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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Circlepit on Tue, 07 February 2012, 10:42:21

Title: Newbie is searching for answers
Post by: Circlepit on Tue, 07 February 2012, 10:42:21

hello, im new here and  im interested in the mechanic keyboard scene. And i have some questions and hope a pro can answer me these.
First is here something like a Try Bag for Switches, since im giong to buy my very first board and i must decide on what switch to take.
And what you thin i should buy as first mechanic keyboard. Doesnt matter how much it cost, but it must have makro keys on the left side (maybe Razer BW?).

And what is the difference between PCB and plate-mounted, how i can change the switches with both versions (Pics or vids would be nice). Which method is better. Looking at the Razer, Corsair Keyboards the plate-mounted? or why they use this method? Why you must unsolder the plate - mounted and not the PCB one. Are the switches generally solded? PCB and plate-mounted? How to change the switch, only the half, so the spring and the colored thing, or is it better to change the whole switch?

Why are the switches on the Razer the other way round? is it better or is the feeling diffirent. Other boards with backlight do it same? CAn you put in every switch a diode? Is the slot in on every switch available?
Can you make a board backlight (buying diods and other keycaps)? Is it difficult?
Thats all atm :D

Sorry for bad english im german :D

Title: Newbie is searching for answers
Post by: pitashen on Tue, 07 February 2012, 11:09:51

Pretty much all the gaming board with macro keys are plate mounted, so u can cross out your question regarding to the PCB. PCB -> unsolder needed for switch swap.

and.. you should look up wiki for the answers to the rest of your questions...there are too many of them...lol

Title: Newbie is searching for answers
Post by: CaiSter21 on Tue, 07 February 2012, 11:30:12

off the top of my head, u are limited to only 2 choices: the razer black widow and the corsair k90. those are only keyboards that offer macro keys on the left side.

The black widow comes in either blue or brown cherry mx switches (regular black widow vs stealth black widow) and comes with or without blacklighting(regular vs ultimate edition).

The corsair comes in only red cherry mx switches and is backlit.

IMO, both of these keyboards are crap and you are really limiting yourself by making macro keys a requirement.

Title: Newbie is searching for answers
Post by: RedTed on Tue, 07 February 2012, 11:30:12

There is a lot of information in the Wiki.

I had trouble finding mechanical keyboards with Cherry Brown keys and left-side macro keys other than the Razer Blackwidow Stealth.

You can also get a Cherry touchpad or a Razer Nostromo, put it on the left side of your keyboard, and program the keys any way you want them.

Title: Newbie is searching for answers
Post by: Circlepit on Tue, 07 February 2012, 12:36:38

I searched on wiki, but didnt find that what im asking for for example cahnge switches. Are generally all switches solded? and u must only unsold the plate-mounted?

And WHY are these boards crap, i dont understand it. Whats with Meka G-Unit?

Title: Newbie is searching for answers
Post by: CaiSter21 on Tue, 07 February 2012, 12:45:38

the corsair is crap because its not a full mechanical keyboard. it has rubber domes on the Function keys and the island above the arrrow keys. this makes it a big No-No. the razer is crap because of its build quality. Keys wear easily and loose stabilizers

Title: Newbie is searching for answers
Post by: Circlepit on Tue, 07 February 2012, 13:00:22

And what are good mechas (without macros)? Waths with the Meka G-Unit?
Only the keycaps of the Razer are bad? Or what youm mean with bad built quality. I can exchange the keys by buying other keycaps. Good think about the Razer is, it has german layout and you get it easily

Title: Newbie is searching for answers
Post by: CaiSter21 on Tue, 07 February 2012, 13:32:42

Quote from: RedTed;508278

There is a lot of information in the Wiki.

I had trouble finding mechanical keyboards with Cherry Brown keys and left-side macro keys other than the Razer Blackwidow Stealth.

You can also get a Cherry touchpad or a Razer Nostromo, put it on the left side of your keyboard, and program the keys any way you want them.

if your gonna swap out keycaps on a razer, you might as well just buy another keyboard because quality keycaps cost anywhere from $30-$60 for a full 105 set.

like Redted, its probably best if you buy a good keyboard and a seperate keypad to serve as your macro keys. might cost a bit more, but it will definitely serve u better in the long run

Title: Newbie is searching for answers
Post by: jellowiggler on Tue, 07 February 2012, 14:10:37

The mekka g unit would be good. Has black switches, so try it out to make sure you don't mind the heavier switch.  It would be a better choice than the bw or corsair boards.

Pcb mounted switched are soldered right to the circuit board. They are easier to modify. Plate mounted switches are mounted to a metal plate (which the pcb is under) for stiffer structure.  Pcb mounted switches are easier to modify and replace.

Title: Newbie is searching for answers
Post by: Circlepit on Wed, 08 February 2012, 05:20:16

Why is the gu-nit better than the other 2? what parts are better?

Quote

a good keyboard

yes and what are good boards? a cherry one is good for start, but i can spend more money for a better one? (Filco, Deck, Qpad....usw)

THank you for your help, so switches are generally solded to the pcb and the other are additionally mounted on the plate. Whats about change the switch?
i know, that you can "pop" the pcb ones, but do have to take the whole switch out after unsolder´(plate-mounted) like on the pic here? (Taken from this [thread=7486]Guide[/thread])
 (http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=5174&stc=1&d=1255706919)

Title: Newbie is searching for answers
Post by: Human on Wed, 08 February 2012, 09:42:24

Quote from: Circlepit;509097

Why is the gu-nit better than the other 2? what parts are better?



yes and what are good boards? a cherry one is good for start, but i can spend more money for a better one? (Filco, Deck, Qpad....usw)

THank you for your help, so switches are generally solded to the pcb and the other are additionally mounted on the plate. Whats about change the switch?
i know, that you can "pop" the pcb ones, but do have to take the whole switch out after unsolder´(plate-mounted) like on the pic here? (Taken from this [thread=7486]Guide[/thread])
 

Show Image

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=5174&stc=1&d=1255706919)

Switch change(or more accurately stem/spring change) is done by ply off the top of the switch.

The only different here is one(PCB) can be done directly while another(plate) can only be done by removing switch.

If really something wrong or broke with the "switch-body" itself, you need to desolder the whole switch off for both PCB and plate-mounted.