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Lez talk mechanical keyboards
- Thread starter Scuba Steve
- Start date
Deleteeeeee
Member
Entrecôte;199408810 said:
That isn't wireless.
Varmilo VB87M with gateron yellow/red/black or cherry red/black + o-rings for sound dampening.
WanderingWind
Mecklemore Is My Favorite Wrapper
I appreciate the info. I basically know Logitech and nothing else. How good are those two companies?
POWERSPHERE
Member
Its an amazing keyboard, but its heavy, which I like, and quite wide, which is a little annoying as it doesnt fit into my keyboard storage.
the thoroughbred
Member
Do any of the laptop manufacturers use mechanical keyboard. My Thinkpad is very nice. But no mechanical.
Yeah my mistake there. Brown switches are nearly there noise wise.
CraigerGamer
Member
I just ordered a Cherry Brown Corsairs K70 that was on special on Amazon. I love it. Its so sturdy and the keys just pop. I try and game in the dark to avoid glare and having the keys light up is fantastic as well. I like the USB pass-through too. Makes things a lot less cluttered for my setup. Glad I finally decided to see what a mechanical keyboard is all about.
Deleteeeeee
Member
Filco and Varmillo are both pretty good companies. Just a note that the Varmillo keyboard above is ten key less meaning it doesn't have a numpad.
manfestival
Member
Logitech is good but there are a ton of reputable companies out there. I have one chinese offbrand keyboard which is made by an ex filco partner. Mechanical keyboards are a pretty sure thing. The biggest thing to look into are the switches themselves.
Yup browns are great for games too. I just like the way they feel in fps games.
Deleteeeeee
Member
The Varmillo keyboard is on mass drop currently https://www.massdrop.com/buy/varmilo-vb87m-bluetooth
you may have to register to view the listing.
Here's the link without having to register : https://www.massdrop.com/buy/varmilo-vb87m-bluetooth?mode=guest_open
//DEVIL//
Member
I bought razer chroma couple of days ago to replace my 2012 blue led edition. man I am in love with. the mate finish is really awesome. now its going very well with my razer firefly and kraken 7.1 chroma 
the only problem is I don't really like the razer mamba mouse. I am using MX master and G700s ( the MX master is heavenly )
the only problem is I don't really like the razer mamba mouse. I am using MX master and G700s ( the MX master is heavenly )
i want to ask about back lighted keycaps. I have a hard time understanding why anyone would want that feature unless they just think it looks cool. I've never come across a situation where I felt leds would be helpful or necessary, finding keys is only an issue if I'm not looking at the keyboard, and obviously leds won't help with that. Then again maybe some of you use your keyboard in complete darkness. but even then the screen would illuminate the keys, at least that's my experience. To me it looks tacky and adds unnecessary costs and complexity to the hardware. Not saying it's wrong to like it I just wonder what practical benefits people get from the feature.
On another note, I'm looking around for a new keyboard. I've got a steelseries 6gv2 which I've been happy with since I bought it except for the lousy spacebar. I'm also beginning to suspect the switches aren't perfect for me but really the spacebar is 100% the reason I'm looking for something new(it will occasionally ie multiple times every day jam or skew to the side causing presses not to register until I've pushed it back into place). I've been thinking about the Code keyboard because it doesn't have any of the gamer branding nonsense but like I said I'm not a fan of leds and haven't read many impression about the keyboard. Anyone tried it or have recommendations of similar products? I use my keyboard for both programming and gaming.
edit: think i found what I'm looking for:
topre
review (another model but same maker)
http://codeandlife.com/2015/03/09/topre-realforce-88ub-a-happier-hacking-keyboard/
On another note, I'm looking around for a new keyboard. I've got a steelseries 6gv2 which I've been happy with since I bought it except for the lousy spacebar. I'm also beginning to suspect the switches aren't perfect for me but really the spacebar is 100% the reason I'm looking for something new(it will occasionally ie multiple times every day jam or skew to the side causing presses not to register until I've pushed it back into place). I've been thinking about the Code keyboard because it doesn't have any of the gamer branding nonsense but like I said I'm not a fan of leds and haven't read many impression about the keyboard. Anyone tried it or have recommendations of similar products? I use my keyboard for both programming and gaming.
edit: think i found what I'm looking for:
topre
review (another model but same maker)
http://codeandlife.com/2015/03/09/topre-realforce-88ub-a-happier-hacking-keyboard/
There's two reasons to get a backlit keyboard: the LEDs look cool, and you can see your keys easier if you are using your keyboard in the dark.
What size of keyboard are you looking to get? Do you have a preferred switch? Are you located in the US?
If you want a plain keyboard with no backlighting, take a look at Filco and Leopold keyboards
actually i'm pretty sold on the topre keyboard I found half an hour ago. Reading reviews and about their custom switches it kinda looks like the ultimate keyboard to me
the industrial look and lack of any gamerness is a huge plus to me as well. the price is a downside... but I use a keyboard 8-9 hours a day so it's a worthwhile investment in my mind.
another review
actually i'm pretty sold on the topre keyboard I found half an hour ago. Reading reviews and about their custom switches it kinda looks like the ultimate keyboard to me
You might want to check Japanese Amazon, it can be cheaper to buy a Realforce from there. Deskthority wiki has a useful list of all the different variants of the Realforce keyboards.
I really want a TKL Realforce, but I can't really justify it since I bought my current keyboard in January.
I'm buying from amazon for sure. I'm actually moving to japan later this year so the question is whether I can hold out or is ready to pack my bags with a 1.5 kilogram keyboard.
QuantumSquid
Member
Does anyone know of mechanical keyboards that don't have super sharp spacebars?
When I play games, I hit the spacebar with the side of my thumb, and the Quickfire TK's sharp front edge on the spacebar makes it pretty painful to do so.
When I play games, I hit the spacebar with the side of my thumb, and the Quickfire TK's sharp front edge on the spacebar makes it pretty painful to do so.
Some people invert their spacebar (and other bottom row keys) to avoid that, since it changes the direction of the slope and prevents your thumb from resting on a sharp edge.
Deleteeeeee
Member
Topre switche come in a number of different actuation forces/weight and some of the topre realforce keyboard have different switches for different keys. Like this:
There are models that have uniform weight across all keys. Point is make sure you know what you want and what you are getting.
There are models that have uniform weight across all keys. Point is make sure you know what you want and what you are getting.
Mr_Kuschels
Member
I have to throw this out and it shouldn't be a big surprise for those who have been using mechanical keyboards for a while.
I'm in love with my Ducky Shine 5 mechanical keyboard with brown cherry switches. Ever since owning my first computer (Pentium with 200 Mhz) I've been using cheap membrane keyboards. Due my job in the customer support/social media department at an iOS/Android software company I carved and bought myself my first mechanical keyboards.
The difference is like day and night. Even the most dull days of monotonous answering tickets and writing articles for our social media plattforms have become a lot more bearable.
Typing on that thing is a joy and the clicky sounds is pleasing.
Everbody who's on the edge should finally get one. I can guarantee that it'll also improve your typing experience immensly.
I'm in love with my Ducky Shine 5 mechanical keyboard with brown cherry switches. Ever since owning my first computer (Pentium with 200 Mhz) I've been using cheap membrane keyboards. Due my job in the customer support/social media department at an iOS/Android software company I carved and bought myself my first mechanical keyboards.
The difference is like day and night. Even the most dull days of monotonous answering tickets and writing articles for our social media plattforms have become a lot more bearable.
Typing on that thing is a joy and the clicky sounds is pleasing.
Everbody who's on the edge should finally get one. I can guarantee that it'll also improve your typing experience immensly.
actually i'm pretty sold on the topre keyboard I found half an hour ago. Reading reviews and about their custom switches it kinda looks like the ultimate keyboard to me
another review
I use one of these as my main keyboard (and have for quite a while now). Mine is the 45g uniform version which I think I got from EliteKeyboards. Always liked Topre. Had a HHKBP2 for a while which I think was my first experience with Topre switches and loved it, but the layout ultimately wasn't to my taste.
Still regard actual Topre keyboards as having the best keycaps in the game. Switches themselves are more to taste but I do prefer them to my Cherry keyboards overall. Only get the black on grey if you can touch type across the entire layout (i.e. use blank keyboards) or you'll probably get annoyed at how hard it is to make out the sub-dye legends. They're viewable in direct light but otherwise you'll be doing a lot of squinting.
IcyRhythms
Member
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D8ETGNQ/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Want this one but it seems Amazon only had like 5 available lol
There is one review and they released on the 21st. Usually ships in months? WTF?
Want this one but it seems Amazon only had like 5 available lol
There is one review and they released on the 21st. Usually ships in months? WTF?
I'm pretty sure I'll go for either all 45 or all 55. I'm not a fan of ergonomic weighting.
How do you like 45g? Have you tried other weights?
I don't usually need to look much at the legends and I never sit in complete darkness so black should be fine. I really do like the white/gray color scheme though, but I'm thinking that if I use this thing for many years then the black version will show less visible wear/tear.
The first keyboard I posted with the medium grey keycaps and black body looks really nice to me but I haven't been able to find much info about it.
I've tried (and bought) more keyboards than I care to admit.
45g is my preferred weighting, though the variable Topres are okay. I find 55g and up a little too stiff for my liking, but that tends to vary wildly from person to person.
I wouldn't worry about the longevity if you wind up springing for a Topre. They're thick PBT keycaps that use dye sublimination for the legends. You can't really wear the legends off or anything, it's kind of like tattooing the legend into the plastic. They're built for industrial use cases well beyond personal use cases.
lastflowers
Banned
actually i'm pretty sold on the topre keyboard I found half an hour ago. Reading reviews and about their custom switches it kinda looks like the ultimate keyboard to me
another review
I've got one. It's really nice. I like it more than my Happy Hacking Keyboard Pro 2 (mainly because of arrow keys not in the layout of my HHKP2)
i meant wear more in terms of looking clean and preserving the finish. some grey plastics tend to turn a bit yellowish or lose their luster which isn't a problem with black.
anyway can't seem to find 45g white 87 on amazon so maybe I'll have to go for black anyway... or 104/108
that's great to hear, I'm personally not a fan of the hh layout.
I think EliteKeyboards is the only place you can really get 45g uniform here in the states.
cloudstrife
Member
The Lenovo Ideapad Y900 coming out in June/July will have a mechanical keyboard.
The actuation force between the Cherry MX and Topre aren't really comparable. I found the 45g (on my FC660C) a bit "heavier" than my keyboard with MX Black, but that may be because they're tactile. The RF87U 55g is probably my next board, waiting for an eventual refresh/update this year.
The Lenovo Ideapad Y900 coming out in June/July will have a mechanical keyboard.
This looks promising.
DrForester
Kills Photobucket
Got myself a Corsair K70 RGB last fall. Loved it until a few weeks ago when I started getting chattering on the "," key. Really a pain in the butt.
Do want to give some positive feedback to Corsair Customer Service. Made an RMA on Sunday and my replacement shipped today. Little annoying to have to pay shipping back, but I guess that's standard.
Do want to give some positive feedback to Corsair Customer Service. Made an RMA on Sunday and my replacement shipped today. Little annoying to have to pay shipping back, but I guess that's standard.
actually i'm pretty sold on the topre keyboard I found half an hour ago. Reading reviews and about their custom switches it kinda looks like the ultimate keyboard to me
another review
I own two of these. One for home, and a silent one for work. I am the envy of my peers and don't want to use any other keyboard again!! Topre for life!
What he said. I have the silent variable weight one at work. Got it about two years ago and it is still like brand new ( I do take care of them though ). Loved it so much, about a year ago I got the cheaper unsilenced ( still pretty quiet ) 45g uniform for home ( mostly cause I just can't find the silenced one I got before anymore ).
The noise difference isn't severe, and the 45g vs variable weight is also pretty similar, you will get used to either one. I honestly think I slightly prefer the variable weight, but I do get a lot of accidental "a" presses with my pinky on that one only..
The switch itself is amazing. But that is totally up to preference, as previously mentioned!
Edit: also, I got custom PBT space bars for this board on mass drop! Totally cool! ( they ship with PBT caps, except the space bar which is ABS )
WanderingWind
Mecklemore Is My Favorite Wrapper
Forgive my questioning again, but is there a wireless keyboard with a number pad? I know I'm getting super specific, but I do need wireless (comfy couch setup), I'm married so I need relating quiet and I do a lot of programming so a number pad is a must. Does such a thing exist?
POWERSPHERE
Member
My Das Pro 4 keeps disconnecting from my iMac when it goes to sleep and I need to unplug & replug it to make it work, anyone know what the deal is? I put in a ticket, but no dice yet.
iMac 27 Late 2013 / El Capitan 10.11.4
iMac 27 Late 2013 / El Capitan 10.11.4
Adry9
Member
My Ozone Strike Pro broke 1 month before the warranty ended. I'll probably get a refund so I'm looking fow a new one for 130 tops (maybe 150 but only if it's really worth it). I want at least 1USB port, number pad and backlit keys. How's the Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2016? I heard some bad comments about it but I don't know if they're just hate for Razer.
R
Rodin
Unconfirmed Member
My Strafe w/ browns just arrived. It's absolutely AMAZING, i'm in love with the brown switches and the lighting is outstanding. I can't recommend it enough to all those who want a mech keyboard and don't need macros.
WanderingWind
Mecklemore Is My Favorite Wrapper
Sweet, thanks. Bought this one. Now waiting for it to come in.
Having worked with Clear, Blue and Brown for some time now... can I get the feel of the Blue without the click? Clear is simply too tough, Blue too loud and Brown... Brown has a weird tacticle response feeling, like a small scrape.
So maybe I'd like red? Or even*gasp* Topre?
So maybe I'd like red? Or even*gasp* Topre?
terencecah
Member
If you guys have the money (200ish USD) you should really upgrade to topre switches
They are very comfortable
They are very comfortable
The keys, yes. The layouts, not at all.
The day we get something like an Ergodox with Topre, I'll really think about it. But I can't see myself spending a lot of money on an ISO keyboard. Feels like having a great shoe with an awful sole.
Red are linear, without any tactile feel, not sure that's what you're after.
What do you dislike about the Blues? If it's the noise at the bottoming out, you can try adding O-rings. If it's the clicky mechanism, you could try "Jailhouse Blues"...
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=38091.0
You'll have to test them... They're a kind of smoother Browns, but it's different at the same time.
You'd have to build your own or swap in the switches, but Zealios have been compared to a much smoother version of MX Clears.
civilstrife
Member
This seems like a pretty amazing deal. Anyone have any experience with this brand?
Probably gonna bite the bullet. Only an hour left on the lightning deal.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01AU6IZZ0
Probably gonna bite the bullet. Only an hour left on the lightning deal.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01AU6IZZ0