geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Lozenges on Wed, 28 December 2011, 07:43:08
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Howdy all! Newbie here,
I'm looking for some help picking the keyboard switch setup that is right for me. I'm used to typing/gaming with various rubber dome keyboard and I've never touched a mechanical keyboard save for some very sparse experiences with an old IBM when I was very young. I mostly play DOTA type games that require a lot of mouse clicking and a decent amount of key strokes; the games also often require a decent amount of double and triple key taps in quick succession. As far as my keystrokes are concerned I'm a a moderately-forceful key pusher. The keyboard will be used mostly for gaming. I've done a bit of research and came up with cherry MX blacks or cherry MX reds but I'm still not sold 100% on any one switch. I'd like to hear some other peoples opinions and maybe get some help picking out a switch type. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I'm a bit over my head picking out a keyboard with little to no knowledge of how mechanical keyboards feel.
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The conclusion that I've come from this forum is that linear switches are subjective to the user. I'd strongly advise you try them out at a local store.
I also play DotA and DOTA2. I went to my local Bestbuy and tried out a Razer Blackwidow for the MX Blues. I found the experience fine, and as long as you don't have 200 APM +, the double-tapping "issue" should not be noticeable.
I took Browns and Blacks out of the equation because the Brown's tactile bump is hardly noticeable I've been told, and some describe the keystroke as gritty. Many people think the MX Blacks are too heavy.
This left me with the options of Red and Blue (classic), and I have decided on Blue because I think Linear will take too long to adjust to.
Now, I must find the right price, still don't know if I want a Rosewill, Leopold, or Filco.
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cherry lozenges
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*Edit* checked my local Best Buy they don't seem to carry any kind of my mechanical keyboard not even Razer. Not sure I can find anywhere to try out a keyboard. Still interested in some advice from users with prior experience.
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A lot of guides I've looked at refer to blacks and reds at the common "gaming" switches. Can anyone explain to me why this is?
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Linearity. No tactile bump, and so the actuation is quite smooth and precise. When you're gaming, you tend to put more weight in your keystrokes, so a linear switch is preferred. Blacks require more force than a red, but they're both linear. At least, thats what I gathered with my black.
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Linearity. No tactile bump, and so the actuation is quite smooth and precise. When you're gaming, you tend to put more weight in your keystrokes, so a linear switch is preferred. Blacks require more force than a red, but they're both linear. At least, thats what I gathered with my black.
You don't find your blacks too heavy?
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You don't find your blacks too heavy?
I didn't, at least not for gaming. For programming, my fingers got tired in almost no time flat. Ultimately, I got rid of the keyboard because a keyboard "just for gaming" wasn't important enough to keep around.
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My initial inkling was to go with reds. I can't seem to find too many boards with the reds. Any suggestions? Price isn't really a concern I'm going to treat myself with money I received as a Christmas gift.
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you live in usa? leopold red could be an option
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you live in usa? leopold red could be an option
I do live in the US. I'm open to pretty much anything under $200.00 + shipping. I've actually looked into the Leopold red board but have found mixed things.
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Get a WASD w/ Cherry Reds. You can also design your own keyboard layout with it. Not only that, not too many WASD's w/ Cherry Reds are out there right now and you can be the cool kid on the block with the new toy!
This is a very very tempting option. WASD are good boards? I shouldn't have any issues with them should I? I don't see too many reviews.
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Dota is similar to RTS style games and most Starcraft players like myself use tactile switches, Blue or Brown.
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Dota is similar to RTS style games and most Starcraft players like myself use tactile switches, Blue or Brown.
I play a lot of League of Legends also. Would this be considered best with tactile switches?
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tactility - the manner of being tactile
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I've decided on buying a WASD keyboard now it's just down to what type of switches I want to order.
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gl
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I will try my best to address the various questions that you bring up in this thread.
What is the switch for me?
Honestly only you can answer this question. But it is very hard to get a hold of every switch, so I will try to give you a general conclusion from what I have tried and read about. You say you will use this mostly for DOTA style games. I believe that the general consensus is that it is best to have a tactile switch when playing these games because it is crucial that you sure that the key press registered. Blues and buckling spring are the best when it comes to tactility. I would avoid browns. They offer a very very small tactile bump that can barely be felt in my opinion. This means that it doesn't really give you any feedback to if the key has pressed or not, and it almost makes the typing experience worse. In my opinion you either go full on tactile, or go linear.
I will also chime in on the red vs black debate. Again, this is all personal preference. Since you have been using a rubber dome you could go with the black switches because I believe that many of the people that complain about the black switches being too stiff have been using very light mechanical switches in the past. I believe that the force required to press a black switch is similar to most rubber dome keyboards. But really since you are using the keyboard mostly for gaming, you won't have to worry about potential finger fatigue when typing long essays. But like someone before me said, if you go red, it will probably be an easier resell if you don't like it.
I do live in the US. I'm open to pretty much anything under $200.00 + shipping. I've actually looked into the Leopold red board but have found mixed things.
This really depends on if you want TKL or not. If you don't mind a full sized keyboard then I would strongly encourage WASD. They are a relatively new company, which is why you haven't seen many reviews on them, but those who own them tout the quality and customer support to be top notch. And like others have said you can pick between all the common switches and customize your keyboard, which is awesome.
If you want a TKL keyboard and want to spend under 200USD then really the only option for you is a Leopold from elitekeyboards.com. You stated that you have heard some bad things about Leopolds, which I find odd. I own a Leopold TKL and I haven't had any major issues with it. And various keyboard reviews have proclaimed that the quality is on par with the best keyboards out there. If you choose to purchase a Leopold I don't think you will be disappointed.
In conclusion though, almost all of your answers can be be answered with, it's your personal opinion. Although some switches and some boards are touted as "gaming" just keep in mind that any switch and most any board can do anything you ask of it, so again it comes down to personal preference. But if you change from a rubber dome to any of the mechanical boards in this thread, I believe it would be very unlikely that you will regret purchasing a mechanical keyboard.
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It's ultimately just a matter of personal preference. Occasionally you'll find a typist that loves blacks (although they're hard to find) or a gamer that hates blacks and reds but loves blues. Any switch is such a big improvement over a rubber dome board that it really doesn't matter which one you end up getting. You'll definitely be happy with it. I find tactile switches fine for gaming, but then again I haven't had the opportunity to try out a linear switch for more than 15 minutes.
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I will try my best to address the various questions that you bring up in this thread.
What is the switch for me?
Honestly only you can answer this question. But it is very hard to get a hold of every switch, so I will try to give you a general conclusion from what I have tried and read about. You say you will use this mostly for DOTA style games. I believe that the general consensus is that it is best to have a tactile switch when playing these games because it is crucial that you sure that the key press registered. Blues and buckling spring are the best when it comes to tactility. I would avoid browns. They offer a very very small tactile bump that can barely be felt in my opinion. This means that it doesn't really give you any feedback to if the key has pressed or not, and it almost makes the typing experience worse. In my opinion you either go full on tactile, or go linear.
I will also chime in on the red vs black debate. Again, this is all personal preference. Since you have been using a rubber dome you could go with the black switches because I believe that many of the people that complain about the black switches being too stiff have been using very light mechanical switches in the past. I believe that the force required to press a black switch is similar to most rubber dome keyboards. But really since you are using the keyboard mostly for gaming, you won't have to worry about potential finger fatigue when typing long essays. But like someone before me said, if you go red, it will probably be an easier resell if you don't like it.
I do live in the US. I'm open to pretty much anything under $200.00 + shipping. I've actually looked into the Leopold red board but have found mixed things.
This really depends on if you want TKL or not. If you don't mind a full sized keyboard then I would strongly encourage WASD. They are a relatively new company, which is why you haven't seen many reviews on them, but those who own them tout the quality and customer support to be top notch. And like others have said you can pick between all the common switches and customize your keyboard, which is awesome.
If you want a TKL keyboard and want to spend under 200USD then really the only option for you is a Leopold from elitekeyboards.com. You stated that you have heard some bad things about Leopolds, which I find odd. I own a Leopold TKL and I haven't had any major issues with it. And various keyboard reviews have proclaimed that the quality is on par with the best keyboards out there. If you choose to purchase a Leopold I don't think you will be disappointed.
In conclusion though, almost all of your answers can be be answered with, it's your personal opinion. Although some switches and some boards are touted as "gaming" just keep in mind that any switch and most any board can do anything you ask of it, so again it comes down to personal preference. But if you change from a rubber dome to any of the mechanical boards in this thread, I believe it would be very unlikely that you will regret purchasing a mechanical keyboard.
tl:dr, but you seem like a helpful guy
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Changed my mind and ordered a tenkeyless cherry red MX Leopold I'd make sure to let everyone know how it turns out!
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Changed my mind and ordered a tenkeyless cherry red MX Leopold I'd make sure to let everyone know how it turns out!
lulz, that won't be the last keyboard you own
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Aww you should of gone with Cherry MX Blues. I don't know how well linear switches fare in RTS games/MOBAs.
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Changed my mind and ordered a tenkeyless cherry red MX Leopold I'd make sure to let everyone know how it turns out!
Don't listen to the Leopold haters bro, it is a very nice board. I haven't tried red switches before, so post back when you recieve it to tell us what you think.
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I got the keyboard and waited a bit of time before I posted. I absolutely love it, after using it for about two weeks I'm completely satisfied and I love the switches. It just feels so easy and smooth to type on and I've had no problems with playing any RTS games with it thus far, it feels much better then the rubber keyboard I was using. In fact it's become hard to use a regular keyboard when I'm at work.
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Solution: buy another keyboard to use at work.
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Dota is similar to RTS style games and most Starcraft players like myself use tactile switches, Blue or Brown.
I will support this statement.
Browns for me feel really good for SC2. I play Dota and dota2 as well and It feels good for that too. But in the end its personal opinion. But I think the majority will say tactile is good for RTS.