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Lez talk mechanical keyboards
- Thread starter Scuba Steve
- Start date
I'd probably try the browns. Of all the Cherry switch types out there I still feel like Browns and Reds are the two closest experiences.
Consider that both reds and browns have the same 45g actuation force.
I would say browns. You can bottom them out like reds unless or learn to ride the bumps.
Welcome to the Topre club!
A seriously improved non-standard layout is the only thing that could get me to get another keyboard after my Realforce 87U. I'm a bit sad that no major alternative / ergonomic keyboards like the Ergodox, Kinesis or TECK are available with Topre switches. Hard to stomach their prices when the switches are a downgrade from what I currently have. If one of them came with Topres, and maybe a couple of years of warranty, I'd gladly shell out much more than what they are currently asking.
Is the Ergo Dox design based on some no-longer-made commerical design or is it just a open-sourced take on split keyboards?
All of the split designs seek to address wrist tension right?
I can def respect the way they acknowledge your thumb is more useful than just a spacebar level.
Kinda want an ergodox just so I have an excuse to break out the soldering iron
All of the split designs seek to address wrist tension right?
I can def respect the way they acknowledge your thumb is more useful than just a spacebar level.
Kinda want an ergodox just so I have an excuse to break out the soldering iron
The latter, I think.
That's what the split is for, yes. For me that's probably the least important thing. What I'm interested in is offloading the weaker fingers, moving work to the thumbs and using programmability to create whole custom layers. All the three keyboards I mentioned also fix the stupid staggering of standard keyboards.
Koroviev
Member
I'm impressed with the quality of the K70. I wanted to try red switches for certain games and the office, and it's working out pretty great for both purposes. Much easier to double tap and I'm not having an issue with abundant typos. No one is complaining about noise.
I prefer TKL, but the number pad works in this case since I frequently need to enter strings of numbers at work.
I prefer TKL, but the number pad works in this case since I frequently need to enter strings of numbers at work.
Dropped the Hammer on my 60% setup for work.
Poker 2 with MX Browns
Thicker Oring set from WASD Keyboards
Carrying case*
I am excited to be done with that god awful laptop keyboard
*Most of the 60% boards are the same size as the Apple Wireless KB so i grabbed a neoprene padded case off Amazon for $17 to try as a carrying case for it.
Poker 2 with MX Browns
Thicker Oring set from WASD Keyboards
Carrying case*
I am excited to be done with that god awful laptop keyboard
*Most of the 60% boards are the same size as the Apple Wireless KB so i grabbed a neoprene padded case off Amazon for $17 to try as a carrying case for it.
Bit the bullet and picked up a CM Storm Quick Fire TK. As much as I love my Das Keyboard, these Brown switches are an absolute joy to type with. Also, the TK is more compact and back-lit (everything I wanted). It's kind of weird that there is no separate directional pad (have to toggle NUM Lock) as they are integrated into the right keypad, but eh, my new laptop has a similar setup -- just takes getting used to I guess.
Did I mention the Browns feel like sex on my fingers?
jamesfrancosogood.gif
Did I mention the Browns feel like sex on my fingers?
jamesfrancosogood.gif
An old friend I hadn't seen in a few years suddenly popped back up, and we had dinner. About five years ago, I loaned her quite a bit of money for an emergency, and well, she never really got around to paying me back. I don't loan money to friends unless I don't need it back, so I never let it get in the way of the friendship.
In any case, tonight, she unexpectedly gave me back my money and then insisted that she owed me interest. My constant refrain of "pay for dinner" wasn't cutting it.
So, she kept insisting, asking me to think of something I had been wanting but hadn't wanted to spend the money on. Keyboards finally came to mind. First, she thought I meant a piano (I used to play). She didn't know about mechanical keyboards, so she laughed at first. Until I popped open a website on my phone to make my point. I chatted up the benefits of a mechanical, and then the conversation veered to just catching up on things.
Went home in good spirits, with a full belly, and some unexpected money in my pocket. All in all, a great night.
(TL;DR marker)Just about to head to bed, and I get forwarded a PayPal receipt for a Happy Hacking Keyboard Pro 2 being shipped to me.
omgomgomgomgomg
In any case, tonight, she unexpectedly gave me back my money and then insisted that she owed me interest. My constant refrain of "pay for dinner" wasn't cutting it.
So, she kept insisting, asking me to think of something I had been wanting but hadn't wanted to spend the money on. Keyboards finally came to mind. First, she thought I meant a piano (I used to play). She didn't know about mechanical keyboards, so she laughed at first. Until I popped open a website on my phone to make my point. I chatted up the benefits of a mechanical, and then the conversation veered to just catching up on things.
Went home in good spirits, with a full belly, and some unexpected money in my pocket. All in all, a great night.
(TL;DR marker)Just about to head to bed, and I get forwarded a PayPal receipt for a Happy Hacking Keyboard Pro 2 being shipped to me.
omgomgomgomgomg
Wow, that's quite the keyboard to gift out of everything out there.
Enjoy your mechanical keyboard. One of the best investments you can make imo. They're so amazing.
I think it had something to do with me pointing at it among the others listed and saying "that's like the Rolls Royce model right there".
That's quite a bit of interest.
Nice!
Well, if we were to get mathemagical in here, it's a really low APR all things considered. That being said, at this point, I didn't expect the money back at all; forget the gift. It's the nicest thing anyone outside of a family member has ever given me.
I haven't had one to use in many many years (an old Model M), and I've been dying for one since I've moved to a new office with an Apple Wireless keyboard. I am beyond excited.
ab.aeterno
Member
Whelp, I've made a huge mistake.
I saw this keyboard pop up on a site, and it looks right up my alley: simple, clean, modern styling, some practical features, and quiet keys.
I didn't jump on it right away because I thought I'd wait until after the New Year to pick it up.
Now, that model with the Cherry MX Clear switches won't be available again for 12-14 months.
So, anyone have any suggestions for something similar to this?
I saw this keyboard pop up on a site, and it looks right up my alley: simple, clean, modern styling, some practical features, and quiet keys.
I didn't jump on it right away because I thought I'd wait until after the New Year to pick it up.
Now, that model with the Cherry MX Clear switches won't be available again for 12-14 months.
So, anyone have any suggestions for something similar to this?
So Clears are basically more tactile versions of Browns. So that would be the closest key model to look for.
Have you looked at the WASD 104-Key model? They have good reviews. Dont know how much you cared about the backlighting.
HHKBP2 is a great, great 'board. Just don't go in expecting anything like a Model M. Topre switches will feel a lot closer to your standard membrane switch than anything with a lot of tactile feedback.
terrdactycalsrock
Member
whats a good cherry mx brown keyboard?
I've tried to do research with regards to mechanical keyboards, i do data entry for too many hours per week but I also game on my PC for about 20 hours per week. I've been told blue is best for typing, but would it be that bad with gaming? The audible sound isn't an issue for me, fwiw.
I currently rock a g15, if that helps any. And how decent is the Rosewell (blue) in the OP? I was originally looking at that, but then came across browns (like g710+) and got confused, and realized I really enjoy the backlight but I don't really use it since I never look down anyway.
I currently rock a g15, if that helps any. And how decent is the Rosewell (blue) in the OP? I was originally looking at that, but then came across browns (like g710+) and got confused, and realized I really enjoy the backlight but I don't really use it since I never look down anyway.
Celcius
°Temp. member
I just upgraded from a $15 logitech k120 to a corsair k70 with brown switches. Definitely the best keyboard I've owned
DJ_Lae
Member
Memory Express has the Cooler Master Storm Quickfire XT (Brown) on sale today/tomorrow for $70, plus some not-appearing-at-the-moment $15 MIR. So $55 all told, assuming they didn't screw up on their Facebook page above and beyond the $69.99 - $10 = $54.99 bit in their image.
Can't resist for that price, MIR or not. Finding a decently priced mechanical keyboard in Canada is pretty rare.
Seems to review well for a simple keyboard?
Can't resist for that price, MIR or not. Finding a decently priced mechanical keyboard in Canada is pretty rare.
Seems to review well for a simple keyboard?
ReturnOfTheRAT
Member
So it looks like I've killed my Razer BF3 keyboard. The backlighting was having trouble staying consistently bright so I decided to run the firmware updater. First it said nothing detected, then the lights on the keyboard flashed off and went out completely. The progress bar didn't move and I left it alone for 20 minutes. Still nothing. My mouse was still working so I removed the password to my login until I could find another keyboard. I've rebooted, no keyboard detected. Uninstalled the drivers, reinstalled them with now progress. It's dead as door nail. Currently it's plugged into another PC and still isn't showing any signs of life.
I'm going to have to do some research on a new keyboard now.
Edit:
Back alive for now.
I'm going to have to do some research on a new keyboard now.
Edit:
Back alive for now.
So I picked up the Corsair K70 Vengeance Cherry MX Brown keyboard. Feels great! This is my first MK, so I don't have any benchmark to base it on, but I like what I feel so far!
Only weird thing is the space bar. Feels a tad uncomfortable.. could be the placement but I guess we'll see how it feels over time. Probably just gotta break it in a bit.
Only weird thing is the space bar. Feels a tad uncomfortable.. could be the placement but I guess we'll see how it feels over time. Probably just gotta break it in a bit.
WHOAguitarninja
Member
I'm looking for a good mechanical keyboard with no 10key pad. I'd like to spend as little as possible without sacrificing quality too much. If I can keep it under 100 that would be ideal. I was looking at some of the CM keyboards, are those a good?
I don't know what type of switch I'd prefer. I don't play anything that requires much double tapping, so that's not much of a concern to me. I will be typing a lot on the keyboard as well.
EDIT - Went with the SM Storm Stealth with Brown switches. Hope I like it. This will be my first mechanical keyboard.
I don't know what type of switch I'd prefer. I don't play anything that requires much double tapping, so that's not much of a concern to me. I will be typing a lot on the keyboard as well.
EDIT - Went with the SM Storm Stealth with Brown switches. Hope I like it. This will be my first mechanical keyboard.
scottzorus
Neo Member
With the CM Storm QuickFire Rapid Browns being 65 on Amazon right now, I'm thinking of picking one up. Any reason not to pick this up? Never had a MK before
Koroviev
Member
It's a good deal. Unless circumstances have changed, the QFR has quality to rival much more expensive keyboards.
scottzorus
Neo Member
Edwards_Omatic
Member
I think i'm the only one with this opinion but, I can't stand mechanical keyboards.
I had a Razer BlackWidow 2013 for a quite a few of months before enough was enough and I sold it; only kept it that long because I thought, it's a £130 quid keyboard, maybe i'll get used to it... Nope.
Couldn't stand how loud it was, and the travel for each key press is way too far.
I've tried a few mechanical keyboards before and after the BlackWidow too, just can't take to them. I'll stick with my SideWinder until she breaks.
Anyone feel the same?
I had a Razer BlackWidow 2013 for a quite a few of months before enough was enough and I sold it; only kept it that long because I thought, it's a £130 quid keyboard, maybe i'll get used to it... Nope.
Couldn't stand how loud it was, and the travel for each key press is way too far.
I've tried a few mechanical keyboards before and after the BlackWidow too, just can't take to them. I'll stick with my SideWinder until she breaks.
Anyone feel the same?
Terbinator
Member
I've netted a QPad MK-85(Reds) for review and to keep.
Did i do good GAF?
Did i do good GAF?
Koroviev
Member
It sounds like you have a problem with blue switches.
Shit that's cheap. I was going to hold out and eventually get a KeyCool 84 ...
...but shit, $65 is cheap.
What to do, what to do...
God Dammit, now I'm broke...
Just picked it up for the same price on newegg (amazon has sales tax in AZ) at least at newegg the sale ends 10/7 so I guess if anyone is on the fence you better act fast.
I've been typing on a terrible $10 keyboard at work for like a year, and I want an MK for my desk. I also don't want the people I sit near to want to kill me. I have a Razer BlackWidow at home with blues and I like it a lot. So I definitely want the tactile feel. I just don't want it to sound like a machinegun when I'm typing. I assume I want to go with Browns then?
Unknown One
Member
Love my Steelseries 6gv2 Reds. Won't ever go back to regular keyboards.
Well, there's also Topre.
There are "silent" Topre models, which I haven't heard, but even the non-silent Topres are quieter than browns, and in my opinion also feel a lot nicer. The question is whether you want to pay for them. Whereas boards with browns start at $80ish and really good ones are around $100-140, boards with Topres start at $150ish and go much higher than that. This is the cheapest Topre board I'm aware of:
http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=topre_keyboards,1
It's subjective, but I'm happy to have shelled out the money for a Topre Realforce 87U. My Filco with browns just isn't as nice.
The Topres are certainly audible, but they're not that bad at all. Especially not compared to most mechanicals I've used/heard. No complaints yet from anyone else around the office. Just some confused stares at the strange layout of the keyboard.
Honestly, I've only had this HHKB for about a week, but I already hate it whenever I'm stuck using just my Macbook's chiclet keyboard. The feel is what tips me off immediately. I'm still getting used to the layout of everything though. Especially the fact that ~ is on the right side of the keyboard now. As a heavy *nix user, I'm hitting that Esc key by accident way too often.
I can't say whether or not it's worth the price, since this didn't really come out of pocket, but I'd assume that the more affordable Topre Realforces feel just as good. If you have a chance, I'd definitely recommend giving them a shot.
Honestly, I've only had this HHKB for about a week, but I already hate it whenever I'm stuck using just my Macbook's chiclet keyboard. The feel is what tips me off immediately. I'm still getting used to the layout of everything though. Especially the fact that ~ is on the right side of the keyboard now. As a heavy *nix user, I'm hitting that Esc key by accident way too often.
I can't say whether or not it's worth the price, since this didn't really come out of pocket, but I'd assume that the more affordable Topre Realforces feel just as good. If you have a chance, I'd definitely recommend giving them a shot.
ab.aeterno
Member
Late reply but I wanted to thank you for responding. I'll definitely try Browns first then.
I'm currently eyeing the CM QuickFire Recon Brown for $65 from Amazon ($55 from Newegg with rebate). I'd like to get a "starter" or low-end mechanical to start, and then if I like it, either grab the more expensive WASD V2 or CODE, whenever that comes back in.
Would this be a good keyboard, and good first foray into mechanical keyboards?
BladeSinner
Neo Member
Well, this thread motivated me to buy my very first mechanical keyboard. I purchased the Razer Blackwidow Ultimate Stealth Edition 2013 which uses the Cherry MX Brown keys.
Here are a few quick snaps I took of it. Will write a more thorough review+better pics after a couple more days of heavy usage. However, initial impressions are that I will not be going back to anything but mechanical moving forward. Thank you GAF!
Here are a few quick snaps I took of it. Will write a more thorough review+better pics after a couple more days of heavy usage. However, initial impressions are that I will not be going back to anything but mechanical moving forward. Thank you GAF!
Aside from the switches, which are all from the same manufacturer you basically are looking at a few different categories of what makes the price worth it
# of keys, full kb will usually cost more than a 66 or tenkeyless
layout, especially in the case of function rows
LED's
keycap material, abs is most common but pbt is a godlike material. I have yet to wear down an ABS set but you can rub out the lettering if it is printed and not lasered
plate or pcb mounted switches. latter is a bit more robust.
Key Rollover, how many you can press simultaneously.
Programmability, more of a big deal with gaming kb's that have ample macro keys or smaller 66 kb's like the poker 2 that have multiple key layers depending on Fn / Pn being used.
Honestly I am of the opinion that the switches make 95% of the experience so as long as you are okay buying another one after the cheap one then by all means pool is open.
Koroviev
Member
Ordered a Leopold linear TKL from elitekeyboards. I used a full-sized Leopold with brown switches previously, and it was quite nice. Only downside is that they never seem to have the otaku version in stock. Some day! :'(
Edit: Received an email. Out of stock despite saying otherwise on the site. Unless they can offer me something very similar, looks like it's either the Noppoo Choc or the compact version of the K70.
If I abandon sense and reason, the Leopold "Mini" 66-key Electrostatic Capacitive Keyboard seems perfect <_<
Edit: Received an email. Out of stock despite saying otherwise on the site. Unless they can offer me something very similar, looks like it's either the Noppoo Choc or the compact version of the K70.
If I abandon sense and reason, the Leopold "Mini" 66-key Electrostatic Capacitive Keyboard seems perfect <_<
scottzorus
Neo Member
Got the quickfire rapid brown keyboard in today. It's not what I expected at first, then I went back to a dome keyboard to notice the difference. WHAT THIS IS CRAZY how hard I've been having to push down keys my whole life. Trying not to bottom out is like learning to type on air. The feedback has a slight resistance to it, I'd say it's more resistance that you push past than a bump. That resistance is nice though because I can rest my hand on the keyboard, with the keys going down just to that resistance point but not actuating. If I had reds I think the keys would go down with the weight of my hand. Overall, if you're on the fence about a mechanical keyboard, I now recommend.
Hey folks, I'm in the market for a new keyboard.
I have hands that would put Andre the Giant to shame, and I'm looking for a keyboard that has a few things...
- A little bit of space between the keys...or big keys....or something that accommodates big hands...some keyboards feel to cramped.
- Some programmable keys/macros for gaming
- Silent. Or at least not as loud as the ridiculously loud mechanical keyboards I've heard in the past that seem to put typewriters to shame...
Is there anything out there for someone as fussy and stubborn as I am?
For reference, I'm currently using a Logitech G510 which is awesome, except for the fact that it's really cramped.
I have hands that would put Andre the Giant to shame, and I'm looking for a keyboard that has a few things...
- A little bit of space between the keys...or big keys....or something that accommodates big hands...some keyboards feel to cramped.
- Some programmable keys/macros for gaming
- Silent. Or at least not as loud as the ridiculously loud mechanical keyboards I've heard in the past that seem to put typewriters to shame...
Is there anything out there for someone as fussy and stubborn as I am?
For reference, I'm currently using a Logitech G510 which is awesome, except for the fact that it's really cramped.
Do it!
The 66-key is very close to my imaginary optimal keyboard. I would probably have bought one already, if it had a separate function key row -or- it had fn in a very accessible location like bottom left corner for using the F keys. Only reason I care about this is programming.