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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Lodestar on Wed, 25 December 2013, 07:00:55
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Hi
I'm just looking for advice about mechanical keyboards. I was originally going to get a Corsair K70 but when I went on the linus tech tips forum every said ducky shine was better. So I looked around and decided I really liked the Year of the snake. An online retailer in Australia was selling them but just on the day I decided that I wanted to buy it, It was sold out. After doing a bit of research and deciding that having a custom keyboard would be pretty cool, I'd just like to ask a few questions regarding keyboards.
1. PS/2 vs USB, PS/2 has lower response time but is it worth it?
2. What mechanical keyboard would you recommend for a beginner? I'd like to be able to change the switch type and modify it by putting say an aluminium faceplate on it.
Btw I mainly game and code so I'm thinking of cherry MX brown switches.
Thanks
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Hi
I'm just looking for advice about mechanical keyboards. I was originally going to get a Corsair K70 but when I went on the linus tech tips forum every said ducky shine was better. So I looked around and decided I really liked the Year of the snake. An online retailer in Australia was selling them but just on the day I decided that I wanted to buy it, It was sold out. After doing a bit of research and deciding that having a custom keyboard would be pretty cool, I'd just like to ask a few questions regarding keyboards.
1. PS/2 vs USB, PS/2 has lower response time but is it worth it?
2. What mechanical keyboard would you recommend for a beginner? I'd like to be able to change the switch type and modify it by putting say an aluminium faceplate on it.
Btw I mainly game and code so I'm thinking of cherry MX brown switches.
Thanks
1. PS/2 if you have it. No reason not to use it if you have it.
2. Any MX keyboard can have its switches changed given enough time, though most have plates already installed. If you really want to install the plate yourself, then you could cut your own plate for a Cherry Board or a Poker X. Aside from that, I would recommend a QuickFire Rapid for a beginner. Many switch types, basic, and cheap (but not cheaply made). Very good keyboard for the price.
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Welcome to Geekhack!
1) PS/2 is worth it if certain conditions are met. I am not going to paste them out here but it has been thorougly discussed (and I don't want to start another huge debate on the said subject as well). http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=51821.msg1162570#msg1162570 (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=51821.msg1162570#msg1162570)
2) Most people here would recommend QFR for first mechanical keyboard. Though I am not sure on changing the switch type. I mean it is still doable with soldering station/setup/workspace/area/etc for instance.
Good luck with your quest on mechanical keyboards!
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1) PS2
2)Cherry mx Blue board
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Thank you for your reply however I can't find the Quickfire Rapid in Australia, It does seem like a very reliable keyboard. Do you have any other suggestions?
And thank you for the quick replies.
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Thank you for your reply however I can't find the Quickfire Rapid in Australia, It does seem like a very reliable keyboard. Do you have any other suggestions?
And thank you for the quick replies.
Example: http://www.staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=CoolerMaster%20QuickFire%20TK
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That is the Quickfire TK however. Is it alright? I read somewhere on these forums that the rapid is made in the same factory as DAS but the TK is made differently.
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That's why I wrote as "Example" ;D Quickfire Pro: http://www.staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=QUICKFIRE&spos=1 (of course there are TK mixed in it but staticice is like google search engine for local electronic (computer related usually) retailers (though this one is Australia only). One can go through the list and refine the searches more to states, etc.
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So the Pro or the TK?
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The Pro lacks numpad (basically a TKL from a photo that I saw). TK from what I saw last does not have arrow keys for instance but has numpad.
I guess according to this:
I don't know if I would buy a Ducky Zero. They are made in China, not Taiwan.
But there are better choices than the Steelseries. CM Quickfire XT, Ducky, Filco, maybe Leopold. You want something with a standard key caps layout.
You may as well get QFR XT:
http://www.mwave.com.au/product/cooler-master-cm-storm-quickfire-xt-cherry-mx-blue-keyboard-ab50908
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Okay Thank you very much for your help I will probably get this keyboard.
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Welcome to Geekhack!
QFS == QFR in Australia: http://www.mechkb.com/products/mechanical-keyboards/cooler-master/cooler-master-cm-storm-quickfire-stealth-mechanical-keyboard
There are also a few Ducky YotS still available, not sure you'd want to pay $350 + shipping though :eek:
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Quickfire Stealth vs Das Ultimate? (Both with brown switches) They both have PS/2 which gives better latency if I am correct? The Das has better stabilisers or something that makes it feel more like a mechanical keyboard.
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Quickfire Stealth vs Das Ultimate? (Both with brown switches) They both have PS/2 which gives better latency if I am correct? The Das has better stabilisers or something that makes it feel more like a mechanical keyboard.
How old are ya Lode
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Why?
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Why?
i have to adjust my recommendation based on your competence with electronics and objective-judgement.
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I'm 15 if you need that to help answer.
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I'm 15 if you need that to help answer.
Yea, go fur the quickfire Rapid.. best board for the price.. and mechkeyboard site is pretty solid. responsible sellers..
The only advantage to more expensive boards is generally - "bling" factor..
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Quickfire Stealth vs Das Ultimate? (Both with brown switches) They both have PS/2 which gives better latency if I am correct? The Das has better stabilisers or something that makes it feel more like a mechanical keyboard.
1) It boils down to taste, I think most people on the board here would recommend Quickfire (in general) for first mechanical keyboard. Das keyboard may look nice but that is more or less it. I read Das keyboard uses ABS (common as hell) plastic and am not exactly sure on Quickfire's keycap material.
2) PS/2 gives lower latency yes but that does not necessarily mean that it is superior completely to USB. If you have read through the link that I posted on PS/2 and USB you would have noticed there was a big talk about it. However one still needs to question at the end of the day is PS/2 really all that much worth it in their case. There are professional gamers with mechanical keyboards but are using USB. I am talking about Korean Starcraft players for instance. The funny irony is that I don't think they would be willing to contemplate on using dated PS/2 technology just for lower latency. USB protocol has much higher bandwidth than PS/2 (theoretically), provides more power than PS/2 and is more durable (in general) than PS/2.
I personally do not believe most average people would benefit that much by switching from USB to PS/2 apart from the few possible scenarios where PS/2 is definitely required. Otherwise the lag as mostly noted is only worth 1 milliseconds if speed is such an important issue.
3) Not sure on better stabilisers but I do know that within the Cherry MX realm the talk has always been on various stabilisers such as Cherry vs Costar. However the bottom is that most people still generally recommend Quickfire for beginner's board. That must also mean that when choosing Quickfire you may get better support coverage.
4) The "feel" of mechanical keyboard is often a disputed taste over switches/forms. There are up to as much as a dozen different switches floating around and there would be various people that would recommend X over Y. Ideally for any beginner is to start something that has been recommended by those who probably would have tried more than one mechanical keyboard. Unless you had a keyboard you wanted for a long time like I did and you have been firm on reasons for choosing a specific board - you are better off choosing a recommended one by others in general.
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I would like to add that if you can not find a qfr a filco is a little more and if available to you is another excellent choice. it is easily converted to a phantom and plates are made here from time to time for them.
custom programmable controllers also exist for them as well. also available for the qfr. personally IMHO filco build quality is better then the qfr but it might not be worth the added $$$ for you.
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Ok thank you very much for your help, I've decided on a CM storm quick fire stealth.
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I would like to add that if you can not find a qfr a filco is a little more and if available to you is another excellent choice. it is easily converted to a phantom and plates are made here from time to time for them.
custom programmable controllers also exist for them as well. also available for the qfr. personally IMHO filco build quality is better then the qfr but it might not be worth the added $$$ for you.
It's silly to buy a filco for the xpress purpose of conversion.. That is twice the work..
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I would like to add that if you can not find a qfr a filco is a little more and if available to you is another excellent choice. it is easily converted to a phantom and plates are made here from time to time for them.
custom programmable controllers also exist for them as well. also available for the qfr. personally IMHO filco build quality is better then the qfr but it might not be worth the added $$$ for you.
It's silly to buy a filco for the xpress purpose of conversion.. That is twice the work..
wtf are you talking about? the phantom was designed to replace the filco pcb... that is the purpose of the phantom.
edit: let me add more to this....
why buy something that you can not later customize if you wish? your a ergodox fanboy and you have a custom layout.
why shouldn't I suggest that this person buy a keyboard that they could later customize if they wished?
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I would like to add that if you can not find a qfr a filco is a little more and if available to you is another excellent choice. it is easily converted to a phantom and plates are made here from time to time for them.
custom programmable controllers also exist for them as well. also available for the qfr. personally IMHO filco build quality is better then the qfr but it might not be worth the added $$$ for you.
It's silly to buy a filco for the xpress purpose of conversion.. That is twice the work..
wtf are you talking about? the phantom was designed to replace the filco pcb... that is the purpose of the phantom.
edit: let me add more to this....
why buy something that you can not later customize if you wish? your a ergodox fanboy and you have a custom layout.
why shouldn't I suggest that this person buy a keyboard that they could later customize if they wished?
LOL.. egdx is not a keyboard.. it's a completely different way of life..
You don't have one, I wouldn't expect you to understand..
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Ok thank you very much for your help, I've decided on a CM storm quick fire stealth.
Just to mention that the QFS differs from the QFR in that the stealth has front-printed keycaps.
If you are used to reading the legends on the top of the keycaps, you might also consider either buying a QFR from overseas, or sourcing a replacement keycap set.
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I'm fine with that, I was actually thinking that it didn't have printed keycaps on it which was something that I really wanted but I don't care about that too much.
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If i were to recommend a keyboard for a beginner I would check out the Filco Majestouch series. They feature all flavors of Cherry switches and won't explode your wallet. It will give you a feel for cherry switches/mechanical keyboards in general ... and the quality is second to none.
I generally try to keep away from Corsair, Razor, etc. because i feel like they focus more on quantity over quality.
Also, take what Linus says with a grain of salt. He has a heavy bias (admitted or not) towards his sponsors. Amazon reviews are also helpful.
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If i were to recommend a keyboard for a beginner I would check out the Filco Majestouch series. They feature all flavors of Cherry switches and won't explode your wallet. It will give you a feel for cherry switches/mechanical keyboards in general ... and the quality is second to none.
I generally try to keep away from Corsair, Razor, etc. because i feel like they focus more on quantity over quality.
Also, take what Linus says with a grain of salt. He has a heavy bias (admitted or not) towards his sponsors. Amazon reviews are also helpful.
I already recommended the Filco Majestouch tenkeyless...
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If i were to recommend a keyboard for a beginner I would check out the Filco Majestouch series. They feature all flavors of Cherry switches and won't explode your wallet. It will give you a feel for cherry switches/mechanical keyboards in general ... and the quality is second to none.
I generally try to keep away from Corsair, Razor, etc. because i feel like they focus more on quantity over quality.
Also, take what Linus says with a grain of salt. He has a heavy bias (admitted or not) towards his sponsors. Amazon reviews are also helpful.
Welcome to Geekhack!
Generally Filco are more expensive than a lot of the alternatives mentioned here.
If you do happen to know somewhere to get Filco for a reasonable price - please share! :)