FSX Keyboard: $129

[MrUnSavory 0]

Great keyboard for flight sim beginners. I doubt most of the long time simmers will see this as necessary. It is way over priced and that seems to be the way K/B prices are heading. I got a multi colored back lit K/B at Micro Center for 40 dollars. I see this as excessive but some people will probably throw money at it.

Related, but on a different slant:

 

I wish a company would make a keyboard that is laid out with the buttons in an even grid, preferably with no letters on them.  Just like the number pad, but a nice even grid, including all keys.  Blank holes at the corners would be a plus.

 

I'd buy that in a heart beat. That would look excellent with proper labels, mounted in a simpit.

 

My issues with any keyboard is that they still look like a keyboard, and my OCD nature refuses to accept the messy layout that results from trying to use one!

 

Years ago I recall seeing a keyboard that was a blank base, and the keys attached via suction or friction of something to the base, allowing you to group keys together for application-related shortcuts.  I don't think they're made any longer.

 

Edit:

 

A bit of googling told me that the original keyboard I was thinking of was called the ErgoDex.  CH products then teamed up with them and made the CH Products 'Multi Function Panel'.  It seems that they've become popular as an input device in Star Citizen: https://forums.robertsspaceindustries.com/discussion/148997/ch-products-mfp-ch-multi-function-panel-owners-club  and as such, considering they were never a popular item to begin with and have been out of production for some time from what I gather, they are scarce like hens teeth.  I found one on EBay, and it's near $250 USD.

 

 

You mean like these???   http://xkeys.com/xkeys/xk4.php

 

Or this one  http://xkeys.com/xkeys/xk16.php

[Jimmy RFR 406]

You mean like these???   http://xkeys.com/xkeys/xk4.php

 

Or this one  http://xkeys.com/xkeys/xk16.php

 

Way overpriced.  There's several companies that make industrial solutions, essentially buttons with a usb connection.  I've looked at them, before I got myself into Bodnar boards and buttons and such. But what I mean is just a cheap, plastic keyboard, but in a grid instead of the regularly staggered keyboard keys.  I could find a use for such a thing easily.

[HiFlyer 9,343]

Way overpriced.  There's several companies that make industrial solutions, essentially buttons with a usb connection.  I've looked at them, before I got myself into Bodnar boards and buttons and such. But what I mean is just a cheap, plastic keyboard, but in a grid instead of the regularly staggered keyboard keys.  I could find a use for such a thing easily.

 

I think maybe the closest to what I think you may be talking about is this? http://www.typematrix.com/

[stans 702]

That's nice, until you start reassigning keys.

[Matthew Kane 1,343]

These can easily be reprogrammed for FSX and they take up less space and under $10, perfect to tinker with:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823575019&cm_re=numeric_keypad-_-23-575-019-_-Product

 

Best use for them is ATC calls, but you can do anything with them

[HiFlyer 9,343]

That's nice, until you start reassigning keys.

 

Plenty of programs out there to do that easily.  :wink:

[TheNerd 12]

Wait... people actually rely on keyboard commands? I find it much easier just clicking everything in the VC.

[ZaPHoD 0]

Related, but on a different slant:

 

I wish a company would make a keyboard that is laid out with the buttons in an even grid, preferably with no letters on them.  Just like the number pad, but a nice even grid, including all keys.  Blank holes at the corners would be a plus.

...

 

I came across a Cherry G86-63400 earlier this evening, which seems to be exactly what you want, featuring 142 programmable keys, in an array, ranging in price from USD 98 to 114 to 117.

 

The author of this video claims to be happy using it with Flight Sim (so much so he has 2 of them).

 

Though this keyboard seems designed for shop owners (as a cashiers' input device), it apparently works well with a 'regular' Windows PC. Also, said video commentator claims it's hardware-programmable, which apparently means that the keyboard retains all programmed functions, even when plugged into a different computer (including those running Linux OS).

 

For 'easier employee training and increased customer satisfaction', a separate kit (G99-1779ZUB) will get you 18 additional keys (mix of 1x2 and 2x2) as well as springs, blanks, covers, and colored paper inserts (from USD22-40).

 

I think I just might add this one to my Christmas list... What I like the most is that you seem to be able to fit the label underneath the clear keycap, which makes the end result look so much nicer.

 

I have no claims of my own, as I do not own this product; I am merely stating what information I just came across. I hope it helps.

 

- Martin