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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: HowToKeyboard? on Sun, 11 September 2011, 09:34:41
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I am looking for a mecahnical keyboard that costs about £60 (97$) and I have heard that keyboards in this range are all crap... I need opinions about this.
I would prefer to not buy second hand and the keyboard I have in mind is this - Razer RZ03-00390500-R3W1 Black Widow Gaming Keyboard (UK Layout) - (Can't post the URL so search that in amazon if you feel like it...)
I wouldn't mind not having macro buttons and I don't mind losing the numpad, but what I do want is high quality buttons with good switches and the ability to register atleast 5 button presses simultaneously would be nice. (Would like switches that are good for typing and gaming. Ideally, browns but I have heard that people game with blue's just fine)
So is a cheap mechanical keyboard noticeably better than a stock rubber dome board?
Suggestions of cheap keyboards that are decent would be VERY helpfull.
If it's not worth getting a cheap mech keyboard should I consider buying second hand?
Thanks in advance for any help :)
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You can get a new cherry g80 for that price
Or a used with dobleshot keys for less..
But they usually only have 2kro.
If your into gaming keyboards just keep your eyes open on ebay..
Or in the classifieds here or over at deskthority.net.
You should get a good used keyboard for that money.. if u dont mind different layouts...
Sent from my Milestone using Tapatalk
Edit...edit...
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I spell checked my post but not my thread title... *Feels great shame*
Now, other than grammar nazi'ing all up in my face can you halp meh? Is the Razer keyobard (Intentional that time) decent?
I checked out cherry g80's on Amazon and something doesn't fill me with confidence. This is copied from the page "Membrane contact switches with rubber-mat technology for individual use." Not sure if mechanical...
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If NKRO is not an issue for you, there are a number of options at that price point.
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that membrane contact thing sounds like G81s... very similar in appearance and keycaps (they're actually MX compatible) but the switches are awful.
G80s use the same MX switches that you know and love from all the other "premium" keyboards, main difference being that Cherry PCB mounts their switches while pretty much everyone else plate mounts them.
I guess the main question is are you wedded to the UK/ISO layout, or would you consider US/ANSI? I can think of a couple good options available in the US that are at or only slightly higher than your price point. (Rosewill and WASD come to mind) I have no experience with the Razer as it is not easily available here.
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If NKRO is not an issue for you, there are a number of options at that price point.
Mind pointing me in the right direction to find something worth buying?
So far I have been using pretty much only Amazon which doesn't tell you the switch type on alot of boards or even if they're machanical...
And thanks for some really fast replies all of you.
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Interestingly, a member here recently posted his own website with this (http://www.keyboardlover.com/wheretobuy.php). Please note that some of those sellers are here and you can ask them questions :)
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The Keyboard Company needs a new website... I would like to browse their stuff but I think i'm getting a headache...
I think i'm going to get the Cherry G80.
Less than an hour from posting this thread to having all my questions answered. Really thank you guys :D
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My advice would be to keep an eye on the great finds located in the GeekHack classifieds. I was looking for a pretty specific keyboard and ended up finding one in a little less than a week that matched my price range and was exactly what i wanted, that is probably your best bet. As far as the blackwidow goes, I can't really say much about it.
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I think i'm going to get the Cherry G80.
Solid choice, enjoy!
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the cherry g80's that i have had and modded feel like junk, worse than a childs toy. Actually it's been my assumption that because of the inferior build quality and construction of the cherry g80's is why there are more boutique options that say they have better build construction. But that is subjective i guess even this kinesis that retails for over 200 feels cheap and light.
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Personally, if I'm using a Cherry MX based board, I vastly prefer the PCB mounted switches to the plate mounted. I still don't like them that much, but I don't hate them as I do the plate mounted versions.
To answer the original question, no, inexpensive mechanical keyboards are not bad at all, but may not be what people exactly want, if that makes sense. Personally, I would go with an inexpensive old Model M that I refurbish over a new (almost) anything. But that's because I genuinely enjoy typing on them. Try your G80. You may really like it. Price isn't always indicative of quality, after all.
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I cant really game on a Model M x.x it hurts my fingers after 10 minutes or less. I think TKL ducky's on PCHOME sell for like $74 and ship to UK for like $20.
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True, I don't game, which is a big difference in my use compared to many here.
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the cherry g80's that i have had and modded feel like junk, worse than a childs toy. Actually it's been my assumption that because of the inferior build quality and construction of the cherry g80's is why there are more boutique options that say they have better build construction. But that is subjective i guess even this kinesis that retails for over 200 feels cheap and light.
I beg to differ, G8X-1000 with double shots feel solid enough, unlike G8X-3000 case derivations. Older 1800 should also be comparable.
OP, that rubber mat description if for the RD G83, p.e. 6000 series.
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the cherry g80's that i have had and modded feel like junk, worse than a childs toy. Actually it's been my assumption that because of the inferior build quality and construction of the cherry g80's is why there are more boutique options that say they have better build construction. But that is subjective i guess even this kinesis that retails for over 200 feels cheap and light.
I have a couple Cherry POS boards and where I think that they feel inferior to a plate mounted board is with heavier switches like clears or blacks. You can detect noticeable flex in the PCB assembly whereas with a metal plate the keyboard feels much better screwed together. a Cherry board with browns really doesn't bother me that much, but I'm not a huge fan of the browns, they feel too light to me. I haven't tried a Cherry board with blues, but I expect that that would also feel reasonably acceptable unless you slam the keys all the way to the bottom anyway.
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HowToKeyboard, the standard Razer BlackWidow is a fine choice for a cheap mechanical keyboard. If you like its looks, just go for it.
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If you are in Europe, seriously, get Cherry. Much better quality. As long as you can look past the looks of it.
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A cheap keyboard is possibly just as good as an expensive one. Unless you use your keyboard by flexing it repeatedly.