Northgate OmniKey ULTRA review (Alps SKCM White)

Chyros · 12 Dec 2015, 17:09

This time a fairly rare OmniKey! This video took me quite a while to make but it was worth it

. Hope you enjoy it!

P.S. Next week it's going to be something especially funky xD .

P.P.S. Vote Chyros! :p

Muirium · 12 Dec 2015, 17:21

I have a guess what next week's oddball could be. But I know you have a diverse stash, so I could be wrong. If your posts get shorter for the week, I think my hunch is right! I get positively laconic when I'm out my layout comfort zone…

PPS: vote Mu too!

Chyros · 12 Dec 2015, 17:26

Muirium wrote: I have a guess what next week's oddball could be. But I know you have a diverse stash, so I could be wrong. If your posts get shorter for the week, I think my hunch is right! I get positively laconic when I'm out my layout comfort zone…

I'm 99% sure you're nowhere near it xD .

seebart · 12 Dec 2015, 18:43

Quite impressive keyboard, I'm still missing one in my collection. If you're looking to make some $$$ Chyros just let me know.

I wonder if that backplate is even heavier than the backplate on the Zenith ZKB-2.

Chyros · 12 Dec 2015, 19:25

Haha thanks mate

. Btw, for some bizarre reason, the NKRO on it doesn't work xD .

seebart · 12 Dec 2015, 19:37

Chyros wrote: Haha thanks mate . Btw, for some bizarre reason, the NKRO on it doesn't work xD .

After the strangeness you've had with this board that somehow does not suprise me. Oh I'd love to try the gold label version of this.

And yes those keycaps are the same as on some Focus keyboards (amongst quite a few others): Tai Hao doubleshots.

Hypersphere · 13 Dec 2015, 01:12

Superb review, delivered with excellent elocution!

Chyros · 13 Dec 2015, 02:23

Hypersphere wrote: Superb review, delivered with excellent elocution!

Cheers, glad you enjoyed it!

codemonkeymike · 13 Dec 2015, 02:40

Oh gawd you are hitting the space bar with your index finger.

Chyros · 13 Dec 2015, 02:52

codemonkeymike wrote: Oh gawd you are hitting the space bar with your index finger.

Hahaha yeah I get so much stick over that xD . I can't touch type properly so I use my index finger most of the time. The camera is also in the way which doesn't help tbh xD .

E3E · 13 Dec 2015, 14:27

I can't believe I was so oblivious to the fact that the hooks on the back of the feet on my FAME keyboard, which are just like those on the Omnikey, were for cable retention. I just figured they were an odd design aesthetic.

Who knew! Apparently you did! Haha.

Yeah, I've never found any Omnikey to be much of a charmer in terms of looks, which is why I've stayed away from them.

I reeeeally want to try and find a Focus FK-555 or a Leading Edge DC-3014 (the latter of which is not really my favorite aesthetically either).

We shall see!

Great and amusing review as always, Chyros.

Chyros · 13 Dec 2015, 15:39

E3Eves wrote: I can't believe I was so oblivious to the fact that the hooks on the back of the feet on my FAME keyboard, which are just like those on the Omnikey, were for cable retention. I just figured they were an odd design aesthetic.

Who knew! Apparently you did! Haha.

Yeah, I've never found any Omnikey to be much of a charmer in terms of looks, which is why I've stayed away from them.

I reeeeally want to try and find a Focus FK-555 or a Leading Edge DC-3014 (the latter of which is not really my favorite aesthetically either).

We shall see!

Great and amusing review as always, Chyros.

Cheers mate, glad you enjoyed it

. Tbh I think I got the cable retention thing from the manual xD .

stratokaster · 14 Dec 2015, 23:28

Superb review! Did you get a tripod at last?

It's sure nice to watch a video that is not all that wobbly.

Chyros · 15 Dec 2015, 01:12

Yeah, I got one a few reviews ago for £5 from China with free shipping. It falls over easily but it's definitely been worth it ^^ .

courtesi · 23 Dec 2015, 16:19

Chyros,

If you do product requests I would be very interested to see your thoughts on the Matias Quiet Linear switch as well as any experiments with the other switches in your other Matias Quiet/Clicky review. (ie: swapping springs/etc.)

Chyros · 24 Dec 2015, 00:30

I try to steer myself towards things people request of course, yeah. However, I don't have a lot of money so the things I can buy are severely limited. Money I make off of keyboard/keycap sales all goes back into the hobby but I absolutely can't afford any more than that. For example, a lot of people have requested a Topre review, but as it's not possible to realistically find one cheaply or at a recycling centre I can't do one. Matias boards are similarly out of the question. That said, I've already ordered some Matias linears (took a while to find them) so when I get them I might toy around with them a bit and see what I can come up with

. They will also be facing off against some of their competing switches

.

Muirium · 24 Dec 2015, 00:51

You could join 002's Topre tour. That board was my first taste, too. And people are complaining that it's getting squeaky or something, so it could use some attention from a right finnicky bastard, if you know what I mean!

http://deskthority.net/try-f29/the-real ... 10148.html

Naturally, the Ergo Pro tour is also open if you want a shot at Matias' finest. I can slot you in soonish if you like.

http://deskthority.net/try-f29/matias-e ... 11093.html

And there's also a NovaTouch doing the rounds:

http://deskthority.net/try-f29/novatouc ... 10716.html

All yours for a few weeks, for the price of postage.

Chyros · 24 Dec 2015, 01:21

Thanks Mu, I remember your Matias one, I signed up for it if you'll remember

. I hate ergonomic layouts but I can at least get a feel for the board itself and the switches of course

.

As for the Topre tours, I'll see if I can sign up

.

Muirium · 24 Dec 2015, 05:46

Occam's razor, my man. Of course I don't remember! I only occasionally remember that I'm running the tour in the first place, and someone needs nagged.