KEYBOARDS AND KEY SWITCHES (Filco and Cherry MX Blue) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2019, 11:12:15 pm
content: This is a review of a Filco keyboard (it’s hard to believe how many options there can be when selecting a keyboard.)If you type a lot or enjoy typing I think a keyboard can make a significant difference in how much you will enjoy typing, and how fast and accurately you can type.Filco Majestouch Convertible 2 Blue switch/US ASCII FKBC104MC/EB2This is a mechanical keyboard (vs. a membrane keyboard which generally costs less but might not provide as much typing feedback as a mechanical keyboard.)The Filco keyboard frame is rock solid stiff (when typing I don't notice any frame flex or frame movement on the desk) and the keys feel, operate, and sound great. I know, these are not very scientific terms, but try to suspend any disbelief and keep reading if you enjoy typing or wish you could enjoy typing more.The model I’m reviewing has “Cherry MX” Blue key switches. (There are several different “color” choices that provide different typing attributes. The colors themselves don't provide attributes, they are just identifiers, of course. More info on key switch color choices below.)https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=3901https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R49LIG0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1Kind of pricey for a keyboard but it’s deluxe. Could have saved a few $ by going with just the USB cabled version but I went for USB/Bluetooth (“convertible”) version.(Filco makes “Ninja” models with all blank key tops - with and without the ten key pad. On the Ninja models the symbols are small and face you on edge of all the keys. Not sure why you would want all blank key tops but I guess they figure if the key switches last for 50 million actuations the symbols might wear off before then. Or maybe it helps you learn to type faster if you can’t look at the symbols as you type. As for key wear, there is some discussion on the web about how long key symbols last; in any event, the keys and key switches are designed to be user-replaceable.)Filco also makes a conventional compact "TenKeyLess (TKL)" version with the symbols on the key tops.These keyboards with the Cherry MX key switches have an option to add damper rings that dampen the experience when the keys hit the very bottom of a key stroke – I have a hunch that might be nice. The blue keys travel 4mm but click/actuate at 2mm so if you are really good you just get the click; if you keep going you hit the bottom at 4mm. Hitting the bottom makes a very solid tactile feel; supposedly with the dampers you’d get a softer bottoming out tactile feel and a softer bottoming out sound. You can add the dampers later – they give you a key puller with the keyboard – and the dampers are inexpensive (less than $10 for ~125-150 dampers).Want some more options/decisions? Dampers come in at least two different materials, as do keys - but that's beyond the scope of this review. Setting aside damper and key materials, the switch type (denoted by it's color) seems to make fairly discernible differences.Many people (especially serious typists) prefer the blue key switches because of their tactile click feel plus their click sound but some people are concerned about the overall noise of the blue keys (especially if other people are in the same room or nearby, like in an office). When I got the keyboard I thought it was a bit noisy but I have figured out thatmost of the noise comes from bottoming out;only a lesser amount of the noise (a soft click sound) comes from the actuation at 2mm.So I guess the trick is to not bottom out. Bottoming out makes a pretty discernible (but I think very nice sounding and nice feeling) thud/thang when you hit the keys very firmly - and you can get a good bounce off the bottom that helps with your typing rhythm - but it’s probably better to just glance off the bottom or not hit the bottom if you can perfect the technique. It’s kind of a finger training challenge. But either way, click or click plus bottom out, this keyboard lets youFLYwhen typing. It has me wanting to find reasons to type. So here you are – some typingThis is may be more than you wanted to know about keyboards but if you think you would like some version of one of these keyboards or key switch types, below is some more info.The Brown might be good too, but I like the Blue so far. (The brown gives you a tactile bump instead of a tactile click, but I think you’d still get the loud bottoming out sound if you hit the bottom hard.)In my research, the blue and brown seemed to be two of the top four choices, along with red and black - and there are still more colors (each with different combinations of attributes) to consider. Each use case and user preference leads to different combinations. I suspect there is something here for coders, gamers, etc.Key specs and attributes by color type:https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_list&c=107Overall, I'mreallyenjoying the keyboard. The only thing I might like to add would be the option to turn on (and off) key back lighting. There are lots of keyboards on the market with back lighting including some that offer RGB control. And I think there might be some that offer RGB based on Cherry MX switches. For me the priorities are the stiff frame, the tactile feel, and the sound - so back lighting wasn't a firm requirement but it might be something to consider.Until keyboards disappear they are a pretty important human-machine interface - and it's nice to have a very usable/productive, friendly, and highly enjoyable interface.The following articles provide additional info on some of the designs and choices.https://www.pcgamer.com/best-mechanical-switches-for-gaming/http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/mechanical-keyboard-guidehttps://mechanicalkeyboards.com/terms.php?t=Travel%20DistanceDamper Rings:https://www.howtogeek.com/293659/how-to-quiet-your-mechanical-keyboard-with-switch-dampeners/How to Hack a Filco Keyboard for use with a Mac:(probably won’t need the paper clip key pullers if your new Filco comes with a key puller tool)https://www.cultofmac.com/271485/hacking-filcos-tenkeyless-majestouch-2-work-mac-review/Pros and Cons of Mechanical vs. Membrane Keyboards (preferences vary, YMMV):https://www.prohavit.com/blog/membrane-keyboard-vs-mechanical-keyboard/Cherry MX:https://www.cherrymx.de/enPS, this thread is intended to be primarily about KEYBOARDS AND KEY SWITCHES - so feel free to post regardless of the manufacturer or model of keyboard or key switch

author: xavier60
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2019, 09:23:20 am
content: The Aula brand has inexpensive mechanical keyboards. The model I have has clone MX blues which feel ok and have the option of white keycaps for those who realize that black keycaps suck.I wish that they hadn't made a botch of the keycap font just for the sake of being different.https://alexnld.com/product/aula-f2012-contractor-series-87-keys-usb-wired-mechanical-gaming-keyboard-with-blue-switch-white/