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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: harrywang888 on Thu, 16 January 2014, 03:45:38

Title: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: harrywang888 on Thu, 16 January 2014, 03:45:38
Hi, my mechanical keyboard recently broke and ran out of warranty so I decided to use my sisters logitech  membrane keyboard.  I don't know why but it actually felt kind of good typing and gaming on it.  I was using reds before which I felt were the best switches for me.  Now that I'm back to using this regular keyboard after about 2 years, I am wondering if mechanical keyboards are THAT much more worth it then normal keyboards (I have tried blue, black, and red switches.  I hated all of them except for red)

So now I want to buy myself a good CHEAP keyboard to use while I figure out if I want to spend the extra money on another mechanical.

Do you guys have any recommendations? 

I have tried my friends g15 and QSENN before and I actually LOVE the feel of the q15, especially the qsenn dt-35.  It didn't feel mushy at all and I loved it, however the qsenn is to expensive and I rather not wait on the shipping.  The g15 was pretty good as well but it's a little to big and I don't need macro keys at all. 

I have tried the sidewinder X4 and I HATED THEM.  They are to mushy and has high actuation force.  they keys were also very small and compact.  I see a lot of people recommending this. 

Do you guys have any other suggestions?  I heard about the dell quietkey but again they are a little bit to expensive when it includes shipping. 

Thanks!!



Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: tbc on Thu, 16 January 2014, 03:52:40
i think dt-35 is the highest rated gaming membrane board.

the cheap recommendation is always the cm qf rapid or the qf tk.

mechs are going to be one of those things that you only appreciate when you don't have it.

although, you pocked reds, which are relatively similiar to membranes.

i have to say, i've personally never considered switch feel to be the most important thing about mechs; the layout options are FAR superior to anythung in dell kb land.
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: harrywang888 on Thu, 16 January 2014, 04:02:52
That was exactly my keyboard that broke, the CM QF RAPID =(.

I tried blues and blacks before for relatively good amount of time and I hated them BOTH.  Reds fit me perfectly.  I still think mechanical keyboards are slightly better then membrane, however I don't know if I want to spend a lot of extra money to get anther one when membranes are totally fine for me.

I would definitely grab the dt-35 but it's to expensive and I don't think its worth the price considering its only 5-10$ in korea.  Anyone know if there is any cheap alternatives that is similar?
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: yasuo on Thu, 16 January 2014, 05:46:06
logitech,keytronic,i rocks?
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: Oobly on Thu, 16 January 2014, 07:56:50
Browns?
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: JimByr on Thu, 16 January 2014, 13:12:15
How about $17.99 for a NIB Dell Quietkey with free CONUS shipping? I've bought two from this vendor for my daughter. And they have been the good "made in Thailand" variant.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Dell-White-Quiet-Key-Quietkey-Keyboard-0463CD-463CD-RT7D5JTW-/370892972574?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item565af1a21e
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: ike2030 on Thu, 16 January 2014, 14:38:19
get the logitech k120 for only $12 online or at Wal-Mart.
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: mljs54 on Thu, 16 January 2014, 14:47:52
I don't mind the Dell L100 to be honest.  It's the standard corporate desktop package keyboard you find in most offices.  Using it ATM while I try to find a mech solution after trading my work Realforce 87UB for a HHKB.

I think they're ~$10-15 shipped on eBay.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Dell_L100_keyboard.JPG)
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: digi on Mon, 20 January 2014, 13:45:00
Quote from: JimByr on Thu, 16 January 2014, 13:12:15
How about $17.99 for a NIB Dell Quietkey with free CONUS shipping? I've bought two from this vendor for my daughter. And they have been the good "made in Thailand" variant.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Dell-White-Quiet-Key-Quietkey-Keyboard-0463CD-463CD-RT7D5JTW-/370892972574?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item565af1a21e

These are good, I linked that auction a while back and bought a couple from the same seller. They're good cheap membrane board with sliders if you want to switch it up from a mech every now and then.
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: dante on Mon, 20 January 2014, 15:00:51
see my sig for what Imma rockin out wit
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: laffindude on Mon, 20 January 2014, 21:20:40
Quote from: tbc on Thu, 16 January 2014, 03:52:40
i think dt-35 is the highest rated gaming membrane board.
DT35 is horrific even among membrane boards. People only used it because it was cheap, not because it is any good.
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: noisyturtle on Mon, 20 January 2014, 21:31:55
Quote from: mljs54 on Thu, 16 January 2014, 14:47:52
I don't mind the Dell L100 to be honest.  It's the standard corporate desktop package keyboard you find in most offices.  Using it ATM while I try to find a mech solution after trading my work Realforce 87UB for a HHKB.

I think they're ~$10-15 shipped on eBay.

Show Image
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Dell_L100_keyboard.JPG)


That Dell board is flimsy as crap. I can feel the entire body flex whenever I use them at school, and their keys get very mushy very fast. Some of the Compaq boards from the 90s were passable, but I remember the Gateway Anykey being particurally decent as a kid. I used to abuse the hell out of my families Anykey and it kept on ticking like the day we got it.

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: Ghetto Caps on Mon, 20 January 2014, 21:34:12
stables makes this full size keyboard with a really crisp dome.
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Mon, 20 January 2014, 21:35:12
Quote from: Ghetto Caps on Mon, 20 January 2014, 21:34:12
stables makes this full size keyboard with a really crisp dome.


stables?
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: Ghetto Caps on Mon, 20 January 2014, 21:43:11
Quote from: SpAmRaY on Mon, 20 January 2014, 21:35:12
Quote from: Ghetto Caps on Mon, 20 January 2014, 21:34:12
stables makes this full size keyboard with a really crisp dome.


stables?
staples*
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Mon, 20 January 2014, 21:50:33
Quote from: Ghetto Caps on Mon, 20 January 2014, 21:43:11
Quote from: SpAmRaY on Mon, 20 January 2014, 21:35:12
Quote from: Ghetto Caps on Mon, 20 January 2014, 21:34:12
stables makes this full size keyboard with a really crisp dome.


stables?
staples*

Staples make their own keyboard.... interesting. Haven't been to one of there stores in a long time.
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: DamienG on Mon, 20 January 2014, 21:58:05
What do you mean exactly by "broke"?

Should be repairable - keyboards are pretty simple electronics.

[)amien
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: nubbinator on Tue, 21 January 2014, 01:04:08
Quote from: laffindude on Mon, 20 January 2014, 21:20:40
Quote from: tbc on Thu, 16 January 2014, 03:52:40
i think dt-35 is the highest rated gaming membrane board.
DT35 is horrific even among membrane boards. People only used it because it was cheap, not because it is any good.

Exactly this. It was cheap and ubiquitous.  Then you had all the white guys wanting to be as good as the Koreans at Starcraft watching them and seeing them all using the DT35.  So these people who sucked thought, "hey, they must be using that keyboard because it's good.  If I use it, I'll be good like them" only to discover that they still sucked.  Even so you still have all these people trying to be like the old Korean SC pros and buy them anyways, thinking it will magically make them a better player.

Out of all the rubber dome and membrane keyboards I've used, the Microsoft Sidewinder X4 is one of the few decent ones I've used.  Outside of that, it's a few old ones back when they were better built  and every brand was messing around with different styles of them, not the mass produced crap you have today.
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: digi on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:23:14
As I'm typing on my Dell Quietkey RT7D5JTW it actually reminds me of 45g Topre switches. I'll probably get some written lashings for this but don't hate until you try it! :D Poor Man Topres!!
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: Pacifist on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:24:19
Quote from: digi on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:23:14
As I'm typing on my Dell Quietkey RT7D5JTW it actually reminds me of 45g Topre switches. I'll probably get some written lashings for this but don't hate until you try it! :D Poor Man Topres!!

do you know where i can find it?
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: digi on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:25:15
Quote from: Pacifist on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:24:19
do you know where i can find it?

posted above also - http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Dell-White-Quiet-Key-Quietkey-Keyboard-0463CD-463CD-RT7D5JTW-/370892972574?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item565af1a21e
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: Pacifist on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:26:41
Quote from: digi on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:25:15
Quote from: Pacifist on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:24:19
do you know where i can find it?

posted above also - http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Dell-White-Quiet-Key-Quietkey-Keyboard-0463CD-463CD-RT7D5JTW-/370892972574?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item565af1a21e

$18. Tempting...very tempting
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: terrpn on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:26:58
Quote from: digi on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:23:14
As I'm typing on my Dell Quietkey RT7D5JTW it actually reminds me of 45g Topre switches. I'll probably get some written lashings for this but don't hate until you try it! :D Poor Man Topres!!

you won't from me..........

(tater pix)
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: nubbinator on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:34:40
Quote from: digi on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:23:14
As I'm typing on my Dell Quietkey RT7D5JTW it actually reminds me of 45g Topre switches. I'll probably get some written lashings for this but don't hate until you try it! :D Poor Man Topres!!

You probably will, but not from me.  I've tried a 45g Realforce and it just felt like a really good and smooth rubber dome like I've felt on some cheap older keyboards.
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: Pacifist on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:58:31
Quote from: nubbinator on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:34:40
Quote from: digi on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:23:14
As I'm typing on my Dell Quietkey RT7D5JTW it actually reminds me of 45g Topre switches. I'll probably get some written lashings for this but don't hate until you try it! :D Poor Man Topres!!

You probably will, but not from me.  I've tried a 45g Realforce and it just felt like a really good and smooth rubber dome like I've felt on some cheap older keyboards.

So would you think that the quietkey is a good tester for a topre board?
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: ComradeSniper on Tue, 21 January 2014, 19:10:35
Quote from: Pacifist on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:58:31
Quote from: nubbinator on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:34:40
Quote from: digi on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:23:14
As I'm typing on my Dell Quietkey RT7D5JTW it actually reminds me of 45g Topre switches. I'll probably get some written lashings for this but don't hate until you try it! :D Poor Man Topres!!

You probably will, but not from me.  I've tried a 45g Realforce and it just felt like a really good and smooth rubber dome like I've felt on some cheap older keyboards.

So would you think that the quietkey is a good tester for a topre board?

You really should just get a topre board. Everyone is going to tell you something different.
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: Elrick on Tue, 21 January 2014, 19:12:27
Quote from: nubbinator on Tue, 21 January 2014, 01:04:08
Out of all the rubber dome and membrane keyboards I've used, the Microsoft Sidewinder X4 is one of the few decent ones I've used.

Still have the Sidewinder X6 which is the ONLY "TKL" keyboard released by Microsoft.  Perfect still with full led control/dimming and volume knobs that made operating any of their Win-7's and Win-8's so simple and easy.

Pity they stopped making them because they were the BEST domes that were lighted and worked perfectly even after 6 years of rough use.
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: terrpn on Tue, 21 January 2014, 19:39:07
Quote from: ComradeSniper on Tue, 21 January 2014, 19:10:35
Quote from: Pacifist on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:58:31
Quote from: nubbinator on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:34:40
Quote from: digi on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:23:14
As I'm typing on my Dell Quietkey RT7D5JTW it actually reminds me of 45g Topre switches. I'll probably get some written lashings for this but don't hate until you try it! :D Poor Man Topres!!

You probably will, but not from me.  I've tried a 45g Realforce and it just felt like a really good and smooth rubber dome like I've felt on some cheap older keyboards.

So would you think that the quietkey is a good tester for a topre board?

You really should just get a topre board. Everyone is going to tell you something different.

.........or spend 18 bux and get a quiet key :-\
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: Pacifist on Wed, 22 January 2014, 02:11:23
Quote from: terrpn on Tue, 21 January 2014, 19:39:07
Quote from: ComradeSniper on Tue, 21 January 2014, 19:10:35
Quote from: Pacifist on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:58:31
Quote from: nubbinator on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:34:40
Quote from: digi on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:23:14
As I'm typing on my Dell Quietkey RT7D5JTW it actually reminds me of 45g Topre switches. I'll probably get some written lashings for this but don't hate until you try it! :D Poor Man Topres!!

You probably will, but not from me.  I've tried a 45g Realforce and it just felt like a really good and smooth rubber dome like I've felt on some cheap older keyboards.

So would you think that the quietkey is a good tester for a topre board?

You really should just get a topre board. Everyone is going to tell you something different.

.........or spend 18 bux and get a quiet key :-\

How about both? Quiet key then topre IFF quiet key has potential
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: lonedruid on Wed, 22 January 2014, 12:13:59
steelseries apex serires , roccat isku and other roccat nonmechanicals, armageddon rubber dome brethren looks nice as well. and of cuz your well known g15 and stuff from logitech comes to my mind. and oh , razer got sth called deathstalker as well.
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 22 January 2014, 12:16:34
Quote from: terrpn on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:26:58
Quote from: digi on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:23:14
As I'm typing on my Dell Quietkey RT7D5JTW it actually reminds me of 45g Topre switches. I'll probably get some written lashings for this but don't hate until you try it! :D Poor Man Topres!!

you won't from me..........

(tater pix)

Nice board!!
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: Wildcard on Wed, 22 January 2014, 12:20:32
Quote from: Pacifist on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:24:19
Quote from: digi on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:23:14
As I'm typing on my Dell Quietkey RT7D5JTW it actually reminds me of 45g Topre switches. I'll probably get some written lashings for this but don't hate until you try it! :D Poor Man Topres!!

do you know where i can find it?

So Pacifist you now need help using Google, is that what I'm reading?

Here, let me Google that for you. (http://bit.ly/1inAbF1)
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: nubbinator on Wed, 22 January 2014, 12:39:13
Quote from: lonedruid on Wed, 22 January 2014, 12:13:59
steelseries apex serires , roccat isku and other roccat nonmechanicals, armageddon rubber dome brethren looks nice as well. and of cuz your well known g15 and stuff from logitech comes to my mind. and oh , razer got sth called deathstalker as well.

Is that your list of overpriced, mediocre to crappy feeling, flashy "gamer" oriented keyboards?
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: terrpn on Wed, 22 January 2014, 13:14:46
Quote from: SpAmRaY on Wed, 22 January 2014, 12:16:34
Quote from: terrpn on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:26:58
Quote from: digi on Tue, 21 January 2014, 18:23:14
As I'm typing on my Dell Quietkey RT7D5JTW it actually reminds me of 45g Topre switches. I'll probably get some written lashings for this but don't hate until you try it! :D Poor Man Topres!!

you won't from me..........

(tater pix)

Nice board!!

danke

it was pretty nasty when i found it at the office, so i just broke it down and said what the heck even though it is a rd let me spiff it up a tad

i put plastic restorer from turtle wax on the membrane, etc. since i had a bottle that i use on my vehicles to limber it up and believe it or not it really helped!

took a spray bomb of textured black for gun stocks, a little upholstery red trim and spiffed the 'ol girl up

the only thing is the keycaps are kind of faded

i don't know if it was nubbs who said they kind of feel like a 45 topre, but it sure makes me want to go out and get one

dell quiet keys do have a plastic slider on a membrane and if the membrane is fresh they are very springy and pleasant to type on ;D

everybody probably knows what the switch type looks like, but here it is again
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: davkol on Fri, 24 January 2014, 06:45:06
Actually, only the oldest ones made outside PRC. And even some of them didn't have discrete sliders/RDs.
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: Findecanor on Fri, 24 January 2014, 14:15:35
Quote from: mljs54 on Thu, 16 January 2014, 14:47:52
I don't mind the Dell L100 to be honest.  It's the standard corporate desktop package keyboard you find in most offices.
Those are actually at least three different keyboards with the same outer appearance but different innards. All three feel different.

One or two of these have also found their way to "Worst feeling keyboard" threads now and again.
I once got RSI from one at work, so I switched to using MX Brown there.
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: tp4tissue on Fri, 24 January 2014, 14:17:24
Quote from: mljs54 on Thu, 16 January 2014, 14:47:52
I don't mind the Dell L100 to be honest.  It's the standard corporate desktop package keyboard you find in most offices.  Using it ATM while I try to find a mech solution after trading my work Realforce 87UB for a HHKB.

I think they're ~$10-15 shipped on eBay.

Show Image
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Dell_L100_keyboard.JPG)


As long as it's not from a public terminal... these boards are Da' bomb...

super light... and the phat space bar...

Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: JBert on Fri, 24 January 2014, 17:07:17
IBM / Chicony KB-8923

They go mushy after a while, but at least they're sturdy and come with a steel backplate...
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: tp4tissue on Fri, 24 January 2014, 17:12:03
Quote from: JBert on Fri, 24 January 2014, 17:07:17
IBM / Chicony KB-8923

They go mushy after a while, but at least they're sturdy and come with a steel backplate...

mmmmm... more like steel ballast plate... it doesn't back the switches...
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: fohat.digs on Fri, 24 January 2014, 17:12:55
Quote from: noisyturtle on Mon, 20 January 2014, 21:31:55
Some of the Compaq boards from the 90s were passable, but I remember the Gateway Anykey being particularly decent as a kid. I used to abuse the hell out of my family's Anykey and it kept on ticking like the day we got it.

(Attachment Link)

I find these at yard sales and thrift stores once in a blue moon. They have Cherry compatible caps, and some are thin doubleshot. It has to be this one, there are standard Gateway 2000s that are not the same.
Title: Re: Good membrane/rubber dome keyboards?
Post by: JBert on Sat, 25 January 2014, 15:11:21
Quote from: tp4tissue on Fri, 24 January 2014, 17:12:03
Quote from: JBert on Fri, 24 January 2014, 17:07:17
IBM / Chicony KB-8923

They go mushy after a while, but at least they're sturdy and come with a steel backplate...

mmmmm... more like steel ballast plate... it doesn't back the switches...
Are you talking about a different keyboard, or did Chicony make different revisions? In my case, the membranes sit on a metal backplate.