Best fullsize keyboard currently available?

[czarek]

My wife uses only fullsize keyboards, currently pink Ducky (with white backlight) with MX Browns because their co-workers didn't like metallic blue Filco (with MX Blues).
I want to buy her a new keyboard for use at home (Filco is pretty worn out already). I was looking at everything from RF 104UB through new Filcos, Uniqey, WASDs, Duckies, Unicomps and got too confused.
Regardless of the switch, which of currently available keyboards has the best build quality? Please remember it must be full size, no TKL, no 60%, and it has to be available brand new, so no vintage stuff please. She doesn't like Topre much (yes, prefers MX Browns to Topre, like many of my friends) and prefers clicky switches, but I think she could get used to Topre as I think it's kind of acquired taste, not something you instantly like after first couple clicks.

[BimboBB]

Uniqey is great when you need a silenced mecha and dont like o-rings.

Otherwise I would stick with Filco fullsize. You could install a Kitten Paw and have a full programmable board.

[scottc]

The full-size Matias boards might be good. I'm not certain but you should be able to get them with the clicky switches.

As for build quality, sadly probably just Filco. Uniqey looks promising but is a bit too expensive, I think. It's probably a fair considering that it comes with GMK caps.

Edit: Though the Uniqey probably isn't any good considering the issues you brought up about layouts, etc. in the other thread.

[Wodan]

Otherwise I would stick with Filco fullsize. You could install a Kitten Paw and have a full programmable board.

Exactly my thoughts. Sure they have Costar stabs ... brrrrr ... but they are the only retail fullsize keyboards where you can replace the controller with no soldering required at all. It's so simple and effective. Once you got past the Costar stabs the remaining big issue with Filco keyboards is their attached cables. There's ways around that as well with a cable from Pexon.

[SL89]

WASD / CODE boards have my vote. I cannot recommend them enough. Fullsize, costar, removable cable. And a good aesthetic.

[rootwyrm]

Getting into my territory. Point blank, Ducky remains tops. WASD is insanely overpriced considering they're Costar rebrands, same as the Rosewills. That's just a fact. WASD wants $150+ for the same thing you can get for $90 - when it's not on sale. Just ridiculous. Especially since you can slap a Black Petal and keycaps on to get a better result.

Logitech also has a surprisingly strong contender in the G610. It's not a Costar rebrand - Cherry stabilizers. It's genuine Cherry MX. It's the same price as an RK9000. But I can't speak to the long term durability as I've only seen it in person, not driven it for an extended period.
But Ducky is a 100% sure bet. The only problems I have had with Ducky boards have been switches - and that's on Cherry, not them. I'm in the middle of rebuilding a DK9008G2 Pro, because I have yet to find anything with bones nearly half as solid.

[czarek]

Hmm are those cherry boards on pair in quality with Realforce though? I have couple Filcos (fullsize and tenkeyless), Code (tenkeyless), CM Storm (fullsize) and Ducky (fullsize) and none of them seem to come even close to my Topre board.
I may get her silenced 104UB but not sure if they come in uniform weighting which is kind of a must since she's not a touch typist. I'm also considering Unicomp, but shipping to Europe is just sick.
I also have high hopes for the Uniqey, they replied to me that their engineering team is coming up with the instructions for programming board. They will also look at my suggestion about moving FN, if it will not be possible now, they will definitely consider an option to change its position in a future revisions.

[rootwyrm]

Hmm are those cherry boards on pair in quality with Realforce though? I have couple Filcos (fullsize and tenkeyless), Code (tenkeyless), CM Storm (fullsize) and Ducky (fullsize) and none of them seem to come even close to my Topre board.
I may get her silenced 104UB but not sure if they come in uniform weighting which is kind of a must since she's not a touch typist. I'm also considering Unicomp, but shipping to Europe is just sick.
I also have high hopes for the Uniqey, they replied to me that their engineering team is coming up with the instructions for programming board. They will also look at my suggestion about moving FN, if it will not be possible now, they will definitely consider an option to change its position in a future revisions.

Understand that Ducky has multiple product lines, which results in pretty significant variations. The Premier is an updated DK9008G2 for example, but the Shine 5 is all new design and tooling, and the Zero was trimmed in every regard to achieve the lower sale price. (They also had to ramp production to make MK's well regarded Disco boards.)
Having not seen a Topre board, I honestly can't compare to one. I would definitely rate Ducky DK9000-series above Unicomp, much as it pains me. I'm just not at all impressed by Unicomp any more. I've looked over the Uniqey and it certainly LOOKS good. However, the ABS keycaps are a deal-killer for me. There's also a very significant question of how difficult it would be to repair, especially since at least two batches of MX Browns have developed stem wobbling shockingly quick. Not that Ducky is even remotely easy to get apart either, but still, the Uniqey genuinely looks more difficult to disassemble.

[czarek]

Yes recent batches of Cherry switches are worrying. Also Uniquey uses GMK ABS keycaps, they're totally different league than standard OEM ABS keys. In fact I do prefer them to some (if not most) PBT key sets out there.
As for the Ducky I played with, that's my wife's Ducky one with transparent pink case, just like this: https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/in ... ail&p=1535
While not a bad board at all, definitely higher quality than CM Storm, proably same if not better quality than Filco, it's nowhere near my Realforce. The thing is she won't use my 55G Realforce board for more than few clicks because it's tenkeyless, pretty useless for her. To me safest bet would be fullsize uniform Realforce, ideally also silenced, but I don't think such think exists.
Oh and of course things like backlighting and macros are not necessary at all. It's all after standard 104 keys layout and outstanding build quality. Switches ideally but not necessarily clicky. She loves MX Blues, uses MX Browns at work, used MX Reds briefly in the past, and her previous home keyboard was Unicomp Spacesaver but sadly I sold it a while ago.

[rootwyrm]

Yes recent batches of Cherry switches are worrying. Also Uniquey uses GMK ABS keycaps, they're totally different league than standard OEM ABS keys. In fact I do prefer them to some (if not most) PBT key sets out there.
As for the Ducky I played with, that's my wife's Ducky one with transparent pink case, just like this: https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/in ... ail&p=1535
While not a bad board at all, definitely higher quality than CM Storm, proably same if not better quality than Filco, it's nowhere near my Realforce. The thing is she won't use my 55G Realforce board for more than few clicks because it's tenkeyless, pretty useless for her. To me safest bet would be fullsize uniform Realforce, ideally also silenced, but I don't think such think exists.
Oh and of course things like backlighting and macros are not necessary at all. It's all after standard 104 keys layout and outstanding build quality. Switches ideally but not necessarily clicky. She loves MX Blues, uses MX Browns at work, used MX Reds briefly in the past, and her previous home keyboard was Unicomp Spacesaver but sadly I sold it a while ago.

Keycaps are always highly subjective; I destroy ABS so I'm not a fan. (But I also tend to wear out PBT.) The Ducky One is more comparable to the Ducky Zero than the DK9000-series. Again, the goal with those was a lower retail price, so while the QC isn't compromised the components are specifically lower cost. Contrast this with, for example, the Shine 5.
Ducky actually makes a uniform 45g and 30g full-size genuine licensed Topre board. So you know their quality is up there. But also the price - $300USD!!
The problem is that the Ducky Premier 9008P ticks all the boxes and is completely sold out apparently. It seems very unlikely new ones will be made, so you would be waiting on the next revision. (The 9008P follows the 9008G2 which follows the 9008G, etcetera.)

[davkol]

derp

[bocahgundul]

What about Cherry MX Board 6.0?

She likes Clicky switches.

I think realforce 104 would be the sturdiest OEM boards right now

or Ducky if you like cherry

or just get the trusty Model M

[davkol]

derp

[bocahgundul]

But he said he can try to convince her to use topre.

[Techno Trousers]

Here's an idea: buy a classic used Model M. Let her use that for a while as you watch the Remodeling The Model M thread in Workshop. When lot_lizard opens the group buy, purchase an FEXT assembly. This will be a drop-in replacement for the Model M internals. Watch your wife's face light up with joy when she starts using it. Trust me if she likes Model M membrane buckling spring, she will LOVE Model F capacitive buckling spring. And since you're concerned about durability, I've seen numbers listing the capacitive buckling spring lifetime as 200 million keystrokes. Best of all, it's a snap to replace a problem spring or flipper, especially with lot_lizard's screw-together design.

[zslane]

If one can afford a RealForce board, I don't know why one would choose to use a Model M instead except to irritate the f**k out of everyone remotely within earshot. The typing experience of a Model M isn't really that great anyway, IMO. I have a Model M, a RealForce, and a bunch of MX-based boards (Filcos, Varmilos, Pok3rs, etc.). The Model M is, by far, the worst of the bunch, and is only fit to become a molten lump of metal and plastic slag as far as I'm concerned. The RealForce is far, far superior in every way, IMO, and I say that as someone who has no particular love for the RealForce (it is not my daily driver, though that's mostly because it can't take my SA or DSA keycaps).

[Techno Trousers]

If one can afford a RealForce board, I don't know why one would choose to use a Model M instead except to irritate the f**k out of everyone remotely within earshot.

her previous home keyboard was Unicomp Spacesaver but sadly I sold it a while ago.

I'm trying to help OP out. It seems she liked the Unicomp and didn't mind the noise (this one's for home). I stand by my contention she would like a Model M (even more if/when it's upgraded to Model F style internals).

[bocahgundul]

Here's an idea: buy a classic used Model M. Let her use that for a while as you watch the Remodeling The Model M thread in Workshop. When lot_lizard opens the group buy, purchase an FEXT assembly. This will be a drop-in replacement for the Model M internals. Watch your wife's face light up with joy when she starts using it. Trust me if she likes Model M membrane buckling spring, she will LOVE Model F capacitive buckling spring. And since you're concerned about durability, I've seen numbers listing the capacitive buckling spring lifetime as 200 million keystrokes. Best of all, it's a snap to replace a problem spring or flipper, especially with lot_lizard's screw-together design.

YES THIS ONE! and btw lot_lizard is only making a fullsize model M drop in internal? no SSK?

[Techno Trousers]

YES THIS ONE! and btw lot_lizard is only making a fullsize model M drop in internal? no SSK?

He's making both, but I mentioned the FEXT since OP's wife likes full size keyboards only.

[czarek]

I may be biased but still to me RF 104 wins. I have couple Model Ms at home (some almost unused) but they're old, and since it's all new PC and setup, it has to be a brand new keyboard too. I'm now only torn between Uniqey and RF XF140S. Waiting for Uniqey to come up with programming instructions. I know it would be safer choice since she loves MX Blues and is using MX Browns at work, but if the layout can't be reprogrammed, this keyboard would be useless and the only other keyboard with top notch construction I know of is the Realforce. I already have couple PBT space bars in different colours for it so I'm also covered on this end. The only thing is that she dislikes Topres every time she tries them (only briefly though, never used one for a day at least).

[y11971alex]

My wife uses only fullsize keyboards, currently pink Ducky (with white backlight) with MX Browns because their co-workers didn't like metallic blue Filco (with MX Blues).
I want to buy her a new keyboard for use at home (Filco is pretty worn out already). I was looking at everything from RF 104UB through new Filcos, Uniqey, WASDs, Duckies, Unicomps and got too confused.
Regardless of the switch, which of currently available keyboards has the best build quality? Please remember it must be full size, no TKL, no 60%, and it has to be available brand new, so no vintage stuff please. She doesn't like Topre much (yes, prefers MX Browns to Topre, like many of my friends) and prefers clicky switches, but I think she could get used to Topre as I think it's kind of acquired taste, not something you instantly like after first couple clicks.

What about both vintage and brand-new?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291825592440

[zslane]

The only thing is that she dislikes Topres every time she tries them (only briefly though, never used one for a day at least).

There's just no saving some people.

[czarek]

Not saying it's the best of the best, but question of the week - what keyboard is that, and how do you like it?

20160729_111656.jpg (114.88 KiB) Viewed 6731 times

[scottc]

The crappy gamer font on the LEDs looks like CM Storm to me.

[davkol]

derp

[amospalla]

Not saying it's the best of the best, but question of the week - what keyboard is that, and how do you like it?

20160729_111656.jpg

I don't know what keyboard is it, but I have to say that those keycaps are superb. And I am the kind of guy not much interested in keycaps.

[scottc]

They're Tai-Hao doubleshots and stupidly cheap, amospalla. You can get them all over the place.

[czarek]

Hehe, yea it's Quickfire XT she used before I got her ducky. I just changed keycaps to Tai Hao double shots and test driving it now. Until I find a worthy replacement this will have to do.

But honestly, it's not a bad keyboard at all. Construction is very sturdy, not worse than Filco in any way. I can see few corners cut on QA, one of the stabilisers in numpad Enter key was dented (was still working fine to my surprise) and I had to replace it, the original cable is the worst I've ever seen, and obviously font on keycaps and LED cluster is awful as hell.
With the new keycaps however, to me at least, it looks and feels better than Filco, and Ducky One (I dislike ducky's double shot PBT keycaps, font and label quality look crap IMO).
I'm actually a fan of this soft touch black finish on this board. It contrasts very nicely with the white (well, slightly off white) keycaps.

So honestly I don't see much point spending around 150 euros to replace it with something of similar or just slightly better quality (the legendary top of the line Ducky, I've never seen but I believe you that it might be a bit better built).
I had high hopes for the Uniqey but so far it's useless with its FN placement and I'm afraid of risking buying fullsize uniform 45G RF board (costs around 300€ after shipping and import taxes) in case she will refuse to use it, as I prefer smaller boards and I wouldn't use it either.

Also worth noting is how MX Browns feel after months of using HHKB most of the time with few breaks using GH60 with vintage blacks and zealios. Please note this keyboard was used in office environment for about a year (emails, word documents, a ton of excel spreadsheets), so it's very nicely worn in.
In short, it's not that bad at all! Those browns are not scratchy and feel pretty smooth. Tactility is very gentle, but it's there. I'm very light typist nowadays (saving my fingers) and I can comfortably type on this keyboard without bottoming out. I don't like the sound of stabilised keys, and on those the pseudo tactile bump is actually quite annoying, but not to the point of making this keyboard unpleasant to use or anything. In fact it's very nicely feeling keyboard. Solid build, decent keycaps, very light and gentle tactility, plate mounted, making it very snappy and kinda fast keyboard (that's what I always feel when I move from Topre to MX - they seem "faster", moving opposite makes me feel that Topre is sluggish, but this feeling disappears after a while).
I can type 104-108 wpm with 100% accuracy on 10-fast-fingers test, which is about the same if not a bit faster than HHKB.

When thinking that this keyboard even brand new with brand new keycaps from tai hao costs less than Filco, just makes me smile

[DrOpBoX]

emmmh, why nobody talk about Leopold? Fc900 it`s a great keyboard with stock pbt caps or doubleshot abs

[czarek]

It's got FN in a shitty position - like Uniqey and Chinese boards.