Who Uses A Flexible Keyboard?

[canonloader]

For years I have been buying those $8 Fellowes Generic Keyboards. I like the old style layout, they are cheap and I can throw them away ever 6 months when they get dirty. But recently, they seem to have gone cheapo in the construction, and the Ctrl and Shift Keys on both sides will stick unless you hit them right in the center. This is not only annoying, but hurts my fingers sometimes.

I don't want a better more expensive keyboard, cause they are set up different, need extra software, have key shortcuts that never work with oir screw up my program shortcuts and they just don't feel right, too big.

I was looking at some of those flexible keyboards (http://www.lonestarkeyboards.com/products.asp?dept=137&gclid=CPywxoKYzZcCFSTaDAodhR1G7Q) and wondered if anyone is or has used them and have some questions. Are they long lasting, do they use mechanical keys, or pressure or temperature sensitive keys, do they work good? :)

[TheHoff]

For years I have been buying those $8 Fellowes Generic Keyboards... But recently, they seem to have gone cheapo in the construction

:D :D :D Only recently did the $8 keyboard become cheap in the construction?

Now I haven't used one of those latex-wonders but I would guess that if you're used to a traditional feel, it won't be the same. Honestly I hate most of the Logitech and Microsoft keyboards, too. Apple makes a very nice USB "simple" keyboard but it wouldn't have your ctrl-alt-windows keys (the ctrl-alt would work but not be labeled correctly).

Have you tried an old IBM clicker keyboard? The kind they used to make with their 8088s... I bet someone must make a USB version of it. It was the only kind I'd use for about 15 years... I'd bring two of them to whatever job I was working at.

aha, buckling spring keyboard is what they're called... here is a current maker:

http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/keyboards.html

btw, if you buy a good keyboard once, you CAN clean them! The clickers should come apart easily.

[canonloader]

Only recently did the $8 keyboard become cheap in the construction?
Only in the last couple years have the keys begun sticking like I described. It's plastic in plastic with no lubrication. They were the best deal of anything I have bought in years. ;)

But I don't want to pay a high price for a keyboard that is going South the first time I spill beer or coffee into it. That's why I liked the $8 Fellowes. I would buy 2 or 3 at a time, so I always had one to switch out to. I have taken them apart to clean before in an emergency, and don't want to do it again. :)

[TheHoff]

Hmm I just can't imagine the flexible keyboards having that great of a feel if you do a lot of typing but like I said, I've not tried one. Have you thought of a virtual keyboard? :p

http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/input/8193/

totally beer-proof.

[canonloader]

I saw those advertised awhile back. But the $150 price tag is a deal breaker. :)

I'm going to see if I can find one at Best or one of the other stores around to get the feel of one before I buy. :)

[MaxxuM]

For a while I used cheap keyboards/mice but after using 'good' ones like this mouse (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104015) and this keyboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126008) I just cannot stand anything less. They make working hours of video/photos/surfing a pleasure. I got a set for every PC and Mac (Mac Edition w/ keyboard) I use.

The only reason I would use a flex keyboard is in harsh environments where it may get wet/sand in them.

[canonloader]

Out of my range, and it looks like it would take up too much desk realestate. :)

[TheHoff]

The only reason I would use a flex keyboard is in harsh environments where it may get wet/sand in them.

It sounds like his desk/wet bar qualifies as a harsh environment.

[MaxxuM]

Out of my range, and it looks like it would take up too much desk realestate. :)

Expensive, yea they are and I struggled over the decision to buy them, but once I did I just loved them and tossed out my others. The keyboards are actually pretty small, just a couple inches wider than my MacBook Pro and its super thin and while charging it take up no space at all. The mouse is big, but darn is it smooth and even after a few hours and a thousand clicks my hand still isn't cramping.

[MaxxuM]

It sounds like his desk/wet bar qualifies as a harsh environment.

Yea, I should have read the whole thing... especially the part about not wanting a more features :oops:

[canonloader]

I have had several of the ones with special features, still have them somewhere, but they all conflict with either Flash or Photoshop and I had to put them away. I really just want a normal 109 key board, and if it had silent non mechanical keys, so much the better. :)

[Kronie]

For a while I used cheap keyboards/mice but after using 'good' ones like this mouse (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104015) and this keyboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126008) I just cannot stand anything less. They make working hours of video/photos/surfing a pleasure. I got a set for every PC and Mac (Mac Edition w/ keyboard) I use.

The only reason I would use a flex keyboard is in harsh environments where it may get wet/sand in them.

Wow a $166 keyboard. I thought I was splurging when I bought a $60 keyboard.

I do have a mouse very similar to that one though.....

[BTNorris]

We have one of the flexible keyboards (http://www.lonestarkeyboards.com/products.asp?dept=137&gclid=CPywxoKYzZcCFSTaDAodhR1G7Q) that looks like the top one listed, but it's Tripp-Lite brand.

It's terrible. If you don't press the key straight-down in the middle it won't register the keypress.

[canonloader]

Thanks BT, that's exactly what I wanted to know. It looks like it too, and that is exactly what mine is doing with a few of the keys and it's really annoying. :)

[Bubber Jones]

I was looking at some of those flexible keyboards (http://www.lonestarkeyboards.com/products.asp?dept=137&gclid=CPywxoKYzZcCFSTaDAodhR1G7Q) and wondered if anyone is or has used them and have some questions. Are they long lasting, do they use mechanical keys, or pressure or temperature sensitive keys, do they work good? :)

Don't know if you've got one yet, but don't. They are junk and very hard to type on... Stay away....

[BrandonSi]

For a while I used cheap keyboards/mice but after using 'good' ones like this mouse (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104015) and this keyboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126008) I just cannot stand anything less. They make working hours of video/photos/surfing a pleasure. I got a set for every PC and Mac (Mac Edition w/ keyboard) I use.

The only reason I would use a flex keyboard is in harsh environments where it may get wet/sand in them.

I saw that keyboard in a partner's office a couple weeks ago. It's the most obnoxious keyboard I've ever seen in my life.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it looks nice on your desk though ;)

[TheHoff]

Let me offer a much more obnoxious alternative...

http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/input/9836/


a $1,589 USD keyboard... should be standard equipment in 2020 I think.

[Jpatten]

Let me offer a much more obnoxious alternative...

http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/input/9836/


a $1,589 USD keyboard... should be standard equipment in 2020 I think.


That would be cool to have... But with twin 2yr olds it wouldn't last long

[MaxxuM]

I saw that keyboard in a partner's office a couple weeks ago. It's the most obnoxious keyboard I've ever seen in my life.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it looks nice on your desk though ;)

Really? I though it was very understated and rather small. Most keyboards are sorta bulbous with clunky keys and a myriad of Fn buttons/toggles. Gamer keyboards are really obnoxious IMO. This one is flat and can easily be put out of the way. But most of all, it feels really nice to work on. I can sometimes loose hours sitting in front of the computer editing video and this keyboard (and mouse) have taken some of the literal pain away from hours of work. There's something about its angle and the way I sit or perhaps my posture... It just works well. I fell in love with it at CompUSA and just had to have it :) I got them for less than $100 each with a coupon and a Red Tag sale. I like living by a CompUSA distro point :)

[canonloader]

Nope, didn't get one. I don't think I would, at least until I could see and play with a real one first.

[Brett]

Nope, didn't get one. I don't think I would, at least until I could see and play with a real one first.

The problem with the silicone keyboards is the key action itself. If they could make it respond to a light touch like a good keyboard, they'd be on to something. It is nice that they can take a lot of abuse (I've seen them used in a manufacturing plant environment where dust is a constant concern), but if you're a touch-typist, you'll never like the feel. I have a couple hunt-and-peck friends that use them and are apparently happy. I tried it and can't get anything close to a fluid typing motion when the keys have to be literally pressed down to actuate. I wish they made on (doesn't have to be flexible) that had real key response to light touch, but I haven't seen one yet.

[canonloader]

when the keys have to be literally pressed down to actuate.
That's my problem now. And it has to be straight down too. If your finger tip doesn't hit the exact center 'balance point' of the key in it's individual slider, the damn thing sticks and won't go down at all. Really aggravating. :)