geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: smokemoar on Sat, 16 July 2011, 08:13:47
-
I just want to note that I do understand how many topics there must be in which people ask questions like mine, but I've browsed them and can't find an answer for myself.
I play a lot of Starcraft II (RTS) and a variety of FPS'. From my research, I've found that people recommend Brown/Blue for RTS' and Black for FPS'. Now I'm also a programmer and I type a lot, so I don't know if that should sway my choice at all. I'm probably looking to buy the Cherry G80-3000, as most of the other good mech keyboards are very expensive to get here in the UK.
I'm hoping that the experts will be able to guide me as to which key switch is the best for me. I personally like the clicky Blue, but I find the clickiness on the Black switch is sufficient.
Thanks
EDIT: Also, if this is important, I use IJKL instead of WASD for movement.
-
I am also a big SC2 player and programmer. I recommend the brown for the perfect middle of the road experience for both things. If you're leaning heavier for clicky blue works just fine. I really do not like black for SC2.
-
How do the Blues/Browns work for FPS'? I've read that with Blue it can get annoying as you're constantly trying bottoming out every time you try to move.
-
In ergonomic terms you'd probably be better off with any tenkeyless board, even if lacked mechanical switches. Other than poor wrist alignment it's the long mouse reach over the number pad that causes most programmer and gamer injuries.
Talking of which: PC gaming is a hobby to be pursued cautiously for a professional programmer...
-
I am new to mechanical keyboards, but I do know what some of the pro sc2 players use. It is mostly personal preference (or who is sponsoring them at the time), but I know of a lot that use mx reds in korea, outside korea they use blue/brown/black (probably because they have no access to reds).
I personally find the clears (first ones I have tried) to be too stiff for intense keyspamming you get in sc2. Idra uses a steelseries with blacks though so I guess it depends on the person. I am getting browns soon which I think will be best for me because I prefer softer keys.
-
Talking of which: PC gaming is a hobby to be pursued cautiously for a professional programmer...
You're telling me...
But yes, I think I will go for the Browns, as they seem to be best. Unless anyone else has anything they want to add.
Now if someone can point me as to which G80-3000 model has the brown switches...
-
Now if someone can point me as to which G80-3000 model has the brown switches...
None. They only come with blacks, blues and clears.
-
None. They only come with blacks, blues and clears.
There are 3000's with brown cherries, you know.
-
I've never seen a g80-3000 with browns yet. I've seen that they are available in reds now in Taiwan. Some of the g80-18** models are easy to find with brown switches.
-
I would recommend the red switch. If you can't get access to a red board, then probably the brown switch. Black is usually too stiff for a lot of people out there. Blue is too loud, and not particularly the easiest switch to use for FPS (or double tapping). Although, personally I still like the blue switch for gaming (but most don't like it). It's just hard for me to tolerate the blue switch late at night because its so loud.
-
My favorites out of the various MX varieties are the Clears, but they're not easy to get. They're basically Browns with an ACTUAL tactile bump (the Browns themselves have one that's so insignificant it might as well be straight-up linear).
Note that I don't like linear switches, even for FPS gaming. I like to know when my switch actuated and released by feel alone, and the Blues and Clears do a good job of that. (Blues have a really high release point relative to actuation, though, almost near the top. Doesn't thwart me for double-tapping too much because I generally release the key all the way first before pressing again, but it's the main reason I'd rather have the Clears if possible.) To make matters worse, MX linear switches have a long throw, the sort that would make me wish the keys had analog pressure sensitivity. At least your typical Japanese pushbutton (Sanwa OBSF-30 in particular; haven't encountered Seimitsu buttons yet) has a short, shallow throw, making it easy to bottom out. (Even then, I still prefer Happ/iL microswitched buttons with a nice, tactile click.)
The point is, just because the usual rhetoric says that a given switch type is best doesn't necessarily mean that it'll be best for your tastes. They're good starting points, but not the end-all be-all.
-
Cherry does as far as I know
-
does anyone make a decent board with clears?
Deck does.