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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: uJalled on Sat, 13 October 2012, 16:43:18

Title: Need help deciding on a board?
Post by: uJalled on Sat, 13 October 2012, 16:43:18: I've been looking around the internet for a few months now, and I think I've narrowed it down to either the Cherry mx blues or browns. Not sure what brand to go for either. Preferably a keyboard with a solid build and good reputation. It would be nice to keep the budget under 100 USD as well.

So far the brands I've looked at are:
-Leopold
-Filco
-CM
-Topre(way off my budget)
-Rosewill

Any ideas/opinions?
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a board?
Post by: precarious on Sat, 13 October 2012, 16:52:16: I started out with a Filco Majestouch 2 with MX Browns and never regretted a single second of it. Of course, I love thick Cherry doubleshots on it more than the stock caps, but they're still leaps and bounds beyond any non-mechanical boards keycaps (the stock Filco ones).

If I were to suggest any keyboard to anyone on the spot, it would be that one. I was in your same position and someone did the same for me, I went for it, and everything has worked perfectly. Filcos cost a bit more, of course, but I definitely love the solid build quality. You might be able to get a good deal on a "used" one, too, if you're not in a hurry to purchase.

I also managed to get my employer to purchase 30 or so WASD boards with browns and everyone seems to like them, too. I don't like the case as much though since it feels/sounds more hollow than the Filco, as it's not right up against the metal plate/innards.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a board?
Post by: PointyFox on Sat, 13 October 2012, 16:56:35: Solid build + good reputation + under $100 = Cooler Master Storm Quickfire Rapid.
They sell new for around $55.

It is made by the same company that makes Filco keyboards.

I personally prefer blue to brown. If you don't mind clicking when you press the keys down go with blue. The actuation point on brown is not as distinct and you won't feel it if typing fast, since it is made to be a silent version of blue.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a board?
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Sat, 13 October 2012, 17:07:09: If you want an 87 key, go for the CM Rapid. If you want a full 104, Rosewill (but make sure to buy when it's on sale).
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a board?
Post by: sherryton on Sat, 13 October 2012, 17:25:19: I have a Filco. It's nice, but it seems like it is overrated now a days. Go for the CM or Rosewill, and treat yourself to a nice set of Cherry two-shot keycaps :)

The combo of any Costar keyboard with a plate mount + Cherry two-shot keycaps > any high end mechanical keyboard
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a board?
Post by: precarious on Sat, 13 October 2012, 17:37:01: I had a Rosewill with blues for a few minutes once upon a time, this is what I said about it in another post:

"personally i bought an mx blue a while ago and immediately returned it, no real reason to get one of these: if you can afford one, just save a little more for a filco or something. keycaps are hideous too, and they felt more wobbly than my filcos. that USB port seems to be a common point of failure too and mine was exceptionally loose out of the box"

of course a lot of that could be subjective, and a Rosewill is way beyond any rubber dome board if you do have a more strict budget. especially if you throw cherry caps on it later like sherryton said

i didn't like blues because they'd click before they key would actuate, but i'm going to give them another chance at some point down the road to see if i can get used to them in a different board.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a board?
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 13 October 2012, 19:27:28: Welcome to Geekhack!

I had a Filco on order until recently, when the supplier advised that that model was no longer available.

Since then I have talked myself (with valuable input from Geekhack) into a CM QFR (and later a set of custom key caps from WASD to duplicate the look of the original Filco).

So based on what I have recently learned, go CM (although is you are in US, you have more options than us in Australia).
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a board?
Post by: uJalled on Sat, 13 October 2012, 19:35:02: Quote from: rowdy on Sat, 13 October 2012, 19:27:28
Welcome to Geekhack!

I had a Filco on order until recently, when the supplier advised that that model was no longer available.

Since then I have talked myself (with valuable input from Geekhack) into a CM QFR (and later a set of custom key caps from WASD to duplicate the look of the original Filco).

So based on what I have recently learned, go CM (although is you are in US, you have more options than us in Australia).

So I'm actually pretty fond of the Otaku look. You could call me a minimalist :3. Does it work if I buy a CM and then switch the keycaps to blank ones? Not a big fan of keycaps the CM seems to come with
Title: Re: Re: Need help deciding on a board?
Post by: tcv on Sat, 13 October 2012, 19:36:46: Quote from: uJalled on Sat, 13 October 2012, 16:43:18
I've been looking around the internet for a few months now, and I think I've narrowed it down to either the Cherry mx blues or browns. Not sure what brand to go for either. Preferably a keyboard with a solid build and good reputation. It would be nice to keep the budget under 100 USD as well.

So far the brands I've looked at are:
-Leopold
-Filco
-CM
-Topre(way off my budget)
-Rosewill

Any ideas/opinions?

Filco, browns
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a board?
Post by: newtrekemotion on Sat, 13 October 2012, 20:56:05: Quote from: uJalled on Sat, 13 October 2012, 19:35:02
Quote from: rowdy on Sat, 13 October 2012, 19:27:28
Welcome to Geekhack!

I had a Filco on order until recently, when the supplier advised that that model was no longer available.

Since then I have talked myself (with valuable input from Geekhack) into a CM QFR (and later a set of custom key caps from WASD to duplicate the look of the original Filco).

So based on what I have recently learned, go CM (although is you are in US, you have more options than us in Australia).

So I'm actually pretty fond of the Otaku look. You could call me a minimalist :3. Does it work if I buy a CM and then switch the keycaps to blank ones? Not a big fan of keycaps the CM seems to come with

This! Especially in the budget. I'd still like some blank PBT caps for my Leopold. I use a Leopold and the Filco (pink case) that I got for my girl doesn't seem any higher quality. But that is money/time for later. You could always try to go this route as well if you want/need to keep costs at an absolute minimum (relative to having "just" a keyboard with which to type).
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a board?
Post by: m00nshake on Sat, 13 October 2012, 22:08:54: If this is your first board I'd go for the Filco with browns if you can afford it, cm qfr if you can't. By the way the only Filco with browns in stock at Amazon, assuming you live in the US, is the camo.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a board?
Post by: uJalled on Sun, 14 October 2012, 08:18:35: What do you think of the Ducky DK1087? Its built by a reputable manufacturer and its in a good price range.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a board?
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Sun, 14 October 2012, 10:37:55: 1087 was early model and is not as good as current 9087. Some non backlight (well the wasd is still backlight, but not the full board) 9087 G2 Pro like this one are finally starting to trickle onto the market for sale.
(http://www.aria.co.uk/dynres/Z2FsbGVyeV9pbWFnZS53aWR0aD01MDA=/bWFpbmltYWdlcy9wcm9kdWN0X2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC9nMndoaXRlZHVja3ktNTAwLTMuanBn.jpg)
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a board?
Post by: uJalled on Sun, 14 October 2012, 11:29:57: Btw, does the KeyboardCo ship to the US? I heard it's really expensive to import from the UK
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a board?
Post by: nullstring on Sun, 14 October 2012, 11:32:01: I would recommend getting a rosewill keyboard for ~$64 from newegg when they go on sale.
Same manufacture as Filco.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a board?
Post by: hakujin on Sun, 14 October 2012, 20:07:00: Rosewill or CM Storm Quickfire Rapid. Costar manufactured (like Filco).
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a board?
Post by: furosuto81 on Sun, 14 October 2012, 23:44:11: Quote from: uJalled on Sun, 14 October 2012, 08:18:35
What do you think of the Ducky DK1087? Its built by a reputable manufacturer and its in a good price range.

The 10XX models are not as good as the 90XX models. Cheaper build quality overall. If you're going to get a Ducky, stick with the 90XX models.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a board?
Post by: TheQsanity on Mon, 15 October 2012, 02:16:42: Quote from: PointyFox on Sat, 13 October 2012, 16:56:35
Solid build + good reputation + under $100 = Cooler Master Storm Quickfire Rapid.
They sell new for around $55.

It is made by the same company that makes Filco keyboards.

I personally prefer blue to brown. If you don't mind clicking when you press the keys down go with blue. The actuation point on brown is not as distinct and you won't feel it if typing fast, since it is made to be a silent version of blue.

I paid 60 for mine! Now I feel ripped off!

Great board I would recommend it.

I enjoy the click on my blues but type much slower on them than my browns.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a board?
Post by: maui on Mon, 15 October 2012, 13:05:54: Quote from: uJalled on Sun, 14 October 2012, 08:18:35
What do you think of the Ducky DK1087? Its built by a reputable manufacturer and its in a good price range.

I love my DK1087 (black switches), I got it a couple of months now. I don't have any mechanical keyboards to compare it with, but the 'quality control issues' seem to be a thing of the past.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a board?
Post by: TheQsanity on Mon, 15 October 2012, 15:19:01: Quote from: lysol on Sun, 14 October 2012, 10:37:55
1087 was early model and is not as good as current 9087. Some non backlight (well the wasd is still backlight, but not the full board) 9087 G2 Pro like this one are finally starting to trickle onto the market for sale.
Show Image
(http://www.aria.co.uk/dynres/Z2FsbGVyeV9pbWFnZS53aWR0aD01MDA=/bWFpbmltYWdlcy9wcm9kdWN0X2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC9nMndoaXRlZHVja3ktNTAwLTMuanBn.jpg)

Damn, Ducky has some nice looking boards. How much is this one like $120 Shipped?
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a board?
Post by: trentva on Tue, 06 November 2012, 08:46:48: topre