Search found 79 matches

by joebeazelman
24 Sep 2023, 20:01
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Finally a proper case for the Vortex ViBE
Replies: 41
Views: 83703

Re: Finally a proper case for the Vortex ViBE

Love the build! The keycap profile is an excellent choice. I've thought about a similar build for mine, but I didn't realize, the arrangement and dimensions of the keycaps would warrant the removal of the divider strip. Unfortunately, the resulting gap compromises the aesthetic qualities of the keyb...
by joebeazelman
06 Sep 2023, 08:11
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Cool AirPods Pro keyboard feature
Replies: 2
Views: 4026

Cool AirPods Pro keyboard feature

I discovered a cool feature of the AirPods Pro. When set to transparency mode, they add a nice punch to the typing experience by amplifying the clicks and thoccs of the keyboard. It also has the benefit of not disturbing those who are mechanically unrefined unless your on a call while wearing them.
by joebeazelman
19 Mar 2023, 06:15
Forum: Mice & other input devices
Topic: Matias makes a mouse
Replies: 44
Views: 92426

Re: Matias makes a mouse

HIDeous mouse! It looks like a fat lab rat rescued from a trap, but still partially flattened. Matias is no Matisse to say the least.
by joebeazelman
09 Feb 2023, 17:08
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Is it difficult to convert an Apple Keyboard to Cherry MX?
Replies: 4
Views: 1843

Is it difficult to convert an Apple Keyboard to Cherry MX?

I've been drooling over the wide variety of options available for MX switches, especially keycaps. While I have little experience with Cherry, I'd like to build an MX-based keyboard on a budget just to see what's out there. It's incredibly easy to find all the parts I need, except for a good roomy c...
by joebeazelman
15 Dec 2022, 17:19
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Does anyone else feel the lack of a fullsize option ruins the Model F repro?
Replies: 63
Views: 17151

Re: Does anyone else feel the lack of a fullsize option ruins the Model F repro?

I took a look at the photos of the new Beamspring keyboard. For $500, you're better off wearing your best camouflage and wait patiently behind a bush to ambush a real one. It's USB HID-ious and hideous. The exposed gizzards and guts combined with the ill fitting keycaps on top of cheesy plastic plun...
by joebeazelman
15 Dec 2022, 09:29
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Does anyone else feel the lack of a fullsize option ruins the Model F repro?
Replies: 63
Views: 17151

Re: Does anyone else feel the lack of a fullsize option ruins the Model F repro?

Mechanical keyboard manufacturers just don't get it. Model F Labs, Unicomp, and Matias fall short of creating what keyboard enthusiasts really want. Even worse, the gold standard setters, Alps, IBM, and Apple haven't given a rat's ass about keyboards for decades now. You'd think they would jump back...
by joebeazelman
07 Dec 2022, 19:17
Forum: Group buys
Topic: [GB] Tai-Hao White on Black and Vintage Alps
Replies: 40
Views: 76710

Re: [GB] Tai-Hao White on Black and Vintage Alps

I would love it if Akko made some of their better looking ASA keycaps available for Alps SCKM/SKCLs. Their Chocolate ASA set https://en.akkogear.com/product/chocola ... et-178-key would look smoking on a beige keyboard.
by joebeazelman
23 Nov 2022, 07:50
Forum: Gallery
Topic: 2019 Mega Post - Keyboard Loot, Lore, and Escapades
Replies: 3
Views: 5597

Re: 2019 Mega Post - Keyboard Loot, Lore, and Escapades

The Kanji board has enough switches to build at least 4 to 5 keyboards.
by joebeazelman
05 Sep 2022, 00:44
Forum: Mice & other input devices
Topic: The foot switch thread
Replies: 14
Views: 22194

Re: The foot switch thread

I have an Austrian-made transcription foot switch I bought from a thrift store for $5. The pedal switches have a nice click to it. It also has a 6-pin DIN connector, but I have no idea what the pinouts are. It might make for a fun electronics project in the future, perhaps a user programmable USB HI...
by joebeazelman
24 Aug 2022, 01:34
Forum: Gallery
Topic: Damonskv's collection
Replies: 64
Views: 49998

Re: Damonskv's collection

I'm gonna need some counseling after watching all that XXX hardcore keyboard porn! Dayum!
by joebeazelman
29 Jun 2022, 03:46
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Blue Alps way are overrated.
Replies: 18
Views: 2956

Re: Blue Alps way are overrated.

Having spent nearly a thousand dollars on an IBM PCjr with an RGB Monitor when I was younger, I congratulated myself for choosing it over an 8-bit Apple product. Apple's products stunning looks and cachet were certainly enviable, but its graphics, sound, and performance, where it really matter, were...
by joebeazelman
22 Jun 2022, 05:21
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Blue Alps way are overrated.
Replies: 18
Views: 2956

Re: Blue Alps way are overrated.

I wonder if the keyboard chassis is a factor. I know blue alps in my switch tester don’t sound that great, but in my Omnikey 102 they’re amazing. I also think if your first love was tactile alps clicky might not be as appealing. My first keyboards were white alps and clones so I was accustomed to c...
by joebeazelman
22 Jun 2022, 05:04
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Blue Alps way are overrated.
Replies: 18
Views: 2956

Re: Blue Alps way are overrated.

SKBM Black better than SKCM Blue? You're crazy ;) I have a black Dell Bigfoot and I love that keyboard to the point where the laser legends are mostly gone and it no longer clicks like it once did. Perhaps it's not the SKBM, but it's the bamboo variety without the slits. It's different from the Nex...
by joebeazelman
21 Jun 2022, 22:35
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Blue Alps way are overrated.
Replies: 18
Views: 2956

Blue Alps way are overrated.

I own a full keyboard of almost every Alps SKCM switches, simplified ones, several clones, and compatibles such as the Alps.tw and Monterey blues. Surprisingly, I have never tried Blue Alps switches until recently. A week ago, I stumbled upon a portable PC with an intriguing keyboard in excellent co...
by joebeazelman
31 May 2022, 23:11
Forum: Reviews
Topic: Epomaker Skyloong SK61S - Gateron Optical Blue Clicky
Replies: 6
Views: 8102

Re: Epomaker Skyloong SK61S - Gateron Optical Blue Clicky

I also purchased a super cheap mechanical keyboard from either Amazon or eBay, I can't remember. It had blue switches with a full layout and cost me around $20. I'm not sure of the brand, but its identical to the Ajazz Chyrosan did a review on. I absolutely love clicky keyboards and never thought I ...
by joebeazelman
23 May 2022, 01:20
Forum: Reviews
Topic: i-Rocks keyboard update video (i-Rocks "v2" Clicky)
Replies: 11
Views: 7079

Re: i-Rocks keyboard update video (i-Rocks "v2" Clicky)

Awesome video! I am very excited about the progress switch manufacturers are making. They seem to be slowly getting it. While these newfangled Alpoids are perhaps at best as good as Alps clones or Alps simplified, it's still a strong shift in the right direction. In lieu of something as good or bett...
by joebeazelman
10 Mar 2022, 05:03
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Trying to get XT/AT switchable Sejin EAT-1010 to work
Replies: 9
Views: 1995

Re: Trying to get XT/AT switchable Sejin EAT-1010 to work

It looks like the keyboard isn't working properly based on what you described. The only think I can recommend is to perform some basic inspections. If you have a multimeter, set it to continuity or resistance and test each pin from the plug to the wire connector at the keyboard. Second, visually ins...
by joebeazelman
20 Feb 2022, 18:20
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Thoughts on SMK 2nd gen switches?
Replies: 43
Views: 5406

Re: Thoughts on SMK 2nd gen switches?

Interesting. Chryosan's video agrees with my impression of the SMK 2nd Gen Monterey blues. I find them to be the as light or lighter than the SKCM orange, but they're definitely more tactile. They're a joy to type on and definitely on my rack of keyboards I rotate through.
by joebeazelman
12 Feb 2022, 22:28
Forum: News
Topic: Omron Funds Neurological Research on Keyboard Switches
Replies: 12
Views: 7858

Re: Omron Funds Neurological Research on Keyboard Switches

No. Bring back a proper Alps SKCM clone. LOL!
by joebeazelman
12 Feb 2022, 07:44
Forum: News
Topic: Omron Funds Neurological Research on Keyboard Switches
Replies: 12
Views: 7858

Omron Funds Neurological Research on Keyboard Switches

I stumbled upon an interesting research funded by Omron on the mechanical parameters of keyboard switches and how they influence the user's neurological states such as attention and reaction time. The objective is to develop and evaluate methods for gathering scientific data in order effectively to ...
by joebeazelman
11 Feb 2022, 05:52
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Coolest keyboard find of 2021?
Replies: 22
Views: 9490

Re: Coolest keyboard find of 2021?

Easily the best keyboard of 2021, the Alps made atrocity. greatkeyboard.png skfl.png Alps 12KFI36E TW-9994V-0 Really! I have a board full of them. They were also used in the Ataris. I will agree, they are smooth as butter on a corn cobb. Personally, they are better than the Brown SKCMs and I eschew...
by joebeazelman
11 Feb 2022, 05:49
Forum: Mice & other input devices
Topic: Mechanical Mice equivalent?
Replies: 17
Views: 41528

Re: Mechanical Mice equivalent?

While I normally use the term ball mice, I used the term interchangeably with roller because several posts here seem to use it to refer to ball mice. They were also commonly called mechanical mice because they use rotary encoders attached to rollers for sensing the ball's positioning, instead of an ...
by joebeazelman
10 Feb 2022, 15:56
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Best Clicky Switches You've Tried
Replies: 87
Views: 37092

Re: Best Clicky Switches You've Tried

Those switches you can see in the picture are Honeywell Hall effect switches. The vast majority of those are linear though, not tactile. I remember it feeling and sounding like an electric typewriter as you typed, but way more pleasant. It was as if the switches were motorized or had an electromagn...
by joebeazelman
10 Feb 2022, 07:03
Forum: Keyboards
Topic: Best Clicky Switches You've Tried
Replies: 87
Views: 37092

Re: Best Clicky Switches You've Tried

I forgot to mention one keyboard that probably rules them all in tactility and was truly an orgasmic typing experience and would be my absolute favourite if they could be dug out of the landfills. 0B64398A-9C26-4BFD-8543-93A1BA261263.jpeg I had the fortune of typing on one when I was in high school....
by joebeazelman
10 Feb 2022, 06:01
Forum: Gallery
Topic: 1971 Clare Pendar Keyboard - Magnetic Reed S820 switches
Replies: 8
Views: 4173

Re: 1971 Clare Pendar Keyboard - Magnetic Reed S820 switches

Come on, you can't post porn without telling us what it feels like. Mushy, tactile, linear?
by joebeazelman
10 Feb 2022, 05:49
Forum: Mice & other input devices
Topic: Mechanical Mice equivalent?
Replies: 17
Views: 41528

Re: Mechanical Mice equivalent?

I have a few old Microsoft roller mice with two buttons and scroll wheel along with a few Macintosh single-button ones. The metal ball gives them a nice heft making them feel more substantial compared to the optical ones. They're actually enjoyable to use until they become constipated with mouse dro...
by joebeazelman
04 Feb 2022, 19:50
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Another viable ALPS keycap choice?
Replies: 15
Views: 7454

Re: Another viable ALPS keycap choice?

I agree stabilizers could be a problem, but how much of a problem is going to be dependent on which KB you have. I think the bigger problem that the bottom row isn't very standardized on Alps keyboards and that the 2.25u (or whatever it is in that set) Enter key rarely also comes with a 2u (or what...
by joebeazelman
31 Jan 2022, 18:14
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Another viable ALPS keycap choice?
Replies: 15
Views: 7454

Re: Another viable ALPS keycap choice?

I'm not sure what the issue is with the stabs, but if it's the actual wire, it should be straightforward to bend one into shape. I have special jewelers pliers designed for this purpose. You can also make a bending fixture using a block of wood and a few nails in various diameters for the bending po...
by joebeazelman
31 Jan 2022, 09:35
Forum: Workshop
Topic: Another viable ALPS keycap choice?
Replies: 15
Views: 7454

Another viable ALPS keycap choice?

As Alps aficionados know, Cherry MX crowd has some enviable customization options. While quite a bit of it is just garish gimmickry, there is no denying the countless array of keycap choices available in all colors, materials, and profiles to fit every budget. Replacing a stock set of Alps keycaps r...

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