Programmer Goes on Mission to Build a Better Keyboard

[Bill Bellamy]

And yet it's not wireless, which is the main problem I have with mechanical keyboards.

 

[InvalidError]

And yet it's not wireless, which is the main problem I have with mechanical keyboards.

Personally, I hate changing batteries so I'm still using a wired keyboard and mouse.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Lag too. Only reason I have wireless keyboards/mice is a) for HTPC use (built in trackpad; good enough for selecting stuff), and b) for systems (e.g. Raspberry Pi) with next to no USB ports, where it's also not going to there for long.

 

[Bill Bellamy]

Lag too. Only reason I have wireless keyboards/mice is a) for HTPC use (built in trackpad; good enough for selecting stuff), and b) for systems (e.g. Raspberry Pi) with next to no USB ports, where it's also not going to there for long.

I have 0 game lag with my logitech lx710 and it's quite, quite old by keyboard standards now. There's a substantial myth surrounding 'game lag' with wireless keyboards that's pretty unfounded, generally. I would imagine a bluetooth 2.4 ghz connection may be even more stable than the Logitech Unifying Receiver thing, which is why I might just give the morphling kb-87 a try: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Morphling-Backlit-Wire-Wirless-Mechanical-Keyboard-Red-Switch-Brand-New-in-BOX-Fast-Free-shipping/934354240.html

I figure that if it does skip occasionally wireless I can still connect it via the micro-usb and use it that way for intensive stuff. At least I have the option of being wired/wireless with this model and the backlight is a nice bonus. No real reviews about it floating around so I'll be taking a chance either way ;|. One good piece of news is it's based directly off the plum 86 hardware (just with leds and a backplate added, it would seem) and that keyboard has been pretty well received. In fact, I almost opted for a plum 86 instead but I figured an extra 20 for led's installed isn't a bad deal.

 

[RedJaron]

I have 0 game lag with my logitech lx710 and it's quite, quite old by keyboard standards now. There's a substantial myth surrounding 'game lag' with wireless keyboards that's pretty unfounded, generally. I would imagine a bluetooth 2.4 ghz connection may be even more stable than the Logitech Unifying Receiver thing, which is why I might just give the morphling kb-87 a try: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Morphling-Backlit-Wire-Wirless-Mechanical-Keyboard-Red-Switch-Brand-New-in-BOX-Fast-Free-shipping/934354240.html

I figure that if it does skip occasionally wireless I can still connect it via the micro-usb and use it that way for intensive stuff. At least I have the option of being wired/wireless with this model and the backlight is a nice bonus. No real reviews about it floating around so I'll be taking a chance either way ;|. One good piece of news is it's based directly off the plum 86 hardware (just with leds and a backplate added, it would seem) and that keyboard has been pretty well received. In fact, I almost opted for a plum 86 instead but I figured an extra 20 for led's installed isn't a bad deal.

If you run wireless you also run the risk of interference, though that varies by brand, model, and number of nearby users. I took my old Logitech wireless mouse to a LAN party years ago and had problems with it ( about five others had wireless devices right by me. ) I have zero problems with my current Logitech mouse at work, where I know a lot of people have wireless mice and keyboards around. However I got a wireless headset a few months ago and had horrible interference with it until I returned it for a wired one.

Conclusion: some wireless tech has been greatly improved in terms of lag and interference, some, not so much. And I can understand if some people still have reservations about it, unfounded or not.

 

[Tuishimi]

And yet it's not wireless, which is the main problem I have with mechanical keyboards.

Well, I think that is a legitimate complaint or "wish list" item for the keyboard. It's actually difficult for me because the way my workspace is set up, my computer is positioned up high, near our 9 ft. tall ceiling. I need a loooong cord to reach. But all my cords are tucked out of sight.

But yes, if a more-or-less lagless wireless solution was included, I'd bite on that as well.

[edit]

What I do is have a hub halfway between the computer and my peripherals that do not have long enough cords.

 

[Samihaddad]

c'mon, what a rip-off, I have mechanical blackwidow ultimate, with backlighting and the keys are featherweight and they click, this guy used the mx cherry "Clear" which is shit and is charging more than the blackwidow ultimate (120) omg what a rip off. -.-

 

[Aluminum Foil]

Honestly? I've never had any one at all complain about my IBM Model M, other than "Where can I get one?". ~ Then again, I don't compute around annoying anal-retentive douche-bags either (thankfully) so maybe my mechanical experience is unique.

 

[Tuishimi]

Well, I am willing to pay $$ for a keyboard I like. I just replaced my Pure keyboard with a Matias Mini Quiet Pro and I think it feels a LOT better than the Cherry keyed Pure. The Matias was $129. I also really liked my HHKB but that was too expensive to replace when it finally died.

I type all day long so my keyboard is rather important to me.

 

[Tuishimi]

" I've never had any one at all complain about my IBM Model M"

Nice keyboard! I loved my old Apple, then Matias Tactile Pro... love the sound and the feel. In my case my office is next to my bedroom and I tend to stay up later than my wife... the noise from the very loud Tactile Pro drove her crazy... I had to downsize anyway to the HHKB2 Pro because my workspace was so small... but when it died (probably more me constantly dripping coffee in it rather than me wearing it out) I picked up the Pure with clicky Cherry keys and it was too loud AND it really didn't feel very good to me. The Alps and the Topre switches just feel smoother and more natural to me.

When I actually worked in a cubicle I never tried bringing my Tactile Pro in, but the keyboard on the old Apple workstation was loud and no one really complained. The offices at work (again, I work from home mostly) actually pipe in white noise now to deaden noise from the open (and lower walled now) cubicles.