i.e. these ones http://deskthority.net/styles/deskthori ... oard72.jpg or something that have a similar look (big sans-serif fonts centered on the key, color can be any)
I hope they're available somewhere?
Thanks!
Where can I find the keycaps on the banner?
-
Muirium
- µ
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S with Bluetooth by Hasu
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Favorite switch: Gotta Try 'Em All
- DT Pro Member: µ
Those are DSA Retro. The group buy ended long ago, but people sell them occasionally.
Some sightings of them in action:
I missed them too. But I was (just) in time for the DSA Dolch group buy, which closed orders but hasn't shipped yet.
Fortunately, the large centred legends style is also 7bit's favourite as pretty much everything in his GBs is like that too. Round 4 closed a while ago (argh!) but the leftovers thread will give you the idea.
Cylindrical:
And more sphericals: like the DSAs only taller and thicker!
I was too late for Round 4 as well. But I bought a set that was up for sale…
Turns out it's all about patience. Especially for Round 5!
Some sightings of them in action:
I missed them too. But I was (just) in time for the DSA Dolch group buy, which closed orders but hasn't shipped yet.
Fortunately, the large centred legends style is also 7bit's favourite as pretty much everything in his GBs is like that too. Round 4 closed a while ago (argh!) but the leftovers thread will give you the idea.
Cylindrical:
And more sphericals: like the DSAs only taller and thicker!
I was too late for Round 4 as well. But I bought a set that was up for sale…
Turns out it's all about patience. Especially for Round 5!
-
john2x
- DT Pro Member: -
Wow thanks for the awesome reply 
I'm guessing they're only for Cherry MX switches? None for Topre, for example? How much do they usually go for?
I'm on the fence on whether I should get a HHKB Pro 2 or Poker II, and if these are only available for Cherry MX, well that's gonna make the decision harder.
I'm guessing they're only for Cherry MX switches? None for Topre, for example? How much do they usually go for?
I'm on the fence on whether I should get a HHKB Pro 2 or Poker II, and if these are only available for Cherry MX, well that's gonna make the decision harder.
-
Muirium
- µ
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S with Bluetooth by Hasu
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Favorite switch: Gotta Try 'Em All
- DT Pro Member: µ
You guessed right: MX gets all the cool aftermarket caps. Everything above is MX fit only. But the HHKB is a far better keyboard than the Poker II. Decisions, decisions!
One important note: the HHKB comes with excellent caps. A smart set of dyesub PBT. The Poker's caps are so ugly that they'd do everyone a favour by shipping it naked instead. Does anyone not tear them straight off on arrival?
Aftermarket Topre caps do exist (Elitekeyboards sells them, and there's rumblings of a group buy here) but they are expensive (of course) and there's nothing like the variety you'll find for Cherry. Sheer cap choice is probably MX's biggest single strength for us lot who like to choose what we type on.
One important note: the HHKB comes with excellent caps. A smart set of dyesub PBT. The Poker's caps are so ugly that they'd do everyone a favour by shipping it naked instead. Does anyone not tear them straight off on arrival?
Aftermarket Topre caps do exist (Elitekeyboards sells them, and there's rumblings of a group buy here) but they are expensive (of course) and there's nothing like the variety you'll find for Cherry. Sheer cap choice is probably MX's biggest single strength for us lot who like to choose what we type on.
-
webwit
- Wild Duck
- Location: The Netherlands
- Main keyboard: Model F62
- Favorite switch: IBM beam spring
- DT Pro Member: 0000
- Contact:
You'll have to buy them both. 
-
Muirium
- µ
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S with Bluetooth by Hasu
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Favorite switch: Gotta Try 'Em All
- DT Pro Member: µ
All the caps pictured above are doubleshot ABS. Doubleshot means they look like this inside:
That's Round 4 Sphericals vs. 1983 vintage Honeywell caps. Same idea: the legends run all the way down inside the cap, using a second shot of (injection moulded) plastic. It's the best way to make caps, hands down, because you get sharp legends, high wear resistance and can use any colours you like.
PBT is harder to doubleshot. Some batches are showing up in the Far East, but so far it's pretty experimental (while ABS has been double and even triple shot for decades). PBT is interesting though because it's more resistant to yellowing in ultraviolet (sun) light, harder wearing in general and can have a rougher feel which many people prefer.
The HHKB comes with PBT caps. Dyesub, which is the second best way to make legends: hard wearing but you can only put darker print on the plastic. That's why black versions of the Realforce and HHKB have "black on black" caps. Dyesub can't print white. But it's perfect for rich black legends on white caps. IBM used it extensively on the Model M, too.
Both dyesub and doubleshot are high end techniques. Doubleshot has the edge for colour choice, but dyesub has compatibility with PBT, a nicer plastic.
That's Round 4 Sphericals vs. 1983 vintage Honeywell caps. Same idea: the legends run all the way down inside the cap, using a second shot of (injection moulded) plastic. It's the best way to make caps, hands down, because you get sharp legends, high wear resistance and can use any colours you like.
PBT is harder to doubleshot. Some batches are showing up in the Far East, but so far it's pretty experimental (while ABS has been double and even triple shot for decades). PBT is interesting though because it's more resistant to yellowing in ultraviolet (sun) light, harder wearing in general and can have a rougher feel which many people prefer.
The HHKB comes with PBT caps. Dyesub, which is the second best way to make legends: hard wearing but you can only put darker print on the plastic. That's why black versions of the Realforce and HHKB have "black on black" caps. Dyesub can't print white. But it's perfect for rich black legends on white caps. IBM used it extensively on the Model M, too.
Both dyesub and doubleshot are high end techniques. Doubleshot has the edge for colour choice, but dyesub has compatibility with PBT, a nicer plastic.
-
Belfong
- Location: Malaysia
- Main keyboard: HHKB Pro 2
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Trackpad
- Favorite switch: Topre!
- DT Pro Member: -
That's a great explanation Murium.. This thread should be stickied.
I really love the Round 4 blue and grey spherical. Too bad it was all gone. I wonder how much you pay to buy it off someone else?
I really love the Round 4 blue and grey spherical. Too bad it was all gone. I wonder how much you pay to buy it off someone else?
-
Muirium
- µ
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S with Bluetooth by Hasu
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Favorite switch: Gotta Try 'Em All
- DT Pro Member: µ
I think I paid Matt3o €80 for his set.
The multiple sizes of little spacebars made it a must grab for me. I never even expected the violet one!
Since then I've been filling in the weird inconsistencies via 7bit's leftovers sell off, which I'm really looking forward to seeing shipped. Matteo obviously bought his set with specific plans, which I've added to.
So, in other words: they're not cheap. But they are just as fantastic in hand as in pictures. Good thick and heavy.
News is there's a new challenger in town…
The multiple sizes of little spacebars made it a must grab for me. I never even expected the violet one!
Since then I've been filling in the weird inconsistencies via 7bit's leftovers sell off, which I'm really looking forward to seeing shipped. Matteo obviously bought his set with specific plans, which I've added to.
So, in other words: they're not cheap. But they are just as fantastic in hand as in pictures. Good thick and heavy.
News is there's a new challenger in town…
-
Muirium
- µ
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S with Bluetooth by Hasu
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Favorite switch: Gotta Try 'Em All
- DT Pro Member: µ
I really wanted his SSK too, but his "wife sale" was a whirlwind and I just didn't have the $$ to stretch. These guys sell fast!
Fortunately, Filco's doubleshot sphericals look like a regular product now so we should be able to lay our hands on them when someone gets them into Europe. Never thought I'd want to buy Filco caps but they're getting very interesting now with this and their move to Bluetooth boards.
Fortunately, Filco's doubleshot sphericals look like a regular product now so we should be able to lay our hands on them when someone gets them into Europe. Never thought I'd want to buy Filco caps but they're getting very interesting now with this and their move to Bluetooth boards.