Double-Shot Sphericals for Cherry MX

7bit · 17 Apr 2011, 11:03

This poll is about spherical key caps

In this group buy, Standard kits should be available as a complete kit or in parts, containing:
- 1 unit keys for 10-key less boards,
- numpad keys,
- function keys,
- modifiers,

Important: Keys larger than 1 unit are only available for row 3!

There is a limited availability of Space bars and big return keys.

In addition, there will be at least the following national layouts available:
AT, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, IT, NO, SE, SI, Colemak, Dvorak, Mac, Win, ...

If you don't find your dream color, please suggest what you would like ...

Grond · 17 Apr 2011, 12:09

I never tried typing on sphericals, I wonder how it feels?

7bit · 17 Apr 2011, 12:18

Grond wrote:I never tried typing on sphericals, I wonder how it feels?

In my opinion much better than cylindrical key caps!

I will get some samples from SP. Depending on you location I could send you some to try out for yourself.

webwit · 17 Apr 2011, 13:18

IMO that is a big myth, and cylindrical is better. Spherical is from the time of typewriters so you hit it in the middle with downward force, necessary for correct operation, and only slows you down in modern times where you can hit the key anyway you like. They provide a handicap. Old keyboards are better than modern rubber dome keyboards because of the switches, but spherical keycaps are worse than modern ones. I think they looked at the spherical keycap, thought of ways to improve upon that, and the result was cylindrical keycaps. I think the only reason the sphericals are glamored over is because people bump into them and say "wow, look at those cool looking old keycaps".

7bit · 17 Apr 2011, 13:28

webwit wrote:IMO that is a big myth, and cylindrical is better. Spherical is from the time of typewriters so you hit it in the middle with downward force, necessary for correct operation, and only slows you down in modern times where you can hit the key anyway you like. They provide a handicap. Old keyboards are better than modern rubber dome keyboards because of the switches, but spherical keycaps are worse than modern ones. I think they looked at the spherical keycap, thought of ways to improve upon that, and the result was cylindrical keycaps. I think the only reason the sphericals are glamored over is because people bump into them and say "wow, look at those cool looking old keycaps".

Lasered or printed key caps are as good for typing as double shots!

The whole reason (except for special labels) why people buy these replacement key caps are the optics!

Beautiful things are not always practical. See your Datahand as in inverted example!

webwit · 17 Apr 2011, 13:34

Yes, but you said they feel much better.

7bit · 17 Apr 2011, 13:36

webwit wrote:Yes, but you said they feel much better.

Exactly!

webwit · 17 Apr 2011, 13:44

Only with the Datahand. Which has spherical down keys. Which works because you don't have to move your fingers to other keys.

7bit · 17 Apr 2011, 13:51

webwit wrote:Only with the Datahand. Which has spherical down keys. Which works because you don't have to move your fingers to other keys.
...

Just typed on the keys pictured below.

The only argument against is that it might be a bit more difficult to slide the fingers from one key to another, because they are more bumpy.

However, I will get some sample keys to fit the entire keybaord with spherical key caps from SP and will give them a try.

Findecanor · 17 Apr 2011, 15:49

Are these going to be Signature Plastics "DSA" family, where all keys are the same profile? (except the space bar)

Grond · 17 Apr 2011, 15:57

7bit wrote:
I will get some samples from SP. Depending on you location I could send you some to try out for yourself.

Sure, I'd like to give them a try! (I'm located in Italy). I actually like the way they look, but what I need is a set that's fine for daily use, not just a conversation piece.

7bit · 17 Apr 2011, 18:16

Findecanor wrote:Are these going to be Signature Plastics "DSA" family, where all keys are the same profile? (except the space bar)

They will be SA-profile. But DSA could be also possible. However, this poll is about key caps from the SA family.

7bit · 17 Apr 2011, 18:18

Grond wrote:
7bit wrote:
I will get some samples from SP. Depending on you location I could send you some to try out for yourself.
Sure, I'd like to give them a try! (I'm located in Italy). I actually like the way they look, but what I need is a set that's fine for daily use, not just a conversation piece.

Great, so shipping costs are not problem. Just send me a riminder to send the caps over to you once I figured out myself if I like them.

ripster · 17 Apr 2011, 18:21

Are these going to be the thick Novelty Key style or the Wimpy Modern style?

Top one is Cherry MX from Signature Plastics but I think they've run out of those. Should have the molds still.

7bit · 17 Apr 2011, 18:25

ripster wrote:Are these going to be the thick Novelty Key style or the Wimpy Modern style?

Top one is Cherry MX from Signature Plastics but I think they've run out of those. Should have the molds still.

The Double-Shot Sphericals for Cherry MX should be from the SA-family.

I think the novelty keys are from SA-family, too.

ripster · 17 Apr 2011, 20:49

Worth asking them. BIG difference. 2.6mm vs .8mm for the front edge.

calavera · 17 Apr 2011, 20:50

I ran into this surfing the web, any takers?

7bit · 17 Apr 2011, 20:55

calavera wrote:I ran into this surfing the web, any takers?

Very interesting keyboard!

Seems it is related to Symbolics keyboards. (Meta keys, backspace at the same place where the Symbolics keybaords have Rub Out etc.)

Do you know more about it?

Grond · 17 Apr 2011, 21:01

Now that's a beautiful color, imho!

7bit · 17 Apr 2011, 21:02

Grond wrote:Now that's a beautiful color, imho!

I mean the layout is interesting, not so much the color ...

Especially the space bar!

webwit · 17 Apr 2011, 21:22

Great layout. Backspace on the caps lock location, how colemak!

7bit · 17 Apr 2011, 21:27

webwit wrote:Great layout. Backspace on the caps lock location, how colemak!

Except for APL stuff and color, I would buy it immediately!

Maybe the gaps between CONTROL and space bar should be filled up with 2 extra 2-units keys.

Someone must find out what kind of keyboard this is!

@calavera: Where did you find it?

ps: The color of the keys look suspiciously like the Space Cadet Keyboard.

woody · 17 Apr 2011, 22:15

I also think that cylindrical > spherical, especially for gliding (consider the finger joints). But since 7bit is going to test a sample set, he will hold direct comparison and share his opinion. Doesn't hurt at all.

webwit · 17 Apr 2011, 22:18

If it is related to LISP I'd be seriously interested in it.

sixty · 17 Apr 2011, 23:02

Keep in mind that even the DSA family from SP is already thicker than their DCS double shots:

7bit · 17 Apr 2011, 23:11

webwit wrote:If it is related to LISP I'd be seriously interested in it.

The longer I stare at this keyboard, the more I'm sure it is a keyboard from the Lisp/Symbolics culture.

There are ; and : as separate keys, but no quotation marks in sight!
Then the parenthesis on the [ ] keys.

webwit · 17 Apr 2011, 23:18

True. Give us more info!

7bit · 17 Apr 2011, 23:23

webwit wrote:True. Give us more info!

I already pm'ed calavera.

It is the Knight's keyboard ...

... little brother (or sister)[1]

[1] we need to look underneath the keyboard to tell for sure.
left side:BREAK, CLEAR, FORM, VT, SHIFT LOCK

Then the color. I bet it's the same!

yakill · 17 Apr 2011, 23:30

It reminds me of the "knight keyboard" especially the bottom row layout.
(though i must admit i'm not as much into this as most of you guys i suppose)
Edit: to late

webwit · 17 Apr 2011, 23:35

The Knight Space Saving keyboard.

deskthority

Double-Shot Sphericals for Cherry MX

Which color/text combinations do you prefer for the next group buy?