geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: kSKY on Fri, 10 December 2010, 21:17:32
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i am on the hunt for my first mechanical keyboard and this caught my eye
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=39598&vpn=KB-6600BU&manufacture=Solidtek
is it any good?
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Well it says on the manufacturer's page that the switches only last for ~10 million operations, that's 1/5th of a Cherry's lifetime. And they never say what switches exactly. It does say clicky.
http://www.solidtekusa.com/usb.htm#KB6600
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Simplified ALPS?
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kSKY, I assume you're in Canada since you're looking at NCIX. I actually bought the KB-6600BU from NCIX maybe a year ago when it was cheaper (around $50ish). It's also known as the ASK-6600U which you can find some info on if you search this forum. I don't think it's worth $80. It uses simplified/modified Alps switches, and "rings/tings" when you bottom out the keys due to the metal plate. Yes, it's tactile, but you're better off with a blue Cherry board. I also didn't like the backward L shaped Enter key, half-sized Backspace, and relocated Blackslash keys. I got Filco tenkeyless NKRO blue cherry about half a year ago and have been very happy since. Although I have to admit that the Filco cost almost 3x the price of the ASK-6600 after shipping and exchange (1.08CAD to 1.00USD) back when I bought it.
I think you'd be better off getting the Razer Blackwidow for $78.65 (SKU: 83044N) at NCIX if you're paying that price. They also have another one listed for $84.99 (SKU: 57022). Not sure why they have 2 differently priced listings for the same thing. I vaguely recall it was because they came from different suppliers. MemoryExpress.com also as the Razer for $84.99. The reviews on the Blackwidow are sort of mixed since it's not a true NKRO board but instead uses some "gaming optimized" key matrix instead. Another alternative is the Rosewill RK-9000 from newegg.ca for $99.99 + 12.24 S&H. It's basically a clone of the Filco NKRO 104-key blue cherry board. Unless you really need those 5 macro keys on the Blackwidow, I'd say the RK-9000 is probably your best bet unless you want a tenkeyless/87-key keyboard.
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MemoryExpress.com also as the Razer for $84.99. The reviews on the Blackwidow are sort of mixed since it's not a true NKRO board but instead uses some "gaming optimized" key matrix instead. Another alternative is the Rosewill RK-9000 from newegg.ca for $99.99 + 12.24 S&H. It's basically a clone of the Filco NKRO 104-key blue cherry board. Unless you really need those 5 macro keys on the Blackwidow, I'd say the RK-9000 is probably your best bet unless you want a tenkeyless/87-key keyboard.
Razer black widow is $70 at newegg.ca now.
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try the marketplace too, some ppl might have something u like.
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Razer black widow is $70 at newegg.ca now.
Was it a shell shocker or sale? It's currently $79.99+$13.39 S&H (=$93.38+tax) at newegg.CA. It's $70USD w/free shipping at newegg.COM. It'd be cheaper to buy it locally from NCIX or MemEx if you have one local to you. MemEx has free shipping for orders over $39 so if you don't live close to any of these stores then ordering it with shipping would be cheapest from MemEx.
If I had to go back to a 104-key keyboard though, I'd still get the RK-9000 over the others since I don't need macro keys. I've read the build quality of the RK-9000 is the same as the Filcos, which is very good. No broken internal frame parts like the Ducky from either crappy design or materials, which is why I haven't bought a Ducky even though I really like the alt-numpad mode and windows lockout keys of the 1087.
If OP wants something with brown cherries, then that only leaves the Das Silent boards... $125 at NCIX. I think pchome or armygroup in Taiwan might still have some Filco browns in stock left in stock, but then after shipping & possibly customs charges +taxes, he'd be looking at $150+, probably closer to $170-180 depending on exchange rate.
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If you do look at the Das, and you're a student, make sure to ask about the EDU discount. It was 24% + free shipping, last time I looked at it. Though, that was in the US...not sure about the great white north.
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Was it a shell shocker or sale? It's currently $79.99+$13.39 S&H (=$93.38+tax) at newegg.CA. It's $70USD w/free shipping at newegg.COM.
Ooops! I checked it two days ago, and it was $70 shipped. Now, it's no good to buy it in Canada.