First day with a mechanical TKL

[Madhias]

Hey everybody,

So my first day at work with my new Filco TKL is over. Of course i took my keyboard with me, and typing at home with it right now. I just wanted to share my experience but also the next weeks, how i make progress and change my way of typing.

First of all i'm really missing the numeric pad - especially at work. Now i realize how much i type in numbers a day. Also instead of the big/main RETURN key i used a lot the RETURN key on the numpad, but probably because it's beside the mouse. Now i press somehow all the time the CURSOR RIGHT key.
So i will try to work without numeric pad for about a month or longer, learn, and if i really miss it that much, i'm gonna buy an extra numeric keypad. I've already ordered at Round 5 the HONEY/NUMPAD =]

The next thing is the feel of typing. I have bought the MX blue switches. I always used at work and at home an Apple Keyboard (the Aluminium one, A1243), on Mac OS and on Windows - even on Windows long time before i also used Mac OS. But compared to the Apple keyboard i love typing on this mechanical device. Even after one day.

The sound of the blue switches is quite loud in our office, because there are all people in one big room without walls. Most of the colleagues use DELL keyboards, and the Apple Aluminium keyboards. In the morning it's really quiet, but i'm loud now. It's no problem, because i'm responsible for the IT stuff, so i'm free to do so. But at home my wife told me not to use this keyboard...
Is it normal that some keys like the TAB and RETURN key make a sound like "Ziiiing" or the spring has like a reverb sound effect? On the TAB key it's like 2 seconds. I like it.

What i didn't expect is the pressure to use for this blue MX switches. It's easy for me and i expected that it would be harder, but it is absolutely no reason for a replacement. Maybe i'll try the green MX switches for a second device - i have already ordered a second set at Round 5 =]

What i do not like that much (but critics on a really high level) is the fact, that the key caps are floating or are a little bit loose/wobbeling.
Is this keycap wobbeling because of the keycaps, because of the MX system, or because of Filco?

So sorry for this long post, but somewhere i have to write something! Have-to-type-can't-stop...

[matt3o]

hey madhias. great keyboard to start your mechanical adventure, and great switch choice of course.

the reverb on some keys is something that I also noticed on the majestouch. I don't know exactly where it comes from, maybe from the plate, but I also have a minila that doesn't suffer of the same effect, so it must specific of that keyboard configuration.

regarding the wobbling I think you refer to the switch stem. The keycap is very tight on the switch, so that can't wobble. But the switch stem moves slightly. Unless you have a faulty unit, that must be it. Consider that filco keycaps are (unfortunately) pretty low quality and with the right keycaps both the sound and the feel of your keyboard will drastically change! And Round 5 will be definitely a nice suit for the majestouch

[Muirium]

Definitely report back once you have your Round 5s. They'll work a treat.

I did the same journey: going mechanical from a flat Apple keyboard. Scissor switches are fine for a laptop, where space matters above all else, but they're a nothing great on a desktop. Every good mechanical switch is a step up from them. MX blue's a good one. And if you ever want to get clicker and louder, try an IBM Model M! They work fine on Macs with the right converter.

You're more likely to want a quieter keyboard in the future, though. In which case I suggest Topre if you want to go straight to the top, or MX red. I got my first keyboard with reds recently and I really like that light linear switch. And this is from a guy who built a keyboard with MX greens!

[Candyflip]

I just bought a FIlco TKL with blues too, except for the caps this board is perfect for me

[Madhias]

@matt3o: The wobbeling - if i can call it like that - is i think no problem of this Filco keyboard itself, since it's on every key, it's just something i have to become accustomed to. You're right, the keycaps will change the "light-wobbel" feel i have right now, which is for sure because of these standard light Filco keycaps.

I'm definitely looking forward to the Round 5 keycaps, for now i've ordered two and a half sets to get out of it + some spare material. Maybe i add something more.

@Muirium: Since i've ordered for now more than i would need now at Round 5, i'm getting a second keyboard, maybe with another switch type and form factor (60% or full). Now is day 3, and i'm already assimilated to the blue sound and feel, so it's getting quite normal. Even the colleagues at work doesn't wonder or are upset anymore (maybe they just say nothing).

[Muirium]

Coworkers have nothing to complain about. Typing is the sound of productivity!

Here are some recordings I made of MX green (sounds the same as blue), red (linear) and IBM buckling spring. Same microphone and environment, so they're pretty accurate at showing how the keyboards sound.

Custom Shiny 60% with MX greens:

Ducky Shine 3 with MX reds:

IBM Model M SSK buckling springs:

A lot of keyboard sound is the clack from the caps. Switches make a difference, but all mechanicals are quite loud really!

[Madhias]

Many thanks for your effort linking your videos here! It's a nice overview, many videos are much too loud i think. I'v tried before my Filco order the Brown's and Red's at a store, but it was quite short and not calmly tested. I do like the feel of the click and the sound, but my coworker said yesterday (view hours after my post) that it is disturbing. I'll give her a view days, maybe then she gets accustomed to the click-clack.

[Muirium]

The videos are from my MX red Ducky review, so were an easy link:
http://deskthority.net/news-reviews-f4/ ... t7130.html

Blues and greens make a higher pitched noise than other mechanicals. Perhaps that's the bit she's hearing. Give it some time and see if anyone's still bothered. And don't try an IBM buckling spring unless you really want to get attention!

[Madhias]

Yesterday i put some o-rings on the Filco keycaps, to see and feel the difference; and also made some customizations. Just small steps, but trying everything out =] Today i'm working with these keycap condoms, let's see.

I bought weeks ago at christmas for myself in an online-buy-rage some WASD keycaps - back then i haven't heard of Round 5. The weight and thickness of the plastic itself is almost the same like the Filco ones, but the printing quality is that bad, that i didn't put (almost) any of these caps on my board (i bought one complete set). It's like a massive black blur around the letters and the surface has a weird structure. I made some pictures (of course everyone here knows about this WASD quality, nevermind):

[Jmneuv]

That brush looks like a MX murderer. Don't or only use it simultaneously with a vaccumer.

[Madhias]

I really like that brush. It's antistatic. I don't use a vacuumer, but air pressure when cleaning PC stuff.

[EDIT] And hey, it was a christmas present

[fifkikker]

I bought weeks ago at christmas for myself in an online-buy-rage some WASD keycaps - back then i haven't heard of Round 5. The weight and thickness of the plastic itself is almost the same like the Filco ones, but the printing quality is that bad, that i didn't put (almost) any of these caps on my board (i bought one complete set). It's like a massive black blur around the letters and the surface has a weird structure. I made some pictures (of course everyone here knows about this WASD quality, nevermind):

Useful info for me, so thanks for sharing. I also started recently with a Filco TKL. I love it.

[Jmneuv]

I got to insist on the proper hygiene: blowing air on MX switches will get dust inside them and make them horribly scratchy.

[kfmfe04]

Doubleshots will definitely help the keys feel stable.

PBT keycaps will make them feel even more so.

For example, http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/ind ... etail&p=98

I second that comment about quieter Topres - my hhkb is much quieter than my Filco TKL (MXReds) - I swap between PBT and doubleshots on that board.