got loads of them lying around, so I can have one to cart back & fore if I want. MacBook keyboard? Actually quite like it. Standalone Apple keyboard? Can’t type on it to save my life.

 

With all the new companies offering similar options now what are some of the recommended brands/models for something 60-75%, ISO, open switch wise but not too light (didn't get on with reds/browns) and doesn't need any fancy gamery things such as leds, don't mind if it has them but wouldn't pay extra.

I see some of these crazy cheap models out there, but a) dislike buying stuff from amazon/even more so when it's from a random company b) want something reliable and that is nice to use, my ducky mini feels solid.

 

Looks like this is the perfect place to ask this question.

I want some full sized mech keyboards, qwerty obviously. Gonna need 3 or 4 for the repair benches, don't wanna spend an absolute fortune. Wired preferred I think.

Any recommendations? *Please

 

I've had ANSI in the past, found it annoying for the odd character, but mostly it's because my current keyboard is ISO, and so I don't want to be swapping between ANSI/ISO for home and work type thing.
Definitely wouldn't get anything bigger than a TKL, haven't had a numpad for years and have yet to wish I did! Dedicated arrow keys might be nice for my work setup though. Yeah I liked my Filco when I had one, really solid bit of kit.
I've also realised this might be a chance to try some wireless stuff, never bothered in the past but I'm sure the number of options has increased and the reliability etc is better now so I maybe I could get over my wired superiority now

Yeah had both and liked both in the past, use blues at the moment as wanted the tactile and liked the idea of a click. I think ideally I'd be looking to spend less than £100, especially if going for a wired keyboard, then again they somehow seem to have increased in price if anything since I last bought one despite being everywhere now!

Maybe I should find my login details for geekhack and deskthority....

 

Just checked and apparently I've had this Ducky Mini for over 10 years now! Cost me 158EUR shipped (29EUR for the shipping) from Ducky Nordic as it wasn't released in the UK at the time. How time flies yeesh!

I'm in no rush as I can always temporarily just move the keyboard back and forth if needed, got the feeling I've got a couple of keyboards and mice in storage somewhere that I should probably have a look at before buying anything new but it won't stop me from looking

Edit:
Weird looking back in this thread, forgotten half the the stuff and seeing so many names not around anymore.

What are your thoughts on your Akko 5075B? Not heard of the brand but looks decent and potentially what I'm after? (although will have to google what all the switches are as with most newer brands! )