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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: ViciousWhiskers on Thu, 08 August 2013, 19:19:16
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Hey guys, ViciousWhiskers here!
I'm new to the forums and also new to mechanical keyboards. I am planning on buying a mechanical keyboard for the first time, so I would like the input of the community on what I should choose...
Mainly, I am searching for a keyboard that:
- fits a budget of around $100 Canadian Dollars before 13% tax
- Good quality/Lasts for at least 2-3 years minimum
- Good for Rhythm Games (e.g. tapping keyboard to the beat), FPS games, RTS games (e.g. StarCraft/DoTA)
Putting more focus into rhythm games, I play osu! and Taiko on the computer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mkp8QKDsFIA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mkp8QKDsFIA)), I was looking for keyboards that give off a click and/or a bump that lets me know that I've pressed this key so it's easier to keep my rhythm. As such, I've searched around the internet and found that blue keys provide a tactile feel and are loud enough for me to hear, so I thought those would be a good choice for me.
I have also found that there is a sale going on for the CM Storm Quickfire Ultimate at $60 CDN after $20 mail in rebate ($80 before mir) http://ncix.ca/products/?sku=87589&vpn=SGK-4011-GKCL1-US&manufacture=COOLERMASTER&promoid=1300 (http://ncix.ca/products/?sku=87589&vpn=SGK-4011-GKCL1-US&manufacture=COOLERMASTER&promoid=1300). It appears that this keyboard fits well under my budget and carries Cherry MX blue switches along with backlighting, however, I've searched around the internet further and found that a number of people have had problems with the quickfire pro being that some keys stop working over a few months and some DoA, so I am not sure if buying this keyboard on sale would be a good choice if I wanted it to last (I know that the ultimate is just a fully backlit version of the pro). Due to the fact that the Quickfire Ultimate is on sale, would it be a good option to go get it? I have also looked at Ducky keyboards and despite being a bit over my budget, I am sure I can save a few more bucks to buy a ducky later in the future if it is really as good as it costs.
With that said, I would really appreciate it if the community could guide me through this with opinions and suggestions on what would be best for me (other keyboard suggestions are very welcome and appreciated!).
[Also, I don't know much about polling rates, so could anyone with knowledge in this area please explain to me what polling rates are for keyboards and how different polling rates might affect my gameplay in FPS games and Rhythm games?]
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No board is better or worse for playing video games. No switch was ever made to be optimized for gaming. It's all personal preference.
If you can go for a tenkeyless keyboard, go for a QFR.
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i play a decent amount of osu and I cans say that blues are the worst out of all for me because there is the deadspot in the middle between double taps. I have 45g reds for osu but I hate to type with them.
also you may want to try out as many switches out as you can before you make a decision.
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@CPTBadAss
Unfortunately, I would like to have the number pad on my keyboard, as I use it quite frequently. Would the Quickfire Ultimate be better or worse when compared to the Quickfire Rapid?
@gnubag, which one would you suggest for playing osu? I would like to test out as many switches as I can, but I don't really know a place where they have models on for demo use where I can actually touch the keys. My choice for blues came from youtube and google as I "thought" they would be good.
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I *assume* that all the CM products are the same level of quality. I've never typed on any thing besides a QFR though so I can't give you a proper opinion. Ask me again after the 17th of this month.
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@CPTBadAss
Unfortunately, I would like to have the number pad on my keyboard, as I use it quite frequently. Would the Quickfire Ultimate be better or worse when compared to the Quickfire Rapid?
@gnubag, which one would you suggest for playing osu? I would like to test out as many switches as I can, but I don't really know a place where they have models on for demo use where I can actually touch the keys. My choice for blues came from youtube and google as I "thought" they would be good.
if you want to try blues you can go to any best buy around you and try the razer blackwidow. others I don't know in canada.
with blues it is personal preference. i am just mentioning this because of the very strange dead spot between actuation and click/tactile bump when you not fully depress the switch. depends on how you play/want to play/like to play.
for osu ! I ! would get a QFR with reds or blacks.
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I also forgot to add, after searching over NCIX, I also found Ducky Zero Shines DK2108S with backlit carrying Cherry MX Red/Brown/Black Switches, all on sale for exactly $100 CDN before taxes.
Red:
http://ncix.ca/products/?sku=82587&promoid=1300
Black:
http://ncix.ca/products/?sku=82589&promoid=1300
Brown:
http://ncix.ca/products/?sku=82592&promoid=1300
Typically, when I play Taiko, I find that I bottom out on my rubber dome keyboard a lot, so would any of these be better? I will probably go to bestbuy tomorrow to see if I can try out the blue switches. Mainly, I want to be able to double-tap comfortably on my new keyboard.
EDIT: Do anyone of you guys know which type of switches feel close to a rubber dome keyboard in terms of required actuation force to press?
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Yeah, if you want / need a tenkey - get the Ducky. If you don't need it - get the QFR :)
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It seems after all that I might go for a Red or Brown switch. I tend to bottom out in games so a linear switch would be good for me, but seeing as how brown provides a tactile bump, I might choose either one of these two.
On another note, do you guys know what the difference between Ducky Shine 2/ Shine 3/ and Zero Shines are?
They all seem so similar but I'm quite confused as to which offers what and whether if one is more worth getting than another :-X.
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Thanks for the help guys, I went to NCIX today and they had demo switches for me to try out. In the end I bought the Ducky Brown switches as brown switches felt the nicest to me.
Thanks again guys!
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ENJOY YOUR NEW KEYBOARD!
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Thanks for the help guys, I went to NCIX today and they had demo switches for me to try out. In the end I bought the Ducky Brown switches as brown switches felt the nicest to me.
Thanks again guys!
OMG.. mistake!!!
ERGODOX.. you've missed it.
don't worry salvation will come..
ROUND 4
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Thanks for the help guys, I went to NCIX today and they had demo switches for me to try out. In the end I bought the Ducky Brown switches as brown switches felt the nicest to me.
Thanks again guys!
OMG.. mistake!!!
ERGODOX.. you've missed it.
don't worry salvation will come..
ROUND 4
Did they ever say what the 'enhancements' they are planning will be for R4?
And congrats to the OP, I hope you like your ducky!
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ENJOY YOUR NEW KEYBOARD!
^