Recommendations to go back to TKL/68%+

Learning and discussion Custom keyboards
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Hi there,

This can be a very generic question, but I’m quite lost and some guidance would be great.

I’ve using 60% keyboards for a while, however I bought a Norbatouch which I love using, and I realised I really miss my extra keys when I go back to the 60% now. So thinking of getting a board for my non-topre needs… ideally a TKL, I would do with anything 68% or bigger.

Then I started looking around, but I’m very lost and not sure what is available right now… I saw the keycult ones but they seem impossible to get.

I like my keyboards on the soft side, so I guess gasket mount would be ideal, maybe top mount would work as well? And I like them flat or as low degrees as possible (one of the reasons I love the Norba).

Do anyone have any recommendation of something I can check? GB, IC or older keyboards to look for in mechmarkets?

Thanks!

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Not quite what you’re asking for but TKC has the SP-111 on GB till the 27th. It’s a split sandwich mount 75%. Worth taking a look at IMO.

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Oooh, that’s nice!

Unfortunately I must be the only remaining specimen of the “usesrightfingertotypenumbersixdocus” :sweat_smile:

No, but really, am I the only person in the world that uses the right hand to type 6???

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Tons of gasket mount keyboard in IC. A few in GB. However, low typing degree isn’t a trend.

For 65% you’ve just missed out on some great options: Iron 165, Savage 65, Chimera 65. However here’s a few other options:

[GB] PC Canoe. Attractive price with only 2 days left to buy. However, it’s bottom mount with steel plate.
https://percent.studio/products/canoe-pc-version

[GB] Rama M65-B. Offered in very appealing colors and will be using some version of gasket mount it seems but the default plate is brass.

[IC] SKB2. Will be very affordable with different layout options, gasket mount, and adjustable typing angle. I regret missing out on the first round but plan to get a second round.

Not too many options out there for TKL right now I believe but here’s a few:

[GB] E8.5. Good price with gasket mount. However, 7 degree typing angle. 2 days left for aluminum version.

[IC] Cygnus. This an interesting one because it is a F-row less TKL which has a gasket mount and relatively low typing angle, 5.5 degrees. However, there is some drama surrounding the GB runner.
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=103717.0

There will be tons of options aftermarket. But, I can’t really think of any gasket mounts that wouldn’t have a big markup.

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Thanks so much, I really appreciate that!

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Yeah, I noticed everyone is doing at least 7 degrees nowadays…

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btw, [quote=“Seoulcialite, post:4, topic:7697”]
However, there is some drama surrounding the GB runner.
[/quote]

What is the drama about? It’s one of the few lower than 7 degree ones I have seen…

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One is kind of explained here in the original IC thread: [IC] CYGNUS — GB Live.

There was another incident which I’m not comfortable sharing myself since I don’t think I have all the information. You might be able to read up on it in MechKeys discord if you search for “justice for biso” or “justiceforbiso”.

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Also, plate material will have the biggest effect on the firmness of the typing feel. From what I know (and I may be wrong on this), gasket mount may soften the feel a small amount but its main function is to isolate the sound of the switches from the housing.

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Thanks for the info, in that case I’m even more interested since most of my builds are with silent switches and I’m quite sensitive to metallic pings…

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Damn, you aren’t kidding. I was very close to joining that GB, but instead ordered an E8.5 after reading that thread.

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If your looking for some thing a little more utilitarian, the Tex Shinobi should be shipping in a couple of months.