Mechanical keyboards

Obiwanshinobi · Post by **Obiwanshinobi** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 1:40 pm

I'm about to purchase one. Anything I should be wary of? Would any of you recommend Razer BlackWidow 2014 (or any other model in particular)?

slk486 · Post by **slk486** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 2:06 pm

I can recommend the steelseries mechanical keyboards. They build them like tanks. Not fond of Razer keyboards in general, as they have a very cheap feel and look to them, but haven't tried their mechanical ones.

airs · Post by **airs** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 4:41 pm

Do some research on geekhack.org before you buy. Do you know what kind of actuation you prefer? Full layout or 10 keyless?

I have a Filco 10 keyless with cherry mx blues at work and it feels great. Only downside is its a bit loud -may switch to browns at some point.

RGB32E · Post by **RGB32E** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 6:06 pm

airs wrote:Do some research on geekhack.org before you buy. Do you know what kind of actuation you prefer? Full layout or 10 keyless?

I have a Filco 10 keyless with cherry mx blues at work and it feels great. Only downside is its a bit loud -may switch to browns at some point.

I went from blue to brown. Brown is still noisier than a standard keyboard though!

I'm tempted to try black, but was initially put off by the lack of a tactile click, and the increased force. Seems like part of what makes mechanical keyboards noisy is a lack of something to absorb the key when it bottoms out (fully pressed).

blizzz · Post by **blizzz** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 6:21 pm

You should definitely know about the different switches before you buy a mechanical keyboard. The most common are Cherry MX Blue, Brown and Red. Blue is noisy like a typewriter, brown is like blue but with less noise and red is great if you want to mash keys in games.

If you can, check them out in a store. Blue switches might be hard to find though, but they are my favorites.

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 8:43 pm

Don't count out the new Logitech keyboard with new switches, too. I tried one out and it feels pretty nice and doesn't make any noise. It's a bit on the expensive side though.

Edit: I also like the look of the CODE keyboard but that's also expensive and doesn't have full n-key rollover.

julencin2000 · Post by **julencin2000** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 8:47 pm

Geekhack it.

I've got a 90s Model M, a Poker II and a DELL with Alps switches.

Adderall · Post by **Adderall** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 9:12 pm

I've been on an HHK Pro2 for about 6 years now... no signs of it slowing down.

I made the move to Topre switches and I don't think I will ever change back.

Xyga · Post by **Xyga** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 9:24 pm

A pal brought a mechanical keyboard at my place the other day, it felt awesome for gaming, but so noisy just for typing!

Lord of Pirates · Post by **Lord of Pirates** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 9:51 pm

Have you considered getting a switch tester?

At Xyga: You can get o-rings to dampen the sound when/if you bottom out. I enjoy the sound of the click with blues, I don't know why

.

Skips · Post by **Skips** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 10:15 pm

I still use an IBM model M keyboard which is probably the most reliably keyboard ever made. The company that designed the Model M is still in business and selling newer versions of it that are just as reliable. I think some even have USB ports and a Windows key now.

http://www.pckeyboard.com/

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 10:55 pm

Lord of Pirates wrote:At Xyga: You can get o-rings to dampen the sound when/if you bottom out.

Or just get a model with quiet switches

Obiwanshinobi · Post by **Obiwanshinobi** » Sun Feb 22, 2015 7:55 pm

Went for SteelSeries 6GV2 after all and I'm liking it. Thank you guys for the input.

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Sun Feb 22, 2015 10:49 pm

holy crap, that thing still uses MX Black switches. Good price though!

Obiwanshinobi · Post by **Obiwanshinobi** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 1:20 am

A tad noisier than the LG one I'd been using for 12 years, but that's about it.

nio · Post by **nio** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 4:32 am

If you are serious about it, get a KMAC. <3

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 10:09 am

Where would you get one?

Mishrak109 · Post by **Mishrak109** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 1:32 pm

I personally own a Das Keyboard and it's easily one of the most comfortable and nice keyboards I've ever used. If you want a low frills, high quality keyboard, I would highly recommend a Das. http://www.daskeyboard.com/

brentsg · Post by **brentsg** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 4:59 pm

I own a 4 year old Das that I like but they are not nearly as nice now. I just sent back a model 4 Mac Das because I prefer the old one.

My main issue is that they have moved from Cherry MX switches to cheap Greetech. The keys are also cheaper and the lettering looks terrible. The ruler accessory that goes on the back to provide tilt is too small, so it sits too flat.

They are trying to transition to a much poorer quality device at the same high price through quality marketing.

Mishrak109 · Post by **Mishrak109** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 5:13 pm

Huh interesting. I hadn't realized they changed switches. Mine is a Cherry Brown.

brentsg · Post by **brentsg** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 5:31 pm

Mishrak109 wrote:Huh interesting. I hadn't realized they changed switches. Mine is a Cherry Brown.

Yeah that's what my Model S Professional is too, but when I got the new one (with the same brown.. ) my initial impression was really poor. It didn't feel anything like my old KB, so I started the research and found a bunch of reddit and other places complaining about it. They keycaps were all inconsistent, looking like a kid stamped them on. Sad..

I understand they've moved to a shittier OEM for manufacturing too. It's not all bad though, as the single USB cord was nice and USB3 also convenient.

mattbox · Post by **mattbox** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 10:40 pm

I know it's a little late, but I'd recommend against a SteelSeries unless you must spend under $100, it's just really budget quality. everyone I've seen with one has it basically falling apart, they just don't seem to last very long.

ZellSF · Post by **ZellSF** » Tue Apr 28, 2015 3:24 pm

I haven't heard of any such problems with SteelSeries mechanical keyboards (mine is 7 years old and working as well as the day got it). Can't see any obvious weaknesses where they would break either.

Now their mice or non-mechanical keyboards? Stay away from those.

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 2:30 pm

Please feel incredibly fucking bad about supporting SteelSeries along with the "for gamers" price you had to pay

I had a Razer Blackwidow, and ho boy the buyer's remorse set in within about 15 minutes of opening it. They don't even mention it uses Cherry MX Blues (or some variant of this), the keyboard is a dust/fingerprint/scratch magnet and feels like shit to type with. I sold it ASAP. There isn't any point buying a keyboard with a numpad unless you're actually going to use it, otherwise I would recommend a Tenkeyless. It isn't so much the switch you're using that matters, but the overall build quality and PCB that matters. Buying random Chinese crap off eBay will also result in disappointment. Come to think of it, I also had a SteelSeries QcK mousemat which turned from black to white in just a few months.

Anyway, I recommend Filco. No frills, no LEDs or any of that junk, very solid. I have a Filco Tenkeyless Majestouch and it's great. If it gets filthy, just pop the caps off and brush the switches outside with a paintbrush. Takes maybe 20-30 minutes. I really like the build quality and overall feel of my brown switches. I've had this thing since 2009 and it shows no signs of slowing down, I can't see myself replacing this for at least another 10 years. Only downside to them is that they're pretty expensive, and trying to find the type of Filco you want with the type of switch you want might be a hassle. Other than that, I would definitely recommend them.

speedlolita · Post by **speedlolita** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 3:28 pm

Another vote for Filco here. Have been hammering on a Filco Majestouch 2 for 4 years now and it hasn't missed a beat.

Unfortunately I spilled ramen on it in the first year of owning it though which has corroded a few traces on the PCB, but I fixed those up with patch cables.

Got blue switches in mine though, I like it loud.

Fudoh · Post by **Fudoh** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 3:46 pm

Got a Filco as well. Brown switches, blue case. The only complaint I have is that some of the letters got scrubbed off by now and some of the key have gotten really shiny. I tried blue switches, but on the Filco they sounded a little too metallic for my taste.

speedlolita · Post by **speedlolita** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 4:09 pm

Fudoh wrote:Got a Filco as well. Brown switches, blue case. The only complaint I have is that some of the letters got scrubbed off by now and some of the key have gotten really shiny. I tried blue switches, but on the Filco they sounded a little too metallic for my taste.

Yeah, same has happened here from playing games. At least the caps are universal.

ZellSF · Post by **ZellSF** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 6:23 pm

I had a Razer Blackwidow, and ho boy the buyer's remorse set in within about 15 minutes of opening it. They don't even mention it uses Cherry MX Blues

That's because it doesn't. Razer doesn't use Cherry switches at all, they use some lesser reputable brand of switches.

I assume complaining about tacky stuff while buying Razer hardware is a joke?

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 8:54 am

ZellSF wrote:
I had a Razer Blackwidow, and ho boy the buyer's remorse set in within about 15 minutes of opening it. They don't even mention it uses Cherry MX Blues
That's because it doesn't. Razer doesn't use Cherry switches at all, they use some lesser reputable brand of switches.

http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/ind ... detail&p=8
http://deskthority.net/wiki/Razer_switch

"Prior to the 2014 BlackWidow editions, Razer used Cherry MX switches."

ZellSF wrote:I assume complaining about tacky stuff while buying Razer hardware is a joke?

Some of Razer's products are acceptable. Sphex is a decent mousepad, and Deathadders would be good if they weren't easily outclassed by Zowie. Went through 4 or 5 Deathadders myself, maybe the newer versions have better build quality (and can't be instantly nuked by their own software, wtf).

TheRac25 · Post by **TheRac25** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 4:09 pm

the king of mechanical keyboards is and will always be the IBM model M

shmups.system11.org

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