deskthority

Hi all, new member. I've just bought a 1987 Model M and just saw that www.modelfkeyboards.com do a range of modern model Fs.

My questions are:

Are these model Fs as good in feel and reliability as the originals?

Are there any others making modern versions of capacitive buckling springs or similar to the model F? (i.e. buckling springs that are better than the modern Unicomp or original model Ms)

Is anyone making or planning to make modern beamspring keyboards?

Thanks.

Mips wrote: 25 May 2021, 16:43 Hi all, new member. I've just bought a 1987 Model M and just saw that www.modelfkeyboards.com do a range of modern model Fs.

My questions are:

Are these model Fs as good in feel and reliability as the originals?

Are there any others making modern versions of capacitive buckling springs or similar to the model F? (i.e. buckling springs that are better than the modern Unicomp or original model Ms)

Is anyone making or planning to make modern beamspring keyboards?

Hi Mips (are you named after the microprocessor architecture?),
I have a 1987 Model M myself. In my opinion the keyfeel of Ellipse's Model Fs is much better. Sound-wise, I'm not sure. Model Fs sure are loud and harsh.

I don't know of anyone else making capacitive buckling spring keyboards.

As for the beamsprings, Input Club is doing something along those lines, but it's still at the prototype stage:

https://kono.store/products/keystone-be ... g-switches

Mips wrote: 25 May 2021, 16:43 Are these model Fs as good in feel and reliability as the originals?

Pretty close or better cuz most original model fs you could find have various conditions, so a little bit unfair to make the comparision somehow, but for me, the repo f is good enough.

Mips wrote: 25 May 2021, 16:43 Are there any others making modern versions of capacitive buckling springs or similar to the model F? (i.e. buckling springs that are better than the modern Unicomp or original model Ms)

Never heard other prejects being processing such capacitive bs rebirthing so far, chip in if im wrong.

Mips wrote: 25 May 2021, 16:43 Is anyone making or planning to make modern beamspring keyboards?

Did have some great guys doing such jobs in recent 2 ys iirc, but no result yet as far as I know. Keyfeel or material should be the biggest challenges I guess.

Hope could help.

Bjerrk wrote: 25 May 2021, 16:54 Hi Mips (are you named after the microprocessor architecture?)

Yes!

Bjerrk wrote: 25 May 2021, 16:54 I have a 1987 Model M myself. In my opinion the keyfeel of Ellipse's Model Fs is much better. Sound-wise, I'm not sure. Model Fs sure are loud and harsh.

Good to know, thanks.

Bjerrk wrote: 25 May 2021, 16:54 As for the beamsprings, Input Club is doing something along those lines, but it's still at the prototype stage:
https://kono.store/products/keystone-be ... g-switches

Thanks - this looks very interesting, I expect I'll end up picking one of these up if everyone rates it. So when these come out, wouldn't this be pretty much the best modern keyboard available?

And is that $49.99 for the full set of beamspring switches plus $149.99 plus keycaps? That seems very cheap for a beamspring keyboard! Or am I missing something?

John Doe wrote: 25 May 2021, 16:54 Pretty close or better cuz most original model fs you could find have various conditions, so a little bit unfair to make the comparision somehow, but for me, the repo f is good enough.

Cheers, good to know. If it's looking good, I might hang back & wait for Input club's beamsprings.


EDIT: After some browsing, it seems that people are holding back with a little scepticism as to whether Input club will really nail the feel of IBM's switches especially as they're not 1:1 in design. Perhaps for modern keyboards that model F will remain the king. I'm not in a hurry & am looking forward to the reviews of the silo switches - I'll just enjoy my model M for now.

Yes I am actually running the Brand New Beam Spring Project as well as the Brand New Model F Project - please see this thread for more details on the beam spring project:

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=26174

Yes I believe the new Model F keyboards hold up well against the IBM originals. Feel free to browse the project thread for reviews, and I have also linked to sound tests and other reviews here as well as on the project's YouTube channel:

https://www.modelfkeyboards.com/brand-n ... ay-update/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRlw7loUw7I