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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: jazzkingrt on Mon, 06 January 2014, 04:38:58

Title: Speed Speed Speed (Yet another recommendation request)
Post by: jazzkingrt on Mon, 06 January 2014, 04:38:58
I've been playing a melee/shooter, Savage XR, which requires a lot of speed from the left hand on the wasd keys. (MarchRisker in this video http://youtu.be/H5Fo4uQQyeI (http://youtu.be/H5Fo4uQQyeI) demonstrates this aspect of the game). Additionally, I've moved the shooting hotkey from leftclick to spacebar (Osu! style of clicking with keyboard).

For years I've typed and gamed with an IBM Model M which has met my gaming requirements fine until now. The problem is two-fold: First, the spacebar is too clunky for firing within the few ms of time a target is in scope. Second, its wasd keys are slowing down my movements because I can't press sequences fast enough in succession.

I've tried out my laptop's scissor-switch keyboard with success, but it's keys have gotten sticky. Are all mechanical keyboards going to present the problem that my Model M did? If so, what wired, scissor-switch, (and ideally tenkeyless) keyboard would fit my requirements?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Speed Speed Speed (Yet another recommendation request)
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 06 January 2014, 08:09:14
if the goal is to press keys rapidly..  consider an arcade stick for the button section and use sanwa buttons.. they have low travel, and are specifically designed for the task you're trying to do.

Title: Re: Speed Speed Speed (Yet another recommendation request)
Post by: terran5992 on Mon, 06 January 2014, 08:17:16
The orbweaver is not bad of a way to go
Title: Re: Speed Speed Speed (Yet another recommendation request)
Post by: JPG on Mon, 06 January 2014, 08:27:26
Look for a board with cherry mx red if you want light switch. They are linear and you will be able to spam them. But going from a M you might feel they are "too light". The best is to try them. But as far as speed goes, I don't think you can get much faster. Also, even if cherry switches have travel, I think it's an advantage and if you ever want to reduce this travel you can still add some o-rings to reduce it.


As for keyboards choices, there's many options out there, but you can start by looking at the quickfire rapid, corsair k65, filco tkl, ducky tkl etc.
Title: Re: Speed Speed Speed (Yet another recommendation request)
Post by: polpo on Mon, 06 January 2014, 18:44:11
Is your issue is with the Model M only having 2KRO (2 key rollover)? Or is it the long key travel?
Title: Re: Speed Speed Speed (Yet another recommendation request)
Post by: Puddsy on Mon, 06 January 2014, 18:59:57
Fight stick and/or MX reds
Title: Re: Speed Speed Speed (Yet another recommendation request)
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 06 January 2014, 22:25:06
If you like scissor switches, a mechanical keyboard with MX red switches might suit you, as it would be similarly light although it is not "clicky" as such, and the MX switches have a 2mm actuation point (4mm total travel) which is considerably more than scissor switches, but probably close to BS.

Most mechanical keyboards you can swap the keycaps if they become "sticky", or just worn.
Title: Re: Speed Speed Speed (Yet another recommendation request)
Post by: Oobly on Tue, 07 January 2014, 05:58:20
+1 for MX reds, although I prefer browns, since I can then feel the actuation point, but if you get used to reds you can be even quicker.