Which gaming keyboard?

not you · Dec 29, 2015

Hello

I have found thiese keyboards all of them are to my liking and i dont really know which one to choose i have been useing this till now CANYON CNE-CKEY1 but it has ghosting issues

I found thiese
Hama uRage Illuminated Gaming 9400 huf
ROCCAT Isku FX 26100 huf
Corsair Vengeance K70 45400 huf
CORSAIR Strafe Cherry MX Brown EU 40000 huf
CORSAIR Strafe RGB Cherry MX Silent or Brown EU 53000 huf
Razer DeathStalker 27500 huf
Razer BlackWidow Ultimate Stealth 36400 huf

All included are within budget some mechanical some not i dont know anybody who have used a mechanical keyboard so i dont know why its good (and why so expensive)

The keyboard is needed for fps and tps games the cayon can handle rts easy as there 1 key is used at a time anyway

Which one do you think is a good one for its money?

Should i try the mechanical rgb corsair as we only live once and it will be night and day compared to the cayon i used?

Or the hama urage will do everything a keyboard should without breking the bank so its just plane stupid to spend more?

Or something in the middle would be perfect like the razer or the roccat?

Thank you for your help

synphul · Dec 29, 2015

I had looked at a number of keyboards recently and was considering the roccat isku fx. Many people seem happy with it though I did happen across a video review where the guy who tested the keyboard got a sore spot on his hand from the built in wrist pad.

This pic with the green arrows I added shows the area I'm talking about, there's a ridge of plastic there. The reviewer's hand was sore and bright red in the video from rubbing on that spot. Maybe it was just how he was using it but something to consider.

Membrane keyboards have a sheet of rubber membrane underneath all the keys that makes the keys pop back up. It's cheaper than a mechanical keyboard which has springs underneath each switch. Mechanical switches are supposed to be more durable and last longer, more keystrokes than membrane keyboard switches. Membrane like the roccat are usually rated to around 10 million key presses, mechanical like the k70 are rated around 50 million key presses. There's a different feel to them. Mechanical keyboards are also a lot heavier, around 3-4x heavier.

Many people are happy with the k70 and strafe keyboards. I haven't used either so maybe someone who has can give you better information on those.

g1abhi · Dec 29, 2015

not you :

mechanical keyboards are mainly for typing , for gaming , Honestly i dont get it why companies are making a fuss out of it. I used one , apple mechanical , i hated it. For gaming investing in a good mouse is worthwhile , keyboard hardly worth anything. I own a steelseries apex and razer DA chroma , the keyboard is just eye candy and a few macros . While the mouse really elevates the gaming performance.

Among those ones i would recommend razer blackwidow ultimate stealth , best mechanical keys , yet not noisy. and ok software.
Corsair software pretty crazy .

Chayan4400 · Dec 29, 2015

I used one , apple mechanical , i hated it.

A bit off topic, but an Apple mechanical keyboard? That's interesting. I never knew they made one. Do you have a link to it?

EDIT: To the OP:

Mechanical keyboards are expensive because they use individual switches (Usually bought from Cherry) instead of a rubber membrane found in most normal keyboards. The actual typing feels mostly the same on the different keyboards with the same series of switches as they employ the same kinds of switches (Cherry MX Blue/ Red/ Brown) but bear in mind each of those series' have different tactile and audible responses.

The keyboard is mostly personal preference; if you can, go to a Microcenter or Best Buy and try out the different key switches and keyboards before you decide on one, as some may like Logitech's G910 which uses proprietary Romer G (I think?) switches compared to the Corsair K70's Cherry MX Blues, or even Cherry MX Browns over Cherry MX Reds. The arm rest and general posture you use to type on the keyboard will also influence your choice, so we can't say for sure what you'll like or not. And then there's people who feel no difference between membrane and mechanical keyboards or even prefer membrane keyboards, like g1abhi. As I said before, it's personal preference that's most important so go try them in person and decide for yourself which is best

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not you · Dec 29, 2015

Thank you for the answers i will cross out the isku fx thank you for pointing out i havent came across this issue while searching

Excuse me but why would you still recommend a mechanical keyboard if its only for typing?

My mouse is the fairly standard Logic LM-11 but it gets the job done i never had any serious problems with it :/

not you · Dec 29, 2015

^^ i live in hungary here no shops keep mechanical keyboards on stock bcs thoes are too expensive nobody buys them i have lots of gaming friends none of them would spend above 20$ for a keyboard :/ so if somebody would like to buy a mechanical one the shops order it from abroad so i can only try the one i buy

Chayan4400 · Dec 29, 2015

not you :

This changes things a bit. I'd definitely go with a trusted brand if buying from abroad, since returns aren't possible. How much are you willing to spend? The Logitech G710+ is a nice compromise; a very well reviewed keyboard with great quality and features, and quite reasonably priced too. The Corsair STRAFE is also reasonable for the non-RGB one, as well as the Cooler Master CM Storm QuickFire XT. All three retail for $80-$100.

For what type of switches, I'd go with Cherry MX Browns; they are mix of Tactile Blues and Linear Reds, a 'compromise' between the two so to speak. You really can't afford to not like your keyboard if you are going to pre-order it.

If you aren't going for a mechanical keyboard, do yourself a favour and spend $20 on the CM Storm Devastator gaming bundle. It's a reasonably priced membrane keyboard + mouse that's well made and has everything you'll need. Spending more than $35 on a membrane keyboard is a waste.

not you · Dec 29, 2015

The 710+ is not sold here

and the storm quickfire is also not ( not 1 quicfire product)

What do you think about the mx chrerry silent swiches? Are thoes good?

Does mechanical worth the extra cache?
My max would be 180$ (52000 huf)

20$ vs 120$ is quiet a gap for the same use product :/
Im a bit more toward membrane bcs of this and bcs i have always used membrane anyway

g1abhi · Dec 30, 2015

This is the keyboard i am talking about :
http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Macintosh-A1048-Pro-Keyboard/dp/B00BB2PQNC

Its an old horse , back then , mechanical wasn't advertised like a gaming toy.
I would suugest not to drop your money on an expensive keyboard if you cannot be sure if you will like it or not.

synphul · Dec 30, 2015

There's nothing wrong with membrane keyboards if you're used to them. Granted I'm not a pro gamer but I use a membrane keyboard and don't notice it holding me back in gaming. Some gaming oriented boards have programmable macros or extra buttons you can assign functions to that may make some mmorpg's easier. You can assign a complex menu action or something to a particular key as a shortcut.

I mostly play fps and a couple open world games using a cheap microsoft membrane keyboard. Not saying it's the best keyboard or somehow better than a nicer gaming keyboard but I've beaten this one up for a couple years and it's currently selling for $17 usd on newegg. Nothing 'gaming' about it, it's a microsoft wired 600 and a basic/plain cheap office style keyboard with a small set of media keys along the top to play/pause and control volume. I'll probably replace it sometime in the next year but getting 2-3yrs out of a sub $20 keyboard isn't bad considering I use it for hours every day.

As some people suggested if you're unfamiliar with how a mechanical keyboard feels it might be worth trying one out if possible. Maybe even get an inexpensive keyboard for now if you're in immediate need of a keyboard and wait to try mechanicals before investing in one. They do feel a bit different and you may either really like it or you might not like it at all. It can be a lot of money to invest in a keyboard that you don't really care for.

fredfinks · Dec 30, 2015

Apple alphanumeric with a Microsoft Intellimouse optical. 400DPI for pro C:S or other FPS games
Ive got to top 150 in World of Tanks SEA server (millions of users) for average XP per game.

You do not need multicolored (edited) LED 'gaming' mechanical keyboards. key travel is much longer on mechs compared to the responsiveness and speed of the low profile apple.

not you · Dec 30, 2015

How about ghosting? My current keyboard have ghosting issues (w+shift+space doesnt work) how can i be sure it will on the new keyboard im considering?

The 140$+ keyboards have full anti ghosting written to their website but do i need to spend so much to not have ghosting issues?

fredfinks · Dec 30, 2015

The current apple alphanumeric keyboard is a lot cheaper and has 5 key rollover (5 buttons at once). yes, it does w + shift and space simultaneously. you can test with this website

http://www.gigahype.com/nkey-rollover-test-page/

Mechanical keyboards have far too long travel compared to low profile. If rapidity is what you want, thers no reason for expensive mechs. also they are massive, clunky, heinous looking things.

not you · Dec 30, 2015

Is there an option with illuminated keys? Its just so much more convinient

fredfinks · Dec 30, 2015

cmon man.

fredfinks · Dec 30, 2015

Also we at the stage where people are basically adding that to their case.

Ive got the next $$$ idea - fog machines. how about door chimes when you start the pc. its lights up, plays a ding-dong and the disco balls spins around for the LEET PRO GAMING HYPER MHHZZZZ

burgessanthony · Dec 30, 2015

I just bought a Razor blackwidow tournament. I was dubious about mechanical as they usually remind me of those old ones in IT class in the 90's. However, it is amazing. Takes some getting used to, but is brilliant to type on and good for gaming, although I think membrane works just as well (I was coming from decent membrane board but was showing its age).

Definitely try some out first!

Chayan4400 · Dec 31, 2015

I just got my first mechanical keyboard - an ASUS Strix Tactic Pro with Cherry MX Blacks (The only one available in Sri Lanka with a decent price). I'm blown away. For me, it's a definite improvement over the HP membrane keyboard I was using earlier. True, there is an adjustment -I can't touch type so the key font takes a little time to get used to. It's much easier to type on than the HP I was using, and it's more comfortable too. The back-light does help at night immensely. Somewhat unsurprisingly. the keys themselves feel better too. To me, Cherry MX Blacks are more refined than membrane ones; Less spongy and much smoother.

I did try it out in the shop to make sure I was comfortable with. Really, that's all I can recommend; what may work for me may not for you, so really all I can say is to either risk it and order MX Brown on whatever keyboard catches your eye, test out the different key switches through some means or go with a membrane keyboard if you are comfortable with them.

synphul · Dec 31, 2015

It depends on the user and while low profile or scissor switch style laptop keys may have less travel they're not always preferred by everyone. Myself for instance, I think they suck and it's why I don't care for laptops. It doesn't mean low profile keys are bad, but they're not my thing. Just because they work better for someone else doesn't mean they'll work better for everyone.

Most mechanical keys don't have to be depressed all the way down to actuate the key, only part way. It can be a learning curve though for someone used to membrane who's used to hitting a key to full stop. Illuminated keys do help immensely for people using them in low light conditions. It serves a function beyond 'bling'.

Other considerations can be key size and key placing, some boards like the steelseries apex raw have been said to have tightly spaced keys. Is it better since the fingers have less distance to travel or worse for people used to standard spacing between keys who may accidentally hit keys they don't mean to? It's down to user preference and how different it is from what they're used to, how steep the adjustment learning curve is.

That's what makes recommending a direct interface device so difficult if someone can't test it in person. It's a very personal decision and what makes one 'great' vs 'good' is down to personal preference which isn't right or wrong. It's whatever someone is comfortable with. Same exact thing applies to mice.

Offtopic: Pc lighting is of course personal taste but not all of it is cheap disco balls. I think bsmods 'magneto black' would disagree and would say if you've got it, flaunt it. A 5960x with 4tb of ssd storage in raid with a pair of gtx 980's.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyPWYIKagyk

jimmysmitty · Dec 31, 2015

fredfinks :

Do you happen to have any evidence of the actuation force required for this Apple keyboard? I have used a lot of keyboards and my first mechanical was the Corsair K90. I can barely rest my fingers on the keys and they will press, they do not have to go all the way down.

A lot of what you are talking about though is opinion and preference. The OP wants a back lit keyboard and programmable back lighting is very beneficial.

Personally I wouldn't buy anything Apple as they are just overpriced junk but that is my opinion.

OP, of the ones you listed I would go for the Corsair Strafe RGB with the Silent Cherry MX keys. I personally have a K95 RGB (Cherry MX Reds) and I love it. Wouldn't trade it for the world.

not you · Dec 31, 2015

I did order the strafe rgb bcs it had good user reviews but with brown switches i dont care mutch about silence and browns were liked by most ppl and also recommended (reds were cheaper thou :/) thank you for the help

I was able to try logitec g410 in media markt (the only mechanical they showed) and it was terrible too small i was unable to press w and space in the same time confortably would never use that one

(looked good on picture thou)

Being mecanical it felt like i cant push the buttons all the way down they are raised high but cant be pushed all the way down??
Not bad but need some getting used to

jimmysmitty · Jan 2, 2016

It does take some getting used to with mechanical but once you do you will never want to go back to a dome style. I can't use dome anymore.

And Corsairs look raised higher but that is just the design. Most companies make the keyboard so the base is even with the bottom of the keys. Corsair did not, which actually makes it easier to clean too.

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