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Lez talk mechanical keyboards
- Thread starter Scuba Steve
- Start date
Lightning Count
Member
Bought a MadCatz S.T.R.I.K.E TE earlier today.
Taking some getting used to, I think the last time I used a mechanical keyboard was years ago in school when I was like 10 years old, getting used to the feel again.
Will give it a proper test later on Fallout NV or maybe BioShock, see how I like it for gaming.
Taking some getting used to, I think the last time I used a mechanical keyboard was years ago in school when I was like 10 years old, getting used to the feel again.
Will give it a proper test later on Fallout NV or maybe BioShock, see how I like it for gaming.
DryvBy
Member
If you look at the bottom of this page, looks like Corsair mechanical keybaords are going to be 20% off.
thiscoldblack
Unconfirmed Member
I wanted to replace my Mionix ZIBAL 60 with a Ducky Shine 5, but it's really difficult to acquire one. Been waiting for too long with the MK shop. I really wish Ducky would sell directly to NA.
Ended up with a K70 RGB with Cherry Browns. Seems like a great keyboard, but I would've preferred Ducky.
Ended up with a K70 RGB with Cherry Browns. Seems like a great keyboard, but I would've preferred Ducky.
Razer green are like cherry mx blues, Razer stealth are like cherry mx browns.
I just got a Corsair Strafe RGB with cherry mx silent switches, and I used their CUE software to change the lighting, but now the keyboard only lights up when the software is running. Is there no on-board memory or something so the lighting profile can run without needing their software to be always on in the background? This is my first Corsair product, so hopefully some other Corsair RGB owners can chime in.
MoogleMan
Member
IIRC there's a "save profile to device" option in the software. I'm not sure if that does what you're looking for though.
There is that option, but even after clicking it the backlighting goes away as soon as the CUE software is closed and pushing/cycling the backlight button does nothing. Besides that, though, the keyboard itself is nice.
Mr_Kuschels
Member
I've been using a Ducky Shine 5 with Cherry MX Brown for the last couple weeks. It's my first mechanical keyboard and its awesome.
My job sometimes demands a lot of typing and i dreaded those days. Well, not anymore since typing became kinda fun now
My job sometimes demands a lot of typing and i dreaded those days. Well, not anymore since typing became kinda fun now
Here, NPKC cherry, gateron and kailh switch tester.
The real answer to every question is to get gateron switches.
Uni on Everything!
Member
Just a heads up for anyone interested, Massdrop is having a buy on a completely custom 65% keyboard here: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/the-whitefox-keyboard
It's a lot of money for a keyboard to be sure but for a fully assembled completely custom one it's a great deal (and if you're good with soldering the kit is even cheaper). The only downside is the ship date is March of next year. The drop ends at 1,000 orders so only a few more left... I ordered 2
It's a lot of money for a keyboard to be sure but for a fully assembled completely custom one it's a great deal (and if you're good with soldering the kit is even cheaper). The only downside is the ship date is March of next year. The drop ends at 1,000 orders so only a few more left... I ordered 2
disastermouse
Banned
Hey guys,
I just got a Razer Ultimate something or other (green switches). I was wondering if you could help me solve a problem.
I'm looking for a platform or wedge to slightly elevate my wrists and tilt the keyboard down. I made a thread about it but it showed up next to this one and I realized that this was the perfect place to post the question.
I just got a Razer Ultimate something or other (green switches). I was wondering if you could help me solve a problem.
I'm looking for a platform or wedge to slightly elevate my wrists and tilt the keyboard down. I made a thread about it but it showed up next to this one and I realized that this was the perfect place to post the question.
disastermouse
Banned
Can these be built to be Mac-compatible? I know most keyboards are compatible, but I mean having Alt/Option/Apple keys be in the right place? There's software that does it, but some things are harder to program.Just a heads up for anyone interested, Massdrop is having a buy on a completely custom 65% keyboard here: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/the-whitefox-keyboard
It's a lot of money for a keyboard to be sure but for a fully assembled completely custom one it's a great deal (and if you're good with soldering the kit is even cheaper). The only downside is the ship date is March of next year. The drop ends at 1,000 orders so only a few more left... I ordered 2
Also, is there a Dvorak key set available? I know you can move them, but having the correct home keys with bumps is important.
Just a heads up for anyone interested, Massdrop is having a buy on a completely custom 65% keyboard here: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/the-whitefox-keyboard
It's a lot of money for a keyboard to be sure but for a fully assembled completely custom one it's a great deal (and if you're good with soldering the kit is even cheaper). The only downside is the ship date is March of next year. The drop ends at 1,000 orders so only a few more left... I ordered 2
Thanks for the heads up, just ordered one (True Fox w/ Gateron Whites). I'm hyped.
It's pretty much the perfect board for me - 65% w/ arrow cluster, centered PBT caps, programmable... Wish I could've gotten the Zealios Purples but ah well.
Uni on Everything!
Member
I'm not too familiar with Macs but I think it should be possible? If I'm understanding the description in the Massdrop correctly, the keyboard is open source and can be flashed to be any key layout you possibly want. You just go to http://input.club/configurator-whitefox set your keys layout and then download and flash the firmware (I could be wrong though).
Thanks for the heads up, just ordered one (True Fox w/ Gateron Whites). I'm hyped.
It's pretty much the perfect board for me - 65% w/ arrow cluster, centered PBT caps, programmable... Wish I could've gotten the Zealios Purples but ah well.
Welcome! I wanted to try the purples as well but I've never soldered anything before and didn't want to try for my first time on this lol
The feeling seems great, but I wonder about durability...
Limited edition Tex Yodas with thinkpad logos slapped on.
Yeah, still too early to tell.
So sexy and so pricey. I need one.
Yeah, still too early to tell.
manfestival
Member
Just ordered my first mechanical keyboard from monoprice. I got their blue keyboard for $50. I feel absolutely psycho for dropping even that much dosh on a keyboard. I really do hope that I instantly fall in love with this purchase. I say this while typing on a k120 that has served me well and still feels good.
That's the start... I've already paid over 50 for a membrane one, and my Ergo EZ that arrived three days ago were over 300 :/ But considering the time you use it, and the health problems you can have with a bad one, I'd say it's probably a fair deal.
Tarin02543
Member
I have my steelseries 6g/2 for over a year now and I'm still very happy with it. This thing is built to last a century, I kid you not.
My fingers are ripped
My fingers are ripped
manfestival
Member
So what youre saying is that the rest is downhill from here? lol
http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=13785
I bought this one for the record.
Astral/H3X
Member
$50 for a mechanical keyboard?
Boy that's cheap haha. Don't worry. You'll find it very weird at first, then a week later you'll try to use someone else's keyboard and you'll realize you hate it.
disastermouse
Banned
So...I just bought a Kinesis Advantage. I remember learning about this keyboard back when I switched to Dvorak as a starving nursing student. I don't know why I forgot about it once I started making money. I never really had fatigue issues until the motorcycle accident (which makes sense - I mean, I pulverized my radial epicondyle and I have a reduced grip strength and reduced range of motion).
I also bought some WASD blue O-rings and a key puller so that I don't drive my girlfriend bonker-sauce with the typing.
I also bought some WASD blue O-rings and a key puller so that I don't drive my girlfriend bonker-sauce with the typing.
Holy llamas, that looks amazeballs.
I've often reached for the trackpoint when on my desktop...
I'm still using my Das Keyboard that I've had for 7 years now (and this one was a replacement I got the prior year). I have a hard time thinking about switching to another keyboard now.
I can do without the numpad, but who the hell uses a keyboard without arrow keys, home, end and del?
They're all there, function keys and media keys as well, accessed with the fn key. You can see em front printed.
Tell that to all the programmers that use Vi and never touch an arrow key... ^_^
Curiously, I've placed my arrow keys in the exact same place for some time now (with pgup/pgdown on the left, home and end close to). I find it far more confortable when I code because my hand don't have to move. Not sure the Fn key is in the best place for that, though, but it can be easily corrected.
manfestival
Member
waiting for my keyboard to arrive in the mail has me going crazy in anticipation. I have been watching way too many keyboard videos. I think one would think that I was weird just based off of my youtube history
You get used to it. The weirdest things are selecting words because you have to press 3 modifier buttons but outside of that everything is fast for me. I've gotten pretty used to it; I have my arrow keys on WASD cluster and my left hand is used to using that to move around in games so I adapted pretty quickly. Bonus is my hands don't have to leave the home keys to move around.
D
Deleted member 1235
Unconfirmed Member
at work i use daskeyboard professional 4 with blues, love it.
at home i just got a ducky legend. love it even more also with blues. so loud and satisfying. the legend is louder and clackier than the das
at home i just got a ducky legend. love it even more also with blues. so loud and satisfying. the legend is louder and clackier than the das
mhayze
Member
I have a K60 with reds and a K70 with browns. Overall I like the browns slightly better (probably halfway between reds and blues), for 'all around' use. If I was just typing, I'd pick still pick the browns, and if I was just gaming I might go with reds or the clears. I know there have been some new switch types, but I haven't had a chance to try those. I have tried all the 'classic' Cherry MX types over extended periods of time.
Whats a good mechanical keyboard that's sensitive, but doesn't require too much pressure? I never owned a mechanical keyboard, and the keyboard I currently have requires too much pressure, and its on its way out due to water damage. I don't want something loud. I wanted to try a brown switch because some people recommended those to me. It's gotta be good for typing and gaming.
I'm not sure there's really "good" switches for a task or another, it's mostly a matter of personal choice. Plently of gamers use MX Blues for gaming, e.g..
I don't think the "lighter" mechanical switches require much pressure. Out of MX switches, that makes at least red and browns fit your bill. Red is linear (no tactile feeling when you use the switch) so you might even find those lighter.
You may find blues too loud (although I don't think they're louder than a membrane keyboard, it's just that the noise is pitched higher) and the tactile feeling too "hard".
The best option is still to find a place where you can test them yourself...
Beside, if you still find them too hard, you can lube them, and change the springs to reduce the pressure needed. You may get switches that are so light that you'll actuate them just by laying your fingers on them, though.
Yeah, think about them first and don't buy a mechanical keyboard, especially if you're in an open plan office or an enclosed space.
I'd like one for home, but they don't make Natural keyboards with mechanical switches, and through years of abuse I can't actually use 'straight' keyboards anymore. It still surprises me how many people still don't use ergonomic ones. Don't be like me with blown out tendons and permanent damage.
manfestival
Member
My mechanical keyboard arrived a little while ago and I am typing this with the new keyboard. I gotta say that this is nice and feels way more different than typing with the old membrane one. It will take a little bit to get used to typing. It is a blue switch and it definitely is quite a bit louder than typing with the oldmembrane keyboard. It also has some gaming feature thing on the keyboard that I have no clue about or how to use or what it means(maybe it means no windows button?)
I'm just going to quote myself from the newest Pick-Up Post thread if that's okay:
It's my first tenkeyless keyboard (not including laptops. I never buy laptops with a numpad). I was a little nervous, because like I said, I was probably relying too much on the Number Pad.
I'm not sure if the difference I'm feeling is the different brand switches, or that this one is brand new whereas the old one has been used for almost 8 years.
I really, really like the smaller footprint. I think I kinda wish it didn't have that bump on the left side though, just so it could be smaller. I dunno. One other weird thing I've noticed is that with the ruler raiser bar thingy attached on the bottom, the right side of the keyboard kinda slides around on my coffee table if I push on it. It doesn't affect typing or gaming, it just bothers me for some silly reason. I've been alternating between having it on and having it off. Not sure where I'll end up going about that.
Oh, they both have blue switches in them...
Edit: Oh, one thing I like a lot more than the old one is that the f and j keys have the little extruding lines so you can tell where your fingers are without looking. You know what I'm talking about, sometimes they're dots.
The old one didn't have these, but instead had keys that were more "scooped" if that makes sense. You can kinda see it in the picture. You can find yourself using those scooped keys, it's just not as easy.
I finally got a new keyboard! The one in the back is the old one and I've been using it for almost 8 years now! (I took off all the keycaps yesterday for a thorough cleaning, something I hadn't done in a while...shudders.)
The new one (Das Keyboard 4C Ultimate) is heavier even though it's smaller. I like that it has USB ports and I think I had been relying on the Numpad too much. One thing of note, this new one doesn't use Cherry switches like the old one does. It uses Greetech switches. They do feel different, though and they sound a little different too. They don't feel bad or anything, they actually still feel pretty great. I love it so far.
It's my first tenkeyless keyboard (not including laptops. I never buy laptops with a numpad). I was a little nervous, because like I said, I was probably relying too much on the Number Pad.
I'm not sure if the difference I'm feeling is the different brand switches, or that this one is brand new whereas the old one has been used for almost 8 years.
I really, really like the smaller footprint. I think I kinda wish it didn't have that bump on the left side though, just so it could be smaller. I dunno. One other weird thing I've noticed is that with the ruler raiser bar thingy attached on the bottom, the right side of the keyboard kinda slides around on my coffee table if I push on it. It doesn't affect typing or gaming, it just bothers me for some silly reason. I've been alternating between having it on and having it off. Not sure where I'll end up going about that.
Oh, they both have blue switches in them...
Edit: Oh, one thing I like a lot more than the old one is that the f and j keys have the little extruding lines so you can tell where your fingers are without looking. You know what I'm talking about, sometimes they're dots.
The old one didn't have these, but instead had keys that were more "scooped" if that makes sense. You can kinda see it in the picture. You can find yourself using those scooped keys, it's just not as easy.
I actually have the Razer Blackwidow Chroma, Filco Majestouch II Tenkeyless, and Corsair K70.
In terms of build quality and pure typing experience, the Filco is easily tops. But it's a bit small and not as fluid in gaming (perhaps because it wasn't designed with gaming in mind).
The Corsair is second in quality, and much better for gaming. But a few things I don't like: the space bar, and the CUE software. The space bar has a premium feel, but it also has an extra...resistance? click? hard to describe...when clicking it. It's a bit jarring when tying because I consciously notice the feel every time I hit space.
I keep coming back to my Blackwidow Chroma. Yes, it feels cheaper. No, I don't expect it to last as long as the other two. But the typing experience is smooth, the size is perfect, and, call me superficial, but I was sold on the keyboard when I booted into Overwatch beta and there was already a Chroma App that changed the keyboard lights depending on what hero I was playing.
Ruling out Filco making a gaming keyboard, if I could take the K70 build quality, with the Chroma app support and software...I'd have my perfect keyboard.
As it stands:
Filco: 10/10 typing, 6/10 gaming, 10/10 "build quality"
K70: 8/10 typing, 7/10 gaming, 9/10 "build quality"
Chroma: 8/10 typing, 9/10 gaming, 7/10 "build quality"
In terms of build quality and pure typing experience, the Filco is easily tops. But it's a bit small and not as fluid in gaming (perhaps because it wasn't designed with gaming in mind).
The Corsair is second in quality, and much better for gaming. But a few things I don't like: the space bar, and the CUE software. The space bar has a premium feel, but it also has an extra...resistance? click? hard to describe...when clicking it. It's a bit jarring when tying because I consciously notice the feel every time I hit space.
I keep coming back to my Blackwidow Chroma. Yes, it feels cheaper. No, I don't expect it to last as long as the other two. But the typing experience is smooth, the size is perfect, and, call me superficial, but I was sold on the keyboard when I booted into Overwatch beta and there was already a Chroma App that changed the keyboard lights depending on what hero I was playing.
Ruling out Filco making a gaming keyboard, if I could take the K70 build quality, with the Chroma app support and software...I'd have my perfect keyboard.
As it stands:
Filco: 10/10 typing, 6/10 gaming, 10/10 "build quality"
K70: 8/10 typing, 7/10 gaming, 9/10 "build quality"
Chroma: 8/10 typing, 9/10 gaming, 7/10 "build quality"
What do the switches feel like? I'm guessing they don't have a bump and that they're not clicky because you say they feel "smooth." What would that be comparable to, Blacks, Reds?
I'm not a big fan of the flashy boards but I bet my Pop might be into it and a nice, new keyboard might be good for his birthday in April. I think he's a fan of Corsair products, though...
Yeah, okay...that' s pretty rad.
The Razer Blackwidow Chroma uses Kailh green switches rebranded as Razer. The Kailh greens are clicky like Cherry MX Blue switches, but there's a bit less actuation distance.
CaptainGyro
Banned
So yesterday I bought a Ducky DK2108SZ and I thought it was pretty cool until I started gaming with it today. The WASD buttons have an extremely large delay in them while gaming, about a half second difference between input and then movement, it's pretty much unplayable. It's only the WASD keys though and only while gaming, everything else works fine., gaming or not. My brother said it must be some deliberate setting for WASD gaming, and judging from everything else I guess that makes sense, but I don't know how to fix it. Went to my control panel to see if I can change the settings but there isn't anything that will fix it under keyboard settings (Does anybody know how to fix this?
edit-I fixed it, though I don't know exactly what I did. I was randomly screwing around with the repeat rate/repeat delay settings ( which I had already tried before I made this post) and then suddenly it just fixed . So I dunno
edit-I fixed it, though I don't know exactly what I did. I was randomly screwing around with the repeat rate/repeat delay settings ( which I had already tried before I made this post) and then suddenly it just fixed . So I dunno
I can't decide between a Ducky Mini or a Pok3r.
I know now that I want MX Greens, I just liked the subtle kick I get in comparison to blues.
But between these two keyboards, I don't know what to get. I like the features of the Mini, but I don't like the round base. The Pok3r, on the other hand, looks just okay.
Any opinions?
I know now that I want MX Greens, I just liked the subtle kick I get in comparison to blues.
But between these two keyboards, I don't know what to get. I like the features of the Mini, but I don't like the round base. The Pok3r, on the other hand, looks just okay.
Any opinions?
Pok3r led versions are out and rgb is coming out soon. The non-led comes with nice PBT keys stock. Its got a sturdy aluminum case. Lots of custom 60% wrist rests match up to its length, I really like some of the wood ones. Pok3r also looks a hundred times better but that's just my opinion.
Also consider the leopold fc660.
The Leopold FC660M would be another good choice if the green switch version was available outside of the Massdrop group buy that took place a year ago.
For the RGB version of the Pok3r, according to mechanicalkeyboards.com it's estimated to release in March or April. It looks to be about the same price as the white backlight LED version.
For the RGB version of the Pok3r, according to mechanicalkeyboards.com it's estimated to release in March or April. It looks to be about the same price as the white backlight LED version.
manfestival
Member
so the keyboard that I am using has the gateron blues. I totally enjoy the experience of using them so far. I was read other peoples reviews stating that they actually enjoy using this switch over the cherry mx one. However, I do wish there was a way that I could try using a topre and cherry mx brown. Also planning on going the 10keyless route for the next keyboard that I get because while I do use the numberpad... I really would prefer to have the extra real estate on my desk