Datamancer Penshurst Typewriter Keycap Set Discussions | Drop

Datamancer Penshurst Typewriter Keycap Set

Showing 1 of 19 conversations about:

Bizpit

Jun 1, 2017

Good lord, why is it so expensive?!

wiemerimer

120

Jun 1, 2017

BizpitSteel stems and made in the USA.
Which happens to be more expensive than plastic and made in China.
EDIT: Derp, not metal stems. Stems are plastic, rings are steel.

Jun 1, 2017

wiemerimerPretty sure the 'steel' mentioned in the description is the silver frame around the edges, not the stem. There aren't any pictures of the stems either, which you would normally find on any other keycap sale.

wiemerimer

120

Jun 1, 2017

CyphreYep, I misspoke. The stems look like plastic in the fifth picture, the side view.

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ferferksakes

Jun 1, 2017

wiemerimer13th picture shows how the frames are attached to the stems on four sides. This does not look like construction that would last very long. Edit: maybe only on three sides :/

Vote

Jun 1, 2017

ferferksakesHi. I am new to the very idea of keycaps but these struck me - they look amazing. Are you guys saying that these are not worth the money though? I don't know what to look for in decent keycaps. These just look so exquisite.

Jun 1, 2017

diggergigConceptually, they are not at all practical to actually type on. In general, one might say these are not worth the money because this is only a variant of existing (cheaper) typewriter keycap sets. A nice variant with interesting graphics and type fonts, but I haven't seen any mention of them being inherently better quality than the cheaper sets that have come up before.

Jun 1, 2017

CyphreOk, I see - thanks for the reply. I need to look into keyboards and keycaps more before committing. I am yet to get a keyboard anyway! I assume one can buy mechanical keyboards without keys a little cheaper if one intends to get keycaps?

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Jun 1, 2017

diggergigA lot of individuals sell keyboards with no caps in places like r/mechmarket. Most don't sell with keycaps because others in the community would already have their own of their preferred profile/colorway.
Retail, keyboards are going to come with keycaps though. Although you can get a wide array of keycap sets from a variety of manufacturers in the ~$30 range. it's the GMK and Signature Plastics sets that are expensive.
Do look into what keyswitches you prefer and start hunting down keyboards first!

Jun 1, 2017

CyphreBy keyswitches do you mean keyboard layout? I have a full keyboard at the moment (105 keys I think) and that's what I would go for again. The shorter keyboards seem a bit squat.
EDIT: THanks again for the extra info.
EDIT II: Never mind I just Googled, haha! This goes deeper than I anticipated...

Jun 1, 2017

diggergigKeyswitches are what make the real difference in your typing experience. Each key is its own mechanical switch which can either be smooth, have a tactile bump, or a tactile two-stage clicky type. There is probably a whole guide on r/mechanicalkeyboards or something.
Typical ANSI full size is 104, I believe ISO standard (indicated be a top-heavy Enter key) is 105. So long as your layout is standard, it's very easy to find keycaps of any style.

Jun 1, 2017

CyphreThank you very much for your help. I literally got into this today after merely looking at keyboards for a few weeks. Have found a good explanation here: https://ergodox-ez.com/pages/keyswitches I will investigate further before taking the leap. The idea of different keyswitches and keycaps is fascinating - can't wait to get started!
Thanks again.

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TheOtherDave

Jun 1, 2017

diggergigBetter get digging... 😂

Jun 1, 2017

diggergigIf you have a local Best Buy/Fry's/etc nearby, they may have some of the mainstream boards out on display to try, usually with Red or Brown switches. Otherwise, there are some pretty inexpensive switch testers you could pick up if you ever wonder what certain switches feel like.
Best of luck in your search!

Mr.AnnoyingKnowItAll

192

Jun 1, 2017

diggergigI wish someone would make keys like this purely out of metal. But then you'd probably need some pretty stiff switches to carry the weight of the key.
Because these keys are just thin plastic with a metal brim. And the key faces are basically just cheap looking paper cut outs covered with plastic.
Alas, full metal keys might just be too heavy and expensive. Not that I'd buy them either way, I like PBT squares too much :)

Jun 1, 2017

CyphreThank you, Cyphre!
I am in the UK, and unfortunately there is nothing in my area - GAME for games and seemingly randomly-picked headsets and PC-World which has conglomerated with Curries and now only offer the most basic peripherals alongside washing machines and other domestic appliances!
I will put down for some testers, that sounds like a great idea. My favourites bar is filling up fast!
EDIT: Don't you just love Amazon? Switch tester wending its' way...
TheOtherDave: I will dig - this will be fun! It feels like the beginning of a beautiful obsession...

Jun 1, 2017

Mr.AnnoyingKnowItAllYou are right. I got carried away with the style and lack of knowledge. Scouring the interweb right now shows me there is a wide array of choices and quality out there...
And full-metal anything is no fun...like those full-metal die I carried around for D&D! Nice to look at, ugly to use!

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Mr.AnnoyingKnowItAll

192

Jun 1, 2017

diggergigHaha, yeah you're probably right. Can you imagine hammering away at metal keys with metal cast legends? You'd probably rather amputate your hands than use it again.

Jun 1, 2017

Mr.AnnoyingKnowItAllhttps://www.massdrop.com/buy/zinc-gold-or-silver-keycaps, in case you were wondering if they actually exist. :)

Jun 1, 2017

DatamancerOh Lord!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpnd4OVf7oo

Jun 1, 2017

diggergigAlso, I can assure you our keycaps are very comfortable, but I guess I'm probably biased :0

Mr.AnnoyingKnowItAll

192

Jun 1, 2017

DatamancerSlap some RGB lighting behind those and BLAMMO! :) -for the record, I think these are hella rad...buuuut I probably wouldn't do it to my own keyboard!

Jun 1, 2017

DatamancerYeah but you're weird. Like I imagine right now you're typing on the tree of Yggdrasil, whose leaves and twigs make up your keycaps and switches.

Jun 1, 2017

CyphreHey! I resent tha... Oh wait:

PoorBob

Jun 1, 2017

CyphreI've typed on both the Datamancer typewriter keysets, and the cheaper full plastic variant. Without a single doubt, the Datamancer keyset is nicer to type on. The cheaper keyset had full length stabilized modifier keycaps so I was actually really, really excited to try them out. I thought that was so cool! It ended up being a complete let-down. The price was right, but I couldn't even type without hitting accidental keys, even after trying it out for a week. I'm a fan, so there is definitely some bias; that said, the experience is just incomparable.
In terms of practicality, I use a Datamancer keyboard for work (software) everyday. I won my work's speed typing competition clocking in at 135 wpm :) (Not so humble brag...) and I have played Starcraft 2 at a Master's league level as well on their keyboard.

PoorBob

Jun 1, 2017

diggergigIf you think they look exquisite, I say get them. Are they worth the money? I think so, if you can afford it. It's all opinion though. I absolutely adore typing on them.

rychubil

Jun 1, 2017

PoorBobI already purchased Datamancer Classic Typewriter: https://datamancer.com/product/datamancer-classic-typewriter-keycaps/ look and typing is fantastic! Better than Magicforce Typewriter set which is still computer like. Datamancer is like typing machine :)

TelFiRE

605

Jun 1, 2017

DatamancerNice! What switches you rocking?

Jun 1, 2017

TelFiREThose are Cherry MX blues, I like low force and I like the clickyness for the typewriter caps.

Jun 3, 2017

DatamancerGot my key testers and I have to say the green and blue are delightfully sublime. Like you, Datamancer, I prefer the low force of the blue over the green. If I go for a heavier switch I'd want it to be a silent one.

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