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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: PeterSicherlich on Mon, 06 February 2012, 16:07:43

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: PeterSicherlich on Mon, 06 February 2012, 16:07:43

Hey guys I come to think and I decided, that a probobly would buy a new keyboard.

Waht Am I doing with it:
- typing
- no games or somthing like this

-->
So I should buy a keyboard with mx browns?

So what it must have:
- DE layout
- A big "Enter" key
- No keys next to "crtl"
- Numbers
- place between the arrow keys

What I want to have:
- multimedia keys (without "Fn")
    - next/previous track, pause, mute, quieter/louder

Nice to have:
- Wireless
- wrist rest
- light

I don't know how much that keyboard should coast, so expensiver, so longer I will wait ;).
I for myself found only that one http://geizhals.at/de/681681 (http://geizhals.at/de/681681)
--> Corsair Vengeance K60
But the Keyboard have one mx reds and not every key is mechanical.

Fot note, I would also buy a used one.
But is there a keyboard, that fill all my "must haves"?

Thanks guys :)

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: Joni Tynkky on Mon, 06 February 2012, 16:22:15

I say Bah to Corsair and what i have heard that Browns are Gaming/typing kind of Switch. Reds for gaming why not for typing also? Myself i would prefer browns/blues for you :)

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: Forin on Mon, 06 February 2012, 16:32:44

hello,

if you mostly type, I suggest you to buy a quality full size MX blue keyboard and make multimedia keys via software.

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: PeterSicherlich on Tue, 07 February 2012, 10:50:56

Thanks guys.

At first I ment "only reds" and thought I need browns for typing.


And waht does you mean with "make multimedia keys via software", like:
F1 = Mute
F2= pause
.....
or like in the Razer black widow, the keys next to "crtl", that should be then the only thing I does'nt lokie on the keyboard, does it?
And the one without light is also very cheap for a mechanical one.
used ~45€ (~60$)
new ~70€ (~93$)

Should I give that one a try?
Or would you suggest an other one?

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: CaiSter21 on Tue, 07 February 2012, 11:42:27

there are lots of programs that allow you to bind various keys to multimedia functions. One of them is 3RVX and i use it daily as a volume adjuster when i switch between my speakers and my headset. http://matthew.malensek.net/ (http://matthew.malensek.net/)

As for keyboard suggestions, i would say go with either blues or browns. Both of them have a tactile bump which is better for typing. You don't need to go near reds or blacks because those are better suited for gaming since they are linear.

If you aren't gaming, then don't buy corsair or razer because imo, they are too flashy and ugly.

Go with either a filco or a WASD keyboard.
http://www.keyboardco.com/ (http://www.keyboardco.com/)
http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/semi-custom-keyboard/wasd-v1-105-key-iso-semi-custom-mechanical-keyboard.html (http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/semi-custom-keyboard/wasd-v1-105-key-iso-semi-custom-mechanical-keyboard.html)

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: tukkez on Tue, 07 February 2012, 11:58:22

id get blues, browns are pretty .. meh

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: PeterSicherlich on Tue, 07 February 2012, 12:29:12

cool, thanks for the softwarelink. Is it easy to do it?

But the uther suggestions, they look of course better, in my opinion.
But it seems like, that 2/3x the price of a Razer isn't worth it, is it?
I wouldn't pay 150€ (Incl. shipping and taxes) instead of 70€ for a ok looking one.
Or is also the matrial and processing better (I think so), but for my first mechanical keyboard?

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: Forin on Tue, 07 February 2012, 12:37:42

Quote from: PeterSicherlich;508230

Thanks guys.

At first I ment "only reds" and thought I need browns for typing.


And waht does you mean with "make multimedia keys via software", like:
F1 = Mute
F2= pause
.....

I have LALT+downarrow = Volume down etc.. (you can bind it whatever you like)

Next, previous track I've just set in FooBar.

Basically you can live without media keys. It's not a problem.

I have many shortcuts, for example I use NIRCMD to have LOCK+MONITOR OFF combo under one key...

Quote

or like in the Razer black widow, the keys next to "crtl", that should be then the only thing I does'nt lokie on the keyboard, does it?
And the one without light is also very cheap for a mechanical one.
used ~45€ (~60$)
new ~70€ (~93$)

Should I give that one a try?
Or would you suggest an other one?

-MX Blue
-Blackwidow / Filco
-o'rings / landing pads

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: CaiSter21 on Tue, 07 February 2012, 12:38:31

the materials are definitely better. and i don't know any german sites to buy mechanical keyboards so those were the only ones that i could find.

im sure that there are certain sites that will sell used mechanical keyboards besides the razer.

you could try german ebay or here
http://deskthority.net/viewforum.php?f=11&sid=3bebfeb4cc1fd3a9ea1292fd29eaa969 (http://deskthority.net/viewforum.php?f=11&sid=3bebfeb4cc1fd3a9ea1292fd29eaa969)

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: PeterSicherlich on Tue, 07 February 2012, 12:45:46

@Forin
what ist
-o'rings / landing pads
?
And do I have to use 2 keys or is one just fine? like F1?

@CaiSter21
getsigital.de is one ;)
and some special sides and here and there a fex famous ones.
Rarzer for example at amazon.

If the Quality is better, then I have to overthink my opinin, thanks.
Mhh, heavy question.
-> thanks for the link

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: Forin on Tue, 07 February 2012, 12:57:24

Quote from: PeterSicherlich;508341

@Forin
what ist
-o'rings / landing pads
?

[video=youtube;RJg2vDsysbA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJg2vDsysbA[/video]

o'rings reduce bottom-out sound. The key stroke is shorter. It's fun and cheap.

Quote

And do I have to use 2 keys or is one just fine? like F1?

Practically yes, because  F1 can have other functions in certain programs.

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: PeterSicherlich on Tue, 07 February 2012, 13:06:24

Ok, thanks for the video

The number 2 is the best for my, not so loud.

Mhh, so if I browse and my browser would like to have an other funktion for F1 then I wanted to have the F1 key, they just yould say "no" that doesn't work?

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: CaiSter21 on Tue, 07 February 2012, 13:28:13

just set your multimedia keys to F6-F12

those aren't use that much by programs

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: hazeluff on Tue, 07 February 2012, 13:30:33

Quote from: CaiSter21;508414

just set your multimedia keys to F6-F12

those aren't use that much by programs

SC2 uses f10. And War3.

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: Glukos on Tue, 07 February 2012, 13:47:26

go Filco with mx brown  (http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard_details.asp?PRODUCT=813)

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: PeterSicherlich on Tue, 07 February 2012, 13:54:21

@CaiSter21
ok, nice thought (firefox uses 10-12)
but that is just fine or me :).

@Glukos
I thought blues are better for my, because I use the keyboard just for typing.
Why should I take browns now?
What is the different?

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: jellowiggler on Tue, 07 February 2012, 13:54:31

You could go

Blackwidow with blues
Blackwidow stealth with browns
TT mekka g1 with blacks
Cmstorm quick fire rapid (tkl) with blues (or other switches of you order from Asia)

All of those have media keys.  Or ditch the media keys and assign your own like mentioned above.

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: PeterSicherlich on Tue, 07 February 2012, 14:04:29

@jellowiggler
is a opinion
stealth -> to expensive, if you compare them with filco or the other Razer one, isn't ist?
blacks shouldn't be mine (to hard to press?)
Cmstorm quick fire rapid - only with Fn key -> but here is also an other picture http://www.google.de/imgres?imgurl=http://cdn.iqmore.com/iqmoreidv_img/Computer_Show/Computex/Computex_2011/Computex2011_CoolerMaster/04.JPG&imgrefurl=http://geekhack.org/showthread.php%3F21254-Here-comes-quot-CM-Storm-Quick-Fire-Rapid-quot-pictures&usg=__g_47KtbwnkoDwnHmdhp2xWGzdLE=&h=400&w=600&sz=82&hl=de&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=1bQWNwtR-WgwuM:&tbnh=129&tbnw=174&ei=4IIxT_KFGozltQahy4m9BA&prev=/search%3Fq%3DCm%2BStorm%2Bquick%2Bfire%2Brapid%2B%28tkl%29%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dde%26biw%3D1600%26bih%3D801%26noj%3D1%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=957&vpy=195&dur=5206&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=155&ty=122&sig=110135273841875325762&page=1&ndsp=30&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0&biw=1600&bih=801 (http://www.google.de/imgres?imgurl=http://cdn.iqmore.com/iqmoreidv_img/Computer_Show/Computex/Computex_2011/Computex2011_CoolerMaster/04.JPG&imgrefurl=http://geekhack.org/showthread.php%3F21254-Here-comes-quot-CM-Storm-Quick-Fire-Rapid-quot-pictures&usg=__g_47KtbwnkoDwnHmdhp2xWGzdLE=&h=400&w=600&sz=82&hl=de&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=1bQWNwtR-WgwuM:&tbnh=129&tbnw=174&ei=4IIxT_KFGozltQahy4m9BA&prev=/search%3Fq%3DCm%2BStorm%2Bquick%2Bfire%2Brapid%2B%28tkl%29%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dde%26biw%3D1600%26bih%3D801%26noj%3D1%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=957&vpy=195&dur=5206&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=155&ty=122&sig=110135273841875325762&page=1&ndsp=30&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0&biw=1600&bih=801)

I think I make the media keys myself & probably buy other keys extra, so you can senn on the keyboard, what mute is and so on.

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: Glukos on Tue, 07 February 2012, 14:13:01

You mentioned that you like quiet sound of "2" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJg2vDsysbA). You have to buy o-rings (http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/keyboard-accessories-2/cherry-mx-rubber-switch-dampeners.html) and place it under the keycaps to make  blues (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jCNXASjzMY&feature=related) less clicky.

Blues are pretty clicky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi1GejndyeQ) in comparison with browns. That's the main difference.
Browns are silent blues.

If you don't mind clickish sound - go for cherry mx blue for sure.

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: PeterSicherlich on Tue, 07 February 2012, 14:21:10

@Glukos

Thanks a lot!
I didn't know that. I really like the sound of "2" better. And if that is the main difference, I should like the browns more, but blues would be also ok ( O-rings).

Thanks again

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: Glukos on Tue, 07 February 2012, 14:26:19

You should look at "2.1Regular key types" part of cherry wiki (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Cherry+Corporation+Switch+Wiki).

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: Forin on Tue, 07 February 2012, 14:45:07

Browns are definitely not just 'silent blues'. Beside one being 45gr and other 55gr, there is a big difference in 'feel'.. oO

Hard to describe without trying.

Quote from: Glukos;508440

You mentioned that you like quiet sound of "2" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJg2vDsysbA). You have to buy o-rings (http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/keyboard-accessories-2/cherry-mx-rubber-switch-dampeners.html) and place it under the keycaps to make  blues (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jCNXASjzMY&feature=related) less clicky.

Blues are pretty clicky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi1GejndyeQ) in comparison with browns. That's the main difference.
Browns are silent blues.

If you don't mind clickish sound - go for cherry mx blue for sure.

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: PeterSicherlich on Tue, 07 February 2012, 14:47:29

until now I only typed on Razer black Widow, taht is the only keyboard I can test around here.
It fells very good :)

Thanks ;)

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: Glukos on Tue, 07 February 2012, 15:47:37

Quote from: Forin;508463

Browns are definitely not just 'silent blues'. Beside one being 45gr and other 55gr, there is a big difference in 'feel'.. oO

Hard to describe without trying.

You mean 45 and 50.
And you didn't read carefully...
(http://www.myfacewhen.net/uploads/196-didnt-read-lol.png)

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: PeterSicherlich on Tue, 07 February 2012, 16:15:25

So to end the day.

At first I does't know what to buy, because I didn't know much about mechanical keyboars/ many keyboards. I also didn't know about that software.

But now I don't know if I should buy a Filco/ Wasd/ Razer.
I look, if I can find a cheap Filco/Wasd, if not, I go for the Razer at first and later in this year or at the beginng at the next year I buy a better one. Then I also know better, what I really want and need.

Thank you guys, helped a lot.

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: Forin on Tue, 07 February 2012, 17:04:44

That is correct and that is a very suitable meme. Thank you. I will spend this night reading and thinking about Blue and Brown switches.

BTW.

what mech boards you actually own?

Quote from: Glukos;508525

You mean 45 and 50.
And you didn't read carefully...

Show Image

(http://www.myfacewhen.net/uploads/196-didnt-read-lol.png)

Title: Noob is searching for a new mechanical keyboard
Post by: CaiSter21 on Tue, 07 February 2012, 18:06:30

Quote from: PeterSicherlich;508558

So to end the day.

At first I does't know what to buy, because I didn't know much about mechanical keyboars/ many keyboards. I also didn't know about that software.

But now I don't know if I should buy a Filco/ Wasd/ Razer.
I look, if I can find a cheap Filco/Wasd, if not, I go for the Razer at first and later in this year or at the beginng at the next year I buy a better one. Then I also know better, what I really want and need.

Thank you guys, helped a lot.

or you could just save yourself some money and get it right the first time.