[Elecraft] ​ Re: Narrow Gaming Keyboard and Giant Mouse Pads - K-Pod

[M. George]

Tim, you bring up a good point about how much time is spent interacting
with the keyboard.  Thanks for mentioning the WASD Cherry MX Switch Tester
<http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/wasd-6-key-cherry-mx-switch-tester.html>
too.
I didn't know that existed.  We are getting down into the weeds on keyboard
obsession. I totally understand sticking with your Compaq keyboard too

I didn't mention the O-rings earlier, but since you brought it up... for
others, it's a whole other level of customizing your keyboard feel.  I did
the same thing a few years ago.  Researched the O-rings and ended up
installing them on my keyboard pictured in the first post.  It's going to
an obsessive level, but you remove all the keys on the keyboard and install
rubber O-rings as the bummer when the key physically bottoms out on the
keyboard.  This can also quiet down the sound when using mechanical cherry
MX switches.

Anyway, maybe too much information on keyboards for most!

Thanks for jumping in Tim.

Max NG7M

On Fri, Nov 25, 2016 at 6:56 AM, Tim Gennett <timk9wx at gmail.com> wrote:

> When I think about how much time we spend in contact with our keyboards, I
> find it surprising how casual we can be when it comes to selecting a
> keyboard.  In a contest, I can go for hours without ever touching my
> radios, yet still log hundreds of QSO's just by typing on my keyboard.
>
> Several years ago, I thought I should dig into the subject and see if
> there was a better choice for me than the 1998 Compaq KB-3923 I was using.
> I purchased a WASD Cherry MX Switch Tester from Amazon and that did little
> to help.  The tester made it clear that I wanted non-clicky keys, but I was
> unable to make the final call between tactile and non-tactile switches, or
> how much activation force I preferred.  Then, when I threw in the effect of
> two different types of o-rings, I was quickly lost in the weeds.  Making a
> judgement by pressing on a single key on the tester is clearly NOT the same
> thing as typing at contest speeds on a full size keyboard.
>
> There are a half dozen or so gaming stores in my neck of the woods, but
> they typically don't stock a lot of keyboards, mostly just the game
> cartridges.  So these stores were not much help.  I checked exhibitors at a
> couple of computers shows but they typically did not have a full range of
> options available to test.
>
> For contesting, I like to mount a macro template to the keyboard, to help
> me find the right key in the heat of battle.  There may be better ways to
> do this but my technique requires a flat spot on the top or side of the
> keyboard case.  See picture at http://www.k9wx.net/downloads/IMG4799.JPG
>   And, because I operate SO2R, I insist on having a Pause key and a
> backslash key.  I know I could get around this by using AutoHotKey but I
> want to keep my setup as simple as possible and don't want to add yet
> another piece of software that has to be learned, maintained, and that can
> fail.
>
> Each time I have dug into this, I have always decided to stick with the
> Compaq.  But, tomorrow may be different.
>
> Tim K9WX
>
>
>
>
>
> On Fri, Nov 25, 2016 at 7:54 AM, M. George <m.matthew.george at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> The keyboard is a CM Storm QuickFire Rapid - Tenkeyless Mechanical Gaming
>> Keyboard with Cherry Switches.  These are very popular keyboards and are
>> still available in several different models, however there are many other
>> manufacturers that sell the same size / style of keyboard, with or without
>> cherry brand mechanical keys.  Search on Amazon as a starting point.
>>
>> If back lighting is important to you, make sure and search for one that
>> has back lighting. Since I bought mine there are some keyboards out there
>> now that let you control the lighting on a key by key basis... Also, know
>> that the mechanical cherry keys have a very distinctive click based on the
>> version of the Cherry switches. Here is a good gaming article that
>> describes the different cherry keys and how each version (color type) is
>> different.  i.e. Red, Blue, Brown Cherry switch types
>> <http://lifehacker.com/how-to-choose-the-best-mechanical-keyboard-and-why-you-511140347>
>> .
>>
>> Keyboards with cherry switches won't be inexpensive.  Expect to pay
>> $60-$100+ if you want cherry switches in a keyboard.  Plus, do the research
>> and know what to expect on the feel and sound of the keys.  You might drive
>> your XYL crazy typing on a cherry switch keyboard! ;)
>>
>> Again, other keyboards with the same form factor are out there with the
>> typical contact membrane key style, that is nearly silent... and mushy...
>> however, they can be had for $15-25.
>>
>> Just to  be clear, I obviously do not have any vested interest in the
>> cherry switch based keyboards.  I just like them and love the tactile feel
>> and positive feedback you get from the keys.  The narrow width was critical
>> too in my case... less hand movement between the keyboard at the K-Pod,
>> Paddle and mouse.
>>
>> Max NG7M
>>
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Nov 25, 2016 at 4:36 AM, Tim Gennett <timk9wx at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> ​What is the make and model of the keyboard?  I can't see any​ brand or
>>> model markings in the pictures.
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>> Tim K9WX
>>>
>>>
>>> From: "M. George" <m.matthew.george at gmail.com>
>>> > To: Elecraft Mailer <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
>>> > Cc:
>>> > Date: Thu, 24 Nov 2016 12:10:47 -0700
>>> > Subject: [Elecraft] Narrow Gaming Keyboard and Giant Mouse Pads - K-Pod
>>> > I thought I would share the following.  I have been using a narrow
>>> gaming
>>> > keyboard for years now and really like it.  It has cherry mechanical
>>> keys
>>> > and nice options on the back lighting.  The real reason for the post
>>> here
>>> > is related to my K-Pod and the positioning of the K-Pod in relation to
>>> the
>>> > keyboard in my paddle.  Plus, I found these huge mouse pads online for
>>> a
>>> > very reasonable price.  They are 32" x 24".  I hate table edges
>>> against my
>>> > wrist when keying the paddle and using the mouse, not to mention using
>>> the
>>> > K-Pod as near to the keyboard as possible.  I'm pretty happy with the
>>> two
>>> > big mouse pads which solve the movement of the paddle too etc...
>>> >
>>> > The big mouse pads were found on the shopping site that nobody can live
>>> > without these days... search for 'Large gaming mouse pad'.  I found
>>> some
>>> > big ones on usual auction site too, but they were wider and not as
>>> deep.
>>> >
>>> > Anyway, here are the pictures if you want to take a look at the layout
>>> with
>>> > the narrow keyboard and the K-Pod / Paddle etc...
>>> >
>>> > http://www.nc7j.com/downloads/NG7M/Elecraft/K-Pod/
>>> >
>>> > Happy Thanksgiving!
>>> >
>>> > Max NG7M
>>> >
>>> > --
>>> > M. George
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
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>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> M. George
>>
>
>


-- 
M. George