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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: zorro59 on Wed, 11 December 2013, 17:57:46

Title: First mechanical keyboard
Post by: zorro59 on Wed, 11 December 2013, 17:57:46
Hello
So, as the title sais, i am going to buy a new mechanical keyboard. I am mostly programming, but I also have some gaming hours.
I researched a little (ok, alot) about Mx switches and keyboards and managed to get this short list:
CM Storm Trigger (mostly blue avaiable in my country)
razer blackwidow 2013 ultimate stealth
razer blackwidow 2013  ultimate (i tought i like the stealth one more, for beying silent, altough it's not a problem as i use headphones, but after watching a video comparison, the steath one feels cheaper).
qpad-mk80 / 85 (mostly red)
corsair k70
Now, for the special features:
I need something that can be used for typing/gaming(and built like a tank) with individual backlight and macros.
I tend to like green/red lights, but will go for blue if the keyboard itself is better.
Also, do you recommend brown over blue for my case? (I was unable to find the keyboards in any showroom, so I am blind on this).
Title: Re: First mechanical keyboard
Post by: Linkbane on Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:27:51
If you like something for a lot of typing, I think you'll like Blues most. I can game on them, given perhaps not as well as on Reds, just fine. No worse than a rubber dome, at least.
Something with backlight and macros are rather hard to find. It's not difficult to find one, but having both is difficult. You might end up just settling on one (based on your list).
The only board that I can name that has both is the Logitech G710+. Six macro keys on the left side, full white backlighting, and brown switches with included, installed black o-rings (they feel quite nice to me; I'm used to Blues, but Browns are apparently better for gaming, by being easier to double-tap).

However, you might not like it that much as, again, it's different from your light specifications. I'd suggest getting a Ducky Shine 3; it doesn't have specific macro keys, but it can have them assigned like any other, is very sturdy, has any type of switch and backlight configuration you'd like, and by far the coolest backlighting options I've ever seen.
Title: Re: First mechanical keyboard
Post by: Stevenator21 on Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:32:25
If you want backlighting go Ducky Shine 3.
If you really need Macros + Backlighting you might want to look into Corsair boards, specifically the K95.
Title: Re: First mechanical keyboard
Post by: zorro59 on Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:35:54
The g710 is a over my budget (aprox 100 pounds +- 10) with quite a large margin in my country(eastern europe) and I just hate the white light(I like shiny things, guilty).
I heard nobody managing to import a ducky around here, there is not enough demand :(
Btw CM Storm Trigger and razer both have macros and light...Are those just bad options?
Edit:
K95 seems to use red switches, but I mostly use the keyboard for typing...
Title: Re: First mechanical keyboard
Post by: Linkbane on Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:38:39
Quote from: zorro59 on Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:35:54
The g710 is a over my budget (aprox 100 pounds +- 10) with quite a large margin in my country(eastern europe) and I just hate the white light(I like shiny things, guilty).
I heard nobody managing to import a ducky around here, there is not enough demand :(
Btw CM Storm Trigger and razer both have macros and light...Are those just bad options?

Trigger/Razer have quality issues.
However, there should be a good retailer in Europe, you could get it from any of these sites listed on Ducky's page: http://www.duckychannel.com.tw/en/partners.html (http://www.duckychannel.com.tw/en/partners.html)
If you don't mind getting a Razer, though, there shouldn't be too much of an issue. It just will fall behind in terms of durability and customization.
Title: Re: First mechanical keyboard
Post by: C5Allroad on Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:55:18
Ducky shine 3 is nice option. (http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/th_092_.gif)
Blues are clicky.
Browns are the silent blues.
Then comes reds and blacks, reds are linear and very light while blacks are linear and heavier than the reds.
It's also built like a tank!
Title: Re: First mechanical keyboard
Post by: Linkbane on Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:12:00
Quote from: HUNTERANGEL121 on Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:55:18
Ducky shine 3 is nice option.
Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/th_092_.gif)

Blues are clicky.
Browns are the silent blues.
Then comes reds and blacks, reds are linear and very light while blacks are linear and heavier than the reds.
If you're interested in the shine 3 refer to this http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49108.0
It's also built like a tank!

Advertising your own review?
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/df13952b.gif)
Title: Re: First mechanical keyboard
Post by: C5Allroad on Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:18:26
Ok so now I know, that's a no no.... Lesson learned lol.
Title: Re: First mechanical keyboard
Post by: Linkbane on Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:19:46
Quote from: HUNTERANGEL121 on Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:18:26
Ok so now I know, that's a no no.... Lesson learned lol.

I mean, you could say that there's a review, I just think it'd be better that you specify that it's yours so you don't give off the impression of a third party.
Title: Re: First mechanical keyboard
Post by: C5Allroad on Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:23:13
Will do next time. Thanks for catching me on that.
Title: Re: First mechanical keyboard
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:28:47
Quote from: HUNTERANGEL121 on Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:23:13
Will do next time. Thanks for catching me on that.

oooooo....  Hunterangel got in trouble.....(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/071.gif)
Title: Re: First mechanical keyboard
Post by: C5Allroad on Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:30:57
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/4d6161fd.gif)
You laugh, but who got in trouble not too long ago?
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/073.gif)
Title: Re: First mechanical keyboard
Post by: Linkbane on Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:31:42
Quote from: HUNTERANGEL121 on Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:23:13
Will do next time. Thanks for catching me on that.

Let's be onion friends!
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/233cd70a.gif)
Quote from: tp4tissue on Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:28:47
Quote from: HUNTERANGEL121 on Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:23:13
Will do next time. Thanks for catching me on that.

oooooo....  Hunterangel got in trouble.....
Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/071.gif)


The great one is here!
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/8c460310.gif)
Title: Re: First mechanical keyboard
Post by: C5Allroad on Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:34:21
It's thanks to tp... Onion head will prevail....
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/047.gif)
Title: Re: First mechanical keyboard
Post by: Linkbane on Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:35:41
Quote from: HUNTERANGEL121 on Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:30:57
Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/4d6161fd.gif)

You laugh, but who got in trouble not too long ago?
Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/073.gif)


(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/3070242c.gif)

We don't speak of that.

Quote from: HUNTERANGEL121 on Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:34:21
It's thanks to tp... Onion head will prevail....
Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/047.gif)


We are the onion head master race.
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/70bff581.gif)
Title: Re: First mechanical keyboard
Post by: C5Allroad on Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:38:10
Quote from: Linkbane on Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:35:41
Quote from: HUNTERANGEL121 on Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:30:57
Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/4d6161fd.gif)

You laugh, but who got in trouble not too long ago?
Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/073.gif)


Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/3070242c.gif)


We don't speak of that.

Quote from: HUNTERANGEL121 on Wed, 11 December 2013, 19:34:21
It's thanks to tp... Onion head will prevail....
Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/047.gif)


We are the onion head master race.
Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/70bff581.gif)

(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/8f337f1c.gif)
It's going to be fun.
[Edit] I messed up pretty badly while typing this... Too tired.
Title: Re: First mechanical keyboard
Post by: kolonelkadat on Wed, 11 December 2013, 20:12:33
Quote from: zorro59 on Wed, 11 December 2013, 18:35:54
K95 seems to use red switches, but I mostly use the keyboard for typing...

I'm a software developer. I would rather use rubber domes than mx blue or green. I quite like the reds though.

This idea that in order to type you need a great big bump and a loud click to let you know the key has been pressed is nonsense. The characters appearing on the screen should be more than enough.
Title: Re: First mechanical keyboard
Post by: zorro59 on Wed, 11 December 2013, 20:20:33
But what about brown? :D
Title: Re: First mechanical keyboard
Post by: C5Allroad on Wed, 11 December 2013, 20:46:19
Browns have the same springs as reds. But since they have the little bump the max amount of force you will need is 55g. They are tactile and 'quiet'. That is until you bottom out.
Title: Re: First mechanical keyboard
Post by: Linkbane on Wed, 11 December 2013, 21:07:41
Quote from: kolonelkadat on Wed, 11 December 2013, 20:12:33
This idea that in order to type you need a great big bump and a loud click to let you know the key has been pressed is nonsense. The characters appearing on the screen should be more than enough.

Visual lag slows vision to be impossibly slow compared to tactile feedback.
Title: Re: First mechanical keyboard
Post by: C5Allroad on Wed, 11 December 2013, 21:32:12
It really does help me. Made a lot of errors with reds but I miss them dearly.
Title: Re: First mechanical keyboard
Post by: C5Allroad on Thu, 12 December 2013, 10:28:21
Another (cheaper) alternative is Rosewill… I don't know how their quality is though.
Title: Re: First mechanical keyboard
Post by: Linkbane on Thu, 12 December 2013, 10:29:58
Quote from: HUNTERANGEL121 on Thu, 12 December 2013, 10:28:21
Another (cheaper) alternative is Rosewill… I don't know how their quality is though.

I've heard it's quite good. Full-size, not really to my preference, but it's plate mounted and there haven't been many complaints to my knowledge.
Title: Re: First mechanical keyboard
Post by: C5Allroad on Thu, 12 December 2013, 10:57:01
Looks like a steelseries.