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Lez talk mechanical keyboards

Factoring in currency conversion, that is a pretty darn good price. Can't say I like the aesthetics very much, but 85 CAD/65 USD is about as cheap as I've ever seen a mechanical keyboard, including the random Chinese brands that sometimes show up on Massdrop.
 
Maybe it was the sharp edges and crazy loudness and tenkeyless design of the Quickfire TK blue I once had, but I feel like I prefer my time tested Logitech K120 to any mechanical keyboard I have tried so far. Granted that's only the TK, a Razer BlackWidow and a weird Romer G Logitech thing so maybe I just need to keep looking.
 
Guys, mechanical keyboards are basically the old ass keyboards, am I right? Recently someone told me to get a mechanical keyboard for games, and I was confused. I thought they meant keyboards where you can press 3 or more buttons without the computer making beep sounds, or actually registers the key presses. Or are mechanical keyboards higher end than regular old keyboards?

Actually, what the hell is the deal with old keyboard being weird? They make beep sounds if you press 3 keys, and the button presses don't register.
 
Cow Mengde said:
Guys, mechanical keyboards are basically the old ass keyboards, am I right? Recently someone told me to get a mechanical keyboard for games, and I was confused. I thought they meant keyboards where you can press 3 or more buttons without the computer making beep sounds, or actually registers the key presses. Or are mechanical keyboards higher end than regular old keyboards?

Actually, what the hell is the deal with old keyboard being weird? They make beep sounds if you press 3 keys, and the button presses don't register.
Click to expand...

Well, most newer mechanical keyboards have better key rollover these days, so you don't have that kind of issue when pressing multiple buttons. :P
 
Cow Mengde said:
Guys, mechanical keyboards are basically the old ass keyboards, am I right? Recently someone told me to get a mechanical keyboard for games, and I was confused. I thought they meant keyboards where you can press 3 or more buttons without the computer making beep sounds, or actually registers the key presses. Or are mechanical keyboards higher end than regular old keyboards?

Actually, what the hell is the deal with old keyboard being weird? They make beep sounds if you press 3 keys, and the button presses don't register.
Click to expand...

1. They're not "old," more mechanical keyboards are being made now than in the past. They're called "mechanical" because each key has an individual mechanical switch under it instead of just being a spot on a silicone sheet.There are a lot of different types of mechanical switches out there, so you have a lot of choices for customization and tailoring the keyboard to your preferences.

2. What you're talking about is called rollover and most modern keyboards don't have any issues with it at all.
 
has anyone got the Logitech G810 here? The white led on mine looks more like a bluish white, just trying to find the best white LED setting if possible.
 
I've been after a mechanical keyboard for ages and stumbled across this for £60 at the weekend. It's the Madcatz S.T.R.I.K.E TE. I know there's probably better keyboards for the same price but it was a bit of an impulse buy!

I've really enjoyed my use out of it so far and seems to be great for a first, I'm digging the lighting setup.
Any impressions from people who have used it long term?

MCB43113_STRIKE_TE_MB_001_lg.jpg
Click to expand...

And yeah, like most 'gaming' kit, it's pretty damn ugly.
 
I'm looking to buy one of these, I need something that's backlit so that I can see the key at night ( obviously) still shopping around on eBay.


Edit: Ended up buying , Cougar ATTACK V2 Cherry Mechanical Gaming Keyboard.
 
Got mine in. It's going to take some adjusting. But I feel all fancy when tying now. Like, "Oh, look at me, I work in data entry in a low-level position in the late 90s. No, I only drink name-brand Fanta."
 
Got myself a Logitech G810 last Saturday after my old Keyboard started acting up.
Guy on the counter wanted 129 € from me although it was priced as 189 €. I did not complain and also got an extra Division key I can sell. For that price I think the keyboard is fine.
 
I bought a mechanical keyboard for work (Das 4 Pro, Browns) and really quite miss them at home now. I used to use blues at home but then switched to reds, now that I've tried browns I actually think they're a nice in between for blues and reds.

I really like the Corsair K70 I have, so tempted to just go for the K70 RGB browns, but it's really quite expensive especially considering they've cut the USB pass through too.
 
Mad Season said:
Are cherry mx reds best for gaming?
Click to expand...

Personal preference. Reds are probably better for fast paced action kind of games, shooters etc.

I personally find them too sensitive though. I much prefer switches which are tactile as well.

If you can, you'd probably want to test the switches out. See which feels best for you.
 
Mad Season said:
Are cherry mx reds best for gaming?
Click to expand...

Zafir said:
Personal preference. Reds are probably better for fast paced action kind of games, shooters etc.

I personally find them too sensitive though. I much prefer switches which are tactile as well.

If you can, you'd probably want to test the switches out. See which feels best for you.
Click to expand...

I quite like reds for gaming, but programming and regularly typing on I agree that they can be a bit too sensitive. Whilst I like the actuation force of the reds, they have a low actuation point so just brushing over them can activate them. Whereas the browns actuation point is at the bump, which is harder to hit by mistake.
 
Still waiting for Logitech's G810 keyboard to become a little less expensive. I love the styling and for me, dedicated media keys are a must have feature. Shame there aren't many options like that in many keyboards :(
Shaldome said:
Got myself a Logitech G810 last Saturday after my old Keyboard started acting up.
Guy on the counter wanted 129 € from me although it was priced as 189 €. I did not complain and also got an extra Division key I can sell. For that price I think the keyboard is fine.
Click to expand...

Lucky bastard!
 
Qassim said:
I bought a mechanical keyboard for work (Das 4 Pro, Browns) and really quite miss them at home now. I used to use blues at home but then switched to reds, now that I've tried browns I actually think they're a nice in between for blues and reds.

I really like the Corsair K70 I have, so tempted to just go for the K70 RGB browns, but it's really quite expensive especially considering they've cut the USB pass through too.
Click to expand...
Why not the Strafe RGB? It's cheaper, has way better lighting and a USB port.
 
The keyboard is the only component on my PC which I haven't upgraded. I'm using some generic keyboard. I wish I could get a good keyboard but I just can't justify $100+ for a keyboard.
 
OraleeWey said:
The keyboard is the only component on my PC which I haven't upgraded. I'm using some generic keyboard. I wish I could get a good keyboard but I just can't justify $100+ for a keyboard.
Click to expand...

Try looking at a used keyboard. The thing about most mechanical keyboards is that they hold up pretty well over the years. Buy a used keyboard, give it a clean, and if you feel like it down the road, replace the key caps.
 
went to akihabara last week knowing i wanted a keyboard but not really having any idea of which one, so i tried out about 25 models and settled on the thermaltake poseidon NX.

p1.jpg


happy with it! it fit these criteria i had:

  • blue switches that feel good for typing too
  • tenkeyless
  • backlit
  • japanese layout
  • compact and minimalist body, not super "gamer" styled
  • not crazy expensive (was like $90)

recommended for anyone after similar things.
 
Rodin said:
Why not the Strafe RGB? It's cheaper, has way better lighting and a USB port.
Click to expand...

I don't really care about the lighting either way, it's off on my current keyboard and would likely be off on my next keyboard, I don't need the keys lit up 99% of the time.

But the main things are the full set of media keys and the design. I use the media keys a lot and I prefer the design and build of the K70 over the strafe keyboards *a lot*.
 
Hi Gaf,So I think it is finally time for me to jump on the mechanical keyboard train as part of my (after 8 years) new pc build.
Right now,I think I will go for the k70 rgb brown.
But the thing is,this keyboard is more than 2 years old,a replacement/newer model must be coming soon right? Maybe with the improved RGB light the Strafe has or with Mx silent switch?

What do you think I should do? Wait or just buy the K70 now? Computex is just around the corner but I need a keyboard soon...decisions.
 
MitzTapuzim said:
Hi Gaf,So I think it is finally time for me to jump on the mechanical keyboard train as part of my (after 8 years) new pc build.
Right now,I think I will go for the k70 rgb brown.
But the thing is,this keyboard is more than 2 years old,a replacement/newer model must be coming soon right? Maybe with the improved RGB light the Strafe has or with Mx silent switch?

What do you think I should do? Wait or just buy the K70 now? Computex is just around the corner but I need a keyboard soon...decisions.
Click to expand...

You should try the browns and silent switches before deciding what to buy. The brown switches have a tactile bump, while the silent switches are a variant of the red switches which are linear.
 
catabarez said:
Is Amazon the only US seller for this?
Click to expand...

As you can see from posts above, the options for us folks are limited. I ended up buying the Filco convertible and it's fantastic. Great responsiveness, even for my setup (comfy couch) and it's really solid construction. It has some interchangable keys and comes with a key removal tool if you want to add o-rings or swap out keys for whatever reason. It also has dip switches in a recess on the underside that can toggle different settings.

And this post is so long because, well, it's just kind of fun to type on this thing. :)
 
WanderingWind said:
As you can see from posts above, the options for us folks are limited. I ended up buying the Filco convertible and it's fantastic. Great responsiveness, even for my setup (comfy couch) and it's really solid construction. It has some interchangable keys and comes with a key removal tool if you want to add o-rings or swap out keys for whatever reason. It also has dip switches in a recess on the underside that can toggle different settings.

And this post is so long because, well, it's just kind of fun to type on this thing. :)
Click to expand...

What switches did you get? I'm looking at the Reds.
 
Got my topre realforce today. After using a 6gv2 with its heavy clear black switches for years I was a bit worried it might take me a while to get used to the lighter topre switches but so far they've been a bliss to type on. It just feels right and the sound the buttons make is addicting like crack. The only hassle so far is to get used to the us layout but I'm picking it up quickly enough.

I went for the gray version and I love the clean retro/industrial look. Even minor details like the infused legends make a big difference to me since the slight letter relief on my 6gv2 keycaps was something that always annoyed me(not to mention they usually only last me about two years).

The thing set me back $180 which certainly is expensive but so far I'm incredibly happy with my realforce and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for a premium keyboard.
 
How's the Razer Blackwidow? The Ultimate seems like a decent deal at $99 on Amazon, considering there doesn't seem to be a difference between it and the chroma other than the lights (which doesn't seem worth $70).

Kinda worried, though, I read that Razer uses their own switches compared to a brand like cherry.
 
Ghazi said:
How's the Razer Blackwidow? The Ultimate seems like a decent deal at $99 on Amazon, considering there doesn't seem to be a difference between it and the chroma other than the lights (which doesn't seem worth $70).

Kinda worried, though, I read that Razer uses their own switches compared to a brand like cherry.
Click to expand...

Razer recently started using Cherry again in the "Blackwidow X" series, which they sell for a bit less than the non-X versions that use their switches.
 
Ghazi said:
That's great! Do you have any experience with their switches?
Click to expand...

Not firsthand, I have an older Blackwidow with Cherry MX Browns.

From what I hear, they have a higher actuation point and slightly different feel from their Cherry equivalents. Razer also added new manufacturers and the switch quality is supposed to have increased somewhat since then.
 
Ghazi said:
That's great! Do you have any experience with their switches?
Click to expand...
I do (razer green-->cherry blue) and they're very good. A few weeks ago i linked an article from anandtech where the reviewer said that the switches are basically the same as their cherry counterparts.
 
Oh my god, this looks sick: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKTwoW51AkI

What a crazy fucking thing that is. It's too crazy for me. I need a big EU layout Enter key and a long space key, and I'm a sucker for LEDs, but look. That... that is really awesome.
Massdrop seems like a good idea. I wonder if something like that will be introduced in the european territories!





If money was no object at all, I might have gotten one of these, but they are so overpowered. Datamancer; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP_ZFBuSo1Y
 
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