Hi,
I was reading this forum for quite long time before posting, but couldn't get enough information to pick a keyboard.
Now here are input parameters:
* I never had a mechanical keyboard, I hate 99% of membrane keyboards and I really like scissor-based keyboards, especially those used by ThinkPads (that means I am looking for a keyboard with short travel, good feedback and minimal or nonexistent click)
* Want to try a mechanical keyboard
* I don't need any backlight or additional buttons
* Looking for TKL (87 keys) version
* First of all it must be very comfortable for typing, only after that gaming usage is coming
Now, I initially read some theory and saw that Browns must be the best option, cause, as people say "they offer tactile feedback w/o clicky sound of Blue".
I checked some Tesoros, one with Chery MX Blue and another one with Kailh Brown, I really liked Blue feedback, but I didn't like its sound, but as for Browns, I found their feedback almost nonexistent, also different keys had different feeling - some gave more feedback, others much less.
Then I checked HyperX line with Blues, Browns and Reds. As for Blues I had the same impression as with Tesoro, I really didn't like Browns because their feedback was even harder to detect then on Tesoro with Kailh Brown. I also really liked Reds, I assume they can be very good for gaming, since it is easy to press fast and they are very light, but since they have no feedback I don't think I can type on them.
And finally I checked SteelSeries Apex 100 (I didn't know it was membrane) - I really liked both feedback and silence, but I'm not going to buy it because: 1) I don't believe membrane can keep that nice feeling for a long time, 2) its not TKL, 3) it is being sold locally for $50 which is a huge overprice.
I couldn't try any "cool" keyboards like with PBT caps, or Topre switches or some other types.
As a result - I really didn't like Browns, because instead of what I read about them like "they avoid drawbacks of both Blues and Reds" I found that first of all they lack benefits of both Blues and Reds: they don't have nice Blue feedback and they don't have nice Red speed.
Now I'm thinking what should I buy. I consider the following options:
* CM MasterKeys S PBT TKL Blue $80 - though I have no idea how it is going to feel
* Cheap (~ $30) Outemu Blue TKL keyboard, there is a bunch of them on Amazon: Aukey, Tecware, Plugable, TOMOKO
* Something else?
About that "something else". I saw a thread about Apex 100 and people say that "it feels like a cheap NovaTouch". Unfortunately, NovaTouch seems to be discontinued. Is there something else in mechanical world with the same feedback? Because to me - Apex 100 felt exactly like "non-clicky Blue mechanical keyboard". Or, maybe another company makes cheap TKL keyboard based on these membrane switches?
Thanks.