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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: gillberg1111 on Thu, 29 December 2011, 22:50:47

Title: Almost ready for my first mechanical keyboard
Post by: gillberg1111 on Thu, 29 December 2011, 22:50:47: After much reading and video watching, I have almost made my decision on buying my first mechanical keyboard. Currently I am using my Microsoft Digital Media Pro. It is still working flawlessly since about 2005-06 (I think), but I am ready to upgrade. I'm at the point where I think I'm just down to two boards, but I haven't been able to choose. I thought it was time to register and get any advice before I make my decision.

I will mainly be using the keyboard for gaming and some normal use/typing. Not much else goes on with the computer it will be used with.

After being able to try out the BlackWidow Ultimate at BestBuy, I have decided on Cherry MX Blues. I was though about trying Reds, but if I'm going to make the jump and spend the money, I want to feel the click.

I want a full keyboard, so the tenkeyless boards are out. I also like the blank key look.

Currently I am looking at the WASD or Das S Ultimate for the board.

Das:
The gloss wouldn't bother me on the Das, and I like the green and red colors for the extra keys for 'w', 'a', 's', 'd', and esc keys. The extra USB ports would be useful. Aside from the green/red keys, is it possible to get custom keys in the future? But some of the things I have read sound like people on this site aren't into the Das keyboard. Is there any other issues besides the gloss?

WASD:
I like the idea of being able to customize the WASD board, so if I decided to change out the keys in the future, I could go back to WASD and pick some up. I also like what I've read about the owner being active on these forums and what I've read about their customer service. I like supporting a company with great customer service.

For price and quality, these two seem to be in my range. The Leopold is a contender, but for a little more, the WASD or Das seems worth it. I just can't decide and want to make sure I make the best choice.
Title: Almost ready for my first mechanical keyboard
Post by: pitashen on Thu, 29 December 2011, 23:38:53: go for whichever pleases your eyes better.
Title: Almost ready for my first mechanical keyboard
Post by: Greenbean on Thu, 29 December 2011, 23:56:18: Any plan on upgrading to PBT caps?

If so, I would rule the WASD out. Also, you are aware of the possible consequences of glossy finish keyboards like the DAS?

I would suggest a Rosewill RK-9000.
Title: Almost ready for my first mechanical keyboard
Post by: noodles256 on Fri, 30 December 2011, 00:04:18: +1 on rosewill
Title: Almost ready for my first mechanical keyboard
Post by: Tony on Fri, 30 December 2011, 01:44:52: Both of them are equally good.
A coin flip may help.
Title: Almost ready for my first mechanical keyboard
Post by: trax on Fri, 30 December 2011, 03:59:09: Id take the WASD over a Das.
But if your not going to keep the caps from the WASD Id go with a Rosewill.

Rosewill also has better warranty policy (according to Ripster you can always bring it back, which is nice.)
Title: Almost ready for my first mechanical keyboard
Post by: gillberg1111 on Fri, 30 December 2011, 06:34:54: I haven't read about PBT caps, so I'm not sure. I saw where people were asking about getting them on the WASD board, but they weren't an option yet.

I'm going to read about the Rosewill and PBT caps.
Title: Almost ready for my first mechanical keyboard
Post by: Hazborgufen on Fri, 30 December 2011, 12:31:38: Aside from the redundancy of buying a WASD keyboard, which is known for having customizable caps, and then replacing those caps with PTB caps, is there some other reason that PTB caps on a WASD is a bad idea?
Title: Almost ready for my first mechanical keyboard
Post by: gillberg1111 on Fri, 30 December 2011, 15:35:52: Quote from: Hazborgufen;480330
Aside from the redundancy of buying a WASD keyboard, which is known for having customizable caps, and then replacing those caps with PTB caps, is there some other reason that PTB caps on a WASD is a bad idea?

I was wondering something similar. Looking at the Rosewill, it would be cheaper to get a WASD with blank caps than the Rosewill and buy blank caps.
Title: Almost ready for my first mechanical keyboard
Post by: slueth on Fri, 30 December 2011, 15:44:11: not sure, i have a wasd and there doesn't seem to be any issues with pbt keycaps for me on them.
Title: Almost ready for my first mechanical keyboard
Post by: gillberg1111 on Fri, 30 December 2011, 15:50:13: What are the benefits of PTB keys over the ones included with the WASD?
Title: Almost ready for my first mechanical keyboard
Post by: trax on Fri, 30 December 2011, 15:52:21: Quote from: gillberg1111;480531
What are the benefits of PTB keys over the ones included with the WASD?

PBT.
Higher quality, feels better and wont shine after some months of usage.

EDIT: Shine like this it wont; http://www.tamurajones.net/img/photos/LogitechS510.png
Title: Almost ready for my first mechanical keyboard
Post by: o2dazone on Fri, 30 December 2011, 15:53:17: PBT is a type of plastic used in the keys. They are more resistance to becoming shining when heavily used. They are prone to more imperfections in the key itself.

http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:16648
Title: Almost ready for my first mechanical keyboard
Post by: BababooeyHTJ on Fri, 30 December 2011, 16:44:28: You could always buy a cherry g80 3000 with mx blues from provantage that I'm pretty sure comes with pbt keycaps (could be pom though).