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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Kabigon on Wed, 16 May 2012, 17:00:33

Title: Best MX Reds Keyboard? I can't Decide!
Post by: Kabigon on Wed, 16 May 2012, 17:00:33: I am looking to buy a Mechanical Keyboard w/ Red Switches. I have came across many different options and I honestly cannot decide. Can you guys give me a break down of what would be the best purchase? Cheaper is always better but if one keyboard is overwhelmingly better than all the rest, I'll definitely consider it.

CM Quickfire Pro BNIB for $75 Shipped

CM Quickfire Rapid BNIB for $85 Shipped

Leopold (White) for $80 Shipped (Used)

OCN Ducky Shine BNIB for $160 Shipped

Filco Majestouch 2 BNIB for $150 Shipped

Are any of those definitely the better value or significantly better keyboard?

Are there any other great options that I've missed?

Thanks so much for your help!
Title: Best MX Reds Keyboard? I can't Decide!
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Wed, 16 May 2012, 17:09:58: They are pretty comparable, except the CM Pro, and perhaps the Ducky. Are there particular features you prefer more, 104 or 87 key? Should be easy to narrow it down further. Out of those I would get the Leopold personally. I have had that keyboard and they are quite nice, and is certainly the best deal out of all of them though it is a close toss up with the Rapid.
Title: Best MX Reds Keyboard? I can't Decide!
Post by: AKIMbO on Wed, 16 May 2012, 17:11:53: Best deal: CM Quickfire Rapid BNIB for $85 Shipped
Most epeen: Filco Majestouch 2 BNIB for $150 Shipped
Title: Best MX Reds Keyboard? I can't Decide!
Post by: sth on Wed, 16 May 2012, 17:17:17: Leopold FC200 is great and easier to find 'universal' spacebars for. FC500... stay away unless you either don't want to change your keycaps, you want to leave the spacebar as-is, or don't mind making a jig to modify another spacebar.
Title: Best MX Reds Keyboard? I can't Decide!
Post by: Tony on Thu, 17 May 2012, 01:38:25: Hard case. If I were you, I would choose Leopold used $80.
Title: Best MX Reds Keyboard? I can't Decide!
Post by: therecorder on Thu, 17 May 2012, 01:47:09: This is the new Ducky Pro model, and very affordable.

http://global.pchome.com.tw/english/?mod=item&func=exhibit&IT_NO=DCAH0X-A62901196&SR_NO=SBAE0W&ROWNO=49&tm=e
Title: Best MX Reds Keyboard? I can't Decide!
Post by: dorkvader on Thu, 17 May 2012, 22:27:58: I have a CMstorm QF rapid with reds, and I really enjoy it. The black case and red plate really show off their colours, especially if you get a keyset to match: No complaints if you put some electrical tape between the esc key and F1 :p
Title: Best MX Reds Keyboard? I can't Decide!
Post by: The_Ed on Fri, 18 May 2012, 23:47:27: Why is the king of reds - the G80-3494LYCUS-2 - not in your list?! I got mine for (goes and looks it up) $187 shipped a long time ago. You can get it for cheaper now from keyboardco (http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard_details.asp?PRODUCT=927) at a steal of £103.77 shipped to the US!
Title: Best MX Reds Keyboard? I can't Decide!
Post by: PixelVandalism on Sat, 19 May 2012, 00:35:06: I'd get the leopold!
Title: Best MX Reds Keyboard? I can't Decide!
Post by: kalrykh on Sat, 19 May 2012, 09:22:50: Friends don't let friends buy cherry corp keyboards.
Title: Best MX Reds Keyboard? I can't Decide!
Post by: fohat.digs on Sat, 19 May 2012, 10:22:10: So what is wrong with Cherry brand boards? I was starting to get interested in one of these.

Are Filcos built better, or something?

What is the cap material?

thanks!
Title: Best MX Reds Keyboard? I can't Decide!
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Sat, 19 May 2012, 10:36:26: Cherry boards are ok. They are not as well built, well the body is my main complaint on current production. They are really thin and allow for quite a lot of flex. The 3494 comes with POM keycaps. Cherry POM keys are fairly nice. I wouldn't mind a 3494 if I could get one for say $75 top. I would only pay more than that for a vintage G80 that was something special.
Title: Best MX Reds Keyboard? I can't Decide!
Post by: The_Ed on Sat, 19 May 2012, 14:13:19: I never understood all the hate on cherry brand boards. You aren't supposed to flex your keyboards, they're supposed to stay on your desk. Cherry boards are bought by businesses, abused for years, then sold on ebay still fully functional. No pings or squeaky stabilizers either. Wouldn't you think that the company that invented these switches would be able to make the highest quality board? How many businesses do you see buying these other brands?

The G80-3494LYCUS-2 is the king of reds. Period.
Title: Best MX Reds Keyboard? I can't Decide!
Post by: The_Ed on Sat, 19 May 2012, 14:24:57: I believe KL had 2 and modded them to clears(ergo?).
Title: Best MX Reds Keyboard? I can't Decide!
Post by: The_Ed on Sat, 19 May 2012, 14:29:52: Looks like they both like the 3494 (or at least KL).

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=50812&d=1337455717)

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=50813&d=1337456428)
Title: Best MX Reds Keyboard? I can't Decide!
Post by: The_Ed on Sat, 19 May 2012, 14:47:55: Here's the other thread then.

http://deskthority.net/photos-videos-f8/cherry-g80-3494-with-sixty-s-vintage-doubleshots-t61.html (http://deskthority.net/photos-videos-f8/cherry-g80-3494-with-sixty-s-vintage-doubleshots-t61.html)
Title: Best MX Reds Keyboard? I can't Decide!
Post by: The_Ed on Sat, 19 May 2012, 19:26:08: [ATTACH=CONFIG]50817[/ATTACH]
Title: Best MX Reds Keyboard? I can't Decide!
Post by: boost on Sat, 19 May 2012, 20:30:00: Best bang for the buck is cm :D
Title: Best MX Reds Keyboard? I can't Decide!
Post by: The_Ed on Sat, 19 May 2012, 20:38:11: You may get more bang for your buck with other brands, I'll concede that. But cherry is still the highest quality, and I will continue to buy them. I'd rather pay more to get a superior product.