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Lez talk mechanical keyboards

Had a look at them recently and my sense is that there is little to no difference among the few big ones like Das and Filco if you don't talk about the type of keys involved.

I'm just waiting for Logitech to make a wireless one before jumping in. Anyone got any idea if that will ever happen?
 
jim-jam bongs said:
Keyboard porn threads are actually awesome for this and other reasons. They usually get derailed by someone coming in and explaining that everyone in the thread is a moron for not being satisfied with the no-name that came with their PC though.
Click to expand...

I'm still waiting for Zaptruder to show up call us all idiots. C'mon guys, there's no appreciable difference between a brand new Topre Realforce and a grody eMachines OEM from 2002 that's choked with crumbs, hair, and cigarette butts. You're wasting your money on nothing!

ElyrionX said:
Had a look at them recently and my sense is that there is little to no difference among the few big ones like Das and Filco if you don't talk about the type of keys involved.

I'm just waiting for Logitech to make a wireless one before jumping in. Anyone got any idea if that will ever happen?
Click to expand...

Logitech doesn't care. They can already sell completely average membrane keyboards for $100+ by putting LEDs and macro keys on them, so why would they go for something that's more expensive to produce?
 
Personal preference.

I bought myself a WASD Cherry MX Brown board, but I just don't like it. Way too loud, and I actually prefer the feel of my Logitech Illuminated scissor switches. They have a much greater tactile feel than the Browns, and are 10x quieter.

The WASD is super solid, though. The build quality is great.
 
Orayn said:
I'm still waiting for Zaptruder to show up call us all idiots. C'mon guys, there's no appreciable difference between a brand new Topre Realforce and a grody eMachines OEM from 2002 that's choked with crumbs, hair, and cigarette butts. You're wasting your money on nothing!
Click to expand...

That was who it was! Thanks dude, I couldn't remember the poster but I remember the discussion vividly.
 
I am considering a mechanical KB but the clicking sound is not always convenient for me.

How is the Blackwidow Stealth edition?, any impressions ? if it is quite a bit quieter i could consider it.
 
twdnewh_k said:
I am considering a mechanical KB but the clicking sound is not always convenient for me.

How is the Blackwidow Stealth edition?, any impressions ? if it is quite a bit quieter i could consider it.
Click to expand...

Even the quiet boards which use Brown keys are very loud compared to a regular keyboard.
 
twdnewh_k said:
I am considering a mechanical KB but the clicking sound is not always convenient for me.

How is the Blackwidow Stealth edition?, any impressions ? if it is quite a bit quieter i could consider it.
Click to expand...

If it's basically the Blackwidow with MX Browns instead of MX Blues, it should be a great deal quieter since actually pressing the keys makes no sound. The key "bottoming out" and striking the panel underneath would still make noise, but you can teach yourself not to do that with a little patience.

TheExodu5 said:
Even the quiet boards which use Brown keys are very loud compared to a regular keyboard.
Click to expand...

Again, if and only if you press the keys all the way down. You can actually improve your typing speed if you learn to release them sooner.
 
Orayn said:
Again, if and only if you press the keys all the way down. You can actually improve your typing speed if you learn to release them sooner.
Click to expand...

Doesn't work well with the browns at all, since the tactile feedback is so light. The bump is light and gritty feeling, not sharp and crisp. Typing only feels good when you bottom out, and it's loud in that case.

ghst said:
reds would be a more suitable option.
Click to expand...

Won't help, as it's the bottom out which is loud, not the actuation of the switch.

I'm not knocking mechanical keyboard at all. I just personally couldn't deal with the sound. It was kind of satisfying while typing, but it really got on my nerves while gaming.
 
Had a rubber membrane IBM keyboard serve me for the last 10 years.

I have a Filco Majestouch-2 with browns now and I figure I'm set for life. Love this thing.
 
ghst said:
no, i picked it up from http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments - (qtan from geekhack's store -http://geekhack.org/forumdisplay.php?81-Elite-e-sports-gaming-equipment) the store looks a little 1998 but the guy is legit and got me my board in super fast time.
Click to expand...

Interesting, thanks for the direct.

Has anyone had experiences with all the cherry switches and can tell me which is the loudest after Blue? I need it noisy but the actuation kink makes me unsure of getting it.
 
jim-jam bongs said:
Keyboard porn threads are actually awesome for this and other reasons. They usually get derailed by someone coming in and explaining that everyone in the thread is a moron for not being satisfied with the no-name that came with their PC though.
Click to expand...
They are almost as silly as the kids that try to convince themselves those tiny boxes they plug into their TVs are good enough for games.
 
Just got a Filco Majestouch 2 Tenkeyless with Browns yesterday. Feels really good, the build quality is fantastic.

D8otU.jpg
 
Davidion said:
Interesting, thanks for the direct.

Has anyone had experiences with all the cherry switches and can tell me which is the loudest after Blue? I need it noisy but the actuation kink makes me unsure of getting it.
Click to expand...

Clears would have the next most noticeable actuation point, but with no sound. Browns are a lighter (re: very light) version of that, as the actuation point is barely noticeable. Reds/Blacks don't have any tactile feedback.
 
Davidion said:
Interesting, thanks for the direct.

Has anyone had experiences with all the cherry switches and can tell me which is the loudest after Blue? I need it noisy but the actuation kink makes me unsure of getting it.
Click to expand...

The MX Blues couldn't click from the keystroke itself unless they had the tactile bump. Others will clack when they bottom out, which will probably be pretty loud compared to your average membrane keyboard because often have a metal backplate and keycaps made of a tough material like ABS.

robor said:
What mouses should I look at that would compliment the functionality of a mechanical keyboard?
Click to expand...

Pretty much anything since I haven't yet met the evil bastards who would dare put mushy membrane switches in a mouse.
 
Orayn said:
The MX Blues couldn't click from the keystroke itself unless they had the tactile bump. Others will clack when they bottom out, which will probably be pretty loud compared to your average membrane keyboard because often have a metal backplate and keycaps made of a tough material like ABS.
Click to expand...

Yeah I actually have an ABS M1 as my home keyboard right now. Very excited at the prospect of getting an even louder board.

It's hard to make a decision. If I knew the double tapping wouldn't really be a major concern I'd probably jump on the blues. Decisions decisions
 
Davidion said:
Yeah I actually have an ABS M1 as my home keyboard right now. Very excited at the prospect of getting an even louder board.

It's hard to make a decision. If I knew the double tapping wouldn't really be a major concern I'd probably jump on the blues. Decisions decisions
Click to expand...

Haha, the "ABS" reference in my post was to the plastic material accrylonitrile butadiene styrene, rather than the brand.

On a related note, a friend lent me an ABS M1 with non-clicky alps clones and I just couldn't get a feel for it. Rather than having a tactile bump in the middle, the keys just felt like they were full of grit and dust inside, and the keycaps were poorly designed and tended to grind against one another. Probably more of an inconsistent built quality problem than anything else, but damn, I have never liked a mechanical keyboard less than that one.
 
Just bought a Filco Majestouch 2 with blue switches but when I opened the box it was the wrong model (black switches instead, the box said it had blues.) Excitement turned to disappointment as soon as I pressed a button to test it. Can't wait to get the proper one later this week.
 
Orayn said:
Haha, the "ABS" reference in my post was to the plastic material accrylonitrile butadiene styrene, rather than the brand.

On a related note, a friend lent me an ABS M1 with non-clicky alps clones and I just couldn't get a feel for it. Rather than having a tactile bump in the middle, the keys just felt like they were full of grit and dust inside, and the keycaps were poorly designed and tended to grind against one another. Probably more of an inconsistent built quality problem than anything else, but damn, I have never liked a mechanical keyboard less than that one.
Click to expand...

Well then!

I've had mine for a year or two and there's definitely none of the grinding or the tactile issue. There's definitely a bump with mine though it could probably be stronger. I have to imagine the one you used was just really busted up somehow.

Just read some more on the switches and apparently the blues may require a bit more maintenance due to particles getting caught in its parts. Ahh, it never ends.
 
mkenyon said:
Steelseries Xai/Sensei. Everything else is second tier.
Click to expand...
The Xai has a acceleration on the sensor level, so it's not the best kind of mouse you can get. Don't know about the Sensei though.

robor said:
What mouses should I look at that would compliment the functionality of a mechanical keyboard?
Click to expand...
Generally in a mouse you don't want prediction or acceleration or jitter or another kind of feature/flaw. So the Intellimouse 1.1/3.0, Deathadder, CM Storm Spawn/Xornet and Logitech G400 are good mice for that. However only recent revisions of the G400 have removed prediction, whereas earlier models still have it.

Other than that it's a matter of whatever DPI you need or form factor looks most comfortable.
 
TheExodu5 said:
I bought myself a WASD Cherry MX Brown board, but I just don't like it. Way too loud, and I actually prefer the feel of my Logitech Illuminated scissor switches. They have a much greater tactile feel than the Browns, and are 10x quieter.
Click to expand...

I just looked up the Logitech Illuminated, and I found a thread about W + shift + space ghosting. Dealbreaker if true.
 
Reikon said:
I just looked up the Logitech Illuminated, and I found a thread about W + shift + space ghosting. Dealbreaker if true.
Click to expand...

Seriously? That is the single worst ghosting combination ever, since I do nothing but crouch-jump around in TF2 using those exact keys. :lol
 
Reikon said:
I just looked up the Logitech Illuminated, and I found a thread about W + shift + space ghosting. Dealbreaker if true.
Click to expand...

Yeah, at some point the Illuminateds they started manufacturing blocked that combination. Mine is an early run Illuminated and it's fine.

It has a different name now...I'm not sure if they fixed up the key matrix or not.
 
I had a Matias keyboard that I really loved:

http://matias.ca/tactilepro3/

...but it was just too noisy for a small apartment; no one within 20 feet could possibly sleep if someone's typing on it.

Sanwa Supply used to make one that's nearly identical to the Matias, only in black and teal. I found one used for a cheap price and will pull it out on occasion when it's OK to make noise.

Barring the invention of a silent mechanical keyboard, I'm hoping that someday Apple will make a backlit version of their default "chiclet" style that comes with desktop Macs. Apple's flat keyboards are my favorite pantagraph-style keyboards.
 
I have a Black Widow and I love it. I realize it's one of the lower or middle-tier mechanical keyboards on the market, but it's still leagues ahead of any keyboard I used before it. If you're willing to spend over 100 dollars, a Das or Filco will probably be a solid choice, as I have heard the build quality is really nice. But I can vouch for the Black Widow, and I was never a fan of Razer products before I got it.
 
Scuba Steve said:
So my beloved Saitek Eclipse II has served me well the past 5 years...up until I spilled a bottle of water on it =/

I'm looking at a mechanical keyboard for my next purchase, what are the recommendations these days? Seems a lot of people like DAS. I've also checked out WASD's site for custom keyboards.

Is it worth spending $120+ on mechanical keyboards? I'm looking at the Das Professional right now, any other recommendations?
Click to expand...
I'd say it is a nice thing to have, but not a significant upgrade for most people.

Considering the amount of time I spend on the computer having a better keyboard is nice. The feedback feels nice and it is easier and faster to type for me.

I'd be fine on a good membrane keyboard, or the DAS Ultimate (MX Blues) I'm on right now.
 
VALIS said:
I bought a Razer Black Widow Ultimate about 5 months ago and love it. Loud, sturdy Cherry MX Blue keys and five levels of backlighting, which is pretty useful since I'm often in the dark.
Click to expand...

I have one of these, and it's awesome. I don't think I could ever go back to a rubber membrane keyboard now that I've seen the difference.
 
Gravijah said:
someone donate me a mechanical keyboard so my stepmania sessions will sound cooler
Click to expand...

Lol I can vividly remember that sounds my keyboard would make when I played Max 300, I'd just poke away with the force of a thousand Suns.

Anyways, it looks like I'm leaning towards MX Blue switches, but should I be worried if I'm playing games on my PC? I hear MX Blues aren't ideal for gaming =/
 
Scuba Steve said:
Lol I can vividly remember that sounds my keyboard would make when I played Max 300, I'd just poke away with the force of a thousand Suns.

Anyways, it looks like I'm leaning towards MX Blue switches, but should I be worried if I'm playing games on my PC? I hear MX Blues aren't ideal for gaming =/
Click to expand...

They're fine for gaming, though I imagine some might find them a tad fatiguing for longer gaming sessions. I never had a problem gaming on blues.

Personally, I think if you are unsure of what switch type to get and have never used a mechanical before, browns are usually the safest bet.
 
Lambtron said:
How much different does a mechanical keyboard with switches feel than a buckling spring keyboard? I've never liked typing on a keyboard as much as I did my Model M.
Click to expand...

Orayn said:
Buckling springs are just a particularly noisy, high-force type of mechanical switch. Cherry MX Blues are basically a baby version of them.
Click to expand...

I have the DAS Keyboard Professional (Cherry Blue switches) and I like it a lot, but it is still a fry cry from the feel of a buckling spring keyboard. The travel is not as smooth and the tactile response and noise aren't nearly as prominent.

I could only ever recommend a buckling spring keyboard to someone if they didn't have anyone else working/living with them, and if they didn't have to type an excessive amount.

Most people would be best suited with the Cherry Blue switches, and if you want a basic keyboard with those, the DAS Professional is great. The build quality is ridiculous.

Of course, it's got no media keys or 1337 GAMR bullshit.
The Thermaltake Mecha G1 or whatever was my second choice. It has Cherry Black switches. http://usa.ttesports.com/products/product.aspx?s=18

I have noticed the double tap issue on my DAS Professional keyboard, but it's really just a matter of getting used to it. It's harder to tap, lift up past the activation point, tap again on these switches than it is with others, or with a shitty rubber dome keyboard. You can either get used to it, or just do a full double tap (tap, release all the way, tap again). Slightly slower, but I can't think of a game where that miniscule difference would ever matter.
 
I'm completely lost reading all this. Is there a link you guys could give to make me understand why a mechanical keyboard is better or more preferred?
 
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