deskthority

I'm a programmer, but I work with numbers and have to do quick calculations and the keypad makes that easy. But I don't want a built in keypad in my way!

Any thoughts on these models or any I'm missing? I need USB to work with my laptop, Wireless would be awesome, but can't seem to find any that are mechanical that I can get in the US.

If money was no object I'd probably go for the Realforce, at least then I could try out Topre! I like the simple look of the Filco, but I think I prefer the actual layout of the Adesso (has no 00 key, although it is ugly and I don't appreciate the space below the top row). The TekGadget looks like it has too much going on, not sure I'd use most of the keys on there.

• Filco TenKeyPad
• Adesso AKP-220
• TekGadget KP-701
• Realforce 23U

Fuck the Realforce ones... imo. The price is a total joke on those. Like $200 for a tenkey... no thanks.

I like this one:
http://keyboardporn.com/mx-switch/g80-3700-lqaus/

Mainly like it because its fully programmable in hardware and offers four different modes and also a separate state for numlock. However, since you need USB you would have to settle for the ML switch variant G84-3700, which only leaves you with 4 programmable keys. I also have this Goldtouch numpad from Half-Saint, which is a really nice keypad too.

I was going to suggest the Cherry G84-4700, but it's ML keys and almost the same price as the G84-4100 compact keyboard http://www.cherry.de/english/products/k ... 4-4700.htm

Logitech and Microsoft both do wireless keypads, but of course they won't be mechanical switches:
http://www.logitech.com/en-gb/keyboards ... vices/6355
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouse ... px?pid=119

and there are also all the cheap brands like this:
http://www.targus.com/Uk/product_detail ... ku=AKP11EU
http://us.kensington.com/html/3995.html
http://www.trust.com/products/group.asp ... CCESSORIES
http://www.belkin.com/uk/IWCatProductPa ... _Id=245542

IanM wrote:I was going to suggest the Cherry G84-4700, but it's ML keys and almost the same price as the G84-4100 compact keyboard http://www.cherry.de/english/products/k ... 4-4700.htm

Used ones here usually go for $10 or less

the worse shocker is that the G84-4100 typically sells for £50 in the UK (not too bad I think compared with £120+ for the typical MX switch keyboards) but a couple stores have the G84-4700 on sale for £70+. Stupid, and eBay UK is really hit & miss for Cherry products unfortunately.

I'm so glad the Internet has made it trivial to compare worldwide prices and just import.

sixty wrote:Fuck the Realforce ones... imo. The price is a total joke on those. Like $200 for a tenkey... no thanks...

$129 at EliteKeyboards... but yeah that is still way expensive.

IanM wrote:I was going to suggest the Cherry G84-4700, but it's ML keys and almost the same price as the G84-4100 compact keyboard

How are the ML switches? Also since it's low profile it doesn't really match my existing keyboards... but that is a minor concern

I just ordered one of these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... AQ:US:1123

Note, it is available directly from them for 16.20$.
http://www.camera2000.com/en/mechanical ... -keys.html

Also note the 18 and 20 key versions on their site.


white alps, no idea of build quality yet, but at 16$...i figured it would be worth it.

pineapplopolis wrote:How are the ML switches? Also since it's low profile it doesn't really match my existing keyboards... but that is a minor concern

I can't speak from personal experience, but as I understand it they are sort of like a short travel MX brown, but don't feel close enough to truly satisfy MX users. You could look at these reviews to get some sense of them:

http://www.mrinterface.com/reviews/Keyb ... 20G84-4100
http://www.mrinterface.com/reviews/Keyb ... 20G84-4400

I'm an official Cherry ML hater.

My personal beef with the ml switches is that they tend to stick if you dont hit them exactly center on the keys, and thats a problem for me^^.

Exactly.

Do what I did. Dump Cherry Blues in a Kinesis keypad, add doubleshots, document results, put it back in the box, and then fully learn the number row. WATCH the numlock behavior. Some keypads require it to be on - resulting in hilarious results on keyboards like the Realforce 87U with embedded keypads.

http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:7486

I'm tempted to purchase the Adesso from Amazon just so I can try to return it for not living up to it's "Product Features":

Product Features

• Take the role of hero infected with a virus that gives him superhuman powers
• Seek revenge against those who stole your past, uncover a 40-year-old conspiracy.
• Speed through a desolate N.Y.C. setting with genetically enhanced leaps and bounds
• Alter your form at will -- create bulletproof shields and weapon appendages
• Shape-shift into enemy forms for missions of infiltration and sabotage

Unfortunately I don't think this keypad is a bulletproof shape-shifting weapon seeking revenge.

Ascaii wrote:My personal beef with the ml switches is that they tend to stick if you dont hit them exactly center on the keys, and thats a problem for me^^.

Thats why you need this. Impossible to not hit the keys in the center this way

Ascaii wrote:...ml switches... tend to stick if you dont hit them exactly center on the keys...

I
didn't know that, it's pretty shabby. Key sticking shouldn't happen on a $20 basic keyboard, so very disappointing that the 'budget' mechanical switch would be that way. I occasionally look on eBay for a cheap G84-4100 to try, not sure I can be bothered now.

sixty wrote:

Ascaii wrote:My personal beef with the ml switches is that they tend to stick if you dont hit them exactly center on the keys, and thats a problem for me^^.

Thats why you need this. Impossible to not hit the keys in the center this way

i was strongly considering getting one of those tandbergs, the build quality looked incredible on your pictures, and yes, those round keys are nice...but ill stick with blacks over ml any day

which cherry switch would you recommend for keypads? my guess is that harder switches like blacks or clears might be the right choice, even if you usually type with browns/blues?

pineapplopolis wrote:I'm tempted to purchase the Adesso from Amazon just so I can try to return it for not living up to it's "Product Features":

Product Features

• Take the role of hero infected with a virus that gives him superhuman powers
• Seek revenge against those who stole your past, uncover a 40-year-old conspiracy.
• Speed through a desolate N.Y.C. setting with genetically enhanced leaps and bounds
• Alter your form at will -- create bulletproof shields and weapon appendages
• Shape-shift into enemy forms for missions of infiltration and sabotage

Unfortunately I don't think this keypad is a bulletproof shape-shifting weapon seeking revenge.

Decided to check out the Amazon listing for that Adesso and now it claims:

Product Features

• Produces more than 200 green and red laser beams that can be projected on a ceiling, wall or dance floor
• Compact case design
• 2 operational modes - Auto Mode (built-in programs), or Sound Active Mode
• Built-in programs can be changed with a push of a button on the unit or from the RF wireless remote
• Includes dual hanging bracket

Now THAT sounds like a nice little numeric pad! (Especially the laser beams! )

I have a Kinesis, which has MX browns, and it's fine for me (I'm not gonna mod it).

Ascaii wrote:My personal beef with the ml switches is that they tend to stick if you dont hit them exactly center on the keys, and thats a problem for me^^.

Yeah, before I switched from ML to MX Browns/Blues I hadn't noticed it. But after that they have given me the creeps....

Sorry for the kick, but I'm also looking for a separate numpad for my laptop, and noticed the G84-4700 Cherry numpad is quite a bit cheaper in the ps2 version. Can I just buy an adapter and make the thing work like that, or does that not work?

you might want to see this
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Cherry-G844700PU ... 0618323744

mintberryminuscrunch wrote:you might want to see this
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Cherry-G844700PU ... 0618323744

and of course this:
http://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1386
pascoa341, which national layout (language) do you want? Which colour? Maybe I could help.

pascoa341 wrote:Sorry for the kick, but I'm also looking for a separate numpad for my laptop, and noticed the G84-4700 Cherry numpad is quite a bit cheaper in the ps2 version. Can I just buy an adapter and make the thing work like that, or does that not work?

Note that the PS/2 version provides a port for a "normal" keyboard in order to register its keystrokes while the USB version does not have such a port und must be programmed via software.

Changed it into England as that's where I am based, although I use a US/international keyboard most of the time. Colour is not the most important, but Black would be slightly preferable.

mintberryminuscrunch wrote:you might want to see this
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Cherry-G844700PU ... 0618323744

Just asked the seller whether it is the PS/2 or USB version, and which colour it is. And whether he would ship to England

I'll report when I get an answer.

LOL, I wonder what you'll find, thanks for the efforts!

I have the RF 27UB. It's a fantastic numpad. Expensive, sure, but it looked nice with a HHKB.

kbdfr wrote:

mintberryminuscrunch wrote:you might want to see this
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Cherry-G844700PU ... 0618323744

Just asked the seller whether it is the PS/2 or USB version, and which colour it is. And whether he would ship to England

I'll report when I get an answer.

- USB
- black
- shipping to England 9,90 Euro.

Good luck, but remember there will surely be quite a few bids in the last seconds of the auction.