WhereAreMahDragonz
Banned
Numpad is a yes, no preference on switch type.
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Lez talk mechanical keyboards
- Thread starter Scuba Steve
- Start date
Numpad is a yes, no preference on switch type.
Unfortunately I don't know as much about full models since I've always preferred minis (or, currently, best of both worlds with a Quickfire TK).
If you're new to the world of mechanical keyboards I'd recommend a Cherry MX Brown switch - it's a nice middle spot between the clickiness of the Blues and the linear light touch of the Reds. Definitely the best feeling switch in my book.
I'm not sure what's best under $100, though. I've had a good experience with the non-numpad version of this keyboard if you don't mind the aesthetic.
No, the software is still hot shit. But if you use Linux use this non-official driver:
https://github.com/ccMSC/ckb
The driver works fine and the configuration for the colors and animations has a really neat UI, much better than the horror from the official software in Windows.
hi.
sorry for the dumb question, but have i have tried googling this myself but had no luck, cause i'm really shit at searching for stuff.
could someone who has the corsair K70 RGB tell how long the cable is please.
because of my setup it's important to know, and i'd rather not know use an extension lead.
thanks for your time.
sorry for the dumb question, but have i have tried googling this myself but had no luck, cause i'm really shit at searching for stuff.
could someone who has the corsair K70 RGB tell how long the cable is please.
because of my setup it's important to know, and i'd rather not know use an extension lead.
thanks for your time.
thisisalan
Member
If you're getting the non-RGB K70, you won't be missing out on much by not installing the driver. I've been avoiding it entirely and it's worked out just fine. With the RGB, the driver will be much more necessary if you want to do any customization, which is unfortunate.
HarryDemeanor
Member
I've been mulling a purchase of the K70 RGB reds for a while now.
Are there any differences between the Vengeance and Gaming versions other than the logo?
Are there any differences between the Vengeance and Gaming versions other than the logo?
Yeah, I was planning on getting the RGB, so the news of terrible drivers have been a bit disconcerting.
WhereAreMahDragonz
Banned
I was actually considering this one! Thanks for all your advice, I'm pretty new to all of this mechanical keyboard stuff so any help is appreciated
I was looking at the Razer Black Widow Ultimate, but I've heard mixed things about them and it's slightly out of my price range.
My Corsair K60 is busted, spilled water(diluted orange juice) on it lastnight, took it apart, dried it out, now its screwed.. its registering multiple key strokes on certain keys... so i need something new.... (any advice on repair services ?)
So looks like im in the market for something new. Can i get some recommendations for an MX Blue mechanical keyboard ?, budget around 150euro. cheers.
Edit,
nvm, dried it out properly and its working fine again.
So looks like im in the market for something new. Can i get some recommendations for an MX Blue mechanical keyboard ?, budget around 150euro. cheers.
Edit,
nvm, dried it out properly and its working fine again.
Lockjaw333
Member
Looking to get my first mechanical keyboard. I've tried a few in stores and I liked the Razer Blackwidow Ultimate Elite with clicky razer greens and the Corsair K70 with reds. However I think the click, while cool at first, might drive me insane, so I'm leaning towards the K70 with red switches.
Is this the best board in that price range? (low 100s). Also if there is something equally as good for cheaper, I'm open to that.
I think I will like cherry mx reds the best because I play a lot of FPS, but I've also read that getting brown switches for your first mechanical is a good idea, since its a middle ground between blue and red. I have not had the chance to try out browns. Honestly I love the feel and click of the razer greens (blue knockoffs), but my wife informed me that she would murder me if I had a keyboard that sounded like that. Newegg has a K70 with brown switches as well, so basically its brown or red.
Any help would be appreciated, big time noob with mechanical keyboards.
Is this the best board in that price range? (low 100s). Also if there is something equally as good for cheaper, I'm open to that.
I think I will like cherry mx reds the best because I play a lot of FPS, but I've also read that getting brown switches for your first mechanical is a good idea, since its a middle ground between blue and red. I have not had the chance to try out browns. Honestly I love the feel and click of the razer greens (blue knockoffs), but my wife informed me that she would murder me if I had a keyboard that sounded like that. Newegg has a K70 with brown switches as well, so basically its brown or red.
Any help would be appreciated, big time noob with mechanical keyboards.
Mad Season
Banned
Lockjaw333
Member
I tried it in store. Its very clicky and feels really great. Depends if the noise is going to bother you, as I could see it being very loud when typing.
It also has only a green backlight, if that matters.
I don't own it so thats all I've got for you. I know most who do love it, but others say you can get something better for mechanical.
Do you need the backlighting, numpad, macros, etc? If those are important features for you then for the price it's a worthwhile buy. But for the same amount of money you can get more reliable mechanical KBs with better build quality (less features though), it really depends on your specific needs.
Mister Negative
Member
Anyone here use a 60% with a tablet, preferably a surface pro? I'm thinking about getting a Surface Pro 4 once it comes out and using it with either a Poker II or a V60 mini. I'm leaning towards a Poker II right now simply because of the PBT keycaps and the programmable layer, but I'm not sure if I'll need the semi-dedicated arrow keys that the v60 has to use it with a Surface.
Shai-Tan
Banned
Do you guys reckon that the "Razer BlackWidow Ultimate Stealth" or" Logitech G710+" is silent enough for me to use in the middle of night without disturbing anyone? Which good mechanical keyboards have less of a clickety clack to them?
My dog completely ruined the cord for my old keyboard (typing now with virtual keyboard).
My dog completely ruined the cord for my old keyboard (typing now with virtual keyboard).
Horse Detective
Why the long case?
God, I need this.
sixpackrules
Member
I bought one a couple of moths ago and i really like the feel of it, and as others had said there are other options out there, but if you play MMOs obviusly the macros doesn´t hurt, it only comes with green backlight, but i tried it and liked it so i saw and offer and took the plunge
Astral/H3X
Member
Oh my goooodddd that looks beautiful. Does it come in 60%? I'm looking for a 60% to go with for my next keyboard.
Horse Detective
Why the long case?
60%?
Astral/H3X
Member
Similar to the Tenkeyless idea, but even smaller. The Home/End/Delete etc and the arrow keys are integrated into Fn keys with the main letter keys, and the F# keys are Fn's on the Numrow.
Horse Detective
Why the long case?
sneakypete
Member
So CM Storm Quickfire TK w Brown switches seem to be out of stock everywhere. Anyone know of a similar design? 10 key less but still w numpad? Don't give a shit about backlight or anything fancy.
finalflame
Member
I have that, but in big brother form. Ducky x NZXT Shine 3 2014 Special Edition with those exact keycaps (edit: maybe my keycaps are a bit more vivid, of that image is washed out)
It's da bomb, but currently sits in its box to preserve its limited edition awesomeness. 
I have the whole set, but in this configuration I just did part of the keyboard and left the surrounding ones as stock keycaps. I really want that TKL white one though, does anyone know what it is?
finalflame
Member
I think the Ducky Shine 3 is a super solid keyboard, and it comes in a multitude of configurations. Various different backlighting color options, switch options, w/ numpad or TKL.
http://www.duckychannel.com.tw/en/Shine_3_DK9008.html
Find the model you want and a quick google search should return a number of websites selling them.
Thanks for the information. I already looked at Ducky, it's not the easiest KB to find with the settings I want (being in Canada makes it harder). The shine 3 is pretty much non-existent.
KBT and KBC both awesome.
finalflame
Member
How about its successor, the Shine 4? I haven't tried one personally, but it just looks like a beefed up Shine 3:
http://www.ncix.com/detail/ducky-dksh1408sd-shine-4-mx-8a-102542.htm
Dual Red/Blue LED, MX Browns, and CA vendor.
Lockjaw333
Member
Same here, along with the price actually. Being my first mechanical I just can't seem to justify $130 USD (for the non-RGB) in my head for a keyboard.
I need a cheaper starter board. Would love to go for a CM Quickfire TK, but they are out of stock everywhere, even on Cooler Master's website.
Is there anything wrong with going for a Razer Tournament keyboard? I understand they are knock off switches, but at ~$65 for blue (green) or brown (orange), it would be much easier to justify, and then invest in a really good board down the line sometime.
Never owned a Razer product, I just used to think the brand was ridiculous, but they are really popular now so who knows.
finalflame
Member
Razer makes trash, gaudy, and low-quality peripherals. The use of Kalih switches is absolutely reason enough to not go with them. Cherry has been making switches since 1980, some crappy chinese knockoff doesn't just come along and match the quality and finesse of switches that have been in production for over 30 years. I'd look for something cheaper but with Cherry MX switches.
http://www.banggood.com/buy/Mechanical-keyboard.html
There's also a good subreddit for used mechanicals:
http://www.reddit.com/r/mechmarket
And an entire section on GeekHack:
https://geekhack.org/index.php?board=59.0
Plenty of affordably priced keyboards out there. Please don't cave and get a crappy Razer keyboard with Kalih switches, you'll regret it.
I was sure I had seen rosewill keyboards with no backlight for 60-80 bucks depending on the switch. Can't find them now, though I'm on mobile.
I got a rosewill helios with browns for 85 bucks. Its got dual red/green leds but no onboard mem to store your settings.
Gets the job done plus it was cheap. A good starter keyboard if I say so myself.
I got a rosewill helios with browns for 85 bucks. Its got dual red/green leds but no onboard mem to store your settings.
Gets the job done plus it was cheap. A good starter keyboard if I say so myself.
Lockjaw333
Member
Alright, I'll hold out for a Cooler Master quickfire board. I see them being recommended a lot as a good starter board. They are just literally sold out everywhere. I found one Quickfire Rapid with Brown switches on Newegg for ~$90, but the rest are sold out.
I like the layout of the Quickfire TK model, and its backlit for the same price, so I'll just hold out for one of those.
Thanks.
Lockjaw333
Member
How is the Logitech G710+?
Cherry Mx Brown keys, o-rings, media controls including scroll wheel, white backlighting. And its a decent price at $112 USD right now.
Any reason I shouldn't get this one for my first mechanical?
Cherry Mx Brown keys, o-rings, media controls including scroll wheel, white backlighting. And its a decent price at $112 USD right now.
Any reason I shouldn't get this one for my first mechanical?
Schrade
Member
Do not.. do NOT get it
There are people all over the place with the same problem. Check Amazon reviews, hell, check the Logitech forums. It's a fucking dud all because they used some cheap as shit plastic on their keys.
Horse Detective
Why the long case?
Want more pastel keyboard porn?
finalflame
Member
Want more pastel keyboard porn?
I can't stand pastel keys on black bodies, but that white Filco..Hhhnnnghhhh
Lockjaw333
Member
Ugh, I already ordered it last night! Tried to cancel on Amazon even though it says "shipping soon" and the cancellation failed. I guess I could return it without opening it.
I saw a few reports of keycaps breaking here and there, there seem to be issues with every board (like the LED issue with the K70). I just checked the Logitech forums, and you were right...pretty awful the amount of people with multiple broken keycaps.
I guess I will order a K70 instead, just would have rather stuck with Logitech as all my PC peripherals are from them, and I already have the software installed.
Update: Picked up a K70 in a local store. This keyboard is incredible. Going to return the G710 when it arrives tomorrow. Thanks for the help!
HarryDemeanor
Member
Bought a Corsair K70 RGB last week. This is the first time I have used a mechanical keyboard outside of trying them out at Fry's or a Best Buy. Really like the feel of it. I went for the red switches and so far so good.
Only gripe I have with it is obviously the software. Not so easy to use when you want to do more than just different colors. All the effects will take some learning and it's not at all user friendly.
Also I'm not sure if this is a defect or what but if I turn the entire keyboard to white I can see the red, green, and yellow LED lights shine on the sides of keys. It's easy to see on certain parts of the keyboard than others. Not sure if I should RMA or return it for another.
Only gripe I have with it is obviously the software. Not so easy to use when you want to do more than just different colors. All the effects will take some learning and it's not at all user friendly.
Also I'm not sure if this is a defect or what but if I turn the entire keyboard to white I can see the red, green, and yellow LED lights shine on the sides of keys. It's easy to see on certain parts of the keyboard than others. Not sure if I should RMA or return it for another.
Derpcrawler
Member
Got myself Corsair K65 today to replace my old BlackWidow with Cherry MX Blue switches, would go with Razer again if they would still have Cherry switches. Overall keyboard feels better quality, with better detachable cable and lock mechanism for said cable, because after 2 years of using my BlackWidow detachable cable become buggy where keyboard would lose connection sometimes even from slight bump. MX Red's are a bit different so I will have to get used to them.
What I don't like is that letters are printed on keys, rather than laser-etched. I would expect better from keyboard that is pretty much 20% more expensive than Razer BlackWidow.
What I don't like is that letters are printed on keys, rather than laser-etched. I would expect better from keyboard that is pretty much 20% more expensive than Razer BlackWidow.
Has anyone made an ergonomic mechanical that doesn't look like ass yet? I'm currently typing on a MS Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 and I love the layout, but not the switches.
Already considered and discarded:
- The Kinesis Advantage: expensive, ugly, and too minimalist (I got code to write, ain't nobody got time for playing where's-my-special-character every five minutes)
- Kinesis Freestyle: Way too goddamn big.
- Truly Ergonomic: putting CTRL where the TAB key is supposed to be is a dealbreaker, also suffers from the special-character shuffle problem.
Already considered and discarded:
- The Kinesis Advantage: expensive, ugly, and too minimalist (I got code to write, ain't nobody got time for playing where's-my-special-character every five minutes)
- Kinesis Freestyle: Way too goddamn big.
- Truly Ergonomic: putting CTRL where the TAB key is supposed to be is a dealbreaker, also suffers from the special-character shuffle problem.
Lockjaw333
Member
Still adjusting to the reds in my k70. They are definitely awesome for gaming, very fast and smooth. My movement in bf4 feels faster.
Typing is difficult so far. Reds aren't as huge a departure from rubber dome as other switches, blues felt incredible in store but I know it would be too loud for me and my wife. Would have went with browns if I could have found a k70 with them.
I'm already thinking about another cheap board to have a tactile switch, either blue or brown. This is bad, I can see how people start accumulating boards haha.
Typing is difficult so far. Reds aren't as huge a departure from rubber dome as other switches, blues felt incredible in store but I know it would be too loud for me and my wife. Would have went with browns if I could have found a k70 with them.
I'm already thinking about another cheap board to have a tactile switch, either blue or brown. This is bad, I can see how people start accumulating boards haha.
Crimsonclaw111
Member
Anybody got a recommended keyboard for cheap? Someone spilled kool aid on my keyboard being dumb and now I'm using a flat Logitech keyboard in the meantime.
I have no experience with mechanical keyboards but now's the time to get one I suppose.
I have no experience with mechanical keyboards but now's the time to get one I suppose.
Lockjaw333
Member
Newegg currently has the Razer Blackwidow Tournament for ~$60, that's the cheapest I know of. Thats for if you are really just going for the cheapest option, some people love Razer boards and others hate them, so read up on reviews.
The cheapest board with genuine cherry mx keys is probably the Cooler Master Quickfire Rapid, but I couldn't seem to find any in stock when I was looking.
If you're okay with a tenkeyless, you can get this one from Noppoo for $50 after enough people commit.
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/noppoo-lolita-spyder-87
I'd recommend paying the extra $3 for brown (tactile, non-clicky) or blue (tactile clicky) switches, you might find black/red a little weird.
br0ken_shad0w
Member
ErgoDox - not currently buyable on Massdrop, but a set is listed on Ebay for $280
There's the uTRON and the Maltron, but they are expensive as shit ($500 minimum). There's also the Axios keyboard to keep an eye out, but it has yet to make it out of dev stage.
Crimsonclaw111
Member
Thanks for some recommendations, I see a couple on Amazon that look interesting to try too, I'll have to see which would be affordable for me and has good reviews.
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