Merry Christmas!

Have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy a fantastic time with friends, family and loved ones.  It's the season of peace and reconciliation.  It is a season of reconnecting with long lost friends, saying sorry and returning home.  It is a season to remember that the heaven revealed the most wondrous gift of all- a baby boy who would take away the sins of the world and restored humanity's relationship with God.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wow!  Time flies.  I realize that I haven't had much of a chance to update the blog lately. However, I do want to take this time to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  Of course, Christmas shopping season is upon us once again and there are tons of great keyboard deals out there.  However, I think it's important to be thankful first.  So, I suppose it is fitting that Thanksgiving comes first before the holiday shopping.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Big Logitech devices sales at Best Buy

Since other sales sites cover this type of news much better, I am just putting this out there in case someone missed it.  Anyway, looks like the traditional Black Friday sale in north America is happening a bit earlier than expected.  So, for those readers in the NA area, the retailer Best Buy is having some early BF sales.  A few of the Orion Spectrum  using Rom-G switch keyboards are on sale with very reasonable asking price.  So if you are in the market for one, enjoy!  Oh, some gaming mice and headphones are also on sale.

SteelSeries introduces Apex M750, featuring in-house designed switch

SteelSeries is no stranger to mechanical keyboards and just introduced Apex M750.  The keyboard has all the usual gamer friendly features as well as an in-house designed keyboard switch named QX2.  To my untrained eye, the QX2 is basically a tweaked rendition of the classical Cherry MX red.  The specs are pretty Cherry like as well, having about 40g actuation force, 2mm activation distance with linear resistance.  Of course, it is Cherry MX stem compatible to take advantage of that huge aftermarket key caps availability along with the usual durability claims.  One interesting thing is SteelSeries implying that is a pretty silent design.  So, those looking for a quiet linear keyboard may want to test it out first since there aren't that many silent Cherry MX red clones out there.

The keyboard retails for $140 US dollars.  So, it is not exactly bargain of the week, but places it in the mid-tier pricing range.  Those who are invested into SteelSeries ecosystem are likely to check it out.  For the outsiders looking in, this might tempt a few folks to take another look.

Another nifty feature for optical switches

Circuit design from Tech Resources

A couple of posting ago, I was wondering out loud what advantages an optical switch brings to the table that a mechanical switch cannot do or can only do so at a higher cost.  Well, I have thought that analog function might be the killer feature.

It's Computex time in Taiwan and I think I found one of the reasons optical switches might be better.  It's easier to water proof.  Gigabyte, a Taiwanese computer component maker debuted Aorus K9 keyboard.  An attendee has shot a video of it at the booth demonstrating such thing.  According to Tech Report, this keyboard is indeed outfit with an proprietary optical switch called Flaretech that is water resistant.  Gigabyte did not note any IP certification for the board.  So, we will settle on this device being water resistant rather water-proof.

Now, this is an interesting idea that I didn't think about, as I view Hall Effect switch to be better suited for this particular application.  However, it does make sense when it is thought out and I am glad people smarter than I am have thought carefully about it.  Since Gigabyte targets the gaming market with this particular board, I think being water resistance is a good feature to sell.  Accident happens, especially with an intense gaming session and drinks can spoil easily when the actions kicks into high gear.  So, it's one less thing to worry about.  If indeed there is a spoil, well, just wash it off, dry it and the board should be back for duty then.

Regarding to the Flaretech switch, no information has come out about the physical build of the switch itself, but I have a feeling that it will not wander too far from the Cherry MX design.  Hopefully Gigabyte will share some more information about this new switch in the near future.

Topre Realforce 104UG-HiPro (YK2100) image gallery

Here's the image gallery from a well used and loved 104UG-HiPro.  For some reason, Topre decided to give it an unusual model number YK2100, but it is indeed a bit different from the regular Topre Realforce around....

Front view

Left side view

Right side view

Key cap view, notice the keys are higher than the regular caps

Key cap view, on the side, it is definitely taller

Key cap view, on the back side

The switch view, notice the extra support casing around the center column

Key cap and switch view

Back side view

Keyboard foot retracted

Keyboard foot extended

Moving Romer-G to the rest of us- Logitech introduces G413

Logitech introduced a new mainstream line of Romer-G key switch based keyboard that is below $90 US dollars.  As expected, Logitech steadily move its own switch down the product line.  So, finally it has crossed the magic US $100.  Yes, one could probably catch a Black Friday sale for a G410 or the discontinued G910 Orion Spark around that amount, but the retail price for G413 is somewhat of a milestone.  It now can compete with mainstream Cherry MX type boards.  Other Cherry MX compatibile (e.g. clones) switch based keyboard have gone down even further, one might be able to get one for $40 if one shops around and catches a good deal.  In any case, to make that price, Logitech eliminated fancy RGB lighting, scroll wheel and a few other sacrifice to make it.  So, this is more or less as an entry point for those who might want to explore Romer-G type boards, but not ready to go all the way.

As mechanical keyboards gain popularity and production volume, I expect the price to fall more, but will probably approach pricing floor sometimes this year or the next.  I just don't know where exactly that is, but I am thinking around $50 or so.  That's just a guess.  A rubber dome keyboard can be found for less than $20.  Because of the added complexity, I doubt mechanical boards will get that close, but hey one can dream.  :)

Analyzing and musings about Tesoro's Excalibur SE Spectrum- an optical sensor based keyboard

Anandtech has a really good review of Tesoro's latest keyboard.  Excalibur SE Spectrum uses optical key sensor design rather than the conventional mechanical contact sensor.  Since the review does an excellent job, I would concentrate on the more interesting aspect of the article, which is optical side of things.

As previously mentioned, optical sensor based key switches are the current frontiers in this business.  There are active work on advancing the technology rather in simple iteration approach that Cherry has been going through for sometimes.  It appears that Gateron is the supplier for the mechanical portions of the key switch.  Since it is designed to mimic the key action, the key switch itself is pretty much a standard mechanical switch, minus the electrical leaf contact (the moving piece that makes the electrical connection.)  What surprising that the optical device is mounted on the keyboard PCB rather integrated with the switch so that existing layout can be recycled.  Now, perhaps Gateron gave some steep discounts to drop the metal leaf part, moving the IR emitter/sensor to the circuit board does add some flexibility.  However, nothing is free; so, the added flexibility likely come at the cost.  The saving Gateron gave to Tesoro will now be spent on IR sensor and mounting it to the PCB.  So far, Tesoro is using this design to facilitate switch swap.  However, the same thing can be achieved using conventional Cherry MX type as well.

At this time, I don't see any distinct advantage of the optical sensor versus a mechanical sensor for an "on/off" device such as a simple keyboard switch.  Sure, I am sure in certain applications or use case, it is meaningful.  However, ordinary users like me, there's no compelling reasons yet.  To duplicate that mechanical feeling, the key switch design still has to rely on some simple mechanical machine.  Now, not having to worry about making the electrical connection part certainly does free the designers to make something more interesting.  I don't know if we are there yet.  So, the optical system's focus ought to be in the analog function and finding novel ways to use that.

What Tesoro did was cool, but we haven't move up sort of speak.  It's just making player substitutions at this point.  However, I am sure the Tesoro has something interesting up in its sleeves.  Can't wait to see what the next version of this keyboard is going to be.

Yes, even Kinesis is getting the fever, by announcing Kickstarter for Freestyle Edge

Yeah, even one of the more known ergonomic keyboard brands is now jumping to the gaming keyboard bandwagon.  But, can yo blame them tho?  Anyway, Kinesis is doing a Kickstarter project to transform one of their previous split keyboard design, the Freestyle2 to a more gaming market friendly device, Frestyle Edge.  Yup, this is the manufacturer for the Advantage2 ergonomic keyboard line and a host of other ergo-friendly devices.  The Freestyle2 is a split keyboard design with tenting accessories.

So, one can easily guess the various features, such as featuring Cherry MX types switches, per-key LED lighting, macro keys and various other gaming friendly perks check boxes are dutifully fulfilled.  So, I won't dwell too much on the features themselves.  However, I would like to say that I like this move because Kinesis is taking more of the ergo designs and now trying to popularize it.  Yes, Matias has offered a similar design with the beloved Matis switch, but it is aimed at typists, programmers and the like.  This time around, Kinesis is taking a well liked ergonomic keyboard design and combine it with some often sought-after gaming friendly features.  I cannot say that's a bad thing.

To cut down the risk Kinesis is taking, the company is utilizing Kickstarter to fund the effort.  I can see that it's already past its goal.  So, let's see if Kinesis can deliver on its promises.  Like Metadot, they are branching out to experiment with newer designs and moving the ball forward.  That's a wonderful thing.

Leopold (Topre) 87UW55 image gallery

This one is an unusual one because it's a keyboard sold by Leopold, but it's a Realforce 87UW55 (SE0800).  It also features dark key caps set with a off-white frame.  So, it's rather striking to look at, but functionally the same as the 87UW55 (SE08T0).  The keyboard itself is branded as Realforce, but the back-plate label has Leopold's logo.

Front view

Left side view

Right side view

Face side key cap view, notice the dark secondary . legend on the bottom when NumLock is activated

Back side key cap view

Yup, this is a Topre Switch

Key cap and switch view

Backside view, notice Leopold's logo on the label

Keyboard foot retracted

Keyboard foot extended

Happy Lunar New Year!

Clip art image by http://downloadclipart.org/

To my friends and dear readers all over the world who celebrate the lunar new year, happy belated new year.  I guess it's the year of the rooster.  It is traditional to go back home, spend time with family, being thankful and look forward to spring.  It's also a celebration that could last for weeks.  It's like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day all packed into a 2 week span.  So, I think it's going to be a bit quiet on the mechanical keyboard news front as many folks take a well deserved rest.  If you do any business in Asia, you know exactly what I mean.  So, enjoy and send me some red envelopes.  :)  Happy New Year and many blessings.

Razer announces new gamer friendly mechanical switch

Credit: Tomshardware.com

Well, actually, Razer just announced a new gaming oriented mechanical keyboard with a new switch: a yellow one.  As with its previous products, it caters to the white hot and still growing PC gamer's market.  Since my focus tends to be on the switch, I will just keep attention there.  It should not be a surprise that this new switch now possess shorten actuation distance, linear force and now silent operating features.  So basically this is like combing various different types of MX linear switches traits into one.

I suspect that we will begin to see a volume decline of the more classical switches such as the MX brown and blue.  These switches will continue to be popular with typists, programmers and other non-gamer's market.  However, MX red and black now are standard with any gaming oriented keyboard.  I think even those two MX switches will eventually be surpassed in shipping volume by the newer short throw types.  Noise consideration is likely to be secondary, but the actuation distance war has begun.  Maybe we will come full cycle and back to the scissor/rubber dome switches because they have very small actuation distance already. Oh wait....  Razer has already announced something like that for the tablet/mobile device market.  I am just waiting for someone to produce a 0.5mm MX version within a year or two.  Let's see if I am right.  :)

Ducky Channel's new Shine 6 Special Edition

Without fail for the last few years, Ducky Channel does a re-engineered of their flagship keyboard model known as Shine.  This is now the 6th time.  As usual, Ducky doesn't mess its winning formula, but made some significant changes that alter the aesthetics of the keyboard to set it apart from the crowd.

First and most noticeable change is the floating keycaps.  It's a pretty sounding name, but basically, it's a keycap that is half height rather than full height.  Ducky is not the first one, but seeing it on their flagship board signals that this is now in vogue.  So, expect some other keyboard makers making similar changes in the near future.  Half height keycaps serve an important purpose: letting more light out underneath the switch.  Because of the cross-shape key switch and cap interface design, the LEDs must be put somewhere not in the way.  Having half height keycaps allows more light as well as creating a more striking picture.  Using a black metal back plate instead of white one (such as in Shine 5), Ducky is counting on the float keycaps and brighter LEDs to compensate for the darker background.  The advantage is a cleaner light definition with a dark background.  So, I expect the LED colors to be more distinct and less affected by the neighboring ones.

Also, something new is the host PC software controlled lighting profile.  Although Ducky retained all the on board lighting and motion features, it too offers a customized profile.  The user costumed profile is the way to go now days.  I don't know how programmable it is, but it's a new direction for Ducky Channel.  With Metadot and Ducky going to the customization route, I think this feature will be around for a while and expanded to other experimental use soon.

The core features stay pretty much the same with Cherry MX switches and other expected features.  So, it's not going too far off to the deep end.  It is now available in North America through the usual channels for around $160.  The price places the keyboard on the top, high end side of the market.  I like what they got this year and I look forward to see what Ducky Channel comes up next year.

Keyboard trends @ CES

Well, one thing that is for sure, the gamer's keyboard market seems to be getting more and more crowded with no signs of slowing down.  So, perhaps this boom is here to stay for a while.  I don't think one can easily escape from any mechanical keyboard vendors without spoting a RGB keyboard.  Even Matias is putting out backlit keyboard (with scissor switches however, I think).  The latest innovation in that area is to store the lighting program in the onboard memory, some comes with 8MB of that.  So, look out for some very fancy color effects to either excite the player or to drive the competition crazy with brilliance.....

The second trend seems to be retro styling.  There are quite a few keyboards trying to emulate that old-school typewriter look and feel.  Now, I am waiting for some clever vendor to use 400g load springs for the key switches to complete the effect.  Nothing wrong with that, just that fashionable things seem to come and go and then come back again.  At this rate, we will have a psychedelic RGB lighting retro typewriter style caps with 400g weighted keys mechanical keyboard.  Maybe Unicomp could put out a RGB lighted buckling spring Model M keyboard?  Welcome to a blast to the past.

Happy New Year!

Yeah, I am a few days late, but the year is still young.  So, happy new year.  In any case, with CES announcements going full swing right now and the trade show opening tomorrow, most of the focus is there.  There are some keyboard related announcements, but nothing earth shattering yet.  Perhaps as the week goes on, something of interest will surface.