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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Mkilbride on Mon, 09 December 2013, 02:48:57
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So, my Cherry MX Red Rosewill - which was a joy to type on, died, when the mini USB Connector, for weeks was shaky connecting, then one day it stopped entirely, I opened it up and found the Mini-USB thing had come lose - Solder came off. Google shows this a common problem, still not fixed as of now, based off the latest reviews - I got it on a crazy sale for like 70$ when I bought mine over a year ago, and there's a reason I guess. I thought Neweggs own brand would be great, but it wasn't. I attempted to solder and fix the problem myself, but I couldn't manage it, and my Uncle who is a Technical Engineer and does soldering work for the Government said he couldn't help because he didn't have the proper tools(He said the contact pads were lose and he needed a much tinier tip, as well as a precision microscope, basically it was a wash, to much effort / annoyance)
So I waited til Black Friday / Cyber Monday, hoping for a sale on a new Cherry MX Keyboard from perhaps a better brand such as Ducky, Filco, Cooler Master, or perhaps even Corsair. Corsair did infact have a sale which I am kicking myself for not getting (K60 for 50$ + 5$ shipping, good deal, I know not totally rubber dome, but the main part was Mechanical and hard to beat that price.)
I waited and used Check4Change, constantly seeing if Cooler Masters Quickfire XT would go on sale, on several websites - it never did. Disappointing, as it's what I really wanted. Ducky & Filco never really go on sale, so wasn't worth waiting for that.
Now all those sales have passed and nothing I really wanted went on sale. I want Cherry MX Red - but well, they appear to NEVER go on god damned sale. There is a deal for for a Cooler Master Quickfire Pro(Full Size), Cherry MX Brown, for 70$. It comes with a junky mouse:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/cm-storm-quickfire-pro-mechanical-gaming-keyboard-and-xornet-optical-gaming-mouse/1501435.p?id=1219052966007&skuId=1501435&st=Cooler%20Master%20Quickfire&cp=1&lp=4
I don't care for the mouse, I already have a G9x. But still, it is a really good deal - and I do NOT want a TKL, only full size. Now, I've read Browns are comparable to reds, except with a tactile feeling, I don't know how to feel about that, though in my 1+ year of using reds, I did make alot of Typos and I did bottom out every single key press. I never adjusted to typing lightly...so yeah.
It's 70$. That's a really good deal on Full Size. I maybe could even re-sell the mouse. for 10-15$ on Ebay. Who knows? I don't want to break 100$.
My original choice, which never went on sale for anything less than 90$
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DKXXAIS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER = Still tempted to order, but I wish it could just be on sale for less with no MIR bull****.
Also interests me, because well, same Keyboard, just backlit: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EJ8CKIY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=11239QVL62VKT&coliid=IVQBLSC236B5I
I'd probably buy that if it went on sale for less than 100$, even 99$ I might grab right away.
http://www.tankguys.com/mechnical-keyboards/cherry-mx-red-switches/ducky-keyboard-mx-overclock-net-edition-red-abs-69.html
Interests me, because well, who hasn't heard of Ducky? But the price is still really up there. There was several QPAD QK-80 variants on sale for under 80$ on Black Friday, but people told me to stay away. I've also been searching ebay for deals and found this, but I have NO idea what color Cherry it is, as the ID it gives doesn't show anything on Google:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/310769329576?ssPageName=STRK:MEBOFFX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1427.l2649
Ducky, at a good price, but I don't know the switch. DK9008G2-R ABS is the "Model Number", but google doesn't say much, the "R" makes me think Red, but I dunno...it'd be a fair price for a good Ducky, but I feel like I'd be SOL of anything went wrong.
On a side note, why isn't PS/2 or PS2 allowed as an answer for the Verification question? First thing that came to my mind.
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Yeah I went from Rosewill to HHKB. Rosewill are meh. Coolermaster and Ducky Ive heard good things. Never had either though. But I did have a Rosewill 9000 which I was scared about the USB so I sold it. There is a Coolermaster Rep here maybe you can get a deal. Check the vendor forum! http://geekhack.org/index.php?board=135.0 (http://geekhack.org/index.php?board=135.0) Good luck!
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HHKB also have a mini USB connector. It may fall off too, you know...
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I went from a Rosewill to a Ducky 2108. Noticeable improvement in quality.
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I went from a Rosewill to a Ducky 2108. Noticeable improvement in quality.
Can't stand the enter bar.
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You say you don't want to break $100, and what you want is the CM Storm QuickFire XT with Reds...
http://www.cmstore-usa.com/cm-storm-quickfire-xt-full-size-mechanical-gaming-keyboard/
With Reds, it's $99.99, direct from CM. You will have to pay for shipping, but are you going to let ~$10-$15 keep you from getting the keyboard you want? I'm assuming you're in the US.
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I can't believe Rosewill hasn't gone back to a hardwired cable (as in the original Rosewill) or a fullsize/micro USB connector.
How can they be making any money with all these RMA's?
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You say you don't want to break $100, and what you want is the CM Storm QuickFire XT with Reds...
http://www.cmstore-usa.com/cm-storm-quickfire-xt-full-size-mechanical-gaming-keyboard/
With Reds, it's $99.99, direct from CM. You will have to pay for shipping, but are you going to let ~$10-$15 keep you from getting the keyboard you want? I'm assuming you're in the US.
It's actually available for 89.99$ on Amazon with free shipping - but I was hoping for a better sale, down to like 80$ or less.
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You say you don't want to break $100, and what you want is the CM Storm QuickFire XT with Reds...
http://www.cmstore-usa.com/cm-storm-quickfire-xt-full-size-mechanical-gaming-keyboard/
With Reds, it's $99.99, direct from CM. You will have to pay for shipping, but are you going to let ~$10-$15 keep you from getting the keyboard you want? I'm assuming you're in the US.
It's actually available for 89.99$ on Amazon with free shipping - but I was hoping for a better sale, down to like 80$ or less.
At this point though you're trading time for money. Perhaps its worth it for you, but were my keyboard broken, I'd much rather pay $10 extra over waiting an undefined amount of time.
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I undertand that, and as much of a heretic as I will sound, my Membrane, a Compaq OEM from 2001, actually feels nice to type on at times, but I just do miss the straight feeling of MX Reds. Everything felt more responsive.
Still, just waiting for a deal to save money...a MK is a priority, but not a "I WILL PAY ANY PRICE" level priority.
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I undertand that, and as much of a heretic as I will sound, my Membrane, a Compaq OEM from 2001, actually feels nice to type on at times, but I just do miss the straight feeling of MX Reds. Everything felt more responsive.
Still, just waiting for a deal to save money...a MK is a priority, but not a "I WILL PAY ANY PRICE" level priority.
What is the model # on that Compaq of yours?
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HHKB also have a mini USB connector. It may fall off too, you know...
Lol yeah im talking about rosewills quality of the connector
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I undertand that, and as much of a heretic as I will sound, my Membrane, a Compaq OEM from 2001, actually feels nice to type on at times, but I just do miss the straight feeling of MX Reds. Everything felt more responsive.
Still, just waiting for a deal to save money...a MK is a priority, but not a "I WILL PAY ANY PRICE" level priority.
What is the model # on that Compaq of yours?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Compaq-Keyboard-Model-SDM4700P-Good-Condition-/260646233875?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cafb9e713
This is exactly it. I dunno ,I used it since 2001 to 2008, where I bought a box of 5 more of them for like 25$ somewhere. Then I gave one out to a friend, ****ed one up, and using this one. I like them overall - for membrane. It's usable, for sure.
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I undertand that, and as much of a heretic as I will sound, my Membrane, a Compaq OEM from 2001, actually feels nice to type on at times, but I just do miss the straight feeling of MX Reds. Everything felt more responsive.
Still, just waiting for a deal to save money...a MK is a priority, but not a "I WILL PAY ANY PRICE" level priority.
What is the model # on that Compaq of yours?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Compaq-Keyboard-Model-SDM4700P-Good-Condition-/260646233875?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cafb9e713
This is exactly it. I dunno ,I used it since 2001 to 2008, where I bought a box of 5 more of them for like 25$ somewhere. Then I gave one out to a friend, ****ed one up, and using this one. I like them overall - for membrane. It's usable, for sure.
Nice looking board! It seems like there are also rebranded versions for HP on ebay with this model #.
I have a Compaq SK2860 that should be arriving today that I purchased based on someones strong opinion on Deskthority.
The issue is a lot of people have used crappy rubber domes and automatically assume all rubber domes are not good. But there are some gems out there.
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Yeah, I actually really like it, but after using MX Cherry red, it doesn't feel as smooth I guess.
BUT THAT PROBLEM IS SOLVED!
Newegg had it on sale for 85$.
HOWEVER 2$ shipping - so only 3$ cheaper than Amazon, but Amazon is OOS. But I have a Master Card...and there is a 10% off Promo code, knocking it off 8.50$
Bringing the total to around 78$ For
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823129020&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Keyboards-_-Cooler+Master-_-23129020
78$ for the one I wanted - now that is a great deal. Gah so happy, it also has a Iron Egg thing, saying that if someone offers it cheaper - discount included, they'll refund me the difference within 30 days, so I feel pretty damn happy having waited for an additional 11-12$ off almost!
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Glad you found what you wanted, let us know how you like it....or if you don't!