[Help] Tenkeyless, Reds: CMStorm, Leopold or other for Euro?

Culinia · 07 Jan 2012, 15:18

Hey guys. I need some help. I'm hoping to get a tenkeyless red board primarily for gaming. I have an existing Filco so I was hoping for something similar since I like the look and feel of it. My first idea was to get a Filco R red edition but the problem is they are mostly sold out and I can't really find anything in that area. The second thing I thought was to get a Leopold Red tenkeyless which would be ideal. Even better since they are on sale at the moment. Only problem is the customs duty and shipping charges!

Sale: $89.99 (£58.34)
Shipping: $51.56 (£33.43)
Import VAT: £18.35
Admin fee: £8
Total: £118.12 ($182.20)

However the thing is I type in colemak and I insist of having the corresponding keys on my keyboard. I still have a set of Round 3 colemak keys at my disposal so that's not a problem, or I thought - but apparently the space bar is not compatible which totally ruins the colour scheme and probably height profile and so the experience.

Next I thought about the CMStorm Quick Fire tenkeyless on PChome which from what I can gather has costar stabilizers and so is fully compatible with my existing colemak replacements. However, the thing is, I don't like all the logos scattered everywhere i.e. in between the Escape key and F1 key and above the numpad. Prefer the clean look of the Leopold to that. Only good thing is that it is cheaper in the long-run and I can have my native layout on. Olnly problem being the horrible logos and risk of import from China which is scary for me!

NTD$2990 (£64.11)
Shipping $20 (£12.97)
Import VAT £15.42
Admin fee: £8
Total: £100.50 ($155.02)

So firstly, thanks for reading so far. And I guess my question is this - what do you, fine people of Deskthority think of my conundrum. Should I go ahead with the Leopold, which would honestly be my preferable keyboard but not able to have my colemak keys or at least have different profiles for the non-compliant space bar or should I get the firestorm, suck up the horrible logos and have my layout on it presuming that it even comes? Or indeed, do you have any other suggestions which excludes the 108/91 key Japanese variants on keyboardco.com which obviously goes back to having another issue with the smaller space bar?

Many thanks...

webwit · 07 Jan 2012, 18:45

It's hard to help you because it's about a personal choice. I don't know whether you prefer colemak keys or a better looking case.

Culinia · 07 Jan 2012, 19:23

Thanks for the reply.

I was wondering, do you know of any other 87-key alternatives that I should consider?

webwit · 07 Jan 2012, 20:45

Hmm not sure what's available with reds at the moment. Maybe ducky?

webwit · 08 Jan 2012, 13:21

This seems pretty nice, no logos on the case and available with red switches.
http://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1779
You'll need a Korean shopping service though, which will add to the cost.

Culinia · 08 Jan 2012, 20:33

Hey webwit - thanks for the suggestions. After some discussion throughout the day, and some forum searching I managed to come up with a compromise. I bought Leopold TKL reds from a member and I intend to have the space bar modded to leopold standard by another member. Although I think I do like the grey colour scheme of the other one in that link! Anyway, should work out cheaper and saves having to deal with an agent...for now.

Perhaps if I am not fond of that switchtype then perhaps I could get the MX Blacks. Looks interesting with the different colour and the brush - nice touch!

prava · 08 Jan 2012, 23:23

If you don't like that Leopold TKL with reds please contact me, as I'm looking for a TKL solution in Europe that is cheaper that those Filco's keyboardco sells (and CM Storm Quick Fire is taking forever to arrive, so...).

Culinia · 15 Feb 2012, 00:08

Well I did actually receive the Leopold tenkeyless red...and I have to say I'm not impressed by the switch. I forced myself to use it for a week but did not cling to it, I actually bought a Filco ANSI tenkeyless blues a while ago now because I was impressed by the tkl layout. haha. The Leopold is just sat there in a box after 7 days + <1 day from previous owner use. It has not come out of the box since except for when I took some photographs which I have yet to upload (see not really interested in it lol).

So I guess, if you really are interested in it (or anyone else for that matter - especially if you have gotten the CM Storm Quick Fire already, prava) then I can't see a logical reason for me to keep it and would probably seriously consider selling it...

SeNte · 16 Feb 2012, 20:09

Culinia wrote:and would probably seriously consider selling it...

You have a PM

CeeSA · 16 Feb 2012, 20:25

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Key-Cool-87-Mech ... 43ad586ca0

have a look.
in white and black cases. very cheap for a tenkeyless with reds and 6KRO over usb.

grasshopper · 16 Feb 2012, 21:24

CeeSA wrote:http://www.ebay.de/itm/Key-Cool-87-Mech ... 43ad586ca0

have a look.
in white and black cases. very cheap for a tenkeyless with reds and 6KRO over usb.

Hmm, that is cheap. Do you know whether the switches are plate or pcb mounted?

CeeSA · 16 Feb 2012, 23:12

plate

here one review
http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title= ... ht=keycool