Das Keyboard mk.1 review (KT ErgoForce)
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- Опубликовано: 24 июл 2024
- Skip to 11:19 for a typing demonstration.
Me gaming on a Planck: bit.ly/2qbU23a
A lot of people requested this one; our first look at a Das Keyboard, in fact, the first model of Das Keyboard. Hope you enjoy the video! :)
My keyboard reviews: bit.ly/1TbOtft
My switch teardowns: bit.ly/2C1QGHz
My TOP X videos: bit.ly/2FmpZfd
My XL typing demos: bit.ly/2OoAW3w
I'm Thomas and I do videos and reviews on mechanical keyboards ranging from the most sickening modern RGB gaming keyboards to vintage hardware relics, or sometimes keycaps or keyswitches ranging from Cherry MX to Alps SKCM to IBM buckling springs and anything in between.
Follow me on Twitter for updates on my keyboard videos! / chyrosran22
The practice sentence was: "Hello my name is Thomas and I'm typing on a Das Keyboard mark 1 right now. This keyboard has a lot of stories behind it, and it's definitely surprised me a lot. But still, it has its flaws and issues I think." 
Наука
The flexing is a feature! "It hugs your desk, so there's no wobble during intense pro typing sessions"
Hell yeah
That actually would be a pretty darn good feature, I hate the wobbles. Though if that was an issue I usually just stuffed something under a corner, like how I handle tables. :P
The new model f has something like that. Its so fucking heavy it bends the desk and forces it into the right shape
I legit laughed out loud when he started twisting the keyboard -- who would've thought something that looks similar to a Model M would flex that much..
Yeah exactly, somehow the fact that it looks like an M makes the lack of build quality even worse xD .
@@Chyrosran22 this keyboard is no match to an Emarth keyboard in rigidness
My Logitech K120 flexes about the same and actually has screws holding it together. When the cheapest logitech office keyboard is built better than that thing LMAO.
I remember when Das started this blank keycap tomfoolery. 'Twasn't snobbery, at least according to the marketing. It was instead touted as a way to sharpen your touch typing skills, largely aimed at programmers. The idea was that if you had no key legends to glance down on, you'd be force to memorize them better than you had before, and thus become a bit more adept.
I'm a touch-typing programmer myself, and honestly still kinda want one of the mechanicals, to at last replace my ancient Dell SK-8125 I got with my old laptop back in '04. (The home row bumps on 'F' and 'J' have become almost undetectable from wear.)
Dasani. Das a keyboard.
@I Play Too Much Rainbow really? because it was posted months ago not from you. bullshit
you prolly dont give a shit but if you're stoned like me atm you can stream pretty much all of the new movies and series on instaflixxer. I've been binge watching with my girlfriend lately =)
@Langston Zachariah Definitely, I have been using instaflixxer for since november myself :)
“What the hell happened here?”
You know I liked mechanical keyboards when I started to watch your channel, but more and more I'm learning so much from this channel it's easily become one of my favorites.
Thank you :) .
2:42 You just HAD to put in the "HIDEOUS" in there
At 0.5x speed, it's certainly
*HIIIIIIDDDEEEEEEEOOOOOOUUUSSSSSSS*!
Gotta say that really activated my almonds as I have the DK 4 pro and I think the shape of it is beautiful.
Not to mention this dude is cringey as fuck when he says his little catchphrases.
@@BobbyDuwitz It all comes down to personal preference I think. I'm also using a DK 4 and I also find it quite appealing. He's doing that for shits and giggles, so I accept it as a difference of opinions. I mean, yeah, I personally think that the whole floating key keyboards are ugly, and I think that the whole RGB-nonsense is in general unnecessary and pointless, but I also understand that this is just my personal taste. Backlit keyboards do have some use if you have to use it in complete darkness, but even when I attended LAN-parties this actually never was an issue, because you at least have the light from you monitor shining on your keys.
But, as I said, he's entitled to his opinion, I just don't share it. I also think that for some reason he also has a somewhat overly unjust fondness of a lot of vintage keyboards and their layout. I've been typing on PC keyboards since the first XT (it was actually my first computer I got second hand back in the very early 90ies), and also had my fair share of keyboards over the years, but I never felt that kind of nostalgia when it comes to f'in keyboards. But that's just me.
@@BobbyDuwitz agreed with your second stance. theyre getting really fucking old
Side print: the best of both worlds. Love side printed caps.
Wow, I've never seen a Das 1 before and didn't know they started out with rubber domes, but even though you don't particularly like the modern Das look, they've definitely come a long way in terms of build quality. Their continuing appeal to the blank keys snobbery is definitely still there, though.
And with that said, I'd just like to say: Please never change the way you type, Thomas! I type the exact same way, right down to using my right index finger to work the space bar, but am also capable of not looking at the keyboard. You represent every one of us who can love keyboards as a hobby but don't religiously type using the homerow-bound spastic spider leg fingering calisthenic gymnastics. Also, it's just really satisfying to annoy those kinds of snobs, as if it's some kind of logical contradiction and violation of the laws of nature that someone of your standing in the keyboard community doesn't subscribe to the same typist ideology XD
“Feels like a dead fish” - I will use this line in some watercooler office discussion. Also - thats what she said!
as someone who watched most of your videos, listening to the HIIIDEOS feels so heartwarming
@@elysian5028 I am cringe because I enjoy some inside joke? Grow up. No one cares
Great german impression - as always, when it's needed!
I like his German accent too. He manages to make it funny while being true to the language. That earns him a GUT from the Stiftung Warentest.
there's another vid i forgot where he reads from german manual or whatnot.
Definitely interested in seeing the whole video with the gaming! Gonna check it out today 😂
That's the one I use! Love it, both the switches and the blankness.
I loved my Keytronic KB101-pro. PC Clones at the time tended to have poor keyboards, and the quality was remarkable. Do you have one of those or have you reviewed it? I could loan you mine, if you have a compatible machine to try it on. I recall it was capacitance based, and could understand any number of keys being held down at the same time without aliasing or getting confused.
Hello,
are the keys interchangeable with Keytronic-keys? I use a KT2001PRO (black) but I like the square look of the Das Keyboard more than the rounded shape of the Keytronic.
Thanks in advance
Robert
What is it with home row typers and being complete snobs? I type "incorrectly" at over 100 WPM and it's suited me pretty well. Screw their electrocuted spider typing style
I agree completely, but I fear I'll never hear the end of it in the comments though xD .
I usually do it because I got a Unicomp EnduraPro. In other words I got a trackpoint.
Currently I'm using a wrist/arm rest so my hands are leveled.
I don't understand how 8:04 is supposed to be "better" than using a wrist rest. Even though I type via home row, my hands don't look like that. I have no idea about that typing style people got going on at 8:04. It just looks wrong (and is some RSI waiting to happen).
Then again anything keyboard related always traces back to some sort of elitism. Seriously, absolutely anything.
yeah. i type home row but i type it super weirdly. like i would reach my hand over to y or u to press it when my other hand is clicking the backspace or something. my mom says that that is not right, but it also makes me type at ~70 wpm when she can only hit 40 at best.
I for one would love to see a video of that.
if you can touch type without using home row thats really nice but most can't apparently
Just a query have you already reviewed a Lenovo / IBM "Enhanced Performance" keyboard? It's a continuation of the "IBM Rapid Access" models. It's currently my daily driver of choice for a rubber dome, but I am considering switching to a unicomp endurapro. I do value the shortcut / media keys on this one though.
I've never used the home row and can type just fine without looking at the keyboard, type however you are comfortable and be happy 👍
Great review, greetings from Mexico!, big fan of the channel :D
Favorite modern, in production switch? I've been looking at the Kailh Box series for a build I'd like to do. Either clicky or tactile are preferred for a recommendation. Also where is the best place to get some cool retro spherical caps?
Is it curved like a Model M making all the keycaps the same profile and interchangeable? I realize that doesn't matter since they don't have legends, but just curious.
Blacked-out Models M and Models M clones are something I did not expect to look so cool. I didn't expect the comparison (and compliment to) the mass-market Dell I use daily, either.
Love how you paused for like a second at 8:37 to chuckle for a bit
I noticed the same issue when trying to game with blanks myself, somehow when typing I'm not consciously thinking about where exactly keys are on the board I just sort of do it.
Maybe the lack of keycap printing is to keep the attention away from the keyboard and towards the screen. Keycap lettering can be eye-catching at times so removing them might have been an attempt at improving focus.
I bought version 4 because it was stylish. You can feel F key and J key and figure out where your hands are and where letters are. I never look to the keyboard while typing or playing so, why not. Cleaning the keyboard by taking all the keys out is challenge, you must look up a manual online and figure out where the keys go, but keys have numbers on them inside and i was finished in about 3 hours
EO3600 club checking in. The most ubiquitous keyboard of the late 90's and 2000's.
LOVE my rubbreh king keyboard. Not a daily driver mind you, but it's the only rubber dome keyboard I pull out now and again to remember the feel.
I actually really like the look of the Mark 4, I wish more keyboards broke out of the same old rectangle sometimes, gives the board a bit more character imo
I've been assuming that the name is a reference to "Das Boat" and battleship keyboards. BTW I am using a Das Keyboard Professional 4 and I think it's excellent.
I actually love my keytronic ergo force more than my matias or ds4 cherry mx brown. So sad that they don't manufacture ergo force anymore. Anyone have recommendation for something new that feels like ergo force (iso layout)?
Good day, I just found your channel while looking for a new keyboard. My old one was an Logitech g... Something that I've used for about 6 years without a problem until I accidentally destroyed the power chord.
So my question would be which keyboard preferably mechanical with RGB (does not have to be costumizable) and at least 8 macro keys you, or the community can recommend.
Budget or sound does not really matter for me as long as they feel good while using.
I've used the Logitech one for ages so.. pretty sure someone can help me out here. :)
I can't help but imagine how hilarious it would be to be in the same lobby as you when trying to game with off the wall keyboards.
Omg.. I went to your page to find a review of a Keytronic Ergoforce (I didn't get to search for it, cause this video was recommended - and it looked to interesting to pass up) and then this is an ergoforce lol.. I love that keyboard - better than a das mk 4 prof. imo.
hahaha the "Alien" picture ... fantastic.
2:41
A straight piped, riced out Honda Civic starting up
hhhhHHHHHHHIDEOUS!
That is why I use ESDF as the arrow keys instead of WASD. You can access more keys and you know where the keys are too :D
Hi Chyrosran22, could you please provide the wiring sequence for this keyboard? I've recently bought an identical one with a pigtail only with (pink brown yellow and silver wires), I want to add a PS2 connector to it but having trouble opening it up to test the wires. (They break really easily), Thanks a bundle. I really like to type on it btw:)
Never mind, I just figured it out after the tear down(broke 1 tab), too bad I tried the wrong sequence, and burned the chip...
My HHKB's keys are nearly invisible indoors, since they are black on grey, but I can still find all keys except function/number keys pretty easily even in games, as I have mostly memorised the layout from typing, even when I am not in a home row position. I did know how to find keys quickly before I learned to type on the home row from typing classes though, just by needing to type quickly in, e.g, Minecraft, and can type on my phone halfway decently even without looking at it, so perhaps practice typing without a home row typing position has to do with it.
Wasn't this keyboard like 120 dollars back in the day? I remember wanting it.
The Num Lock on the Realforce is 55g too, even if the force chart doesn't admit the fact. At least on my 105U it is - I assume the same for all full-size Realforces.
Is there an actual switch that you recorded to make the intro with? Sounds super satisfying
Yes, it's a recording of my Acer KB-101A with Alps SKCM Blue.
Later versions of the standard Keytronic e03600 series also have the ergoforce domes in them. Annoyingly it seems Keytronic has discontinued a lot of their keyboards including the e03600 series, which is a shame. I bought one 3600 dirt cheap on amazon to use as a quiet alternative to a model M at work and it's definitely the snappiest rubber dome board I've used. I wanted to get a second one but nobody seems to have any stock left. Some of the modifier weights are definitely a little stiff but overall a good board and a great body double for a model M.
Hey Chyrosran22, what is the best way to distinguish an Ergoforce Keytronic keyboard from a pre-Ergoforce KT keyboard?
The Ergoforce's part number is ERGO3600 rather than E03600.
@@Chyrosran22 Is the '3600 the only Ergoforce model? Or are there are other Keytronic EF models (presumably with ERGO- part numbers)?
@@Morality124 I'm not aware of non-Ergoforce models with ERGO in the p/n.
@@Chyrosran22 Thanks for the insight! :)
Extra stiff ctrl and alt keys? Keytronic must hate emacs users.
VIM MASTER RACE ANYONE?
Hey Chyros. I've been getting really interested in mechanical keyboards over the past few months and I would love to build a custom one this year. The only thing holding me back is the fact that i havn't tried the switches or boards before so I don't know what any of the switches and such actually feel like. Thats why i was wondering if you knew any type of keyboard convention/meetup/test spots or whatever in the Netherlands, as I live in Amsterdam, just so I can try stuff out.
You should join the DMKC slack, they are planning a meetup in Belgium in late March or something I think. Trying out actual keyboards is definitely by far the best way to get a good feel for what kind of switches you like :) .
@@Chyrosran22 I requested an invite!
blank keycaps are also nice if you use multiple layers, non-qwerty, or remap your board. not sure if any of those can be done on this keeb though lol
In that case, I personally really like using relegendables. Gives your keyboard a very personal touch too, IMO.
@@Chyrosran22 all it takes for those caps to be relegendable is some silver sharpie :P
This is a much later upload than your usual 6-7am Saturday uploads haha.
Still though, great work as always Thomas.
I used to upload more randomly on either Saturday or Sunday. In case I manage to get everything done beforehand, I set it to upload on 8 AM on Saturday. Still, sometimes it's a busy week and I need to finish it during the weekend, in which case it gets uploaded later.
@@Chyrosran22 That's totally understandable, and we all know how busy lives leads to getting things delayed. It happens.
@@abzhuofficial I'm actually having to pre-record next week's record during this weekend as I'll be away for most of the week on a conference xD .
@@Chyrosran22 Good luck with your conference man I say :)
@@abzhuofficial thanks, I'll need it - always plenty of drink at chem conferences xD .
I use blank keycaps on a few of my boards only because getting good-quality replacements in my national layout can be so frustrating and expensive.
Ah, I'm assuming you use Topre then? :p
When revealed as a keytronic inspired keyboard, I absolutely lost it.
Having a legendless keyboard is nice if your using a non qwerty layout like dvorak, it can get confusing sometimes if its there. That my best rationale.
could you do a full review of a keytronic keyboard other than an ergoforce?
I've done several KT reviews before; are you referring to a specific model?
@@Chyrosran22 um, not really, although i would've liked to see you reviewing a keytronic wireless rubber dome with a trackball
When I bought the Das 4 few years back, I was disappointed. For the price, at the time, it was really under whelming. Bad stabs, non standard bottom row, and a thick non detachable cable left a very sour taste. The two usb passthroughs are nice though, that is if your computer is riveted to the ceiling.
1:27 Whoa, never knew Cherry boards were made in my country!
How about all these keycaps going around nowadays that have dots instead of number/letter/symbol legends?
8:04 I do the home row thing while typing, but my hands do not look anything like that. In fact, looking at my hands right now, my pinkies are straighter than my other fingers. And I have very large hands that can span a 12th on a piano. I'd say those people are definitely typing wrong.
They're definitely doing it wrong. Pinkies should rest on the home row (A and ; keys) just like all the other fingers when you're not moving them to hit another key.
I just realized that I never use the right shift key- the last time I pressed that key was in 1998 when I played Jazz Jackrabbit 2 with a friend which uses one keyboard for 2 players in split-screen-mode..
JJ2, hah, I was listening to the JJ2 soundtrack yesterday as it happens xD .
HOLY FUCK HE'S FINALLY DOING A KEYTRONIC ERGOFORCE
Ah, the infamous Great Rubber Purge from '16. Many families still mourn that day.
I have an mk 1 that I used for years and it's one of the only older keyboards that have had a number of keys that failed. I also have an early keyboard in their new line with MX blues that is much nicer to type on and has held up better. I really don't think anyone should be nostalgic about this keyboard.
where to buy
How about some Leopold keyboard review? For instance FC980m?
I already did a Leopold! :)
@@Chyrosran22
Oh :o
I just love how he rant on touch typists, and I'm indeed one of them XD
I got my friend a blank Dad Keyboard as a gift back in the day. It was a pure act of snobbery and making his computer hard to use if you don't know how to type.
I've never been a fan of keys that don't have the legends printed on them even though I rarely need to look at the keys unless I'm doing some kind of function on a laptop I don't use a a lot, or just an odd layout I'm not use too. So yeah I find it a bit snobbish.
maybe an unpopular opinion, but gaming is the only time I can touch-do anything with a keyboard. I keep my hand on WASD (pinky on shift, thumb on space) and I know where to move each of the fingers to reach f, g, alt, ctrl, and so on. each finger covers each own area. but when typing? I move my hand around constantly sooo I have no idea where it is and where to press :c
"regimented cramping facehugger-style home row spasticity" ROFL.. a line worthy of Red Dwarf xD
HOW COM U NO TYPE LIKE HAVE BONEITIS?
they must've taken to the shamwow guy's "you know the germans always make good stuff" message to heart.
I had a couple of Keytronic-branded ones that I threw away when I moved last time. I kinda regret that, but still would't use it over any alps keyboard or Model M...
So, this might seem like an unrelated tangent but back in the 80's, Cadillac wanted their doors to sound more like those of Mercedes Benz. They found it was due to the extra weight of which the MB doors carried. So what was Cadillac's solution to try and replicate the sound? They just added extra metal to the door that was just there for weight. While that may have been a quick and dirty way to do it, the Daskeyboard would probably have benefited from the same philosophy.
It is funny that Cadillac replicated Mercedes-Benz when Mercedes-Benz replicated Jaguar.
I like blank keycaps for three reasons: 1) The labels can't wear out if there aren't any! 2) if you have dark keycaps, they kinda look like a giant chocolate bar 3) too lazy to put all these letters in the right places after taking them out
That last one is actually interesting. I imagine having no legends on the keycaps would make replacing a set much faster, as any key can go anywhere, aside from the ones with different shapes.
How many Keyboard do you have in your collection?
About 250.
@@Chyrosran22 Heh...I was talking to a friend about my keyboards....she said if it hit 250 she's have to do some sort of intervention.....I have to scope out some good hiding places >:)
Aren't Topres made by Fujitsu?
the hhkb is yes
I hate that keytronic had decent Rubberdomes, at least on my NOS. I wish I got my hand on an ergoforce.
My cousin's workplace ordered a whole bunch of blank keyboards once, so he ended up drawing all the legends himself with pink nail polish borrowed from the ladies in accounting department.
Oh wow xD .
that things pretty good looking
Blank keycaps are also great when using different layouts, or a layout that getting keycaps for would be too expensive. Blank keycaps in an uniform layout (XDA in my case) can fill any, even the most exotic, layout. And I can use both German and Russian without having wrong legends. I prefer no legends over wrong legends. So I guess there is some slight elitism.
If only every keyboard manufacturer was a cool as IBM and had uniform profile keycaps with a curved barrel plate.
So basically the review is "weird flex, but ok". (sorry, I'll let myself out)
What keyboard do you use at your intro?
My Acer KB-101A.
“Its hold on, it’s hiiiiiiiidiouss!”
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHIDEEEOUS
Funny story... the MKII(which I use) is a rebranded Cherry G80-3000 with blank keycaps.
For the record, facehuggers are excellent typists.
Well, I guess that's better then feeling like a live fish. Hard to hit the right keys when they are not labeled and the keyboard is flopping around on your desk.
Not everybody is using "standard" qwerty layout! Blank keycaps are a godsent when the symbols do not match what the keys do.
P.S. Who taught those people to touch-type? The first lesson always was "relax your hands and let the tips rest on the home row keys"...
When people comment on it, I say, "neither does a piano". It takes a beat and then most people "get it".
Used in an office, it drives IT maintenance people bonkers. Between that and the Kensington trackball, it keeps anyone else from even attempting to "manage" the machine for me.
@@JohnDlugosz "Neither does a piano" what? What does a piano not do?
what
@@staglomagnifico5711 A piano doesn't have the notes written on the keys.
@@JohnDlugosz Meh, just switch to dvorak with some shortcut instead of locking the desktop ;)
Review the cynosa chroma
heeeeeeeediiiyusss
mate where do you live i wanna send my osmium pro to you so you can review it
Are programmers typists?!
*H M M*
Also, the way you say hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhIDEOUS!
"[...]Really, it just feels like a dead fish, to be honest."
DEAD FUCKING FISH
The more people see passed the hype of the whole range, the more informed they'll be in their future purchases.
Since 2005, they're actually a company based in Austin, Texas
Not sure where this rumour of high quality comes from. Their keyboards have always been overpriced and mediocre quality.
Probably from people who have only used pack in OEM boards.
Agree, Das is overpriced garbage. My Das 4 Professional got key chattering after one year. I'm also got some Greetech switches instead of cherry mx.
@@segarallychampionship702 What are you implying? I have several NMB boards, and they're all built way better than this. even the NMB with slider one i bought by accident is well made.
Because keyboard fans can be as insular and blindly tribal as anyone else. I've copped hate for selling my realforce because I had the nerve to say I liked my chinese-korean copy more. Yeah realforces are smoother, I just like thock.
@@anasevi9456 Haven't had the chance to try any of the Niz boards. just how good is it? I really only bought a 86u so people would shut up for claiming I need to own Topre before bad mouthing it.
Cool video man! Pls do Razer Blackwidow Chroma V2 next time.
Some people just want to watch the world burn
AFAIK, Razer Blackwidow Chroma V2 is not bad at all. Except it's infamous price.
"Regimented crumpling face hugger style home row bastards do..." xD !!!
I've never seen a Rubber dome keyboard with blank keys. This is interesting. I thought most people used to use Blank Keys in games, but then you proved me that thats not that good at gaming either.
I find the lack of legends to look amazing honestly.
Intermediately weighted Kailh BOX switches have been released(Hip hip hooray)Kailh BOX Pink.
Pink is just a middle option between White and Jade. Not sure if they improved on white's almost negligible tactility
And they'll be reviewed next week! :)
I am *so* glad I didn't buy that version. great review!
You're not the only one who doesn't touch-type. I don't too. A guy once went as far as roasting me for not touch-typing (though it was a 4chan kid so roasting everyone that doesn't agree with him is a given).
I'm glad my das keyboard has the 'tumor' that houses a nice usb 3 hub, which almost no other keyboards have
Yay!
I own the keytronic ergofoce, gifted it to my mum.She loves typing on it. It's loud for sure but the sound is thockier than my btc5100c. Which sounds deeper. The ergofoce thing has inspired to make my own diy ergoforce with mechanical switches using different weighted springs. Wish companies would bring the BEA key back into fashion though. Love me a big ass enter.