Looking for Mechanical keyboard?

Newtorfer · Oct 8, 2013

Hello!

I'm looking for a mechanical keyboard to replace my Logitech K120 barebones Rubber Dome keyboard. I haven't really looked up the difference between the Cherry switches, but I feel like I couldn't decide even after I read up about them. Anyway, I play video games. Alot of video games. I would need the best/one of the best keyboard switch for gaming. In addition to gaming, I type. Alot as well. So I would probably need a crossover Gaming-Typist keyboard if that is possible. This isn't a requirement at all, but it would be nice to have back-lit keys and/or the WASD keys a different color. Any and all recommendations welcome.

Essdub8 · Oct 8, 2013

I recently purchased Razer's Blackwidow Ultimate 2013 for around $109. Green back-lit keys, programmable macro keys, and Blue switches, yadda yadda.. USB port on the side along with headphone / mic jacks. Seems to be good quality - haven't had it more than 3-4 months, so haven't seen too much wear yet.

I wish they'd included multi-color LEDs for the backlights, but, the green works if you tone down the brightness a bit.

It's loud, as you'd expect from a mechanical keyboard. I'm happy with it.
I use it for gaming, but also type quite a bit as well.

Newtorfer · Oct 8, 2013

Essdub8 :

Aren't Browns the quieter version of Blues?

ssddx · Oct 8, 2013

i've been using mechanical keyboards back before they were popular... oh say 10-15 years. i figured i'd provide some basic information here for you. if you want to know anything in detail... provide some details.

more info on keyswitches:
http://www.overclock.net/t/491752/mechanical-keyboard-guide#post_6009482

generally cherry mx blues are considered best for typing as they have both tactile and audible feedback. browns are similar but without the audible feedback.

generally cherry mx blacks and reds are considered best for gaming since they lack any tactile or audible feedback. essentially they are just push buttons.

typiing on the gaming switches generally is not too pleasant but gaming on the typing switches is not bad at all.

personally i would suggest something different than razer. there are far better options available.

what features would you like on a keyboard?

-backlighting?
-macro keys?
-quiet?

perhaps the best mechanical key ever made is the buckling spring keyswitch found on ibm model m and unicomp customizers. i might be old school by saying this though however having a keyboard last 25 years is nothing to sneeze at. you can buy them for about $80 (unicomp customizers) brand new. they are very loud though and have no backlighting or macro keys.

if you dont like that option (which i always have to suggest) then there are always maxkeyboard and wasdkeyboard. max offers backlighting, wasd does not. both are fairly lightweight and made of abs but they work.

if you have more of a budget then we have daskeyboards which makes a pretty solid board and then deck keyboards which is the only keyboard i would even remotely consider in the same league as a model m since it is quite hefty. the pricetag is also quite large as well.

Newtorfer · Oct 8, 2013

ssddx :

i've been using mechanical keyboards back before they were popular... oh say 10-15 years. i figured i'd provide some basic information here for you. if you want to know anything in detail... provide some details.

more info on keyswitches:
http://www.overclock.net/t/491752/mechanical-keyboard-guide#post_6009482

generally cherry mx blues are considered best for typing as they have both tactile and audible feedback. browns are similar but without the audible feedback.

generally cherry mx blacks and reds are considered best for gaming since they lack any tactile or audible feedback. essentially they are just push buttons.

typiing on the gaming switches generally is not too pleasant but gaming on the typing switches is not bad at all.

personally i would suggest something different than razer. there are far better options available.

what features would you like on a keyboard?

-backlighting?
-macro keys?
-quiet?

perhaps the best mechanical key ever made is the buckling spring keyswitch found on ibm model m and unicomp customizers. i might be old school by saying this though however having a keyboard last 25 years is nothing to sneeze at. you can buy them for about $80 (unicomp customizers) brand new. they are very loud though and have no backlighting or macro keys.

if you dont like that option (which i always have to suggest) then there are always maxkeyboard and wasdkeyboard. max offers backlighting, wasd does not. both are fairly lightweight and made of abs but they work.

if you have more of a budget then we have daskeyboards which makes a pretty solid board and then deck keyboards which is the only keyboard i would even remotely consider in the same league as a model m since it is quite hefty. the pricetag is also quite large as well.

I am sort of on a budget. Now that I think of it though, I really don't need any fancy backlighting or WASD keys. I just need a hybrid of typists and gaming and I don't want it loud.

ssddx · Oct 8, 2013

budget =?

Newtorfer · Oct 8, 2013

ssddx :

~$100-120

hman1359 · Oct 9, 2013

I have the razer blackwidow standard edition. It is an awesome keyboard and extremely reliable. The Razer Synapse 2.0 is an extremely useful and easy software to use. I like the blue keys they are loud but bearable and the feedback from the keys is extremely nice to have. The only downside that I would say is the multimedia keys because they are actually function keys which is kind of annoying, but the macro profile changing is easy and you can easily make a macro profile to make the multimedia keys easier to use. The Cherry MX Blue switches are also extremely good for typing normally, as well as gaming. Just my views on the keyboard. In addition to all this, Razer products are very good and extremely reliable, which is why so many people suggest them. Good luck finding a keyboard that fits your needs!

Newtorfer · Oct 9, 2013

hman1359 :

I have the razer blackwidow standard edition. It is an awesome keyboard and extremely reliable. The Razer Synapse 2.0 is an extremely useful and easy software to use. I like the blue keys they are loud but bearable and the feedback from the keys is extremely nice to have. The only downside that I would say is the multimedia keys because they are actually function keys which is kind of annoying, but the macro profile changing is easy and you can easily make a macro profile to make the multimedia keys easier to use. The Cherry MX Blue switches are also extremely good for typing normally, as well as gaming. Just my views on the keyboard. In addition to all this, Razer products are very good and extremely reliable, which is why so many people suggest them. Good luck finding a keyboard that fits your needs!

I've tried it before, I didn't feel comfortable with it, but thanks anyway.

ssddx · Oct 9, 2013

http://www.maxkeyboard.com/max-keyboard-durandal-g1n-mechanical-keyboard.html

Newtorfer · Oct 9, 2013

ssddx :

Pretty nice keyboard, but I see its $80. I was wondering if you could find me one with back-lighting? And maybe the usb/audio input ports on it? Cause if I can get one like that for 100-120, I will definitely get it.

ssddx · Oct 9, 2013

maxkeyboard has backlit models for $145-150

more than you wanted to spend but its a trusted brand.

you can find cheaper no-name brands online but its hit or miss and i cant say for certain if they are any good.

Newtorfer · Oct 9, 2013

ssddx :

Ducky, DasKeyboards, even Corsair aren't reliable?

ssddx · Oct 9, 2013

if you read my statement i said that for below the price range i listed of $145-150 you can find cheaper models from no name brands but they are hit or miss on reliability. eg keyboards for $80, $100, etcetera from azio, rosewill and others.

i said nothing about ducky, das or corsair. they are all well known respected brands along with unicomp, deck, wasd and maxkeyboard. i've also heard some positive things about happy hacking and cmstorm.

corsair and ducky have a backlit brown model it seems for about $150

das is about the same price but it has no backlighting.

Newtorfer · Oct 10, 2013

ssddx :

if you read my statement i said that for below the price range i listed of $145-150 you can find cheaper models from no name brands but they are hit or miss on reliability. eg keyboards for $80, $100, etcetera from azio, rosewill and others.

i said nothing about ducky, das or corsair. they are all well known respected brands along with unicomp, deck, wasd and maxkeyboard. i've also heard some positive things about happy hacking and cmstorm.

corsair and ducky have a backlit brown model it seems for about $150

das is about the same price but it has no backlighting.

Ok thanks

ThermiteSnake · Oct 10, 2013

I loved my SteelSeries 7g until the Ps/2 port on my mobo quit working, now I have a $160 brick because no ps/2 to usb port will work with this dang ole keyboard!!!!

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