ISO (GB) TKL recommendations?

whitecitadel · 15 Jul 2015, 12:40

Hi All,

So I am not a fan of recommend me a... etc posts - people should go look for themselves in my view!

, but my head is spinning a bit at the moment and all the boards I find that fit the bill I can't seem to get.

I need a TKL in ISO layout (7bit has packed my Round5 order, so it could be non GB/UK if needed as I have replacement caps) and preferably Cherry MX Blue as I like those on my G80 I use at work - but I need TKL for my limited desk space at home. Also, has to be USB for my KVM (no bluetooth etc).

I found:

Filco Majestouch 2 - expensive at £120
CM Storm Rapid-I - Cheap and ideal, can't find any for love nor money in stock in UK (also annoyed after buying switch tested from CM EU store I can't use the voucher I got to order direct from them as they have no UK boards)
Ducky Zero Shine - seems ok but don't need the backlighting and around £90
DAS Keyboard 4
CM Novatouch with Topre - everyone loves Topre but its £150? (see also above bitter comments on CM EU store stock)

Did I miss any obvious options for a basic MX blue TKL to take the glory of Round 5?

Is there really not a basic board that would fit he bill, the Rapid-I looks ok but I can't seem to buy it anywhere?!

Muirium · 15 Jul 2015, 12:44

How much is your CM voucher for? And what ISO boards do they have in stock here?

Your Round 5 caps will blow away all these keyboards stock caps. So yes, any ISO model will do. I've used Nordic and German ones with no difficulty whatever. Also, I suppose, this "Latin" one!

Before.

After.

guk · 15 Jul 2015, 12:47

http://deskthority.net/for-sale-f55/fil ... 10939.html

Madhias · 15 Jul 2015, 12:49

guk wrote: http://deskthority.net/for-sale-f55/fil ... 10939.html

Good deal for the Filco! They have a nice case design. I'd take that!

Muirium · 15 Jul 2015, 12:52

Comes with a fancy Pexon cable. Can't argue with that!

whitecitadel · 15 Jul 2015, 13:21

Mu - that looks a lot like my G80-3000 I have in the office, looks good (which case looks good with round 5 too I think), but I need to loose the numpad for my compact workstation at home. CM voucher is like £15 or something, but website poor and seem to have no ISO boards last time I looked!

guk - that's tempting will have a think about that, could be a neat solution why are you selling got something else, didn't like etc?

guk · 15 Jul 2015, 13:35

whitecitadel wrote: guk - that's tempting will have a think about that, could be a neat solution why are you selling got something else, didn't like etc?

It's not mine, I linked it because it's a good offer. Afaik, Shiva prefers his HHKB and his SSK over this.

Muirium · 15 Jul 2015, 14:04

That's pretty much exactly what the SSK and HHKB are for…

But something that can handle Round 5 always has its charm. (I like mine best on the NovaTouch.)

whitecitadel · 15 Jul 2015, 14:27

sorry guk - missed that detail.

Mu I like the novatouch... but its a lot of cash to splash having never tried one...

Muirium · 15 Jul 2015, 14:32

True. There is in fact a tour:

http://deskthority.net/try-f29/novatouc ... 10716.html

You know my thoughts if you've read my review (aaaaaaaaaaaaall of them!): it's a promising but imperfect board. Fairly price competitive with its fellow Topres here in Europe, mind.

whitecitadel · 15 Jul 2015, 14:45

Thanks I will re-read your review, I read it already back when I was young keen and had recently placed a round5 order, you know like a year ago...

I think I will be 97% happy with blues compared to Topre... so for me its not work the 100% price increase I suspect.

Halvar · 15 Jul 2015, 15:30

To mention the other end of the spectrum, there's also the Razer Black Widow Tournament Edition, if you can live with Razor's MX clone switches.

whitecitadel · 15 Jul 2015, 17:20

I picked up a Cherry G80 for work for cheap (£40+P&P) on Ebay, I think if I was going to go cheap would go with a cherry full size.

Why does a TKL with less cost more!

Muirium · 15 Jul 2015, 17:23

My G80 I posted above cost €15 + shipping, new in box! It all depends where you look.

I'm stingy. And patient. Works for me!

whitecitadel · 15 Jul 2015, 17:31

Yeah "cheap" is £60 at the moment it seems... sometimes new old stock comes up on eFence I noticed. I want a TKL for home though, CM Bram helped me out with the coolermaster store thing so maybe I can get an order in - need to check where we are with €/£ as it was quite favourable recently but there is some "uncertainty" in the air I noticed recently.

Best to hang on to your Scottish pounds Mu...