Hello.
I have only experienced MX switch keyboards so far.
However, I was fascinated by your keyboards when I saw them recently.
I’m curious about the differences between the Beam Spring R2 and the Classic Model F. Are there any differences other than appearance?
Also, until when can these products be ordered?
I will definitely place an order soon, but I haven’t decided yet which product to order. I look forward to your response.
Thank you in advance.
Thanks for your interest in the keyboard projects. Here are my thoughts on the Model F vs. Model M vs. Beam Spring vs. other keyboards
These keyboards can be ordered this year but while supplies last, and the pricing will go back to regular levels once the current sale pricing ($100 to $200 off on some models) ends.
These keyboards prove themselves through long typing sessions, where the components interact with the big metal plates to make the best typing experience with solidly built components making up a keyboard that folks have used for decades, instead of most keyboards which weigh 80% less, are mostly plastic, and use pad printed legends (instead of dye sublimated or double shot legends on the F and beam spring boards, respectively); these cost-based compromises make them not destined to last more than several years of intense usage.
To quote one user comparing Model F and Model M keyboards:
“My opinion echoes others: the M is a fantastic keyboard, but the F is noticeably better. The technical differences between the switches are minor on paper, but they become amplified when you adapt a light typing style, and compound further if you have to type a lot.
The light typing style is the key here: if you’re a heavy typist, there’s almost no difference between an F and M. When you type lightly, the small details in the design start to creep up. Both keyboards allow for light typing due to how buckling springs work in general, but the lighter keystroke that the F’s capacitive switch uses, combined with the ever-so-slightly more accurate “snappier” feeling actuation, add up to a more accurate feeling, less fatiguing board overall.
These are differences you feel a little bit moment-to moment, but a lot more after extended typing sessions. If you’re typing a one page essay, this may not be noticeable at all. If you’re typing 20 pages of documentation or coding all day, 5 days a week, the M becomes noticeably more fatiguing and less accurate than the F. Not a bad board, I must emphasize, just noticeably not as good as the original!
The F is closer to perfection. It’s not a great value like the M, and the differences between the two boards are ultimately not mind blowing, but sometimes it’s worth reaching for that next level up in design perfection.
Especially if you type as much as I do.”
And here is a quote from someone comparing the beam spring to the Model F and prefers the beam spring (though I would say most folks should start with the Model F before moving to the beam spring):
“Key feel:
I’m not great at reviewing switches but my first thought [about the beam spring] was “Wow!”, this is the type of feeling I was hoping for when I purchased the Model F77. The Model F is still great, but I can see why others consider this a “step up”. Each key feels distinct and “heavy”(?). It does feel like you’re typing on a typewriter. I think it will take a few days to get up to speed with it, I’m not as fast as I was with the Model F, but this definitely feels more “fun” to type on if that makes sense at all.
I also enjoy the sound a lot more than the sound from the F77. It’s louder I think but it doesn’t have a “ping” sound that the F77 had.”