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Lez talk mechanical keyboards

1morerobot said:
So I'm thinking about picking up the Logitech G810 tomorrow. Anyone have one? Thoughts? It would be used for mostly day-to-day typing and some gaming (more when I get a new PC).

4812800_sd.jpg;maxHeight=1000;maxWidth=1000
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Personally, I love it. I'm not at all experienced when it comes to mechanical keyboards though, but last month I bought a k70 w reds, a k70 w browns, and the g810. The 810 is the one I ended up keeping. The typing experience feels good, its pretty quiet, and I also really like lighting style since it isnt as "busy" with light surrounding each key.
 
1morerobot said:
So I'm thinking about picking up the Logitech G810 tomorrow. Anyone have one? Thoughts? It would be used for mostly day-to-day typing and some gaming (more when I get a new PC).

4812800_sd.jpg;maxHeight=1000;maxWidth=1000
Click to expand...

Most people seem to think the switches are bad compared to mx ones. The rgb is the best, tho. It helps the led is in the middle of the key and not on one side.
You also have to consider that aftermarket keys won't work with those switches.
 
perorist said:
Anything in particular? I could go either way I think. By compact do you mean key spacing or something with fewer than the 104~ standard keys?
Click to expand...
Fewer than 104 keys. Like POK3R or TADA68/SABER68 layout.

I highly recommend the TADA68/SABER68. It's really nice and probably has the best stock caps on a board in that price range.
 
http://www.anandtech.com/show/11150/tesoro-excalibur-se-spectrum-review-gateron-optical-switches

Gaterons are interesting.

1morerobot said:
So I'm thinking about picking up the Logitech G810 tomorrow. Anyone have one? Thoughts? It would be used for mostly day-to-day typing and some gaming (more when I get a new PC).

4812800_sd.jpg;maxHeight=1000;maxWidth=1000
Click to expand...
You need to test it in person before jumping in, it is extremely subjective. My friend absolutely hates it (he uses MX Silent) but I like it.

It feels like a hybrid of Brown and Rubberdome, and is very quiet. The RGB lighting is by far the best in the industry, because Romer-G allows localized per-key lighting compared to the color flood of MX Cherry.
 
Thanks for the thoughts on the 810. I was able to try out the 910 at BB yesterday. Same switches, so I think it's a pretty good indicator for what the 810 will feel like.

My only issue was that I didn't like how the keys seemed to not depress as deep as other keyboards. I think that's looked at as a positive for gaming, but it just didn't feel quite right to me. I could've just been nit-picking it to death I guess, but the other mechanicals that I tried all seemed to press down further and felt better as far as typing.

The 910 was far and away the quietest I tried out though, which was a major plus for me. Ended up coming home empty handed. Not sure what to try next! I have some old, old keyboards that I absolutely love to type on, but they're PS/2 and my laptop doesn't have the port. Bought a USB to PS/2 "adapter" at Fry's and it didn't work. Apparently I need a "converter" or some shit. What the hell does an "adapter" do then?
 
well yeah, the selling point of Romer-G is that it's low traveling distance. MX Switches vary by color but typically they have longer distances. To some Romer-G doesn't feel different enough from regular rubberdome keyboards. It's still good.

PS/2 adapters are crapshoot, if you're buying some dirt cheap chinese one, don't expect much, they will lag like hell.
 
miladesn said:
well yeah, the selling point of Romer-G is that it's low traveling distance. MX Switches vary by color but typically they have longer distances. To some Romer-G doesn't feel different enough from regular rubberdome keyboards. It's still good.

PS/2 adapters are crapshoot, if you're buying some dirt cheap chinese one, don't expect much, they will lag like hell.
Click to expand...

I think all cherry mx bottom out at 4.5mm outside of the cherry speeds and some new kaihls that I have to receive.
 
Anyone have any suggestions where to buy official keycaps for a Realforce 87U keyboard, preferably grey? My search has so far led me to posts on other forums where the same question goes unanswered. The best advice I've found is to buy a white 87U keyboard, and swap the keys I want over to my black one, but looking for something more economical than that.
 
Brandson said:
Anyone have any suggestions where to buy official keycaps for a Realforce 87U keyboard, preferably grey? My search has so far led me to posts on other forums where the same question goes unanswered. The best advice I've found is to buy a white 87U keyboard, and swap the keys I want over to my black one, but looking for something more economical than that.
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Doing that kind of thing with Topre isn't going to be economical I'm afraid to say. All I can find are replacement modifier keys not whole keycap sets.
 
Not sure if old, but it looks like Massdrop has a 40% keyboard listed.

The Magicforce 49-Key Mechanical Keyboard

On1Zcvw.jpg
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It looks interesting and I was already considering getting a Vortex Core, which is about double the price. The sizes for certain keys seem to be different than standard, so replacing caps could be a problem. From what I've been reading, there isn't any programming on the board, so you'd have to rely on AutoHotKey or xmodmap for that. Choice of Gateron or Cherry switches
 
1morerobot said:
So I'm thinking about picking up the Logitech G810 tomorrow. Anyone have one? Thoughts? It would be used for mostly day-to-day typing and some gaming (more when I get a new PC).

4812800_sd.jpg;maxHeight=1000;maxWidth=1000
Click to expand...

This is a very linear board. It's actually really good for gaming and it has a very smooth feeling on the downstroke. The main negative for me was the inability to change the keycaps since Romer G has a different stem, and the other issue is that you might as well throw away the idea that it's tactile in any form whatsover. As a gaming board it's ace though.
 
Brandson said:
Anyone have any suggestions where to buy official keycaps for a Realforce 87U keyboard, preferably grey? My search has so far led me to posts on other forums where the same question goes unanswered. The best advice I've found is to buy a white 87U keyboard, and swap the keys I want over to my black one, but looking for something more economical than that.
Click to expand...

dhonk said:
Doing that kind of thing with Topre isn't going to be economical I'm afraid to say. All I can find are replacement modifier keys not whole keycap sets.
Click to expand...

If you guys don't mind putting in a little bit of elbow grease, may I point you here?

https://originative.co/products/mx-sliders?variant=32818592656

These are topre to MX sliders. This is a mod I'm going to do to my HHKB. It's an easy way to get out of the hassle of paying an arm and a leg for Topre exclusive keycaps which are already in a scarcity of their own.
 
thuway said:
This is a very linear board. It's actually really good for gaming and it has a very smooth feeling on the downstroke. The main negative for me was the inability to change the keycaps since Romer G has a different stem, and the other issue is that you might as well throw away the idea that it's tactile in any form whatsover. As a gaming board it's ace though.
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It has a very mild tactile bump 😙
 
sca2511 said:
Not sure if old, but it looks like Massdrop has a 40% keyboard listed.

The Magicforce 49-Key Mechanical Keyboard



It looks interesting and I was already considering getting a Vortex Core, which is about double the price. The sizes for certain keys seem to be different than standard, so replacing caps could be a problem. From what I've been reading, there isn't any programming on the board, so you'd have to rely on AutoHotKey or xmodmap for that. Choice of Gateron or Cherry switches
Click to expand...

Not having onboard programming is such a huge minus for me that I would skip it. That said, the Vortex keyboards programming is annoying to do compared to software based. Personally I don't see much point in 40% keyboards as they just reduce the amount of usable keys without significantly making the keyboard smaller. This coming from someone who uses 60% exclusively.
 
laxu said:
Not having onboard programming is such a huge minus for me that I would skip it.
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It's slightly less portable, but what about buying an USB>USB dongle that allows you to add TK/QMK firmware* to basically any USB keyboard?

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=69169.0

Those firmwares are leagues better than any inboard programming you find in keyboards (except those that already allows custom firmwares, obviously)


* barring a couple functions...

miladesn said:
PS/2 adapters are crapshoot, if you're buying some dirt cheap chinese one, don't expect much, they will lag like hell.
Click to expand...
That can't be that diffucult to design it with a Leonardo... A quick research returns several projects around it, there may be ready-to-use solutions.
 
laxu said:
Not having onboard programming is such a huge minus for me that I would skip it. That said, the Vortex keyboards programming is annoying to do compared to software based. Personally I don't see much point in 40% keyboards as they just reduce the amount of usable keys without significantly making the keyboard smaller. This coming from someone who uses 60% exclusively.
Click to expand...

I use a 60% as my main board as well. I want to try it out for the challenge and to see if I'd miss anything, since I was in the same line of thinking when I bought my Poker II.
 
Is there switches with a feeling close to MX blues but with an higher actuation point, that is still MX compatible and good quality?
 
Ended up going with a das keyboard 4 pro for my first mechanical keyboard and really liking the build quality and feel of the mx blues. Only problem I have with it is that it's significantly raised compared to my previous keyboard. Does anyone have a recommendation for wrist rests that work well with mechanical keyboards?
 
perorist said:
Ended up going with a das keyboard 4 pro for my first mechanical keyboard and really liking the build quality and feel of the mx blues. Only problem I have with it is that it's significantly raised compared to my previous keyboard. Does anyone have a recommendation for wrist rests that work well with mechanical keyboards?
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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V5AXPTW/?tag=neogaf0e-20

this is pretty good, a tad expensive for what it is but it's high quality. Pay attention to the dimensions, in particular height, see which one fits your keyboard.
 
My Nixeus Moda Pro Mechanical Keyboard White version just came in. I got the Gateron blues with it. This keyboard is the loudest one I have, even louder than the other blue switches I have. Feels really nice to type on it though.

----

Comes with a couple of keycaps for Mac commands. So that's a first.
 
In my search for a ergonomic mechanical I finally settled on the ErgoDox EZ. Linear or clicky, I like the keys to take a bit more force to push down. I settled on the Gateron green switches for this. It's going to likely take a month to get here though and the wait is gonna kill me. :(
 
Hey guys. I have $70 in Amazon credit and want a good mechanical keyboard. I want it to be good for gaming but not super loud. My current theme is red and black so if it at least lit up red it would be a bonus. Any suggestions?
 
MoogleMan said:
Corsair strafe with mx browns (or mx silent).
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012B6X7MI/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Click to expand...

Rosewill's RK 9300 BR is a good keyboard for this as well, but the blacklight is Blue. It's what I currently use for the office. It's currently $80 on amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAMDRFM/?tag=neogaf0e-20

G Skill's Cherry MX Brown keyboard is $70, but it's super Gamery.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZ3CMKW/?tag=neogaf0e-20

The brown Gateron version of the Nixeus Mechanical Keyboard, bonus for being a white keyboard. No backlighting though. I am currently using the Blue Gateron version as my keyboard and it's a great typing experience.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DXVUD6S/?tag=neogaf0e-20

James Donkey keyboards with Gateron Brown switches. Comes in either White or Black.

Gotta admit, a big reason why I eventually want to get a James Donkey keyboard is the name...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6CL2WY/?tag=neogaf0e-20
 
CGriffiths86 said:
Hey guys. I have $70 in Amazon credit and want a good mechanical keyboard. I want it to be good for gaming but not super loud. My current theme is red and black so if it at least lit up red it would be a bonus. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

My first mechanical is a Func keyboard with cherry MX reds that I got on sale from newegg about a year ago. Func was bought by Fnatic, their keyboard looks exactly the same in the pics, just the branding is different. $80 for a no frills mechanical keyboard, red LED lighting that can be toned down, doesn't scream gamer too loud.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DKZGQWW/?tag=neogaf0e-20
 
I just got the D20 Monoprice Cherry MX Blue keyboard. This is my first RGB keyboard, and it feels really nice. Quieter too than what I expect for Blues. I might chance it and switch out my Cherry MX Brown keyboard at work for this one, and keep the Nixeus Gateron Blue's as my home one.
 
Agent Icebeezy said:
I've joined the ranks today

[img ]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G_EPnIrqKxk/WO1YRyf6MbI/AAAAAAAAAlE/0cw7ZX_2WNI/s1600/20170411_171753.jpg[/img]
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Nice. I just finally got my K70 RGB to work correctly on my system - it does NOT like USB 3.0 XHCI. I had to disable it in BIOS.

My motherboard has ASMedia USB 3.0 ports as well as Intel ones. It is recommended that you plug the Corsair keyboards into the Intel ports. It wouldn't work consistantly in them at all. I ended up using the ASMedia ones but it would sometimes start repeating keys and missing keys, etc.

I finally figured out it was that XHCI stuff on the intel ports that made it not be recognized.
 
CGriffiths86 said:
Thanks for the recommendation. Is this a general consensus on silent vs brown switches?
Click to expand...

The browns are a great, all-around key switch. They have a light bump you feel as you press the keys, and require 45grams of force ((roughly; it may be 50g), so similar to a red switch, but with the bump.

IIRC silent switches are like reds, but quieter and no bump like browns. IMHO the bump is what makes browns so satisfying to type on.
 
Hello thread, I'm looking to buy my first mechanical keyboard and would like your help in choosing one. I have done a bit of research and came up with some requirements, in order of importance:

1. I want to stay below €100, so I'm probably looking at a budget range mechanical keyboard without any bells and whistles.
2. Judging from the helpful OT and other sources, Cherry Brown switches sound the most appealing. I will be using the keyboard for both gaming and typing.
3. I want the keyboard to have a numpad (but aside from that, the shorter the better so I can fit my large mousepad).
4. I want it to look like a keyboard, not a spaceship.

Using Dutch price comparison site tweakers.net, I found these options (price includes shipping):

Cherry MX-Board 3.0 - €76
+ Uses low profile keys. I have been using this keyboard for years so I'm used to that, though I'm not against trying 'regular' profile keys.
+ Cheapest option.

Cooler Master Masterkeys Pro M White - €86
+ Combining arrow keys with numpad makes it compact
+ Backlighting.
- Has a cheap look to it (caps/num/scroll lock light design, shiny looking keys, CM logo on keys).

Cooler Master MasterKeys Pro L White - €94
+ Looks nicer than the M version.
+ Backlighting.
- Higher price for presumably the same build quality and features of the M version.

Ducky Zero DK2108 - €89
+ I like the understated design.
+ Ducky seems to be a good brand?
- Older model?

Ducky One DKON1508F - €89
+ Ducky seems to be a good brand?
- I don't like the red letters for the keys.

So, which of these seems like the best option? Are any options particularly bad? How much am I missing out on by sticking to my budget (keyboards like the Logitech G610 and CM Storm Quickfire XTi are just over €100)?

EDIT: I found the Logitech G610 Orion for €89, that seems like the way to go?
 
Recently got the k95 RBG Platinum with brown switches.

The lighting is a bit much, but I really like it so far. The washable rubber wrist rest is a really nice touch.

Thumbs up.
 
A Sentient Keyboard said:
So, which of these seems like the best option? Are any options particularly bad? How much am I missing out on by sticking to my budget (keyboards like the Logitech G610 and CM Storm Quickfire XTi are just over €100)?
Click to expand...

You sound like you are pretty set on MX Brown switches, but I'd still recommend you to go to a local electronics retailer that stocks mechanical keyboards to try out different switches for yourself. Do you need backlighting for your keyboad?


If you don't need backlighting, I would probably go for the Cherry MX Board 3.0. If you do need the backlighting, the Cooler Master Masterkeys Pro L seems like the best option.
 
Aerocrane said:
You sound like you are pretty set on MX Brown switches, but I'd still recommend you to go to a local electronics retailer that stocks mechanical keyboards to try out different switches for yourself. Do you need backlighting for your keyboad?
Click to expand...

I looked at Cherry Brown keyboards since it sounds like you can't really go wrong with that switch, and also to make comparing all these keyboards a bit more manageable. That said, I'm not in a rush, so I'll try and see if I can find a store that displays mechanical keyboards and compare brown and red switches.

Thanks for the advice!
 
A Sentient Keyboard said:
I looked at Cherry Brown keyboards since it sounds like you can't really go wrong with that switch, and also to make comparing all these keyboards a bit more manageable. That said, I'm not in a rush, so I'll try and see if I can find a store that displays mechanical keyboards and compare brown and red switches.

Thanks for the advice!
Click to expand...
Yeah I thought I would like browns on paper myself, but after testing the tactile bump is not noticeable enough personally.
 
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