[Elecraft] Re: Narrow Gaming Keyboard and Giant Mouse Pads - K-Pod
Niel Skousen
nskousen at ecsecurityinc.com
Fri Nov 25 11:25:15 EST 2016
Work recently provided a TypeMatrix ( www.typematrix.com ) as an 'ergo' keyboard. If you need a small-ish quality keyboard, I really like mine !
Niel
Sent from my iPhone
> On Nov 25, 2016, at 07:24, M. George <m.matthew.george at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> 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
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