geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Secret05 on Thu, 02 December 2010, 15:47:41
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I realize there's already a lot of mechanical keyboard threads up, but I still need a little help.
I currently use a Saitek2 keyboard and recently have gotten into sc2 quite a bit. It seems like all sc2 players say mechanical keyboards are the way to go. Also from my research it appears that FILCO with brown switches is the best one out there right now. Can anyone tell me exactly why I would want a mechanical keyboard over the keyboard i have right now? Also I was wondering if anyone could tell me what is the best keyboard for sc2? Is the FILCO with brown switches the best one out? Also i noticed that some of these keyboards have this NKRO technology which I think is where you can press more than one button at a time and it registers correctly, is this correct and also should I get a NKRO one? Any help would be really appreciated. Also I noticed that you have to order them from Asia (im from the US), I have no idea how to navigate these asian websites and the fact that i can't read the language kinda makes me nervous ordering such an expensive item. Any links to where I can buy them would be great as well.
This is my first post on this website so please be nice. :D
Thanks guys!!
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Filco with MX browns is called the best because Fruit Dealer uses it. It's not inherently better, it's just associated with a SC2 celeb. It's still good though.
There are many, many mechanical keyboards and many switch types and most of it comes down to personal preference. The Rosewill RK-9000 makes a good introductory board that won't completely break the bank; a small percentage of gamers have issues with its MX blue switches however, and may prefer MX browns or MX blacks.
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I'm far from a top player in SC2, I would however consider myself a heavy recreational user however.
I prefer cherry blues for playing starcraft unless keyboard click noise is a serious issue for you. Again I would second the rosewill RK9000 choice, unless you wanted to go tenkeyless in which case you should consider the filco or ducky tenkeyless kb's.
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Well the keyboard probably won't make you a better player.
A mechanical keyboard just enhances the experience of using the keyboard. Whether it be for gaming or typing. In short most of us would agree that it feels better.
Filco is a solid brand. If you browse around you can read up on the others e.g. ducky.
People tend to go NKRO crazy. Anything 6KRO+modifiers keys will do for just about anything.
Elitekeyboards.com does carrying mechanical keyboards, they are just out of stock. If you are interested in importing you should look through the PCHome and Armygroup threads.
You can always find much more information in the wikis.
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I use a Cherry MX Blue for Starcraft 2, and I find it pretty helpful. It inspires a bit of confidence in the sound (when you hit 150+APM on a clicky keyboard, it sounds freaking epic), I feel more assured that my hotkeys are registered without me having to push the key all the way down, and I'm learning to press down just enough to register so I can have faster hand movement. You can't get those from a membrane keyboard.
Mind you, the Cherry Brown has a very slight bump feeling when it registers; it isn't as pronounced as the Cherry Blue, so I can't explain how Cherry Browns would be good for Starcraft. Quite a few other people use Cherry Browns though, so maybe they can give some input.
You don't honestly need NKRO for Starcraft. You shouldn't really be hitting more than 2 keys at the same time, usually the modifier and a key (i.e. CTRL+1, SHIFT+A, etc). NKRO is more important for something like a shooter, where you can hit A and D to stand still instantly while using another key for something else, et cetera.
If you want a Cherry Brown, and you don't want to order from Asia (or out of US), wait until Elitekeyboards have them in stock, or you can get the Das Keyboard Silent (http://www.daskeyboard.com). If you want a Cherry Blue, you can get the Rosewill RK-9000 from Newegg, the Razer Blackwidow from Amazon or Newegg, the Das Keyboard non-silent from the link above, or a few other choices.
If you have further questions, feel free to ask (especially if it regards Cherry Blue and SC2, because that's what I got this keyboard for).
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This isn't just for sc2. My saitek2 has been acting a bit weird lately and I thought if I got a new keyboard I should probably get a new one. I happen to play a lot of sc2, but either way I need a new keyboard soon.
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If you do a lot of typing outside of SC2, a mechanical keyboard would be a great investment. Something like the RK-9000 or the Razer Blackwidow is well within range of the "gaming" keyboards like the G19 or the Eclipse3. I would have gotten the Blackwidow myself, but I prefer the name brand of Filco.
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The RK-9000 is a great keyboard for StarCraft2. And I do prefer the Blues to the Browns for SC2 as well. The audible click lets you know that you hit that key. I've had zero issues with double tapping as well, despite what people on OCN might have you think.
It is also well built, and I'm relatively OCD about those things. Filco keycap profile means you can easily get the Red ESC etc if you want.
And hearing those clicks and clacks when you spike to 300+ APM is awesome. Even at a solid 100 APM it just sounds good, though it did dominate the sound of my stream when I was doing that for a bit. All people heard was the keyboard :D
Also, please don't expect this to make you faster or better. It just makes everything more enjoyable, and certainly better for typing on. My APM did not change one bit when I got the Rosewill (it may have dropped a touch actually) but I was a bit more confident about key presses. Still sometimes get off a key though and find myself mashing G instead of F... which looks terrible when I spam Guardian Shield >.<