Very different from Blue switches; Brown's tactility is not really like a retractable pen click. It's a bit hard to explain, but pushing past the tactility point on a Brown is just kind of like a spot of friction halfway through the keystroke. The tactility is much lighter than a Blue switch, to the point that people that type somewhat hard often have trouble discerning the tactility at all.
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Are mechanical keyboards worth it for PC gaming?
- Thread starter onlyindreams
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Very different from Blue switches; Brown's tactility is not really like a retractable pen click. It's a bit hard to explain, but pushing past the tactility point on a Brown is just kind of like a spot of friction halfway through the keystroke. The tactility is much lighter than a Blue switch, to the point that people that type somewhat hard often have trouble discerning the tactility at all.
Spectacular Dr Dawg
Member
I have the "ultimate" Blackwidow keyboard and I like it a lot.
Felix Lighter
Member
Don't tempt me. I'm very weak willed when it comes to buying PC parts and accessories.
Horsemama1956
Member
Tried a few and always come back to my cheapo OEM 7$ keyboard.
I got myself a Blackwidow earlier this year and I'm enjoying it ever since. While it's not improving your gaming much it's a big step up when it comes to typing. Speed and accuracy are much higher with a mechanical keyboard.
Concerning the Blackwidow keep in mind that it only has a 2keyrollover (meaning that it only recognizes two different keys being pressed at once), which eliminates it from hectic, competitive games like fast First Person Shooters.
Concerning the Blackwidow keep in mind that it only has a 2keyrollover (meaning that it only recognizes two different keys being pressed at once), which eliminates it from hectic, competitive games like fast First Person Shooters.
PwnCakes193
Member
I have the Logitech K800 and it's great for what I'm using it for now. Living in a college dorm really doesn't give you any flexibility in how loud you can be. My roommate would kill me if I woke him up with the CLACKCLACKCLACKCLACK of my keyboard at 7 in the morning. Is there any way to quiet them or is that a total pipe dream?
MrPing1000
Member
I've been thinking about getting one for a while.
Just not sure what colour of cherrys to go for. Leaning towards Brown, but I'd really like to try them, black and red. I play a lot of TF2, BF3, but then I also type a shitload too. Wonder if theres somewhere in Northern Ireland I could try all three, doubt it.
Just not sure what colour of cherrys to go for. Leaning towards Brown, but I'd really like to try them, black and red. I play a lot of TF2, BF3, but then I also type a shitload too. Wonder if theres somewhere in Northern Ireland I could try all three, doubt it.
Melhisedek
Member
How are Steelseries keyboards? I can get 6v2 pretty cheap here in Sweden
Mechanical keyboards are superior in every way to the mainstream membrane keyboard. The membrane model wasn't introduced because it did anything better, it was designed to be produced cheaper. The membrane keyboard is just another way for Apple/Dell/etc. to pocket an extra $5-10 from every computer sold.
Using the mechanical keyboard is a tactile and aural treat. They are more alive than membrane keyboards. Keys push back against each stroke. They click out a chattering response to everything you type. It's like having a conversation.
I find typing an immensely gratifying experience. If you're like me and find any measure of enjoyment in the simple act of typing, a mechanical keyboard is one of the best things you could purchase.
Using the mechanical keyboard is a tactile and aural treat. They are more alive than membrane keyboards. Keys push back against each stroke. They click out a chattering response to everything you type. It's like having a conversation.
I find typing an immensely gratifying experience. If you're like me and find any measure of enjoyment in the simple act of typing, a mechanical keyboard is one of the best things you could purchase.
Nappuccino
Member
I'm in a bit of the same boat. Cherry Reds seem amazing... but I wish they were a bit more tactile... maybe? There's too many options and, without actually trying them, it all seems like a crap shoot.
Fulleffect
Member
damn you guys, now i want the ducky 
dehydratedbabies
Member
I've been using this $80 Unicomp Ultra Classic for the past four months:
I love it. After a week I was used to the loudness and the weight of the keys. I'd considered getting a Leopold with Brown switches, and I'd still like to eventually try one, but I'm really happy that I chose buckling springs instead. It's nice to type on but I particularly enjoy playing games with it. When I press a key I can both hear and feel that I've pressed a key, and that is indescribably satisfying.
I love it. After a week I was used to the loudness and the weight of the keys. I'd considered getting a Leopold with Brown switches, and I'd still like to eventually try one, but I'm really happy that I chose buckling springs instead. It's nice to type on but I particularly enjoy playing games with it. When I press a key I can both hear and feel that I've pressed a key, and that is indescribably satisfying.
Yeah, there are switches like the Cherry MX Brown that don't make any noise at all when they key actuates. You can cut down on the noise from the key bottoming out by installing dampeners, which are little rubber rings that go around the inside of the key.
dehydratedbabies
Member
Best Buy usually has BlackWidows in stock if anyone wants to try out blue switches.
http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:25612
Adding rubber loops to the base of your keys can reduce the noise of bottoming out. If you combined that with Cherry Browns, then you'd probably have a pretty darn quiet keyboard.
Adding rubber loops to the base of your keys can reduce the noise of bottoming out. If you combined that with Cherry Browns, then you'd probably have a pretty darn quiet keyboard.
Dark Stalkers
Member
I'm surprised logitech hasn't made on yet.
procrastinator
Neo Member
Why exactly are mechanical keyboards better to type on? All I've heard so far is that they sound awesome, which isn't going to make you type better, or that they have better feedback. What would the difference between better feedback and a keyboard with really short travel be?
ohhthegore
Member
I've been using this $80 Unicomp Ultra Classic for the past four months:
I love it. After a week I was used to the loudness and the weight of the keys. I'd considered getting a Leopold with Brown switches, and I'd still like to eventually try one, but I'm really happy that I chose buckling springs instead. It's nice to type on but I particularly enjoy playing games with it. When I press a key I can both hear and feel that I've pressed a key, and that is indescribably satisfying.
I just got a Corsair K60 last week, I kinda wish I would have got something as classy as this instead now though
This. I have a HHKB pro 2 for home, and loved it so much I bought a Topre Realforce tenkeyless for work. I find it hard to type on anything else now.
I learned just last year after having used my own "style" for about 15 years.
At first it was painfully slow, but after a week i was up to a decent speed.
The first couple of days will be hell, just don't cheat and go back to your old style.
I tried all the programs, but in the end i found it easier to just type a lot and retype the whole sentence when i made a mistake.
In my school we had Mario Teaches Typing, it isn't the best thing, but it worked for me
ohhthegore
Member
Do you type with all 10 fingers and just suck? Or are you a two finger typer? Because I was a two finger typer and quickly began kicking butt once I took a class in high school. I already intuitively knew where all the keys were, so once I started following the lessons of the program, I was flying in no time. So I think it's actually easier to not start until your mind already instinctively knows the layout (even if you don't consciously realize it).
I use maybe two fingers on each hand if thats what you meant. Maybe the odd ring finger here and there. It's actually weird when you consciously think about typing. It trips me up more than when I'm not. I guess I'll try it out though. I've heard of typing of the dead so that could help. Touch typing is probably one of those things that could be a bit annoying to get used to but once it clicks it's way better. I probably just have to get over that hump.
Take an old, crappy keyboard that you have laying around and black out the keys. Fingernail polish, paint...whatever. Force yourself to learn by touch rather than sight.
I learned this way and I can get up around 100 WPS on a good keyboard.
I could try that. I bought a really cheap keyboard and mouse combo (like 15 bucks) when I built my PC a few weeks ago since I didn't want to spend the money on a mechanical all at once. Maybe I'll figure something out with that. That Krylon plastic bonding spray paint might be nice assuming it won't ruin the insides.
ScepticMatt
Member
Are there any flatter/low throw mechanical keyboards out there?
I love the scisor-type keyboards used in lenovo laptops.
I love the scisor-type keyboards used in lenovo laptops.
I have somehow managed to somewhat learn naturally. It's nowhere close to textbook perfect, but I type quickly with all 10 fingers by touch instead of sight. I would probably ruin my typing if I tried to relearn the proper way at this point.
Ok, I bought the Steelseries 6Gv2, liking it so far. The shiftkey feel strange, and it doesn't have the Ñ (it's the american layout, not the spanish layout), but I don't really see the keyboard when I type, so it isn't a problem.
The clerks laught at me when I bought an expensive keyboard
My 7G has been pretty good, the only real downside is that the symbols on the keys fade a little to a certain point with use and the keys that you don't use as much take longer to fade to that same level. Not too many "media" keys either but I don't think most people look for those when buying mechanical.
If you can buy it cheap I would go for it.
GungHo
Single-handedly caused Exxon-Mobil to sue FOX, start World War 3
This having Chinese keys available sold this. Multilanguage homes are a pain when it comes to finding neat peripherals.Best mechanical keyboard of all time?
Ducky Shine. True OG PC gamers know whats up. Ducky is the best kept secret but it's about to blow up. Forget everything you have seen before.
If you want mechanical keyboard + backlighting, it is your only choice. I cant wait for the euro launch. Tigerimports has a few. Even a couple with Japanese layout
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