Questions about Unicomp Space Saver

iBro · 28 Dec 2011, 05:38

Hello all. I'm extremely interested in buying a Unicomp Space saver keyboard. Because I have never tried a buckling spring keyboard, I cannot say that I like the feel, but from how it's described there is very little doubt that I will love it. I also enjoy the sound the keys make.

But I still have a few questions about this keyboard, and was hoping you all could help me find the answers. The first is how large is this keyboard? Remember I'm talking about the Unicomp space saving model. If anyone has any pictures or descriptions of the space saver compared to other full sized keyboards I would love to see them.

Another question that I have is about the build quality. How good is it exactly? I have read some things on the internet about it not being the best.

And finally my last question concerns key roll over. What exactly is the #KRO in the ps2 and USB? I plan to mostly do school work on this keyboard, but I do play the occasional FPS so I feel this is a relevant question.\

Thanks for the future feedback DT!

iBro · 28 Dec 2011, 07:53

A wiki confirmed that the Unicomp is only 2KRO. I've heard that this shouldn't effect many games that people play. But I would still like to hear from people that game occasionally and how 2KRO effects them.

Half-Saint · 28 Dec 2011, 14:12

Used to play TF2 on my IBM Model M and haven't had any problems.

Gilgam · 28 Dec 2011, 17:17

on a customizer the built quality is good.
The cable is long and the keys are reallly fine, a little bit crispier than a vintage model m.

iBro · 28 Dec 2011, 20:27

I'm glad to hear that you can play TF2 without any problems because that is really the only game I play. I'm typing on my friends Black Widow and I'm loving the blue switches. I imagine that the Buckling Springs will be even more tactile and more clicky so I cannot wait.

I will be sending in my order today and I will post back when I get it to share my initial impressions.

Southparkfan1999 · 29 Dec 2011, 18:42

its about the same size as a standard rubber dome keyboard maybe a little bit bigger and i wouldnt really call it a space saver its just a model m without the plastic border if you want a real space saver and your willing to spend they money i recommend hunting down one of these http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cf ... /id/376033

iBro · 29 Dec 2011, 20:20

It may be a little bigger than I really want, but I feel that is an acceptable sacrifice to make to obtain the buckling springs.

As far as the IBM Model M space saver goes I'm very weary of buying these. I've seen some in good condition go for close to 200USD, a lot more than I am willing to spend for a twenty year old keyboard. And on top of that, I would just rather buy new so that I could get it replaced is there was a defect.

And to top it off, I believe I saw a picture of the Unicomp space saver and the IBM space saver side by side and the Unicomp looked larger, but just barely.

iBro · 29 Dec 2011, 21:33

Here is the picture that I was referring to.

nathanscribe · 29 Dec 2011, 22:15

Yep, the "space saving" nature of the Unicomp SS is that it shaves a couple of cm off. It's basically a full-size keyboard with a small footprint beyond the keys. I had one for a while but ended up replacing it with a Filco tenkeyless w/blues as I really did need a smaller keyboard to fit the available space. Personally, I prefer the shape and extra body of the regular M-style over the full-size space-saver, but it's down to taste and requirements.

iBro · 29 Dec 2011, 23:06

I understand that the Unicomp's size is similar to that of a full sized keyboard. I have a TKL Leopold with brown switches (which I dislike) and I do love the size and form factor of the keyboard. But I have been trying out a friend's Black Widow and I still have plenty of room on my desk. So I'm not worried about the Unicomp's size.

I don't really like the idea of buying a twenty year old model M. I would rather have a new Unicomp that I could get repaired by Unicomp if anything goes wrong.

cactux · 29 Dec 2011, 23:09

[Account and posts deleted on request]

Southparkfan1999 · 30 Dec 2011, 05:28

do you really want a buckling spring or do you just want the click and tactile feedback because if you just want the sound and feel i would get a kbc poker with cherry mx blues

iBro · 30 Dec 2011, 06:26

Well my situation is kind of complicated, and this complication is mostly self inflicted, but hear me out.

I have a Leopold TKL with browns that I don't like. I love the Leopold board, but do not like the brown switches. Now I have two pathways I could go, buy a mini board, with black or red switches, that I could carry around with a laptop for school, or I could buy another sturdy at home keyboard.

Since I don't and won't have a keyboard for probably a few months, I decided to go ahead and buy another sturdy at home keyboard.

I prefer blues or buckling spring (even though I haven't tried buckling spring) since I like the click and the feel and it won't matter since I will only use this keyboard at home. I could go with the blue switches, but if I did I would almost positively buy ANOTHER Leopold TKL. I would not purchase a mini because the whole point of a mini for me is to be able to carry it around and use it in public, which I couldn't because of the loud clicks.

And since I don't want an exact copy of the keyboard I have now, just with different switches, I've decided I'm going to go with buckling spring.

Like I said I have never tried a buckling spring, but I have been typing on my friend's black widow for a couple of days now and I can't see myself not loving the buckling springs, since buckling spring seems like just like blues but on steroids.

Southparkfan1999 · 30 Dec 2011, 18:41

well you could buy the space saver or you can buy a KBC poker with cherry mx blues either way as far as price goes it will be around $100 for either option. http://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=178 here is a review for the poker keep in mind he received a pre production model so the characters have not been painted yet there are also reviews of both keyboards on youtube.
Happy Hunting

iBro · 31 Dec 2011, 10:45

Well if I were to buy a mini then I would definitely want it in a linear switch so it would be quiet enough to use in public places. In my eyes that is the whole point of a mini is to be able to take it places and use it without getting kicked out of the library.

Minskleip · 31 Dec 2011, 11:59

Buckling springs are much nicer than Cherry blues! Blue MX are scratchy - buckling springs are smooth like well oiled machinery!

BiNiaRiS · 31 Dec 2011, 21:08

Minskleip wrote:Buckling springs are much nicer than Cherry blues! Blue MX are scratchy - buckling springs are smooth like well oiled machinery!

That is opinion. Buckling springs are really heavy and for some people that is gonna be a bad way to go. I love buckling springs but I don't like to type on them for long periods of time since they are a bit to heavy for me. And I love the feel of MX blues, especially PCB mounted ones.

sordna · 31 Dec 2011, 22:02

Haha, indeed it's a matter of opinion. For example, unlike you, I don't like PCB mounted blues, I prefer the crisp/solid feel of them when they are plate mounted! But the truth is the tactility on all cherry MX switches *is* friction-based, that's why people often call them scratchy. Other tactile designs (buckling spring and rubber domes or Topre) are not friction based and therefore usually smoother.
It would be nice if Unicomp came up with lighter, say 45 - 50g buckling springs!

iBro · 31 Dec 2011, 22:27

I don't think I will mind the heavier keys. I haven't tried BS but I have been on blues for a few days and I really enjoy them, and if BS are like blues but a little heavier with more tactility and crispness than I believe I will like them even more.

But I have been wondering. Are they keys that come on the Unicomp Spacesaver single piece or two piece key caps?

Minskleip · 31 Dec 2011, 22:35

When I ordered my Customizer I also ordered a set of blank black keycaps and 5 blank green caps. All are single piece except the green ones.

Minskleip · 31 Dec 2011, 22:37

BiNiaRiS wrote:
Minskleip wrote:Buckling springs are much nicer than Cherry blues! Blue MX are scratchy - buckling springs are smooth like well oiled machinery!
That is opinion. Buckling springs are really heavy and for some people that is gonna be a bad way to go. I love buckling springs but I don't like to type on them for long periods of time since they are a bit to heavy for me. And I love the feel of MX blues, especially PCB mounted ones.

The only opinion is that buckling springs are nicer

iBro · 31 Dec 2011, 22:38

But did the keys that came on the original board single or two piece? And can you interchange the single and two piece key caps?

Minskleip · 31 Dec 2011, 22:50

The originals were also single. They're all interchangable, except that you can't put the outer cap of a double piece on top of a single piece. Obviously.

nathanscribe · 01 Jan 2012, 13:04

My Unicomp SS had two-piece caps except for the longer keys, which were single. I asked about this before buying, and apparently the grey ones are all single, whereas the beige ones are two-piece.

iBro · 02 Jan 2012, 06:55

I see. Can anyone comment on the feel of the two piece ones versus that single piece keys. I vaguely remember reading somewhere that one of them felt and sounded better than the other but I can't remember which one it was.

I will most likely be ordering a blank black set so I am curious as to which one I should chose.

nathanscribe · 02 Jan 2012, 10:57

In my experience it doesn't matter a jot. The double-piece caps I've had have all been firm. Stop worrying and buy one!

iBro · 02 Jan 2012, 18:43

nathanscribe wrote:In my experience it doesn't matter a jot. The double-piece caps I've had have all been firm. Stop worrying and buy one!

Haha I sent in my order three days ago. Still waiting for my order to be processed. I hope the redesigning of the Unicomp website doesn't delay me receiving my keyboard.