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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: BADBADNOTGOOD on Tue, 14 January 2014, 15:47:29

Title: Best keyboard for ~$50
Post by: BADBADNOTGOOD on Tue, 14 January 2014, 15:47:29
I know that there are not many mechanical keyboards in this price range but I just need something cheap with nkro for occasional gaming.


I am thinking about the Sidewinder x4 or Ducky 1087 with ducky green alps.


Thoughts/suggestions?
Title: Re: Best keyboard for ~$50
Post by: kmiller8 on Tue, 14 January 2014, 15:48:03
not sure if actually BBNG or just BBNG fan.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for ~$50
Post by: SpAmRaY on Tue, 14 January 2014, 15:48:14
QFR
Title: Re: Best keyboard for ~$50
Post by: CPTBadAss on Tue, 14 January 2014, 15:48:39
If you wait, you can get a QFR for $55-60. Definitely NOT the 1087XM. I think that is the lowest quality board I've ever owned.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for ~$50
Post by: Puddsy on Tue, 14 January 2014, 15:51:02
For your sanity, avoid that ducky. I own one, it's a piece of junk, honestly. You should only buy one for switch harvesting.

Used QFR is like $50, get one of those.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for ~$50
Post by: missalaire on Tue, 14 January 2014, 15:51:39
You'll most likely have to wait for a good deal to come up for a Cooler Master Quickfire Rapid or one of the Rosewill keyboards if you want to go for a brand new, mechanical.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for ~$50
Post by: Photekq on Tue, 14 January 2014, 15:51:51
an old cherry g80
Title: Re: Best keyboard for ~$50
Post by: BADBADNOTGOOD on Tue, 14 January 2014, 15:52:54
If you wait, you can get a QFR for $55-60. Definitely NOT the 1087XM. I think that is the lowest quality board I've ever owned.

How does it compare to the Noppoo and the KeyCool that are also in that price range?
Title: Re: Best keyboard for ~$50
Post by: CPTBadAss on Tue, 14 January 2014, 15:55:02
If you wait, you can get a QFR for $55-60. Definitely NOT the 1087XM. I think that is the lowest quality board I've ever owned.

How does it compare to the Noppoo and the KeyCool that are also in that price range?

Never owned or typed on either one so I have no idea.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for ~$50
Post by: johndavis33 on Tue, 14 January 2014, 16:20:29
Model M

Lucky find at goodwill

QFR or Rosewill sale

Something with alps on Ebay
Title: Re: Best keyboard for ~$50
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 14 January 2014, 17:10:38
If you wait, you can get a QFR for $55-60. Definitely NOT the 1087XM. I think that is the lowest quality board I've ever owned.

How does it compare to the Noppoo and the KeyCool that are also in that price range?

A KeyCool 87 is fine - there are a couple of reviews of them in the Reviews section.

PBT keycaps too, at least mine has.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for ~$50
Post by: fourzeropooh on Tue, 14 January 2014, 17:39:52
TT meka spanish edition was $27 shipped new a month ago. But it had spanish letters and the super WTF layout.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for ~$50
Post by: 1pq on Tue, 14 January 2014, 21:51:44
an old cherry g80

+lots. Old switches almost always feel better than new ones.

Also, it you like BS, you can pick up Model Ms pretty cheap these days--most of them go for about $60 but every once in a while they go for a bit less.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for ~$50
Post by: Pac Caps on Tue, 14 January 2014, 22:37:22
an old cherry g80

+lots. Old switches almost always feel better than new ones.

Also, it you like BS, you can pick up Model Ms pretty cheap these days--most of them go for about $60 but every once in a while they go for a bit less.
I saw an IBM 122 M for $35 Free Shipping on Ebay. Add on a $5 Pro Micro and you have a keyboard.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for ~$50
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 14 January 2014, 22:47:41
FWIW I was able to pick up 2 Model M keyboards for under $40.

Both needed cleaning, and combined I have only one set of keycaps, but both boards work fine.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for ~$50
Post by: gameaholic on Tue, 14 January 2014, 23:18:11
an old cherry g80

+lots. Old switches almost always feel better than new ones.

Also, it you like BS, you can pick up Model Ms pretty cheap these days--most of them go for about $60 but every once in a while they go for a bit less.
I saw an IBM 122 M for $35 Free Shipping on Ebay. Add on a $5 Pro Micro and you have a keyboard.


Pro micro?
Title: Re: Best keyboard for ~$50
Post by: Pac Caps on Tue, 14 January 2014, 23:28:14
an old cherry g80

+lots. Old switches almost always feel better than new ones.

Also, it you like BS, you can pick up Model Ms pretty cheap these days--most of them go for about $60 but every once in a while they go for a bit less.
I saw an IBM 122 M for $35 Free Shipping on Ebay. Add on a $5 Pro Micro and you have a keyboard.


Pro micro?

$5 Chinese Teensy knockoff that uses ardunio. Works with soarers.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for ~$50
Post by: Badwrench on Tue, 14 January 2014, 23:43:24
As stated before, the QFR for $50 to $60 is a great way to go.  If, however you want to buy new, this is not too bad of an option:  http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=114&cp_id=11401&cs_id=1140102&p_id=9433&seq=1&format=2 (http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=114&cp_id=11401&cs_id=1140102&p_id=9433&seq=1&format=2)  Monoprice mechanical with MX Blues for $58. 
Title: Re: Best keyboard for ~$50
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 14 January 2014, 23:47:54
for $50, you don't have a choice..

QFR....
Title: Re: Best keyboard for ~$50
Post by: BakerMan1971 on Wed, 15 January 2014, 09:06:11
I can vouch for the Keycool 87, the quality is excellent (I have the 87II with purple backlighting along with 1 gaming buddy who also raves about his board).  Another friend of mine has the Keycool 87 Rainbow board and is quite giddy about the whole thing.
I came from a sidewinder x4 which was great, but nothing compared to the keycool, if that helps with the decision.

Good luck, the advice on here is second to none.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for ~$50
Post by: AKIMbO on Wed, 15 January 2014, 09:37:09
CM QFR is a very solid, quality board that you cannot go wrong with. Rosewill is good too.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for ~$50
Post by: gameaholic on Wed, 15 January 2014, 09:42:23
an old cherry g80

+lots. Old switches almost always feel better than new ones.

Also, it you like BS, you can pick up Model Ms pretty cheap these days--most of them go for about $60 but every once in a while they go for a bit less.
I saw an IBM 122 M for $35 Free Shipping on Ebay. Add on a $5 Pro Micro and you have a keyboard.


Pro micro?

$5 Chinese Teensy knockoff that uses ardunio. Works with soarers.

link plz
Title: Re: Best keyboard for ~$50
Post by: vivalarevolución on Wed, 15 January 2014, 13:29:22
I would ay Model M, but you are looking for NKRO, so that is not an option.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for ~$50
Post by: JPG on Wed, 15 January 2014, 13:32:13
Best simple choice: get a cheap cherry keyboard


Other good choice but harder: Get a cheap model F, make a 10$ converter and you are set!


But the cheap cherry keyboard is probably the more convenient option.