"SFF" Keyboards

[BirdofPrey]

It's semi-useful, but it's also a giant infodump that's hard to parse.

What I'd really like to see is a chart that compares for instance, each of the tactile switches from each manufacturer, and each clicky switches from each manufacturer, etc. and maybe some commentary on things not gleaned from just the stats (eg. X manufacture's tactile switch have a larger tactile bump)

 

[iFreilicht]

Yeah that's going to be hard. There are and have been a lot of switches, so inclusive guides include way more than you could possibly buy, and easy guides only include the very basics. Cherry, Gateron, Kahli, Alps, Topre and maybe Zealios.

 

[BirdofPrey]

Well, as far as mass produced keyboards go, the majority of them use Cherry, Gateron and Kailh switches. Also, I was specifically talking about comparing cherry MX clones to the originals and each other, not Alps and Topre

I don't think it's necessary to have every keyswitch under the sun listed, just the ones that are sold most, which is going to be those three companies, and a half dozen colors (though I hear some of the companies made up their own colors)

 

[iFreilicht]

The point stands, though. I've never seen a good, comprehensive guide on that.

 

[BirdofPrey]

A shame, really. I've seen lots and LOTS of pictures of people dismantling switches, and putting weights on switches, but nobody ever seem to actually tabulate their data. It's a shame because some of us can't glean proper information out of a random ass imgur album.

 

[iFreilicht]

There's this list, but it doesn't really offer a lot of information and no clones.


This one looks quite nice, compares a lot of different types including clones. https://wiki.installgentoo.com/index.php/Mechanical_keyboards

But yeah, you need to wade through a lot of information to get what you want.

 

[Phuncz]

https://wooting.nl/

Fully analog input keyboard. I want it.

 

[iFreilicht]

Holy crap, that is amazing. I'd love if there was a way to get this technology just as a switch bottom, so you could mod existing switches to be analog.

 

[GuilleAcoustic]

For those interested in 40%: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/minivan-keyboard?mode=guest_open

Also available with Matias switches. Too bad funds are not there with my birthday in 2 weeks .

 

[iFreilicht]

Jup, saw that earlier today. I like the split space, that opens up quite a few options. Pretty nice that Evan even managed to include a keycap set for Alps mount.

Though to be honest, if you're going 40%, you might as well go for the Planck. At that size, a standard ANSI layout ceases to make a lot of sense.

 

[XeaLouS]

I changed from 104key master race to 60 key master race 2 days ago (through ahk bindings). I used a poker-style layout with capslock as fn. Holy crap it is so much more efficient than hunting arrow keys and home/end/pageup/pagedown (i'm a programmer).

just ordered an Anne Pro (cheap chinese pok3r replica with pbt and wifi ). As soon as i ordered it, massdrop released the infinity 60% ver3. Darn it...

Links:

http://www.banggood.com/APP-Control...oth-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard-p-1064055.html

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/infinity-keyboard-kit

 

[jtd871]

I hate when that happens, XeaLous. Either way, you get a fun new toy, though.

 

[XeaLouS]

Once thing I would say though is that capslock is the dumbest key ever invented, and needs to die in a fire.

In a lot of 60% layouts, people use caps lock as a function key.

 

[GuilleAcoustic]

In a lot of 60% layouts, people use caps lock as a function key.

I use mine as Control

 

[EdZ]

I use mine as Control

I USE MINE AS CRUISE CONTROL FOR COOL.

 

[iFreilicht]

I use mine as Control

YES THAT IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST CHOICE. CAPS LOCK IS STUPID. I DON'T NEED IT NOW ANYWAYS WITH A LOCKING SHIFT KEY!

 

[GuilleAcoustic]

YES THAT IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST CHOICE. CAPS LOCK IS STUPID. I DON'T NEED IT NOW ANYWAYS WITH A LOCKING SHIFT KEY!

I had a locking Caps lock key . Modded it to non-locking by removing the locking tab, less destructive than butchering the keycap (locking Alps have shorter stem).

Mod project log here: https://smallformfactor.net/forum/threads/apple-m0110-alps-skcc-lock-switch-mod.318/

 

[iFreilicht]

I had a locking Caps lock key . Modded it to non-locking by removing the locking tab, less destructive than butchering the keycap (locking Alps have shorter stem).

Mod project log here: https://smallformfactor.net/forum/threads/apple-m0110-alps-skcc-lock-switch-mod.318/

Ah right, I remember that! Locking CTRL does sound like a nightmare.
Mine is just on RShift/GameMode, which I never touch accidentially. I actually put the switch in so I can easily tell whether the Game Mode is on or not, because there are no LEDs inside the board that I could turn on or off.

 

[GuilleAcoustic]

Ah right, I remember that! Locking CTRL does sound like a nightmare.
Mine is just on RShift/GameMode, which I never touch accidentially. I actually put the switch in so I can easily tell whether the Game Mode is on or not, because there are no LEDs inside the board that I could turn on or off.

Layer locking sounds cool. I don't have much things on my Fn layer, classic arrows (WASD) and home cluster + media keys.

 

[iFreilicht]

Layer locking sounds cool. I don't have much things on my Fn layer, classic arrows (WASD) and home cluster + media keys.

Mine is pretty empty as well: Keyboard Layout.
The thing is that I'm using space as Fn if it's held, which absolutely kills any game where you need the spacebar.