Have to give credit where it's due, any intelligence to the choice was probably gathered from here. Rosewill seemed like a good manufacturer and I remember reading that blue switches were the general safe bet to start with. So thanks all, I'm looking forward to finally seeing for myself what all the buzz is about.
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Lez talk mechanical keyboards
- Thread starter Scuba Steve
- Start date
Have to give credit where it's due, any intelligence to the choice was probably gathered from here. Rosewill seemed like a good manufacturer and I remember reading that blue switches were the general safe bet to start with. So thanks all, I'm looking forward to finally seeing for myself what all the buzz is about.
That's hardly a regret you should have. How many times do you ever even need look at your keyboard? Lights on the keys are just a gaudy distraction imo
Yeah I don't ever need to use the backlight, but I'm a sucker for glowy stuff. At any rate, it was more just to highlight that the price is really solely for the tactile feel that I've not experienced, which was tough because I can't see what I'm getting until it's here, you know? Anyway, it's a moot point now, I'm just stoked for it to get here.
I certainly don't care for backlit keyboards. Hell, I don't even like the Caps Lock LED on my Poker when I hit it on accident. Don't like full-size keyboards anymore either, but I know it is a tough transition for some folks to learn how to touch-type on the num row.
I just received my replacement Quickfire and I have a strange issue. It seems that anytime I press a key, there is a metallic sound coming from the keyboard. It's like the spring was hitting a metal plate and bouncing back. I don't remember that annoying sound from my previous QF board.
Man, what a mess, I just want a mechanical keyboard. I'll stay away from cheap ones from now on.
http://www.mediafire.com/?36wg8hrb9zi0ccz
http://www.mediafire.com/?284q88yba7hucvu
It's a CM Quickfire with browns. My previous CM ALT key failed.
Man, what a mess, I just want a mechanical keyboard. I'll stay away from cheap ones from now on.
http://www.mediafire.com/?36wg8hrb9zi0ccz
http://www.mediafire.com/?284q88yba7hucvu
It's a CM Quickfire with browns. My previous CM ALT key failed.
This is somewhat common with mechanical keyboards that are mounted on metal backplates. The amount of noise you hear depends on the physical seating; there's naturally a fair amount of resonance going since you're dealing with a lot of metal on metal and a whole lot of springs. I've heard these kinds of noises from brand new Filcos, and I have a particularly noisy W key on my Das S Pro.
If this really bothers you (and to some degree it actually bugs me too), consider looking into 'boards that are not using plate-mounted switches. You generally won't get much noise out of Topre keyboards even though they are plate mounted (since there's more plastic and rubber in the construction) but you'd be paying a lot for a minor issue. PCB-mounted keyboards (I'm typing on one called a KBC Poker right now) generally won't make any kind of noises like this except in cases where a switch has a particularly noisy spring.
Sounds like you had a bit of bad luck, but the truth is you could certainly wind up with another that has a similar amount of ringing to it even if you bought a different brand. I'm guessing they'd be willing to exchange it again if you wanted and maybe you'll get a quieter one, but if it's something you think will always bother you, look into a PCB-mounted keyboard in the future. Or a Realforce if you decide you want to drop three hundred or so.
Any impressions on this one? I was thinking of picking one up, I currently have a logitech g510 and I love it, I'd like to have something somewhat similar but mechanical.Just ordered this as my birthday present coming up from my wife.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009C98NPY/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Well, that is pretty much exactly what the 710+ is, so if you want another keyboard like the 510 but want mechanical switches, you'd probably be very happy with it.
I've heard some reports of the backlighting hitting an early death, but it's something I'm quite sure Logitech covers under warranty. I toyed with one briefly at a Best Buy somewhere and I thought the keycaps felt a little cheap given the price, but Logitech hasn't ever really been known to use high-end keycaps on anything. They did however use o-rings in the base design so it is very quiet for a mechanical, and it did seem otherwise decently constructed. It uses Cherry MX Brown switches, by the way (they don't seem to want to name the actual switch type in their materials from what I can tell).
The price really seems high to me for the materials, but there are certainly features there that aren't on a whole lot of keyboards. If they're important to you, it seems like a pretty solid buy.
http://www.maxkeyboard.com/max-keyboard-keycap-cherry-mx-switch-o-ring-sampler-kit.html
Bought this, should at least let me finally decide on red or brown. Only $7.50 shipped too.
Bought this, should at least let me finally decide on red or brown. Only $7.50 shipped too.
Hah! I'll definitely bookmark that for future reference. The o-rings aren't really going to tell you much about their sound dampening effect since the switches aren't mounted to anything, but it will give you an idea of how it changes the key travel.
Yeah, seems it's an issue that's different with every board. Oh well, i'll just pump up the music.
Trojita
Rapid Response Threadmaker
WASD sells a sampler kit as well that includes all available key cap colors and an example of the laser etching or engraving.
http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/wasd-sampler-kit.html
The Max Keyboard one is cheaper though.
http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/wasd-sampler-kit.html
The Max Keyboard one is cheaper though.
I code for a living, and I find these to be amazing.
They do suffer when it comes to games though. Still, unless your gaming keyboard ONLY does gaming, I find that it is an acceptable compromise.
Horse Detective
Why the long case?
I am typing from a Razer Black Widow Ultimate.
I love this thing so much, but I really want to get a Filco with a red escape key. There is a Gaffer here that has one, and it looks so cool.
I love this thing so much, but I really want to get a Filco with a red escape key. There is a Gaffer here that has one, and it looks so cool.
RaGMasTeR90
Member
I can really recommend you guys this beauty
Im using it for about 2 weeks and it feels amazing, for typing and for gaming. I like the formfactor, its not too big and not too small. For me, who does not need any makro keys, its perfect.
If you havent used a mechanical keyboard before, it takes some time to get used to it.
Im using it for about 2 weeks and it feels amazing, for typing and for gaming. I like the formfactor, its not too big and not too small. For me, who does not need any makro keys, its perfect.
If you havent used a mechanical keyboard before, it takes some time to get used to it.
Danne-Danger
Member
God, I want a mechanical keyboard so badly. Only every time I tell someone that I'm thinking about spending $160 on a keyboard they say I'm insane, which reminds me that I am.
That said, I haven't checked the prices around EU as of yet. Maybe I should do that...
That said, I haven't checked the prices around EU as of yet. Maybe I should do that...
I'm still in alps mode, building a new combination of an old compact ortek but changing switches to blue complicated alps. They really feel nice to type. If you guys are fond of compact keyboards check this:
www.kbtpure.com
They're all mx based ones.
www.kbtpure.com
They're all mx based ones.
close to the edge
Member
Oh man. (this is Liquid´Taeja's keyboard, a SC2 pro-gamer)
NintendoGal
Member
Back when I was building my new rig many months ago, I picked up a Corsair Vengeance K60. While I don't regret the purchase, the phantom stuck key issue is a pain in the ass, especially when I'm in the middle of typing out an article. 
RaGMasTeR90
Member
The steelseries 6gv2 costs 79,99 Euros.
I can really recommend you guys this beauty
Im using it for about 2 weeks and it feels amazing, for typing and for gaming. I like the formfactor, its not too big and not too small. For me, who does not need any makro keys, its perfect.
If you havent used a mechanical keyboard before, it takes some time to get used to it.
I'm looking at this one and the CM Quickfire Pro (I want the numpad on the right for entering numbers. It's 1000x easier for me).
I would consider the Razer blackwidow but that seems to only come in cherry MX blue. I'm thinking red is the color I want. I like a light touch and I'm 99% gaming on my home PC.
The Rosewill is also on my radar but the reviews about the USB port seem concerning.
bucknuticus
Member
Dude behind me at work has one of these, I want to punch him every single day.
Laughter 7
Neo Member
Keyboard spec please.
I need a mechanical keyboard with Cherry Reds and a numpad, and I want it to look as conservative as possible (i.e. similar to the SS one above, or the Zowie Celeritas). Also, price is a factor. I know I could probably get a Filco that meets my spec easily but they're a little bit out of my price range.
Thanks guys.
I need a mechanical keyboard with Cherry Reds and a numpad, and I want it to look as conservative as possible (i.e. similar to the SS one above, or the Zowie Celeritas). Also, price is a factor. I know I could probably get a Filco that meets my spec easily but they're a little bit out of my price range.
Thanks guys.
Sounds like you want a Rosewill. Newegg frequently has them on sale.
fake edit: Except they are discontinued???? wtf
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823201044
I'm so sad now.
Danne-Danger
Member
That looks like the best alternative... I'm now running into the same problem I did last time, all these 'gaming keyboards' look like crap in one way or another. The font on the blackwidow, the spacebar on the quickfire, glowing buttons, weird layouts etc. They all look like toys, which bothers me a bit.
That and the need for a Swedish layout.
*Ah, Filco Majestouch 2, now I remember you. You haven't aged a day.
Tarin02543
Member
This. I'd love to have a mechanical keyboard, still waiting on a pricedrop on that 100 Blackwidow but dear god I have this collegue at work which uses an old IBM beast and sometimes i just wanna go jack ripper on her.
I've quickly become very familiar with mechanical keyboard.
Let me preface by saying that I currently use two different types of mechanicals. Browns for gaming and Blues for work.
I primarily use my desktop computer at home for gaming. As such, I jumped on a terrific Cyber Monday deal for a Max Keyboard Nighthawk X8 in White Backlit. The X8 appealed to me for gaming because of the research I did regarding the types of switches. Browns are great for gaming, IMO. Reds were not appealing to me because they are a bit too sensitive for my gaming needs. Browns, as they were described to me, were in between the sensitivity of Reds and the springy/resistance of Blues. As a user of Blues and Browns, I can say that the descriptions were dead on. I find the browns to be very responsive and satisfying for gaming... while still allowing me enough resistance to feel like I am pressing something. The sound of the browns are not as loud as the blues. It sounds a little more hollow ----- but honestly... there are so many videos online and on youtube that compare the switch sounds that I think you'll be able to get an idea of what you will be dealing with.
For work, I really wanted something tactile with resistance. I had read that, for typing, Blues were the best. I game in the dark and like having the backlight at home. At work, it is well lit so the need for backlight just wasn't there. As such... I was looking for a solid keyboard at a good price that was available in Blues. You can't find a much better value than Rosewill. Been using the RK-9000 now for two weeks and I am very impressed. The board itself is a bit louder than I expected -- I am still considering purchasing some dampeners (that won't effect the feel) if only to be less annoying to my coworkers! It is definitely more resistant than the browns... and I am thankful for it for my typing needs.
I will not go back to a regular keyboard. Typing is extremely satisfying -- and for someone who spends most of their day writing emails and letters -- it is very important to me. I highly recommend both companies, Rosewill and Max Keyboard. Don't be afraid to go with Max -- they are a newer company and just starting to get into the mix. Almost every review I read online was GLOWING. Speaking of -- their backlight is VERY impressive. For those that are interested in customization -- you can customize each SINGULAR light to suit your needs if you see fit. It's costly -- but I've seen some really impressive custom jobs.
Let me preface by saying that I currently use two different types of mechanicals. Browns for gaming and Blues for work.
I primarily use my desktop computer at home for gaming. As such, I jumped on a terrific Cyber Monday deal for a Max Keyboard Nighthawk X8 in White Backlit. The X8 appealed to me for gaming because of the research I did regarding the types of switches. Browns are great for gaming, IMO. Reds were not appealing to me because they are a bit too sensitive for my gaming needs. Browns, as they were described to me, were in between the sensitivity of Reds and the springy/resistance of Blues. As a user of Blues and Browns, I can say that the descriptions were dead on. I find the browns to be very responsive and satisfying for gaming... while still allowing me enough resistance to feel like I am pressing something. The sound of the browns are not as loud as the blues. It sounds a little more hollow ----- but honestly... there are so many videos online and on youtube that compare the switch sounds that I think you'll be able to get an idea of what you will be dealing with.
For work, I really wanted something tactile with resistance. I had read that, for typing, Blues were the best. I game in the dark and like having the backlight at home. At work, it is well lit so the need for backlight just wasn't there. As such... I was looking for a solid keyboard at a good price that was available in Blues. You can't find a much better value than Rosewill. Been using the RK-9000 now for two weeks and I am very impressed. The board itself is a bit louder than I expected -- I am still considering purchasing some dampeners (that won't effect the feel) if only to be less annoying to my coworkers! It is definitely more resistant than the browns... and I am thankful for it for my typing needs.
I will not go back to a regular keyboard. Typing is extremely satisfying -- and for someone who spends most of their day writing emails and letters -- it is very important to me. I highly recommend both companies, Rosewill and Max Keyboard. Don't be afraid to go with Max -- they are a newer company and just starting to get into the mix. Almost every review I read online was GLOWING. Speaking of -- their backlight is VERY impressive. For those that are interested in customization -- you can customize each SINGULAR light to suit your needs if you see fit. It's costly -- but I've seen some really impressive custom jobs.
RaGMasTeR90
Member
the 6gv2 looks pretty stellar. It has no special features besides few media makros. It isnt too big either (compared to the blackwidow). Also it weights about 1kg, so its really robust. The buttons dont glow and the layout is 100% normal :>
Back when I was building my new rig many months ago, I picked up a Corsair Vengeance K60. While I don't regret the purchase, the phantom stuck key issue is a pain in the ass, especially when I'm in the middle of typing out an article.
Same here. I can't get rid of it though, the design of it is to good to let it go to waste and I've only had the repeat issue about 5 times in the last 7 months. Whenever a board comes out with an open key design like it I may switch though.
Danne-Danger
Member
They moved the '*'-key! But yeah, it does look like the best alternative. At a quick glance I thought the font looked as awful as on the blackwidow, but now I see that it isn't! And it has a numpad! Why would you even make a keyboard without a numpad? Monsters.
*Only cherry red and black though? I'd probably want brown if I had the choice, hmm.
Summer last year, I bought the Corsair K90 which uses cherry mx reds. I love it. In retrospect I should have gotten the K60 since I never use the macro keys despite me thinking that I was.
I would love to get one or another cherry red for work but I think my co-workers will kill me. I should try the browns and see how I like it.
I would love to get one or another cherry red for work but I think my co-workers will kill me. I should try the browns and see how I like it.
I've checked out the K60 a bit and it looks good to me except a lot of the reviews claiming not all the keys are mechanical
That's disappointing.http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005QUQP80/?tag=neogaf0e-20
I have no use for the macro keys at all. I have a dozen or so on my current G15 and have never once used them. The whole keyboard is just too wide for my tastes.
How about a Vortex KBT Pure then?I've checked out the K60 a bit and it looks good to me except a lot of the reviews claiming not all the keys are mechanical
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005QUQP80/?tag=neogaf0e-20
I have no use for the macro keys at all. I have a dozen or so on my current G15 and have never once used them. The whole keyboard is just too wide for my tastes.
Tons more Tenkeyless boards here.
Apparently corsair is coming out with a K95 with all red switches
If they announce a k65 I'll be picking that up, as long as there are no issues with it this time around.
If they announce a k65 I'll be picking that up, as long as there are no issues with it this time around.
eso76
Member
GAF, why do you have to make me feel like my life always lacked something I had no idea existed until 20 seconds ago ?
That cherry blue gif is hypnotising, touching those keys must feel like sex.
I need one.
I'll be happy with a single key I can occasionally push to relieve the stress.
That cherry blue gif is hypnotising, touching those keys must feel like sex.
I need one.
I'll be happy with a single key I can occasionally push to relieve the stress.
No, I want the ten key pad. Just no macro buttons. I dont think I could deal without the ten key. So much easier to do number entry. Just looking to trim some width by losing the useless macro keys most "gaming" keyboards want. A corsair k65 sounds awesome if they make it.
CheesecakeRecipe
Stormy Grey
I just recently upgraded to a mechanical keyboard and I ran into that problem a lot. Many people seem to hate on the keypad but I simply cannot live without it, both in function and for several apps/games that require it or are made significantly easier with it. I ended up going with a Leopold brand keyboard, designed by the same guy who drew up the original Filco keyboard. It is downright incredible for my fingers and has made my day to day far more enjoyable. The reds are way too soft for my liking though, I prefer a little bit of oomf so I went with the MX Browns. However, they do sell them with MX Reds!
Here's the model I went with, only with the Reds that you would prefer instead of the browns. The spacebar is slightly mushier than the rest of the keys but I've gotten used to it. Thanks to this Leopold, I know I am never going back to a rubber dome keyboard again!
I, too, need a tenkey for a lot of situations. I ended up buying a Leopold MX Red (fullsize) just to swap it out when I needed. Since they all pretty much use the same cable, it's an easy swap.
Okay, sold. I've been on the fence about picking up the Race for a long while now, and this just pushed me over.Oh snap, I didn't know there was a thread for these on GAF. I heart my mechanical keyboards. I have a Filco tenkeyless MX brown and a RACE MX red mechanical. Love them both, but like the RACE slightly more since it has backlighting.
Horse Detective
Why the long case?
I wonder if Razer would fix my keyboard. A couple of the keys are extremely stiff, and don't bounce back correctly.
Are there any mechanical keyboards in a decent white colour, something that goes decently with Macs? The monolithic black slab dotted with LEDs is just not doing it for me.
edit: n/m, there is at least one :http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=36
edit: n/m, there is at least one :http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=36
Can I get a link on where to buy this keyboard?Oh snap, I didn't know there was a thread for these on GAF. I heart my mechanical keyboards. I have a Filco tenkeyless MX brown and a RACE MX red mechanical. Love them both, but like the RACE slightly more since it has backlighting.
Trojita
Rapid Response Threadmaker
You can buy a sampler kit for like $7-$10 and some people sell a keychain type ornament with a mechanical keyboard key on it.
http://rabbitwebfactory.com/pages/kbt_race
I wonder what the consensus is for these keyboards in comparison to the backlit Ducky models.
LOL. I work from home so thankfully I don't piss off any co-workers.
mechanicalkeyboards.com
The KBT Race keyboards come with a variety of backlighting colors too, so if green backlighting doesn't suit your fancy (it's toggalable anyway) then you can get it in blue, white, etc. There's also black and white keys for them.
I prefer the green as it's pretty soft on the eyes, but illuminates the keys enough for me to see them in the dark.
I prefer the green as it's pretty soft on the eyes, but illuminates the keys enough for me to see them in the dark.
