I ask my self this question every now and then because… I don’t know. I used to think it was the poker 2 or pok3r, but nowadays with the lack of popularity those boards are facing, I’m thinking the crown might have been handed over to the anne pro 2.
So what is a Miata/MX-5?
It’s a lightweight inexpensive 2 seater roadster/convertible/sportscar. Typically popularized by the fact that it is extremely fun despite its lower pricepoint and high level of customizability for some of the older models.
I still think a tray mount with swappable plate, pcb, and other components really completes the car analogy, but then again I don’t think tray mounts are considered that sporting these days.
Maybe a M60-A would be more akin? They have a good amount of customizability for things you can buy like internal weight & internal foam while still having a lot of personal customization through switch modding, stabilizer lubing, and hotswapability if you go for that PCB.
I don’t know why this random question appeared in my head on a friday. Enjoy your weekend!
Im thinking hhkb actually. One thing about the mx5 that is also weirdly unique is that there isnt really any market competition. And as far as mass, small topre there is only hhkb. There are dozens of mx style boards small and big, light and chunky.
Also its just iconic. Even If it isnt an endgame board to most i think most people still want a hhkb in their collection.
I see a lot of Ducky One 2 minis or Anne Pros recommended as the intro MK board. I’d probably say that, because there’s not a whole lot of assembly involved and it still gives users the budget “clack” people want.
If it’s a question of customizability, the M60-A takes the cake. Honorable mention for MiniVans, as I swear that everyone who likes 40% boards own one.
I don’t think the M60A would really be like the Miata, considering they cost almost as much as a cheap Miata lol…
But I’d have to agree, Anne Pro 2, or something like the GK61/64. I see tons of people on youtube, twitch, and at my work, who get those boards, and get a cheap knockoff keyset and call it a day. That’s pretty far into “building” keyboards for some of these people who don’t delve into the much more expensive custom realm. Sorta like how a TGR alice is rare, and more expensive new, but they get jacked up in price like crazy on resale… so, TGR alice is the Supra MKVI of the car world? lol
plus the knockoff keysets makes me think knockoff bbs wheels which furthers the car analogy
So, the whole design of the MX-5 Miata is based on this idea of 人馬一体, “Jinba Ittai”, which roughly translates to “rider and horse as one”.
Of the keyboards and input devices that I’ve seen, IMHO the Datahand stands alone as the expression of this idea. I don’t think @ohaimark will mind me ripping off his photo from DT.
Well, a Miata is an MX-5. So don’t we have to pick a mx style board? Feel like the HHKB is more of an M class BMW sedan, perhaps a popular M3. Realforce can be the BMW M5, etc.
Miata are also great race cars with Spec Miata being a popular race class, with chassic and suspension upgrades, but the same motor at the core.
So I like your idea of it being a tray mount with swappable component. But I feel like we have to pick the best tray mount, perhaps the best feeling one gets the award.
The keyboard market is changing pretty fast, to the point where it’s hard to say right now.
I’d go with the KBDFans Tofu, either the tray-mount version or the integrated-plate 2-piece versions. There are other “fun cheap customizable” boards out there, but they’re all limited group buys (for now).
I’m going to revive this because with all of the covid19 going on and seeing how people feel about certain boards, I feel like the
KBD67 is becoming solidly the Miata/MX-5 of keyboards
Model M would be like the '88 Corvette your neighbor keeps in his garage. “Oh yeah she’ll run one of these days, I just need to work on the engine (bolt mod) and fix some other stuff (replace possibly missing keycaps) here and there”.
A beauty from another time. Still a bit timeless in looks, but at the same time still a bit dated. Paradoxically both at the same time.
Is the NK65 now the MX-5 of Mechanical Keyboards? I mean it’s damn affordable and looks like it can metaphorically vroom vroom excellently in its price/weight class compared to its competitors.
OOF this reminds me I need to fix the spacebar on my M. I think I’ll take it out of storage after I clean up my desk enough that I have room to actually use it
Probably the GK61 / GK64, you can get them as a kit, or assembled, with options such as hot swap and Bluetooth. Plus, their expensive cheep. If you use it as it comes, it’s cheep, but it can get quite expensive, if you start to modify it, because they doesn’t use standard case mounting, IIRC.
Hmmm, maybe I’m a bit snobby/elitist in this regard, but the GK61/64 always seemed like a disposable kind of keyboard to me. Like a ford pinto. Or an inexpensive fixer upper you buy for a track day without any concern if it gets thrashed on.
Despite that, it is still a very popular board for a lot of people getting into the hobby similar to the Miata/MX-5 being a popular car for many people getting into sportier driving
I think there are 2 main schools of thought when it comes to the Miata, the people that buy them used and beat the piss out of them, and the people that buy them new and drive them when it’s nice out, with the occasional track day / possibility of a track day.
Being in my mid 30’s I’m at the point, that I would probably fall into the latter category, but when I was younger it was defiantly the former, but with a 1988 RX7 then a 2005 WRX, in place of the Miata (Almost bought a 1990 Miata, but I didn’t fit with the top up. lol).
which furthers the car analogy
