Mechanical Keyboards

I have a Zoom65v2 that's almost perfect but doesn't support QMK so I've been shopping around and wanted to get the community's opinions before making a decision.

My criteria:

• size: 60-65%
• firmware: QMK
• layout standard: ansi
• layout ergonomics: normal
• hot-swappable: required, my soldering days are behind me
• per-key RGB (QMK rgb_matrix) is a must have
• underlighting (QMK rgblight) would be a plus

The kprepublic bm60/bm68 and Tofu 60/65 (2.0) are currently at the top of my list. I have a bm40 that I could only love more if it had more code space.

(I'm selling the Zoom65v2 if anyone is interested.)

Hi,

recently, I got a new Ducky One 3 for a discount. It is really solid so far, but I can't get it to work pre-boot with my Thinkpad T480. There are no such problems with my Sharkoon Purewriter or other keyboards.

Has anyone an idea what could be done about that?

Tried to disable n-key-rollover, updated the BIOS, enabled and disabled the legacy USB option. There are no USB 2.0 ports on this PC.

I am a bit mad about that problem because my partition is encrypted. And it would be really helpful to have a working keyboard to enter the password.

• Keychron Q8 Pro
• Gazzew U4Tx + a couple of Kailh Box Navy switches
• MTNU Beige keycaps (lovely new profile, GMK made double-shot PBT, expensive - even more due to Colemak)

I bought the keyboard immediately when I found out they made a BT version of the Q8 (I use a Q10 daily at the office), as I was looking for an iPad compatible one. Very happy with it!

Old widow and a g pro. Not exactly a deep cut, but it was really fun!

Been thinking of doing this for over a year and finally got round to it. Found parts. Spent hours soldering, lubricating, stuffing with foam and programming QMK. So happy with the final result. It's a joy to use.

Gateron yellow switches. YMDK PCB, backplate and case. Ali Express keycaps.

It's a budget build and none of this is high end......but it has still worked out really well.

More keeb vendors closing shop. This is a rough time for the keyboard community.

Edit: source: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L_8GKPOQ5r4

Anyone looked into this? I just saw an ad for it. Adjustable actuation point?? It looks very interesting.

Just wanted to share the link to the livestream of the designer Matt3o looking at the first batch of the MTNU keycaps. They are made by GMK out of PBT, with double shot legends. The profile has been developed by Matt3o and GMK as a Cherry-height spherical angle shape. First batch is currently shipping out and has the WoB, Beige and Susu colorways.

I find it really interesting and I don’t think I read anything here regarding this.

Its a Razer Blackwidow elite I got for cheap, the listing just said "sold as is" and had some pictures. Didn't mention anything about bad keys. Kicking myself now for trying to cheap out. My question is if there is anything I can do to repair it. If so is it worth doing? The switches are not hot swappable if that's important.

Hi, I've been looking into possibly buying a Glove80 but I'm confused about how it handles keyboard layouts software-wise.

For example, on my PC I can set my software layout to be whatever I want from the keymaps available, but since the Glove80 seems to have it's own software to map layouts, I'm not sure how it would work with the Bone layout (which is the layout I'm trying to learn... I'm still too slow with it). The Bone layout has 6 layers that are activated through combinations of CapsLock and the Alt keys, does this software functionality carry over to the Glove80's software or do I need to make a keymap for it and manually map all the Bone keys? I'm sorry if this is a dumb question, I just don't know how this works. Thanks in advance.

When 4 IBM Model M keyboards showed up during a cleanup at work (university) and I was asked if I wanted one, I of course said yes!

It's an IBM model M 1394540 from 1992 with the PS2 connector and the detachable cable. The keyboard and cable are in very good condition, even the manufacturing sticker on the back looks pretty good! All keycaps present, all keys work. It just needed "some" cleaning which ended in a 3h long process haha.

It will definitely be my daily driver for the next few weeks. I haven't decided yet if I will use it long term. I'm actually very happy with my modded Keychron Q6. Maybe I'll try some lube on the stabilizers and perhaps a little tape mod.

The best part was that I got to take a second Model M with me, which I will give to a good friend. This one is also in great condition.

It was an incredible day!

I wanted to share my experience with these switches since I wasn't seeing much about them, especially for the latest revision, the "New V2". There's some helpful videos on yt that explain what's up with the versions and the terrible naming. Short version is the V2 came out with dampening at the bottom of the switch, this was not well received, so then came the New V2 with that dampening removed.

I wound up test driving both the V2 and the New V2 and found them both to be very pleasing switches. In fact, I was pretty torn between the two and in the end I got a full set of both versions. Side by side the auditory difference isn't night and day. They're both on the bassy, or thick end of the spectrum, and even the non-dampened New V2 isn't a particularly distracting switch. I've seen it mentioned before that the V2 isn't really a silent switch, but it's pretty close to being one. I definitely found this to be the case, and it is why I went ahead and got a full set for a future office setup. They are definitely quiet enough to not raise much, if any attention and the feel is almost as good as the New V2.

The feel, or i guess more specifically the liquidy travel and lack of wobble is what won me over with both switches. I tried two other linear switches besides the North Poles, and the Gaterons were the most tight feeling by a wide margin. They pretty much killed the Gazzew Boba Gum and LT for me since the wobble on the Gazzews was crazy jiggly by comparison.

In the end the New V2 was the winner. The harder bottom out just felt a tad better and I found myself coming back to them the most. If you're thinking about the New V2 I can't recommend them enough. No scratchiness, virtually no wobble, and a thick sound that doesn't distract unless you're really banging away at them. If you're looking for a silent linear, the V2 is definitely worth a try. For me, they are on standby for this exact reason. I often hear the V2 bottom out described as "gummy." I feel like that's a bit of a stretch. If you were tapping a hard surface with a pen, and then slipped a piece of fabric on the striking surface, that's the feel of the dampening.

I overpaid for this... IBM Model M ashtray, for the lack of a better word. I looked at pictures of the internal assembly online, and I think there're missing springs? For example, I can't press the upper half of the enter key because there's just no spring there, not even blue placeholders. I can't exactly buy new springs from Unicomp as the shipping is so prohibitively expensive that I could buy a IBM Model M from someone else.

Hey folks. I was wanting to get a new set of keycaps for my work computer's keyboard, but I'm having a little trouble finding a set that seems like a good fit. I'm fishing for suggestions here.

I'm looking for a set with XDA profile and a darker color scheme (the base is black). Most XDA profile caps I've seen on AliExpress seem to be on the lighter side, and most darker caps aren't XDA profile.

And ideas?

Hi everyone. I currently use Zeal Zilent V2 67g switches and really enjoy them. I like how quiet they are and like that the bump/resistance is immediate.

I'm looking to try other switches still that are similar but don't know enough. Does anyone know of other switches that fit my criteria? How are the keychron Banana's? Are there any low profile switches like this? I absolutely do not like MX Brown's as well.

Build guide and files on Printables for those that are interested. Running KMK firmware.

Looking for some purchasing advice.

At the moment I use a Typematrix non-mechanical keyboard which is starting to wear out and become unresponsive. I was really happy with it apart from wishing it was mechanical. A mechanical clone of that, maybe a bit wider, is really my dream.

So what are my options? The mechanical ortholinear keyboards I've seen tend to be of the compact and minimalistic variety, but size isn't my priority I'm looking for something full-featured, preferably with some media keys and shortcut buttons. A number pad or some way to input numbers with a calculator-style layout is essential as my job involves numerical data entry.

Other "nice to have" things I'm more willing to compromise on:

• I type in Dvorak so blank keys or Dvorak labels would be preferable

• Hard-wired Dvorak switch is nice to have, the Typematrix has it, handy if I want to switch layouts in software to access special characters without worrying about finding a Dvorak-based layout.

• Ideally no assembly required

• I'm in the UK, I'll import if necessary but local availability is better. On that note the 105-key layout is preferred (but not that the Typematrix has that either)

Open to alternative suggestions that ignore any of the above.

I want to buy a Model M, and the New Model M comes with everything I'm looking for, such as:

• USB support out of the box
• Meta keys
• No hunt for the correct model

But the price is steep:

• $125.00 New Model M
• $24.00 2x Customization fee: RP2040 controller for New Model M outside of the USA^1^
• $101.56 Fedex International
• Subtotal: $250.56
• $50.11 Import sales tax 20 %
• $0 Customs fee (Goods code 8471606000 and 8473302000)
• Total: $300.67

Keyboardco appears to be a former(?) European supplier since they don't ship the New Model M to Europe, so the shipping costs are here to stay. I could probably get an IBM Model M for cheaper, albeit with more work and additional equipment for modding, but I dunno. What do you think?

^1^Unicomp is not allowed to ship the RP2040 controller built into the New Model M outside of the USA according to support.

UPDATE: I'm now the proud owner of an IBM Model M keyboard :)

Hey all

I've been searching for a portable keyboard that I can easily carry in my backpack as I switch between different working spaces. Since I primarily use MacOS, I'm looking for a keyboard with a MacOS layout. After some research, I've narrowed down my options to three models:

1. Nuphy Air60
2. Logitech K380
3. Keychron K7.

I'd appreciate your insights and recommendations on which one would be the best fit for my needs. Here are a few things I'm considering:

1. Portability: How easy is it to carry in a backpack? Is it lightweight and compact enough for on-the-go use?

2. Compatibility: I need it to work seamlessly with MacOS. Have you had any compatibility issues with these keyboards on a Mac?

3. Typing Experience: How comfortable and responsive is the typing experience? Is it suitable for extended periods of typing?

4. Build Quality: Does the keyboard feel durable and well-constructed? Any issues with keys or connectivity?

5. Battery Life: How long does the battery typically last on these keyboards?

6. Any Additional Features: Are there any standout features or drawbacks that I should be aware of?

If you've used any of these keyboards or have other recommendations in mind, please share your experiences and thoughts. Your input will be a big help in making my decision!

Thanks in advance for your assistance! 😊

JOIN NOW: https://www.jellykey.com/artisan-keycaps/8-bit-pipeline-battle

• Profile keycaps: 1u, 1.25u (ctrl, alt), 1.5u (tab), 1.75u (capslock), 2u (backspace), 2.25u (enter),2.25u (left-shift), 2.75u (right-shift), 6.25u (spacebar), 6.5u (spacebar), 7u (spacebar)
• Design colorway: 4
• Keycap profile: Cherry / OEM / SA / Droplet / Naked
• Combo Mysterious Planet Keycap Display Stand
• Price: $55 - $159
• Payment: Paypal

The deadline for participating in this group buy is 9th October 2023. Kindly note that there will be no re-runs of this group buy—free shipping for orders of 6 keycaps or more.

You’ll receive a sticker with every keycap, and if your order total exceeds $200, you’ll also receive a special “Universe Box” as a gift.

All pictures of colourways in this collection are viewed here.

Thank you for joining us.