My AZIO Retro keyboard.
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whm1974
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: SolidTek ASK-6600C
- Main mouse: Logitech
- Favorite switch: unknown
- DT Pro Member: -
OK I've been playing with this since noon. It feels great like a solid keyboard and very comfortable to type on. I did the nickle test and it comes out at 10 nickles, so around ~50 grams? So far so I like it much better then my 4 year old SolidTek 6600C I was using. I'll post more as I use it. Here are some pics, enjoy:
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whm1974
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: SolidTek ASK-6600C
- Main mouse: Logitech
- Favorite switch: unknown
- DT Pro Member: -
OK I been using this for a day now and here are some things I noticed:
The keycaps are easy to remove without a key puller. I'm not sure is this good or bad.
The key presses are lighter and more comfortable then the SolidTek 6600C I was using. This alone is worth buying this.
They are also easy to spam as well. The box says blue switches.
The height of the keyboard laying flat is higher then normal. This I like due to forcing me to keep my wrist raised. I'll need to get a wrist rest later.
Noisier then my previous keyboard. But it doesn't bother me, even with my hearing aids on.
Overall: So far I really like this keyboard. however it is a very different experience. Some folks may like it while others might not.
The keycaps are easy to remove without a key puller. I'm not sure is this good or bad.
The key presses are lighter and more comfortable then the SolidTek 6600C I was using. This alone is worth buying this.
They are also easy to spam as well. The box says blue switches.
The height of the keyboard laying flat is higher then normal. This I like due to forcing me to keep my wrist raised. I'll need to get a wrist rest later.
Noisier then my previous keyboard. But it doesn't bother me, even with my hearing aids on.
Overall: So far I really like this keyboard. however it is a very different experience. Some folks may like it while others might not.
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Daniel Beardsmore
- Location: Hertfordshire, England
- Main keyboard: Filco Majestouch 1 (home)/Poker II backlit (work)
- Main mouse: MS IMO 1.1
- Favorite switch: Probably not whatever I wrote here
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
The funny thing is, typewriters are the original sub-60% keyboards, yet this keyboard is full-size. A few years back I would be glad to see continued investment in full-size, but I would never go with another full-size keyboard again. (My home keyboard is indeed full-size, but TKL is the furthest I'd go in replacing it as the mouse is just so far away — 75% would be preferable, possibly uniform profile to allow keycap swapping as I don't care for most 75% key assignments and having the wrong keycaps would hinder my addled brain in trying to remember where the wretched keys are.)
Whether I'd actually go with that AZiO is another matter — it does look very nice, and being a production product they've improved the aesthetics over the limitations of ad-hoc work (as in, seeing the original switches under the keycaps) but it's a bit too blingy for me.
I'm curious who the OEM is. Some of their keyboards are/were made by Tai-Hao.
Whether I'd actually go with that AZiO is another matter — it does look very nice, and being a production product they've improved the aesthetics over the limitations of ad-hoc work (as in, seeing the original switches under the keycaps) but it's a bit too blingy for me.
I'm curious who the OEM is. Some of their keyboards are/were made by Tai-Hao.
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whm1974
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: SolidTek ASK-6600C
- Main mouse: Logitech
- Favorite switch: unknown
- DT Pro Member: -
To bad something like this wasn't around back when I built my current rig almost four years ago. For what the SolidTek 6600C sells for now($90) there are much better keyboards for that price.
I was thinking of getting a TKL but but they don't make this in TKL(yet?).
I was thinking of getting a TKL but but they don't make this in TKL(yet?).
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zslane
- Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
- Main keyboard: RealForce RGB
- Main mouse: Basic Microsoft USB mouse
- Favorite switch: Topre
- DT Pro Member: -
If it's the keycaps and switches that you really like, you can always put those keycaps on any 60% or TKL board with MX blues.
I did that with Datamancer's Penhurst keycaps and a Vortex Pok3r:
I did that with Datamancer's Penhurst keycaps and a Vortex Pok3r:
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zslane
- Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
- Main keyboard: RealForce RGB
- Main mouse: Basic Microsoft USB mouse
- Favorite switch: Topre
- DT Pro Member: -
Normally I can't live without a full-size board, but for my iPad only a 60% board is suitable (or necessary). My Penhurst Pok3r is strictly an iPad-only input device.
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Daniel Beardsmore
- Location: Hertfordshire, England
- Main keyboard: Filco Majestouch 1 (home)/Poker II backlit (work)
- Main mouse: MS IMO 1.1
- Favorite switch: Probably not whatever I wrote here
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
The AZiO is an interesting blend of old and new that I like — modern minimalistic aesthetics applied to old designs. Also, that Datamancer/Pok3r combination has glaringly obvious switches, which AZiO have managed to avoid.
For me, wood is good for furniture but for equipment I prefer metal. With my Poker II there's no sense in wasting the money on a metal case as you can barely see the case anyway. A metal mouse would be interesting though …
For me, wood is good for furniture but for equipment I prefer metal. With my Poker II there's no sense in wasting the money on a metal case as you can barely see the case anyway. A metal mouse would be interesting though …
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zslane
- Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
- Main keyboard: RealForce RGB
- Main mouse: Basic Microsoft USB mouse
- Favorite switch: Topre
- DT Pro Member: -
I guess it would be better if MX blues had black sliders, but I don't mind the slight touch of blue here, which complements the cream and brown tones nicely. Besides, when I'm typing I don't see the switches (I don't generally see the keycaps either for that matter). And I just love how the wood case gives the keyboard a beautiful, organic, old-world aesthetic.
Having said that, I don't like wood as a keyboard material as a general rule either. This is the only exception (and maybe Datamancer's Sojourner keyboard).
Having said that, I don't like wood as a keyboard material as a general rule either. This is the only exception (and maybe Datamancer's Sojourner keyboard).
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whm1974
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: SolidTek ASK-6600C
- Main mouse: Logitech
- Favorite switch: unknown
- DT Pro Member: -
Sorry I haven't posted more my review, but I've been sort of busy and I sort of forgot about this thread. Sorry about that.
I'm putting in some effort to notice the little things that can "make or break" a keyboard for users. what are some things for to look for?
The keystrokes do produce a nice clacking sound when typing. I for one love this as I feel this does improve my typing. But as always you mileage may vary.
The key presses feel lighter and less tiring the the white Alps clones my previous board were using.
Anything more you guys want me to post about this keyboard?
I'm putting in some effort to notice the little things that can "make or break" a keyboard for users. what are some things for to look for?
The keystrokes do produce a nice clacking sound when typing. I for one love this as I feel this does improve my typing. But as always you mileage may vary.
The key presses feel lighter and less tiring the the white Alps clones my previous board were using.
Anything more you guys want me to post about this keyboard?
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Elrick
- Location: Swan View, AUSTRALIA
- Main keyboard: Alps - As much as Possible.
- Main mouse: MX518
- Favorite switch: Navy Switch, ALPs, Model-M
- DT Pro Member: -
Actually love the way it looks, so I ordered an all White version which is available here in Convict Town.Daniel Beardsmore wrote: ↑The AZiO is an interesting blend of old and new that I like — modern minimalistic aesthetics applied to old designs. Also, that Datamancer/Pok3r combination has glaringly obvious switches, which AZiO have managed to avoid.
If you can't afford a Datamancer then get this, way cheaper plus it looks better built. Even though it's entirely made out of ABS, just my guess in regards to it's plastic type.