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Is it worth to buy a use mechanical keyboard?
Posted: 02 Feb 2012, 18:57
by Circlepit
i know that used rubber dome are crap because after a while u can hit the keys easier. But how is it with mechanical ones.
does the spring become like the rubber domes? i like to know cause i want tro buy one on ebay or here.
sorry for bad english, im german

AW: Is it worth to buy a use mechanical keyboard?
Posted: 02 Feb 2012, 19:08
by silv
Posted: 02 Feb 2012, 19:24
by mintberryminuscrunch
Circlepit wrote:i know that used rubber dome are crap because after a while u can hit the keys easier. But how is it with mechanical ones.
does the spring become like the rubber domes? i like to know cause i want tro buy one on ebay or here.
sorry for bad english, im german

if the keyboard isn't damaged there shouldn't be a problem.
heavy use might kill the bump from mx browns/clears
if you are looking for good used boards, buy them here in the Marketplace
PS: I myself only bought used stuff from here or ebay
Posted: 02 Feb 2012, 19:28
by Circlepit
Im looking @ a keyboard with blues. is there any problem if the switches are used?
Posted: 02 Feb 2012, 20:22
by Ascaii
depends...HEAVILY used blues tend to lose some of the tactility, due to the plastic nob wearing off a bit.
Posted: 02 Feb 2012, 20:45
by trax
Ascaii wrote:depends...HEAVILY used blues tend to lose some of the tactility, due to the plastic nob wearing off a bit.
To my understanding this is like, 5 years + full daily driver of a person who types a lot.
Posted: 02 Feb 2012, 21:27
by Ascaii
nah. 5 years is nothing. HEAVY use to me is boards used in commercial areas for 10+years, which is what I've found to be the case with non tactile blues Ive found. 10 years on the vintage switches.
Posted: 02 Feb 2012, 21:30
by itlnstln
I would only buy OOP 'boards used, but only because they are OOP. Even then, some people will pay top-dollar for NIB, OOP 'boards.
It's not necessarily about use, either. TBH, you don't know what the hell people do to their 'boards.
I say, if you can find it new, buy it. Only go used if you have to. If it's a money issue, save a little longer and buy it new.
Posted: 02 Feb 2012, 21:55
by h2gofast
used model m's run forever. The only one I've seen die was beer soaked.
Posted: 02 Feb 2012, 22:02
by Gilgam
Most of my keyboards are used, some quite old and they are all fine.
Just clean them before (dental tabs for keycaps and case, vacuum cleaner for the PCB).
It's a good beginning.
Then you can buy a new one.
Posted: 04 Feb 2012, 14:11
by Circlepit
Sry im new and dont know all the shortcuts.
What means OOP, NIB or TBH.
Yes for me its a money issue, but on ebay the keyboards are mostly only about a half year used ( and i think only for gaming)
Posted: 04 Feb 2012, 14:21
by 7bit
Posted: 04 Feb 2012, 16:44
by Circlepit
What does it exactly mean ^^?
Do you have some suggestions? (I would like one with makro keys on the left side)
Posted: 04 Feb 2012, 16:52
by 7bit
Posted: 04 Feb 2012, 20:40
by Circlepit
Nice, but have a question
What switches has the Board
this looks like the keyboard on your pic, but yours is a model f 122. what are the difference between these?
Posted: 04 Feb 2012, 21:09
by 7bit
Circlepit wrote:Nice, but have a question
What switches has the Board
this looks like the keyboard on your pic, but yours is a model f 122. what are the difference between these?
The one in the picture is a Model F 122 key terminal board.
The G80-2550 and G80-2551 have got MX black switches, but as they are PCB mounted you can open them and fit another slider and spring. So you can mod it to ergo clears (even I could do this though I'm not so much into modding).
You can order clear switches in the Phantom group buy:
http://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1411
Don't get irritated by the deadline, this is still open and I will order plenty of extra switches.
Tip: You don't need to mod the function keys, just the normal keys.
Posted: 04 Feb 2012, 21:31
by Circlepit
The 2 keyboards lokk identical, what are the difference between them?
Can i cahnge the switches of plate-mounted switches?
Thx, for the help!
Posted: 04 Feb 2012, 21:39
by 7bit
Circlepit wrote:The 2 keyboards lokk identical, what are the difference between them?
Can i cahnge the switches of plate-mounted switches?
Thx, for the help!
Not really. requires desoldering (except the Phantom PCB, there are special holes in the mount plate to remove the tops of the switches which allowes to spap springs and slider.
The difference between G80-2550 and G80-2550 are 4 switches more on the G80-2551 (the one which is still available in the e-bay auction NIB!!!!).
Here is one of the G80-2551 with other keycaps:
The G80-2550 looks like this. The G80 2551 has got switches where this has the blind caps:
The one in my avatar is this:

^^^Buckling spring.
There are some NIB buckling spring Model M 122 key keyboards similar to the Model F above comming really soon. I can sell one to you if ypu like (and located in Europe).
Posted: 04 Feb 2012, 22:57
by Circlepit
The IBM one looks more curved then the cherry ones, is that really so?
in your opinion what is betterm the buckling spring or the cherrys? i dont know the buckling spring so i dont know the feeling etc, only cherrys.
Posted: 05 Feb 2012, 00:13
by 7bit
Circlepit wrote:The IBM one looks more curved then the cherry ones, is that really so?
in your opinion what is betterm the buckling spring or the cherrys? i dont know the buckling spring so i dont know the feeling etc, only cherrys.
Cherrys are flat and the key caps have a different profile in (almost) every row. The ASDFG-row is the flattest and fuctuion keys above are the highest.
IBM keyboards have a curved plate and the key caps are all the same accross all rows. Ideal for COLEMAK, DVORAK etc. Just swap the key caps.
Buckling springs are totally different from any other switch.
Where are you located, BTW?
edit: Location: Germany
Ask Ascaii, he can probably sell you a one for cheap.
Posted: 06 Feb 2012, 20:16
by Circlepit
2551 and 2100 compared, what is the difference betwenn them? On ebay a g80-2100 cost around 200€.
Posted: 17 Feb 2012, 13:59
by Circlepit
What i have to do to change the arrow keys to the normal style, without a key in the center?
Posted: 17 Feb 2012, 17:54
by Gilgam
map the keyboard with a software. The button the center is the home button if i remember well.